Digging for Rehoboam

to learn from them. Yossi puts it best when he says: “In order to know where you are going, you need to know where you came from.”

He says his mother, he and his son were born in Israel and he wants to understand the history of the land. “One such story that is important to all Jews is that of the Kingdom of Judah. It is one of perseverance and religious devotion in the face of adversity”.

According to the Bible, the Kingdom of Judah was ruled by a succession of kings from the House of David, including Rehoboam, Asa, Jehoshaphat, Hezekiah and Josiah. The Kingdom was known for its religious devotion and it was home to the

First Temple in Jerusalem, which was built by King Solomon and served as the central place of worship for the Jewish people.

The Kingdom of Judah faced many challenges, including invasions by foreign powers, such as the Assyrians and Babylonians. In the 1980s, hot debate arose about the early history of the Kingdom and of the first kings: David, Solomon and Rehoboam. One of the most significant archaeological sites associated with the Kingdom is the city of Jerusalem. However, no clear evidence of David, Solomon or Rehoboam had been uncovered in Jerusalem. This is where Professor Garfinkel is focused, that is seeking to find their footsteps in the Shephelah. Since 2007, Yossi’s excavations have unearthed information about the early history of the Kingdom of Judah at Khirbet Qeiyafa. He and his team are seeking further detail about the Kingdom and the First Temple in Jerusalem.

According to 2 Chronicles 11:5-12, Rehoboam fortified the city of Lachish, so this is where the dig started.

Professor Garfinkel will give an update on his recent excavation when he delivers the annual Sir Asher Joel Oration 2023 at the Sydney Jewish Museum at 6pm on 20th April.

Sydney Jewish Museum, the Australian Catholic University and the Australian Friends of cordially invite you to attend the