One of the most important places in Israel that you may not be familiar with.
When most of us think about the most important Jewish landmarks in the land of Israel, usually places such as the Kotel or Maharat Hamachpala are what first come to mind. However, there is another very important place here in Israel, also mentioned in the Torah, that has recently been discovered: This is the mizbeach of Yehoshusa ben Nun by Har Eval.
About 50 years ago, there was an Israeli archaeologist named Adad Zartel from the University of Haifa who was doing some archaeological scanning by the mountains of Menashe. In an investigatory process that lasted more than 30 years, Zartel discovered the remains of more than 200 ancient settlements. However, one day he discovered a strange mound of stones. Not sure what it was, he began to remove some of the stones, when he discovered a large square stone structure connected to a stone ramp. None of the stones were hewed and the structure was filled with burnt bones. Zartel, who grew up on a kibbutz and did not receive a Jewish education, was bewildered by what he saw. Finally, a religious co worker of his had an epiphany-he quickly brought a Masechet Middos and was quick to reveal that this structure was dramatically similar to the structure of the mizbeach!
Located near Mt Eval, there is extremely strong evidence that suggests that this is the original mizbeach that was built by Yehoshua ben Nun as commanded by the Torah ( Deuteronomy 27: 1-7) . My late Rebbe, Rav Yehuda Landy who investigated the matter extensively, claimed that the evidence is 100%.
Here is some of the evidence:
1.) As opposed to Canaanite altars that were circular, the mizbeach in discussion is square which is the shape of all the altars in the Torah.
2.) Another remarkable feature of this mizbeach is that it is made exclusively of non hewed stones. This is consistent with the Torah’s injunction ( Deuteronomy: 27:5) that it is forbidden to cut the stones for an altar with a knife.
3.) One ascends to the mizbeach with a ramp, as opposed to stones. This is also consistent with what the Torah says ( Exodus 20:23) that it is forbidden to have steps on the mizbeach.
4.) Inside the mizbeach, there was discovered a large amount of burned bones. After testing, it was confirmed that all of the bones were from kosher animals!
5.) There is no evidence of there ever being a city near the site, nor was the site ever destroyed. This fits well, since the Jews only temporarily settled by the site when they entered Israel, and shortly moved onward. Moreover, pottery samples from the site seem to be of the same style from the period when the Jews left Mitzrayim. There were also twe Egyptian signets found by the site that also are from this time period. Perhaps, the Jewish people had brought them with them when they left Miztrayim.
However, Rav Yehdua Landy in his monumental work “Ercha shel Eretz Yisroel” on the book of Yehoshua ( pg. 43) asks an interesting question. Yes, all the bones that were found on the site are from kosher animals. However, about 10% of the bones were from the Yachamur (a type of deer) that while being kosher, is not permitted to be offered as a sacrifice ( just like chickens are kosher, but cannot be brought as a korban). Rav Landi answers that according to Reish Lakish in Zevachim ( 34A) the regulations on animals for the mizbeach only applies to obligatory sacrifices. However, in regards to free will sacrifices, one can bring an offering from any ‘chaya’ that is kosher. These findings may serve as some form of proof to this opinion.
Now, we know that the area by Har Eval and Har Gerizim is where the Jewish people said over the blessings and the curses. With this in mind, we can appreciate even more one of the most earth shattering discoveries of recent years. In 2021, right next to the mizbeach of Yeshoshua ben Nun,there was discovered a small kemia ( amulet) that mentioned the word curse a number of times. Moreover, this kemia mentioned the name of Hashem, Havayah, in ancient Hebrew. After testing, it was confirmed that this is the oldest mention of Hashem’s name ever discovered so far. ( cf article in Israeli weekly “Bakehilla”, 28th Adar B, 5782)
The area of the mizbeach is in area B, which is under the civil authority of the Palestinian Authority. Sadly, in recent years during the Banet/Lapid administration, the Palestinian Authority began to take apart some of the stones from the mizbeach. Apparently, this incredible evidence was too much for them.
However, on a more positive note, recently a Friday morning minyan (arranged in coordination with the IDF which retains military supervision of the area) has begun. One of my son’s recently went to daven shacharis there. And to conclude I would like to share with you the powerful words of Yesha chairman, Yossi Degan, ” We received greetings from Yeshousa ben Nun and the Jewish people from the times of the Tanach. This is more proof of the unbreakable connection between the Jewish people, the Shomron and Eretz Yisroel”
Have a Great Shabbos and Happy Chanukah!
Ariel
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This article is dedicated as a zechus for the neshama of my dear friend Tzvi ( Harry) Shuster whose fifth yahrtzeit is this Shabbos, the 23rd of Kislev. Like Yehoshua ben Nun and the Maccabees, Mr Shuster, who served as a partisan during WW Two, also fought in the wars of the Jewish people. He bombed German train tracks and fought valiantly against the Nazis from his forest hideout. I had the merit to daven together with him at our shul in Cleveland for many years and also hear from him first hand about his amazing story. Yehe Zichro Baruch!
