האוניברסיטה העברית בירושלים The Hebrew University of Jerusalem The Orion Center for the Study of the Dead Sea Scrolls and Associated Literature מרכז אוריון לחקר מגילות מדבר יהודה והספרות הקרובה להן November 2012 Eighteenth Issue Letter from the Director Meghillot—Studies in the Dead Sea Scrolls Dear Friends and Colleagues, The Orion Center & Haifa University in Partnership This past year has been a rich one in the life of the Center. Devorah Dimant, University of Haifa Senior and junior scholars gave lectures on a wide range of From the moment of their discovery sixty five years ago, the topics, including: biblical interpretation in Second Temple Dead Sea Scrolls have been a focus of scholarly and general and later literature; transmission and redaction of interest and a source of new insights. The developing research postbiblical texts; religious experience in the Scrolls; apo- and constant broadening of perspectives on the scrolls soon calypticism (see p. 2). A special series of research seminars took shape in an ever-growing stream of articles, monographs on 1 Enoch was conducted by Prof. Loren Stuckenbruck, and text-editions. To meet the need for a more specialized the inaugural Orion Distinguished Visiting Scholar (see pp. scholarly platform, journals were established, including Revue 3–4). Scholars and graduate students from the Hebrew Uni- de Qumrân and Dead Sea Discoveries. Yet during the first fifty versity and other Israeli universities participated in these years of scholarly research no such platform was created in fascinating seminars. We thank Prof. Stuckenbruck for Hebrew, the major language in which the Qumran scrolls are accepting the invitation to conduct the seminars, and for written. Many Israeli scrolls scholars published articles on being so kindly available to colleagues and graduate stu- Qumran themes in the established Hebrew journals devoted to dents, in order to share with them his knowledge and ideas. Jewish studies in general, such as Tarbiz, Zion, Leshonenu, and The present stage of the Center’s Bibliography Project, Cathedra. But the need was nevertheless felt for a specialized partially financed by the Israel Antiquities Authority, requires us to platform to accommodate the lively scholarly exchange on the read both current and older publications (from 1995) on the Scrolls scrolls by Israeli scholars. and related Second Temple literature, in order to add keywords to In response to this need for a Hebrew journal devoted to new and existing records. We have made great progress: key- the scrolls, Prof. Moshe Bar-Asher suggested that I establish words and primary text references have been added to about a such a publication at my academic base, the University of third of the items (see p. 2). This achievement is due to the dedi- Haifa, where I could be actively involved in all the stages of cated and thoughtful work of the young scholars working on the editorial and production work. The authorities of the University bibliography team; I extend to them my thanks and appreciation. of Haifa have been exceptionally supportive, providing funding An exciting development is the collaboration of Haifa and administrative backing for the project. The Bialik Institute University and the Orion Center in editing Meghillot, the became a partner in publication and distribution of the volumes. important Hebrew journal for the research of the Dead Sea The preparation of the copy was undertaken by the Academy of Scrolls and associated literature (see facing column). We look the Hebrew Language, under the supervision of Prof. Bar-Asher. forward to the fruits of this new joint venture and to other The series was launched in 2003. Altogether nine volumes were possibilities for cooperation with our Haifa colleagues. published between 2003 and 2010, and a tenth is on the way. We are also looking forward to the upcoming international Orion symposium, “The Religious Worldviews Reflected in the As the series editors, Prof. Bar-Asher and myself have seen Dead Sea Scrolls,” to be held on May 28–30, 2013 (see p. 2). In our hopes and expectations realized. Meghillot has become a addition, in the summer, the Orion Center together with Haifa major tool for encouraging Hebrew scholarly discussion about University is organizing a plenary session on Qumran at the the Dead Sea Scrolls, and meeting the needs of researchers and World Congress for Jewish Studies (see p. 6). students in the field. The variety of themes treated by the I would like to extend my thanks to the dedicated Orion various volumes reflects the rich variety of ongoing Qumran staff and researchers. Likewise, I thank the Hebrew University, scholarship in Israel; senior and younger scholars have the the Orion Foundation, the Sir Zelman Cowen Universities Fund, opportunity to publish here both general studies and detailed the American and Canadian Friends of the Hebrew University, textual commentary. And as we hear from colleagues in other the Orion Associates in Israel and abroad, and the Orion countries, the high quality and serious approach of the series Academic Committee, for the diverse ways in which they support have gained it an important place among the other periodicals in the work of the Center. the field. Meghillot has now become a joint undertaking of the Menahem Kister University of Haifa and the Orion Center. Prof. Menahem ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Kister, Director of the Orion Center, joins Dr. Jonathan Ben- The Orion Center for the Study of the Dead Sea Dov, representing Haifa University, and Dr. Moshe Morgen- Scrolls and Associated Literature stern (of Haifa University), representing the Bialik Institute, to Mandel Institute of Jewish Studies comprise the new editorial team. Haifa’s Faculty of Humanities Rabin World Center of Jewish Studies and the Hebrew University’s Mandel Institute of Jewish The Hebrew University, Mt. Scopus Jerusalem 91905 Israel Studies, together with the Bialik Institute, will cooperate in the Tel: 972–2–588–1966 Fax: 972–2–588–3584 funding of the journal. It is to be hoped that this new partnership E-mail: [email protected] will continue to insure the high standard and central place of Web site: http://orion.mscc.huji.ac.il Meghillot within scrolls scholarship. 1 The 14th International Orion Symposium: Center News The Religious Worldviews Reflected in the One of the highlights of this past year was undoubtedly Dead Sea Scrolls the seminar series on 1 Enoch, conducted by Prof. Loren 28–30 May 2013 Stuckenbruck (see pp. 3–4). Equally thought-provoking, however, were the regularly scheduled seminars held The Dead Sea Scrolls offer a window onto the rich religious throughout the year. First semester offerings included landscape of Judaism in the Second Temple period. Many presentations by Orion Center colleagues Dr. Atar of the scrolls grapple with fundamental theological issues. Livneh (on Jubilees) and Mr. Shlomi Efrati (on The This symposium will address aspects of the religious Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs); by Tel-Aviv Prof. thought reflected in the texts of the Judean Desert in their Vered Noam (on Pharisaic–sectarian polemic as wider religious context. Comparison with other ancient reflected in the Talmud); and a special evening in honor writings affords the opportunity to refine our understanding. of Prof. Michael Stone which featured papers by Prof. Papers will carefully analyze specific texts and deal with Menahem Kister (on biblical figures in postbiblical broader themes and topics that shed new light on the literature), Dr. Esther Chazon (on the Hodayot), and Dr. worldviews, beliefs, and forms of religious experience Alexander Kulik (on apocalyptic literature). In the reflected in the Scrolls. Spring, in addition to the Enoch seminars, Prof Projected speakers and topics include: Jonathan Ben- Stuckenbruck led a seminar on the birth stories in the Dov, “Living Biblically at Qumran: Continuity or Inno- Gospels; and Dr. Michael Tuval spoke on the role of vation?” ▪ John J. Collins, “Dualism and Covenant in the priests in Josephus and the Scrolls. We anticipate a stim- Dead Sea Scrolls” ▪ Devorah Dimant, “Covering and Un- ulating schedule for the coming year as well, particularly covering in Polemics of the Qumran Community” ▪ Beate in regard to the upcoming Orion Symposium. Ego, “The Concept of Heaven in the Dead Sea Scrolls: We welcome three new Matlow Scholars this year: Some Main Aspects” ▪ Jörg Frey, “The Notion of the Spirit Dr. Eshbal Ratson, currently at Haifa University, is in the Dead Sea Scrolls and other Jewish and Christian working on the Enochic literature. Mr. Nadav Sharon, a Texts” ▪ Charlotte Hempel, “Religious Worldviews in the doctoral candidate in the Department of Jewish History Serekh Tradition” ▪ Menahem Kister, “The Root NDB in at Hebrew University, is writing on Jewish historio- the DSS: Lexicography, Biblical Exegesis, Textual Trans- graphy of the end of the Hasmonean period. Mr. Arjen mission, and Religious Conceptions” ▪ Hermann Lichten- Bakker comes to us from the University of Leuven, berger, “The Divine Name in the Dead Sea Scrolls” ▪ Belgium, and is researching the connections between the Noam Mizrahi, “God, gods, and godhood in the Songs of casting of lots and the concept of inheritance in the the Sabbath Sacrifice” ▪ Carol A. Newsom, “Determinism, Qumran literature. We look forward to hearing their Knowledge, and Moral Agency in the Hodayot” ▪ Mladen insights in seminars during the year. Popovic, “Communion with the Heavenly World and Adam Strater, a Masters’ student in the Rothberg Divine Assistance in the Dead Sea Scrolls and Second School who hails from California and Iowa, proved his Temple Judaism” ▪ Michael Segal, “The Divine Figure in mettle as last year’s Orion intern, from working on the Daniel 7 and 4Q246” ▪ Loren Stuckenbruck, “‘Apocalyp- Bibliography Project, to researching for and updating the tic’ in the Dead Sea Scrolls and Related Literature” ▪ Cana Orion Virtual Qumran site, to assisting with Orion pro- Werman, “Two Creations, One Nation: Election and grams.