Modern Phylactery Cases
Though larger, these phylacteries are modern versions of the
Qumran phylacteries. Traditionally worn on the forehead and the
left arm during weekday prayers, the head phylactery displayed
here has been opened to show the compartments for the slips
inscribed with biblical verses.
Phylacteries Tefillin . Early twentieth century. Hebraic section, African and Middle Eastern Division, Library of Congress.
Phylactery Text
In this monograph on the phylacteries, noted archaeologist Yigael
Yadin provided a detailed description of the methods used to fold
the slips so that they could be inserted into their tiny
compartments.
Yigael Yadin Tefillin from Qumran (Jerusalem, 1969) Printed book. Hebraic Section, African and Middle Eastern Division, Library of Congress.
Solomon's Temple
Surrounded by explanatory text, the engraving at the center
depicts the First Temple. The High Priest at the altar and the
Ark of the Covenant are illustrated at the foot of the engraving.
This frontispiece from an edition of the works of Flavius Josephus was in the collection of Thomas Jefferson, acquired by the Library of Congress in 1815.
Flavius Josephus Antiquities of the Jews Frontispiece from The Genuine Works ... (London, 1737) Rare Book and Special Collections Division, Library of Congress
Views of Jerusalem
At the opening of Book One of "The Jewish War" of this first
American edition of Flavius Josephus is an engraving of Jerusalem
during the Second Temple. The Temple is located at the center of
the lower half of the illustration and the Roman legions are
shown encamped outside the walls.
Flavius Josephus Jerusalem The Works of Flavius Josephus (New York, 1792) Printed book, engraving. Rare Book and Special Collections Division, Library of Congress
The Dead Sea Looking Towards Moab
In 1838-1839, Scottish artist David Roberts (1796-1864) traveled
through the Near East, bringing home 300 sketches of monuments
and landscapes that he encountered on his journey. His drawings
were reproduced in six volumes between 1842-1849.
Shown here is his rendering of "The Dead Sea Looking Towards Moab." In the foreground--carved into the rocky cliff--is the monastery of St. Saba.
David Roberts "The Dead Sea Looking Towards Moab" The Holy Land (London, 1842-1849) Lithograph with hand-coloring. Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress.
Views of Jerusalem
This map is the lower of two plates depicting Jerusalem. The
Temple of Solomon, located at the top of the map, includes
illustrations of the High Priest at the altar. The Ark of the
Covenant is located in the Holy of Holies (the innermost chamber
of the Temple), with God's spirit, the "Shekhinah," emanating
from the ark and represented by the Tetragrammaton, the four-
letter divine name.
Georg Braun and Franz Hogenberg "Jerusalem" Civitates Orbis Terrarum (Cologne, 1612). Printed book, hand-colored etching. Geography and Map Division, Library of Congress.
Views of the Holy Land
This hand-colored map of the Holy Land (Terra Sancta) features an
enlarged depiction of the Dead Sea. On the lower left of the map
is a rendering of the story of Jonah and the whale.
Abraham Ortelius "Terra Sanctia" Theatrum Orbis Terrarum (London, 1606) Printed book. Geography and Map Divsion, Library of Congress.
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Views of the Holy Land
Claudius Ptolemy (90-168 C.E.) was the preeminent geographer of
the ancient world. Shown here is a hand-colored map of the Holy
Land from a 1482 Ptolemaic atlas. The territories of the twelve
tribes of Israel are clearly marked throughout.
Claudius Ptolemaeus Cosmographia (Ulm, 1486) Printed book, hand-colored woodcut. Geography and Map Division, Library of Congress.
Bird's-Eye View of the Holy Land
This aerial perspective of the Holy Land reflects a nineteenth-
century trend in American mapmaking which featured "bird's-eye"
views prepared for towns and cities across the nation. Published
in New York, the rendering of the Holy Land indicates the intense
American interest in this part of the world.
A.J. Marks Bird's Eye View of the Holy Land (New York, 1879). Chromolithograph, sectional map in 6 parts. Geography and Maps Division, Library of Congress.