Rutherford Weekly

Page 2 - Rutherford Weekly 828-248-1408 www.rutherfordweekly.com Thursday, August 17-August 23, 2023 More about the dig from UNC's press release Excavations in 2022 uncovered a panel in the southwest aisle divided into three registers (horizontal strips) that depict an episode from Judges chapter 4: the biblical prophetess and judge Deborah under a palm tree, gazing at Barak, who is equipped with a shield; and the Kenite woman Jael (Yael) hammering a tent stake through the temple of the Canaanite general Sisera, who lies dead on the ground with blood gushing out of his head. These are the earliest known depictions of the biblical heroines Deborah and Jael. The sweeping archaeological project at Huqoq has left an extraordinary legacy of historically significant finds, including: • A Hebrew inscription surrounded by human fi gures, animals and mythological creatures including putti, or cupids. • The fi rst non-biblical story ever found decorating an ancient synagogue — perhaps the legendary meeting between Alexander the Great and the Jewish high priest. A panel depicting two of the spies sent by Moses to explore Canaan carrying a pole with a cluster of grapes, labeled "a pole between two" from Numbers 13:23. • Another panel showing a man leading an animal on a rope accompanied by the inscription "a small child shall lead them" (Isaiah 11:6). • Figures of animals identifi ed by an Aramaic inscription as the four beasts representing four kingdoms in the book of Daniel, chapter 7. • A large panel in the northwest aisle depicting Elim, the spot where the Israelites camped by 12 springs and 70 date palms after departing Egypt and wandering in the wilderness without water referenced in Exodus 15:27. • A portrayal of Noah's Ark. • The parting of the Red Sea. • A Helios-zodiac cycle. • Jonah being swallowed by three successive fi sh. • The building of the Tower of Babel. • The 2022 and 2023 excavations also brought to light an enormous stone paved courtyard surrounded by a row of columns known as a colonnade to the east of the synagogue. In the late medieval period, the courtyard was reused, and a massive, vaulted structure of unknown function was built on top of it. With the conclusion of this fi nal season of excavations, the excavated area will be turned over to the Israel Antiquities Authority and the Keren Kayemet Le'Israel (Jewish National Fund), which plan to develop the site as a tourist attraction. Alliance Bank & Trust American Legion, Department of NC American Restoration AmericInn Bayada Home Health Care Blue Dot ReadiMix Carolina Urology Partners Cleveland Community College Cleveland County Board of Education Cornerstone Dental Associates Curtiss-Wright Corporation CVS Health Duke Energy Dragonfly Marketing Fidelity Bank Gardner-Webb University Go Big Print HomeTrust Bank Ivy Rehab J. Morgan Company James S. Wilson, DDS, PA LGI Homes Marburger Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Morrison Construction MWM Construction & Rigging LLC Nippon Electric Glass Ohmstead Plumbing Servo South Settle Heating and Air Inc. Shelby Alarm Company Inc. Skyla Credit Union Skyline National Bank StadiumCrush Teddy, Meekins & Talbert PLLC Toscanos Bistro Turner Trucking White Investments of Shelby Whitetail Properties Real Estate Cleveland County ALWS Baseball Inc. is a nonprofit organization founded specifically to plan and implement the annual baseball tournament known as The American Legion World Series. Without the sponsors and donors shown here and hundreds more who contribute on other financial levels, the ALWS could not thrive in Shelby-Cleveland County. So, tell these folks "THANK YOU" every chance you get! T HANK YOU TO OUR Carrigan Family Carl Dedmon Family Doug Brown Patsy Rose Stuart LeGrand Marburger Marburger EARLY BIRD TICKETS UNTIL SEPT. 27TH FREE SHOWS WITH ADMISSION Caroline King at the dig site. Continued from front page. Detail of dead Philistine soldier in the Samon carrying the gate of Gaza mosaic, Huqoq synagogue, Israel. The staff and students in Machaerus, Jordan. Chase playwright has ninth play to be published Chase High School's drama director, J. Patrick Moss, was recently sent a contract for last season's play, "Hughs Crews," to be published by Big Dog Publishing. This marks the ninth of Moss' plays to receive such a treatment. Moss has written original plays for the Chase drama class since 2010, with his fi rst entitled "Beautiful, Crazy." Since then, eight of Moss' 13 original plays have been produced and performed across 16 states and Canada. "Just this summer, I woke up to a message on my Facebook that a student somewhere in the U.S. was performing a cutting of one of my plays as part of her performance for the National Speech and Debate Association. That was humbling." Chase Principal Kevin Bradley signs as a witness on the contracts when he gets them, requested by Moss. "I'm very fortunate to have a supportive administration, and by having him (Bradley) sign these contracts with me, I hope that shows the respect that I have." Moss plans to continue writing plays for Chase students and the community for as long as he continues to be the drama director at Chase. "With nine plays published, I guess that means I'm offi cial. One more, and I'll get a free set of steak knives," he joked. Article Provided By: Jean Gordon. Photo Contributed. Chase Drama Director J. Patrick Moss (left) Chase Principal Kevin Bradley.

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