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Weight used to cheat in trade during First Temple era found in Jerusalem

JERUSALEM POST STAFF

Scamming by using fraudulent weights was extensively described in the Bible, where it is harshly criticized.

The ancient weight likely used by a scammer in the First Temple era in Jerusalem. / (photo credit: ELIYAHU YANAI/CITY OF DAVID)

Archaeologists have uncovered a weight used for trading in ancient Jerusalem that scholars believe was used to defraud traders.

Found in the northern part of the City of David in Jerusalem’s Old City and dating back to 2,700 years ago during the First Temple period, the weight in question is just 14 mm. in diameter and 12 mm. in height, and is only the second one of its kind to have been found in Israel. Made of hard limestone, the it contained engravings indicating it has a weight of two gerah, which equals 0.944 grams.

Despite this, however, the weight does not weigh two gerah. Rather, the researchers found that it weighed at least 3.61 grams, over three times as much.

While this may seem odd, Hebrew University of Jerusalem’s Eli Shukron and Hagai Cohen Kolonimus say that the likely explanation is that whoever used this weight in commerce was using it to cheat people.

A 1,000-year-old Hebrew Bible,was unveiled at the Museum of the Bible on November 8, 2019. (credit: JAMES STELLUTO/MUSEUM OF THE BIBLE)

This type of scamming is actually extensively described in the Bible, where it is harshly criticized.

“Do not have two differing weights in your bag – one heavy, one light,” reads Deuteronomy 25:13-16. “Do not have two differing measures in your house – one large, one small. You must have accurate and honest weights and measures, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you. For the Lord your God detests anyone who does these things, anyone who deals dishonestly.”

Another quote from Proverbs 20:23 reads: “The Lord detests differing weights, and dishonest scales do not please him.”

And a third quote from Leviticus 19:36 reads: “Use honest scales and honest weights, an honest ephah and an honest hin. I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt.”

The full findings of this excavation will be published on Friday as part of the book of the City of David Research Conference of the Megalim Institute.

News From Israel- September 29, 2021

ILTV Israel News

Israel’s Shalva Band Performs for Online WHO Event Promoting Disability Inclusion

Shiryn Ghermezian

Shalva Band vocalists Dina Samteh (left) and Anael Khalifa performing for a side event of the 71st WHO Regional Committee for Europe. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

An eight-member ensemble comprised of Israeli musicians with disabilities performed on Friday at an online gathering about disability inclusion, as part of the 71st session of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Regional Committee for Europe.

The Shalva Band performed “A Million Dreams” from the film “The Greatest Showman,” a song they first performed at the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest in Tel Aviv.

Before the start of the track, vocalist Dina Samteh told viewers, “We are all humans. We have our differences. And that’s what makes our lives interesting. Far too often, persons with disabilities face barriers and stigma, and don’t receive the health services they need.”

The band’s lead vocalist, Anael Khalifa, added, “I think of what the world could be if we broke down these barriers: a world of respect and acceptance. It is our responsibility to ensure that our voices are being heard and that no one is left behind.”

The online event on Friday was co-hosted by the European Disability Forum, Germany, Israel, Norway, and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. It was a side event of the 71st session of the WHO Regional Committee for Europe, a three-day agenda that formally ended on Wednesday.

In May 2021, the World Health Assembly adopted resolution WHA74.8 on the “highest attainable standard of health” for persons with disabilities. The goal of Friday’s event was to raise awareness among member states about the resolution, identify ways to highlight the importance of and advance disability inclusion in healthcare, and determine the next steps for advancing the resolution’s goals in Europe.

The European Disability Forum said the “the proposed outcome” of the event was to begin preparing a European plan of action for implementing resolution WHA74.8 that would be presented to the WHO Regional Committee for Europe at its 72nd session.

One billion people around the world live with some form of disability, according to the WHO Regional Office for Europe.

Watch The Shalva Band perform “A Million Dreams” for the 71st WHO Regional Committee for Europe in the video below.

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News From Israel- September 26, 2021

ILTV Israel News