Anonymous
7/2/2025, 9:20:20 PM No.17809578
There was a Jewish community on Elephantine Island in the Nile River, and the evidence suggests they were not familiar with the story of Moses and the Exodus from Egypt. Archaeological discoveries, particularly the Elephantine Papyri, reveal a Jewish community with its own temple and distinct practices, seemingly unaware of or not adhering to narratives central to mainstream Jewish tradition.
Here's a more detailed explanation:
The Elephantine Papyri:
These Aramaic documents, dating from the 5th century BCE, provide valuable insights into the lives of this Jewish community.
Temple and Practices:
The community had its own temple dedicated to Yahweh, where animal sacrifices were performed. Their religious practices, as evidenced in the papyri, differed significantly from those described in the Torah.
Lack of Familiarity with Moses:
The papyri make no mention of Moses, the Exodus, or the covenant at Sinai, suggesting that these core narratives of Jewish identity were not part of their religious framework.
Here's a more detailed explanation:
The Elephantine Papyri:
These Aramaic documents, dating from the 5th century BCE, provide valuable insights into the lives of this Jewish community.
Temple and Practices:
The community had its own temple dedicated to Yahweh, where animal sacrifices were performed. Their religious practices, as evidenced in the papyri, differed significantly from those described in the Torah.
Lack of Familiarity with Moses:
The papyri make no mention of Moses, the Exodus, or the covenant at Sinai, suggesting that these core narratives of Jewish identity were not part of their religious framework.
Replies: