A Four-Part Course by Prof. Yonatan Adler
Torah Law and Everyday Life in First-Century Judea
Step into the first century and encounter the Jewish world into which Jesus was born and raised — through classroom lectures and virtual archaeological expeditions across Israel.
Watch the course introduction
Explore the World That Shaped History
This four-part course explores what it meant to live as a Jew in first-century Judea — the religious world into which Jesus was born and raised. Gain an in-depth understanding of how Jewish life was shaped by the Torah, religious rituals, and communal institutions. What makes this course especially distinctive is its immersive, virtual field experience, guided by a leading archaeologist.
- 4 university-style lectures (~40 min each)
- 12 virtual on-site archaeological visits
- Filmed on location across Israel
- ~3.5 hours of professionally produced content
A Course Unlike Any Other
Each session seamlessly blends two distinct learning experiences
University-Style Lectures
Rigorous, engaging presentations by Prof. Adler in a lecture-hall setting. Each ~40-minute session covers the historical evidence, scholarly debates, and textual sources that illuminate first-century Jewish life.
Virtual Archaeological Expeditions
After each lecture, travel beyond the classroom. Guided by Prof. Adler on location, you'll virtually visit archaeological sites across Israel — from the Qumran caves and the Jordan River to the Jerusalem Temple and ancient Galilee.
Course Curriculum
Four sessions spanning the breadth of first-century Jewish life
The Torah and the Synagogue
Explore the foundations of Jewish life governed by Torah Law and the role of the synagogue in disseminating Torah knowledge among the general public.
- Lookout onto the Qumran Caves — Dead Sea Scrolls & Torah Law
- City of David, Jerusalem — Theodotos Synagogue Inscription
- Synagogue at Magdala — a first-century synagogue building
Jewish Diversity and the Sects
Examine “Common Judaism” alongside the sectarian movements of the day: Pharisees, Sadducees, Essenes, John the Baptist, the Jesus movement, and more.
- Qumran Settlement Site — the sectarian desert community
- Jordan River at Qasr al-Yahud — site of John the Baptist’s activity
- Nazareth — the small Galilean village where Jesus grew up
Daily Life I: Ritual Purity
Navigate the sacred and the profane through an exploration of how first-century Jews practically observed the Torah’s ritual purity laws — including ritual immersion and the use of stone vessels.
- Stepped Pool in Jerusalem — interpreting ritual immersion pools
- Ritual Immersion Pool at Magdala — purity observance in the Galilee
- ‘Einot Amitai — Prof. Adler’s chalk vessel production excavation
Daily Life II: Sabbath and Festivals
Survey the rhythms of time in first-century Judea, including the weekly day of rest and ritual practices surrounding Passover, Pentecost, Sukkot, and Yom Kippur.
- Qumran Caves — divergent calendar systems among Jewish groups
- Southwestern Corner of the Temple Mount — the Sabbath trumpet
- Steps to the Jerusalem Temple — the pilgrimage experience
Journey Through the Evidence
Authentic artifacts and sites from the world of first-century Judaism
Your Instructor
Prof. Yonatan Adler
Ariel University, Israel
A specialist in the archaeology of ancient Judaism, Prof. Adler brings decades of field experience to this course. He leads excavations at key archaeological sites featured in these lectures — offering participants a rare, first-hand perspective on the material evidence of first-century Jewish life. His expertise bridges the gap between ancient texts and the tangible remains of the world they describe.
This Course Is For You If…
You’re Curious About the Roots of Western Religion
Understand the living traditions, laws, and rituals that shaped Judaism in the era that gave rise to Christianity.
You’re Fascinated by Archaeology
Experience real excavation sites, ancient inscriptions, and material artifacts through virtual visits guided by a working archaeologist.
You Want to See Familiar Stories with Fresh Eyes
Move beyond theology to the lived reality — the rhythms of daily life, the debates that divided communities, and the laws people struggled to follow.
“Journey back in time to the world of Judaism in the time of Jesus.”
A rare opportunity to explore the world that shaped one of history’s most influential figures — with a specialist who has spent a career uncovering it.
