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Ancient History Beneath Modern Floorboards(25:11)
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The mikvah found under the floorboards in an Ein Karem living room. Photo: Assaf Peretz, courtesy of the IAA
An archaeologist and a homeowner share their excitement with VOI's Eve Harow over a Second Temple ritual bath found under a house in Jerusalem.
Antiquities Authority Jerusalem District Archeologist Dr. Amit Re’em describes the exciting discovery of an ancient mikvah under the living-room floor of a house in the neighborhood of Ein Karem, which sits on a Second Temple-era Jewish village traditionally associated with John the Baptist’s family. This is proof that Jews, maybe even priests, lived halachic lives there more than 2,000 years ago — until the Temple’s destruction in 70 CE. Finally, Oriya, under whose living room the mikvah was found during renovations, shares her feelings on raising her children in a home with such a history, and the personal significance it has for her as a Jewish woman.
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