A recent study has revealed that ancient tefillin cases, small leather boxes containing scriptural verses, were not dyed black 2,000 years ago as they are today. The analysis, conducted on tefillin found in Judean Desert caves from the Second Temple period, showed that no dye was used, and the cases were likely the color of their natural leather. This discovery provides insights into the evolution of Jewish law, which now mandates that tefillin cases be dyed black.
Researchers deduce true color of ancient tefillin cases in Second Temple period / @ruthschuster https://t.co/E9CADjltOE
In Late Second Temple times about 2,000 years ago, the small leather cases housing tefillin were not dyed black as is customary today, according to a new analysis / @ruthschuster https://t.co/E9CADjltOE
Archaeologists were called in and uncovered a chultun, an underground rainwater-storage container linked to Maya mythology as an entrance to the underworld. https://t.co/kwjsMZmhba
Analysis of 2,000-year-old tefillin, small leather boxes containing scriptural verses, found in Judean Desert caves shows no dye was used. They were probably the color of their natural leather, not dyed black as mandated by halacha today đź“·Emil Aladjem/IAA https://t.co/5g10mTpXyN https://t.co/kE1mkgpXzg
Study: Ancient phylacteries’ natural leather color illustrates evolution of Jewish law https://t.co/Ed1QhhFAXe
Phylacteries were not colored black 2,000 years ago, new study reveals https://t.co/V1ygJOdDgY
Jewish wearers of tefillin have taken it for granted that the cases that hold them were always black - designated by Jewish law. However, researchers conducted tests on ancient tefillin cases from the Judean Desert and discovered no color was applied. https://t.co/V1ygJOdDgY
Our top story: Box after box revealed only bubble wrap, while others held only bits of broken pottery. As the archaeology researchers proceeded to search for textiles, they realized they had stumbled onto a crime scene. https://t.co/EQGWdVczBp