Former CEO Publishes Book Connecting Torah Portions to Archaeology
Shlomo Barak, an 80-year-old former CEO of major Israeli textile companies, has authored a new book titled "Digging into the Portion" (Hafira Ba'parasha) that aims to bridge the gap between biblical studies and archaeology. The book, published by Kinneret Zmora Dvir, seeks to ground the weekly Torah portions in historical and archaeological reality, moving beyond traditional interpretations.
Barak, who immigrated to Israel in 1948 and had a distinguished career in business, including leading the "Lodzia" company and representing Mast Industries, pursued a lifelong dream of academic study later in life. He earned a master's degree in Land of Israel Studies and Archaeology, which informed his current work and his community classes in Kiryat Ono.
The inspiration for the book struck Barak about 20 years ago during a visit to the Bible Lands Museum. Observing an exhibit on the story of Judah and Tamar, he realized that the "signet, cord, and staff" mentioned were not abstract concepts but tangible objects reflecting ancient social status. This realization led him to believe that understanding the historical context of the Torah's descriptions is key to interpretation.
"Digging into the Portion" is a collaborative effort, with Barak and Professor Ze'ev Safrai co-authoring most of the chapters. The book also features contributions from various experts, including Professor Zohar Amar on locust plagues, Professor Hagar Misgav on ancient inscriptions, Professor Yossi Offer on Torah texts and Dead Sea Scrolls, and Dr. David Nachman on ancient tefillin.
The 456-page book includes maps and photographs, presenting findings such as 2,200-year-old tefillin from the Judean Desert, an ancient Egyptian inscription mentioning "Israel," and insights into the settlement of tribes beyond the Jordan River from the perspective of the Moabite king on the Mesha Stele. Barak believes the book is relevant to a wide audience, from the strictly religious to the secular, aiming to add a layer of historical reality to Torah study and make it an adventure.
