Shrine of the Book in Jerusalem
The Israel Museum itself is interesting to visit as it houses other fascinating buildings such as the Shrine of the Book. If you want to know more about the Shrine of the Book, continue reading.
The Shrine of the Book in Jerusalem houses and displays ancient texts, including the first Dead Sea Scrolls to be discovered. The quirky contemporary architecture of the building is juxtaposed with its ancient treasures, adding an interesting contrast to the visitors’ experience.
The extremely important and revered Shrine of the Book is housed at Jerusalem’s Israel Museum. This structure is a museum extension that houses a collection of ancient biblical manuscripts, including the Dead Sea Scrolls and other rare relics from King Solomon’s reign. The museum also has on display an extensive outdoor model of Jerusalem in AD 66, with all its trading routes, markets, and landmarks.
The Shrine of the Book is a building in Jerusalem, holding all seven of the scrolls found in what is called Cave 1 at Qumran, near the Dead Sea. In 1948, these manuscripts were discovered by Bedouins and sold to assessors who were looking to sell them to scholars. There are around 900 different manuscripts that have been discovered at Qumran so far.
In addition to the Shrine of the Book, this is also where you will find the Temple Scroll, which is one of the most significant pieces of writing that was found at Qumran. This manuscript is more than 8 meters long and it has a very detailed text which many experts believe to be valuable for study.
As the fragile nature of the scrolls make it impossible to display all at once, a system of rotation is employed. After a scroll has been exhibited for 3-6 months, it is taken down and placed temporarily in a special storeroom.
The family of David Samuel Gottesman financed the construction of the Shrine of the Book. The building was designed by four men over a period of seven years.
The shrine is a white, domed structure that is built two-thirds below the ground and reflected in the surrounding pool of water. Across from the shrine, over a black basalt wall, is a towering date palm tree.
One interpretation states that the colors of the building are based on the imagery of the Scroll of the War of the Sons of Light Against the Sons of Darkness, with the white dome as a symbol of the Sons of Light.
