Strange image generated by DALL-E for this post First published on my Substack. In an earlier post, I discussed a very simple and quick experiment that I did on a photograph of an ancient Jewish inscription written in Greek. The results … [Continue reading] about AI and Ancient Inscriptions
What Really Happened on Hanukkah?
Hanukkah is the only Jewish holiday not mentioned in the Jewish Bible. About four hundred years after the events that gave rise to the holiday, the rabbis were still uneasily puzzling about it: The Gemara asks: What is Hanukkah, and why are lights … [Continue reading] about What Really Happened on Hanukkah?
What is “Late Antiquity”?
This was originally published in my Substack, available here. I sometimes call myself a scholar of “Late Antiquity.” But what does that mean? There is nothing obvious or natural about how we name historical eras. Such names are both loaded and … [Continue reading] about What is “Late Antiquity”?
Can ChatGPT Read Ancient Texts?
This was originally published on my Substack, available here. For many years, I have been directing a project to make available the inscriptions that date from around 520 BCE - 620 CE (the Persian, Second Temple, and Rabbinic periods, using a Jewish … [Continue reading] about Can ChatGPT Read Ancient Texts?
Against Divestment at Brown University
In April, 2024, as at a few (mostly highly-selective) universities, student protesters encamped at Brown University. The encampments were set up on our main green, and while peaceful, they violated the student conduct code. The president of the … [Continue reading] about Against Divestment at Brown University