By Marney Blom
So what makes this night different than all other nights?
According to Israel’s Broadcasting Authority, during this year’s Passover season, Israeli TV will, for the first time, begin to examine an historical analysis of Christianity, based on archaeological finds. And surprisingly it is not Christians but Jews who are underpinning the legitimacy of Jesus as a historical figure.
At a recent press conference in Jerusalem, three times Emmy award-winning Canadian-Israeli filmmaker Simcha Jacobovici introduced his documentary entitled, Nails of the Cross. The Jewish filmmaker defended his hypothesis that the ancient nails discovered in what could be the tomb of Caiaphas, the High Priest who endorsed Jesus’ death, may in fact be the nails used to crucify Christ.
“So if you accept that this is the tomb of Caiaphas and if you accept that these nails came from that tomb, given that Caiaphas is only associated with the crucifixion of Jesus, they very well could be those nails.”
Jacobovici’s hypothesis may be a stretch for many, but over half a million dollars and approximately three years later, film-maker and television executives like Itai Landsberg-Nevo, Director of the Israel Broadcasting Authority’s documentary department, believe Nails of the Cross will resonate with Christians and with Jews, as this film is based on archaeological finds.
“It is going to be interesting … the thinking of many people to the connection of our days and the history of this place.’
Jacobovici agrees.
“What I am hoping, by bringing these artifacts to light, people will re-examine and then figure out what story these artifacts telling us. And that is why it is so exciting for the first time, for an Israeli public, that didn’t … know how to “eat” this whole thing, how to “munch” on it, says, ‘you know what? Let’s talk about this.’ It’s a first and I am hoping it opens up a new chapter.”
Professor Gabi Barkai, of the Department of Archeology at Bar Ilan University admits there is no scientific evidence to confirm that these were in fact the nails that crucified Christ.
“There is no proof from the textual data that Caiaphas had the nails of crucifixion kept with him after the crucifixion took place and after Jesus was taken down from the cross. But on the other hand [that] is possible.
Time may have blown away the hard evidence needed to confirm that these were the nails that hung Jesus to the cross. However, during this season of Passover, Israelis will have the opportunity to engage in an historical archaeological analysis based on the crucifixion of the one who claimed to be the Messiah of Israel. And that might make this night different than all others.
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