May 2010 – Archeologists have unearthed 57 ancient Egyptian tombs, most of them containing a painted wooden sarcophagus with a mummy inside. The Supreme Council of Antiquities found the oldest tombs date back to around 2750 B.C. Twelve of the tombs belong to the 18th dynasty which ruled Egypt during the second millennium B.C.

The discovery is a revelation of Egypt’s ancient religions. Council chief Zahi Hawass related the mummies are covered in linen decorated with religious texts from the Book of the Dead and scenes featuring ancient Egyptian deities. The findings were unearthed at Lahoun, in Fayoum, some 70 miles (100 kilometres) south of Cairo. In 2009, some 53 stone tombs dating back to various ancient periods were found in the area.

In Judaism the Torah has a total of 613 commandments which includes the ten from the Decalogue. Traditional Rabbinical Jewish belief is that these commandments apply solely to the Jewish people.

This 1768 parchment by Jekuthiel Sofer emulated the 1675 Decalogue at Amsterdam Esnoga synagogue.

ALEPH

BET

GIMMEL

DALET

HEY

VAV

ZAYIN

CHET

TET

YOD

His sister stood from afar, to know what would become of him. (Exodus 2:4)

Miriam is a young girl who stands amidst the reeds that embrace the river’s bank, still and quiet, watching from afar, making sure her brother Moses would survive. She is the guardian of the promise, of all her people have yearned for, and she will not allow that promise to leave her sight.

Miriam means bitter, for it is a bitterness that drives her, all the bitterness born of her people’s harsh lot of slavery under Pharoah. It is her powerful vision, one that will transform the bitter to sweet, the darkness of exile to the great light of freedom. In her merit, we were redeemed from slavery. And in the merit of women of faith today, the entire world will be redeemed of its darkness.

For greater incite into Miriam as a prophetess read Anthology of the Prophets.