Yizhar Hirschfeld

Dear Volunteer of Ein Gedi,

Yizhar Hirschfeld, may his memory be blessed.

I’m very sad to write such after Yizhar’s name, but this is the reality.

The following is some information from the newspapers and a picture taken from the Institute of Archaeology web site.

Prof. Yizhar Hirschfeld, one of the senior archaeologists in Israel, passed away at the Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem , on Thursday 16/11/06 at the age of 57 after a serious illness. Yizhar was born in Jerusalem and raised in Kiryat Tivon and Ashkelon. In 1987 he received his PhD from the Hebrew University, and in 1998 became a professor.

Yizhar was considered one of the most active Israeli archaeologists and an independent researcher with original opinions.

He excavated at Hamat-Gader, at the Byzantine monastery in Kh. Ed-Deir (Upper Nahal Arugot), Ramat-Hanadiv, Ein Gedi, Shivta and Tiberias. He researched the Judean Desert Byzantine monasteries, and concluded the archaeological survey of Herodion and his research of the Palestinian house. In my opinion, his longing for the desert brought him to excavate seven seasons in Ein Gedi (1996-2002). Later he returned to his research in Tiberias. It is quite symbolic that he passed away on the final day of his last season in Tiberias. Yizhar was a researcher that was determined to publish his final reports as soon as possible. Unfortunately he did not live to see the report on Ein Gedi, now being published.

Yizhar took part in the academic debate about the identity of the people of Qumran, and supposed that it was an agricultural manor. He also suggested that the Essenes settled in the outskirts of the oasis of Ein Gedi, in the 30 houses suburb, as Aharoni called it in the 50s. Yizhar also researched the balsam, or Afarsemon production system in the Roman and Byzantine Period. He also succeeded in opening the exhibition of his excavations in Ein Gedi, at the Hecht Museum, in Haifa.

Three daughters survived Yizhar. He was interred in the Ma’ale Hachamisha cemetery.

I first met Yizhar while we studying for MA, when I used to ask him for his advise. Later on, when he arrived at Ein Gedi, I was glad when he offered me to join him as supervisor for the excavations in the agricultural areas. He was the one who encouraged me to continue to my PhD and advised me with all that was concerned with such. Indeed, my participation in his delegation enabled me to research my thesis about the irrigation agriculture of Ein Gedi. He was also my tutor – for all this I am grateful to him.

During the seven seasons of excavations we spent time involved in archaeological debates. While he pushed in various directions, I didn’t always agree with him. This was a very interesting and intensive period, when I learnt from him and from the work itself. He employed many workers from Jericho, as well as many volunteers from abroad, and treated them all with honor and care.

I well remember the end of season parties, usually with fish and chips (French fries), wine and songs into the night, under the high palm trees.

At the end of the 2002 season, Yizhar announced that this was his last season in Ein Gedi. I felt that I had to continue. Since then, the “Ein Gedi Oasis” delegation has had 5 seasons of revealing the village of the Second Temple Period, and we aim to have the sixth season this coming January.

For the time being we shall continue the research of the Ein Gedi oasis that Yizhar advanced. We wish to continue and accomplish his study, by excavating the gap between his dig area, “a large village of Jews”, and the ancient synagogue. By doing so a complete site will be created, including the people’s dwellings and with a synagogue of the Byzantine period.

During a visit I paid him after his operation, we spoke about various things. He said that it is important to publish the excavations, because it is the most interesting thing that we are doing.

Goodbye colleague and thank you

Gideon