Who is the most popular Biblical figure?
Holy Moses! Survey conducted to mark 'Book of Books' exhibition reveals 93% of households in Israel own Bible, but 28% of Israelis can't remember the last time they opened it
The survey, conducted by the Smith Institute in honor of international exhibition "The Book Books," which is currently on display at the Bible Lands Museum in Jerusalem.
Apart from the Bible's presence in Israeli homes, the survey also looked into the People of the Book's connection to the Book of Books, revealing a not-so-strong link.
Nearly one-third of Israelis (28%) can't remember the last time they opened a Bible. The situation appears to be better among religious and ultra-Orthodox Jews, 10% of whom have not opened a Bible in the past year.
The study's 500 participants were asked when man was created. Thirty-three percent of secular Jews did not know the right answer – on the sixth day of Creation – compared to only 9% of religious and haredi Jews.
The poll further reveals that Jewish people, both religious and secular, don't want to lose their connection to the Book of Books – 96% are in favor of Bible studies in schools.
Moses was chosen as the most popular biblical figure by 24% of the survey's respondents, followed by King David (9%), Abraham (6%), King Solomon (5%) and Joseph (3%). Rachel made it to the sixth place with 2% of respondents mentioning her as their favorite biblical figure.
"The survey's results present a gap between the great importance we attribute to the Bible as a nation and as private people, and our knowledge of its content and our access to it," said Bible Lands Museum Director Amanda Weiss.
"Beyond Bible studies in school, over which there is a wide consensus, it's important to create real interest and curiosity towards the Book of Books from an early age and deepen our understanding of our history, as it is not just another item on the shelf," she added.
"The Book of Books" exhibition will be on display at the museum through May before moving on to the Vatican, Weiss said. It presents partial and complete holy books from the Second Temple period until today, including fragments from the Septuagint, earliest New Testament Scriptures, illuminated manuscripts, rare fragments from the Cairo Geniza and original pages from the Gutenberg Bible.
