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Featured Article: Sheol

Puck cartoon of 1885 parodying the changing interpretation of Sheol in the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament): a number of historical sinners and atheists are seen enjoying the relatively pleasant atmosphere of "Sheol" after suffering the flames of the traditional Hell; at left is a dejected Satan sitting beneath a sign that states "This Business is Removed to Sheol, Opposite."

In the Hebrew Bible, Sheol (שאול) is the "abode of the dead," the "underworld," "the common grave of mankind," or "pit." It is said to be the destination of both the righteous and the unrighteous dead, as described in Book of Job (3:11-19). "Sheol" is also depicted as a comfortless place beneath the earth, beyond gates, where both slave and king, pious and wicked must go after death to sleep in silence and oblivion in the dust (Isa. 38:18; Ps. 6:5, 88:3-12; Job 7:7-10, 3:11-19; Gen. 2:7, 3:19).

Popular Article: Gamelan

A Javanese gamelan player playing bonang

A gamelan is a kind of musical ensemble of Indonesia typically featuring a variety of instruments such as metallophones, xylophones, drums, and gongs; bamboo flutes, bowed and plucked strings, and vocalists may also be included. The term refers more to the set of instruments than the players of those instruments. In Indonesia, gamelan usually accompanies dance, wayang puppet performances, or rituals and ceremonies. In the West, gamelan orchestras often perform in a concert setting.

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The first tube of the Lincoln Tunnel opened to traffic in 1937 (source: Lincoln Tunnel)

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