Seminar 9
The Hebrew monarchies, Judah & Israel
The aftermath of the reign of king Solomon was crucial in Israel's history. The partition of the monarchy to two smaller entities led to a long civil war and weakened Israel's position in the region. We'll tell the story of the kingdoms by describing the reign of the most influential kings in both kingdoms. Israel and its strategic location attracted the superpowers in the region. We'll include in the seminar a regional overview, whenever needed, to bring into the story the regional powers – Assyria, Egypt, Babylon.
Episode 1 –
The sources that are at our disposal to study the relevant era. Describing the two kingdoms and pointing at the characteristics of each entity, it's weak point and its strength. An overview of the regional powers – the Egyptian invasion into Judah & Israel.
Episode 2 –
The days of king Ahab & Jehoshaphat – a short lived reconciliation between the kingdoms. The two dynasties are now engaged in marriage and committed to assist one another when possible. King Ahab and the battle of "Qarqar" (853 B.C.) King Jehoshaphat's reign.
Episode 3 –
The "Golden age" – king Uzziah from Judah and king Jeroboam II from Israel join forces for the last time. The rise of Assyria and its dominance over the region.
Episode 4 –
The days of king Hezekiah. The demise of the kingdom of Israel lives Judah to be the only Hebrew entity in the region. Hezekiah's rebellion. Enlarging the city of Jerusalem to be a large city and the center of his rebellion. The first Egyptian – Assyrian clash.
Episode 5 –
The days of king Josiah & the demise of Judah. The fall of Assyria & the rise of Babylon. King Josiah's religious reforms. The last days of the realm. The prophet Jeremiah.
Episode 6 –
The exiles to Babylon. The remnants of the Judeans in the land. The assassination of the governor, Gedaliyahu son of Ahikam. The position of the prophets in the kingdom.
Seminar 10
The Jewish – Roman wars. The "Great revolt" – (66 – 73 A.D.) The Bar - Kokhva revolt (132 – 135 A.D.)
The Jewish – Roman wars. The "Great revolt" – (66 – 73 A.D.) The Bar - Kokhva revolt (132 – 135 A.D.)
The seminar will view some of the biggest dramas in Jewish national history. The Great Revolt had led to the destruction of Jerusalem and some places in Judaea. Yet, soon after the Great Revolt another revolt brock out led by Simeon Bar Kokhva. We have detailed documentation about the first revolt thanks to the book of Josephus Flavious and almost none about the second. Nevertheless, archeological excavations added a great deal of knowledge about the Bar Kokhva revolt. The second revolt had devastated the Jewish presence in Israel.
Episode 1 –
The reasons for the Great revolt. What was the situation in Judaea after the death of Herod the Great? Proclaiming Judaea, a Roman province had changed the mind set among the Jews vis – a – vis the Roman empire. Within several decades the situation had deteriorated to a full-scale conflict between the Jews in Judaea and Rome.
Episode 2 –
First acts of violence. The spark that ignited a big fire. The 12th legion led by Cestus Gallus advanced to Jerusalem. The battle in the city. The Roman withdrawal. Emperor Nero sends his legions led by general Vespasian to suppress the revolt.
Episode 3 –
The Roman campaign in Galilee and the Golan. The fall of Jopatha and Gamla. Joseph, son of Mattathias the Jewish commander of Galilee is taken captive by the Romans. The death of Nero. Year of the four Caesars (69 A.D.)
Episode 4 –
The Roman army is approaching Jerusalem. The siege around the city walls. The civil war among the Jewish militias in Jerusalem. The final assault and conquest of the city. The conquest of Masada.
Episode 5 –
The era between the two revolts. The emperor Hadrian and his imperial policy. Preparing for the revolt. The Jewish population in Judaea. The visit of Hadrian in Israel. The revolt begins.
Episode 6 –
The sources for the Bar Kokhva revolt. The course of events. The Roman concentration of forces in Judaea. The rebels' response. Was Jerusalem captured by the Jewish rebels? The aftermath of the Bar Kokhva revolt. The devastation of Judaea. The Jewish center moves to Galilee.
Seminar 11
The history of Judaism – key events in the shaping and forming Jewish history.
The idea behind the seminar is not to teach Jewish theology. We will address a variety of topics to understand what type of religion was exercised in the Hebrew monarchies. The Tabernacle, Temple & priesthood will be addressed as well. The seminar will explain the idea behind rabbinical Judaism verses Biblical Judaism. Part of the seminar will touch on the big crises in the Jewish world – the Karaite Jews, the Hasidic & the Zionist crisis in the Jewish world.
Episode 1 –
This episode will address the early days of the Hebrews. What was the "religion" of the Patriarchs? The foundations of the faith in the days of Moses. What was the religious practice in the days of the Hebrew monarchies?
Episode 2 –
Founding Judaism – the days of the Babylonian exile. The lesson of the exile and creation of the Jewish faith. The teachings of the prophet Ezekiel, returning to Zion & the days of Ezra, "The founder of Judaism".
Episode 3 –
The days of the second Temple – the main Jewish institutions – Temple, priesthood, rabbi & Sanhedrin. The Jewish community. The role of the synagogue verses the Temple. The Hasmoneans spreading Judaism among the conquered people. Judaism as a "State religion".
Episode 4 –
The aftermath of the Temple's destruction – the big dilemma: how to carry on without Temple, priests and sacrificial system? Rabbi Yohanan Ben Zachai, the founder of rabbinical Judaism. The "Oral Law" – the logic behind it. Publishing the Mishnah & Gemarah. The Talmud.
Episode 5 –
The impact of Christianity & Islam on the Jewish world in Israel and the diaspora. The growing popularity of Judaism. The Cazarians, the Jewish kingdom in Yemen.
Episode 6 –
The main crises in the Jewish world. The Karaite, Hasidic & Zionist challenges to the Orthodox Jewish world. Reformed & Conservative Judaism.