Israel and Assyria

Found 6 Search results

1. But WHY didn't Ahab kill Ben-Haddad?

   Rabbi Gad Dishi

   תאריך פרסום: תשע"ג | | Hour and 5 minutes

   Why is Chapter 20 of Melakhim located where it is? It appears to be a battle narrative that is out of place with the surrounding chapters. And why is there such an emphasis on Ahav building up Yeriho (Jericho)? Why is God displeased by the end of the story in Chapter 20?

   
   Rabbi Gad Dishi brings the perakim to life through an interdisciplinary approach. Literary and linguistic tools, Ancient Near East studies, and archeological findings all enhance our understanding of Tanakh and of the important theological message within. Linguistic and thematic parallels to other parts of Tanakh and to other texts call into question whether these stories are meant to be read as battle narratives -or whether they are a different genre: a satirical polemic with an important message.

2. "He Is Faithful With Holy Ones"

   Haftarot: Vayetzeh

   Rabbi Mosheh Lichtenstein

   The prophet speaks out against the nation's lack of loyalty, and uses Yaakov as an example of complete loyalty to God.

3. Tumult and Decline

   Rabbi Alex Israel

   The chapter opens with the formidable King Uzzia of Yehuda, and closes with his son, "the flawless" Yotam, presenting a sixty-two year span of dynastic stability and serenity in the South. Concurrently, and occupying the central space of the chapter, five Northern kings are described as passing in rapid, tumultuous succession, with the Northern state racked by relentless political opportunism in which one national revolt is swiftly followed by further mutiny. The quick pace of coup and counter-coup along with foreign invasion race toward Yisrael's end, as Yisrael stands on the precipice of exile.

   The looming danger is the ascent of the Empire of Ashur, a superpower the likes of which the Middle East has never seen. It is a historical event that will fundamentally change the region. As a result, an unprecedented four prophets prophesy during this period.

4. King Ahaz – Abandoning God

   Rabbi Alex Israel

   After two generations of kings who upheld God's worship unequivocally, we encounter Ahaz - a king who is attracted to everything Assyrian. He looks to Assyria to offer his country military backing against Israel and Aram's alliance, disregarding an explicit prophetic directive from Yishayahu. In the religious sphere, he transforms the Beit HaMikdash into an Assyrian shrine. 

5. Historical Introduction, Part II – Sennacherib’s Campaign and the Failed Siege of Jerusalem

   Shiur #03

   Dr. Yael Ziegler

   תאריך פרסום: 5778 |

   The extraordinary deliverance of Jerusalem from the Assyrian army forms an important historical backdrop to the book of Eikha. An episode that began as an inspiring manifestation of God’s miraculous intervention to save Jerusalem developed in a catastrophic direction. Drawing the wrong conclusions in the aftermath of this astounding incident, the nation became complacent in their overconfidence in the city’s sacred status. A stark contrast to their assumptions and belief, the destruction of Jerusalem left a shocked populace in its wake, their physical and ideological world in tatters.

6. Sefer Yeshayahu: Archaeology

   Nachliel Selavan | 35 minutes

   Sefer Yeshayahu is a contemporary of Hoshea, Nahum and Micha, and operated during the reign of four kings of Judah: Uzziya, Yotam, Ahaz and Hezekiah. According to Chazal, he was killed by Menashe. 

   This episode focuses primarily on the first part of the book, which deals with the geopolitical and internal events during the reign of these fours kings, and the Rise of the Assyrian Empire. It also includes addresses to many nations, and prophecies of their pending doom by the hands of Assyria and more. 

    

   Archaeology Snapshot is a discussion on the location, timeline, main characters and highlights from history and archaeology, for each Sefer in Tanach.