A history of Israelite and early Jewish history, from the time of the Bible to the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 C.E. How did the Israelites and the religion of the Bible evolve into Jews and Judaism?
The series was originally created in 2009-10. Due to hosting issues, the availability of new tools, and continuing interest in the topic, I have decided to relaunch it. The episodes are below, and the entire series will soon be available through many podcasting sites. The content remains the same.
In the time since I created it, I have changed my mind to some extent. You can find my more current thinking in my book, How the Bible Became Holy (Yale University Press).
I strive to make my work free, accessible, and without advertising. Hence, I depend on listener support and generosity to continue to do so. If you feel you have receive something of value from it, please considering making a donation through the link on my homepage.
I am gradually making them available on the major podcast streaming services. As I release them, I will send out blog announcements. If I feel there is enough interest and support, I might supplement these releases with written updates as well. They can all also be accessed below:
1. Between Faith and Reason
An introduction to the series with a discussion of how to reconcile academic approaches with one’s faith.
2. Religion of Israel
What religion did the ancient Israelites practice? Hint: It wasn’t Judaism. A discussion of the textual (Hebrew Bible/archaeological) as well as archaeological evidence.
3. Exile
The Babylonians destroyed the First Temple in Jerusalem in 586 BCE. Why, and what happened to its inhabitants?
4. Return
The “Exile” was short-lived. Israelites were granted rights to return and rebuild in 540 CE. A discussion of the earliest attempts.
5. Ezra
A shadowy figure named Ezra was instrumental in setting the stage for what would emerge as “Judaism.”
6. Nehemiah
Nehemiah soon followed Ezra, and continued his agenda in the fifth century BCE.
7. Jews of the Persian Empire
Most of the Judahite exiles did not return to Jerusalem. What do we know about them?
8. Hellenism Arrives
Alexander the Great swept through the Middle East in 332 BCE. His conquest was followed by the emergence of Hellenism and its quick spread.
9. Jubilees and 1 Enoch
Jubilees and 1 Enoch are two strange books authored around the second century BCE. What is in them and what can we learn from them?
10. The Revolt of the Maccabees
In 165 BCE, Jerusalem revolted against the Seleucid Empire. This became the basis for the story of Hannukah, which may not be the one with which you are familiar.
11. The Hasmonean Kings
The Maccabees were successful. The dynasty they began, perhaps not so much.
12. Origins of Jewish Sectarianism
Several Jewish sects, especially Pharisees and Sadducees, emerge into the historical record at this time. Who are they?
13. Hellenistic Judaism
Many Jewish around the turn of the millennium lived outside of Judaea. Where were these Greek-speaking Jews and what do we know about them?
14. Herod the Great
Much maligned, perhaps King Herod the Great wasn’t as terrible as is sometimes thought.
15. Philo
The greatest Jewish philosopher of antiquity (we know of only two or three), Philo lived in Alexandria and left a voluminous and intriguing set of writings.
16. The Dead Sea Scrolls
What are really in these famous, ancient scrolls?
17. Jesus and Other Strange Jews
Judaea and Galilee were awash in messianic figures. What do we know about them, and how does Jesus fit?
18. Josephus
This podcast would be impossible without the survival of the historical work of Josephus, an eyewitness (so he says) of the destruction of the Second Temple. Who is he and what did he write, and why?
19. The First Century
A discussion of the general tenor of Judaea on the eve of the destruction of the Second Temple by the Romans.
21. Destruction
The Judaeans, joined by the Galileans and others, revolted from Roman rule in 66 CE. Four years later the Second Temple was razed, and shortly thereafter the last renegades were cleared from Masada. What happened?
22. After Destruction: A Beginning or an End?
What really changed for Jews after the destruction of the Second Temple?