Jews: The Case for God | Ep 2: Assyria

Summary

In this reflective narrative, the speaker shares a personal journey of discovery with their family, exploring the British Museum and its Assyrian wing. They recount the historical confrontation between the ancient kingdom of Judah, led by King Hezekiah, and the powerful Assyrian empire under King Sennacherib. The story highlights the Assyrian conquest of the Middle East, the exile of the northern Israelite tribes, and the miraculous biblical account of an angel of God striking down 185,000 Assyrian troops, leading to the empire's decline and the survival of the Jewish people. The speaker reflects on the enduring presence of Jewish culture and history amidst the ruins of once-great empires, suggesting that the resilience and continuity of the Jewish people serve as a profound testament to a divine presence. The narrative culminates in the celebration of the speaker's daughter's bat mitzvah in Jerusalem, symbolizing the ongoing chain of Jewish heritage and the enduring questions posed by Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai about the survival of the Jewish people amidst the fall of other civilizations.

Takeaways

• 📚 The family visited the British Museum to learn about ancient civilizations mentioned in the Bible, aiming to bring biblical books to life for their daughter's upcoming bat mitzvah.
• 🏛 They were particularly interested in the Assyrian wing, which contained reliefs from the palace of King Sanchezer of Asira, a powerful monarch who had conquered the Middle East, including the northern kingdom of Israel.
• 🏺 The reliefs depicted the Assyrian conquest, including the exile and assimilation of the 10 of the 12 biblical tribes, marking a significant loss to Jewish people.
• ✊ Only the kingdom of Judea, ruled by Hezekiah, a descendant of King David, rebelled against Assyria, with the city of Lachish being a notable battleground.
• 🏰 Hezekiah fortified Jerusalem in response to the Assyrian threat, and the 'Broad Wall' he built still stands today in Jerusalem's Jewish quarter.
• 📜 King Sanchezer's boast of capturing Jerusalem is recorded on the 'Prism of Sanchezer', but contrary to his prediction, Jerusalem was not destroyed.
• 🤲 According to the Bible, an angel of God struck down 185,000 Assyrian troops, leading to the decline of the Assyrian empire and the survival of the Jewish people.
• 👨‍👩‍👧 The family's presence in the museum and their later celebration of their daughter's bat mitzvah in Jerusalem symbolizes the continuity and resilience of the Jewish people.
• 🌟 The story of the Jewish people, as experienced by the family, serves as a powerful argument for the existence of God, particularly in light of historical challenges and the survival of their culture and faith.
• 🧐 The absence of the Jewish people's 'obituaries' in the form of conquering empires, which no longer exist, raises questions about the unique survival and persistence of the Jewish nation.
• 📖 The script reflects on the importance of studying history and one's cultural heritage, not just as a record of the past, but as a living connection to one's identity and faith.

Q & A

What was the purpose of the family's visit to the British Museum?

The family visited the British Museum to learn about ancient civilizations mentioned in the Bible, in order to bring the biblical prophetic books to life for their daughter who was preparing for her bat mitzvah.

Which part of the British Museum did the family head to first?

The family went straight to Room 10B, the Assyrian wing, to see the reliefs of the palace of King Sanchezer of Asira.

What significant historical event is depicted in the reliefs in the museum?

The reliefs depict the Assyrian conquest of the Middle East, including the northern kingdom of Israel, and the victory of King Sanchezer over the city of Lachish in Judea.

Why was Judea significant in the context of the Assyrian conquests?

Judea was significant because it was the only country that rebelled against the Assyrian empire, led by King Hezekiah, a descendant of King David.

What is the historical significance of the 'Broad Wall' in Jerusalem?

The 'Broad Wall' in Jerusalem is a fortification built by King Hezekiah in response to the Assyrian attack and is a testament to the city's resilience and survival.

What artifact in the Israel Museum is related to King Sanchezer's conquests?

The 'Prism of Sanchezer' in the Israel Museum contains a written account of King Sanchezer's confident prediction of the destruction of Jerusalem.

According to the Bible, what miraculous event occurred before the Assyrian attack on Jerusalem?

The Bible describes an angel of God striking down 185,000 assembled Assyrian troops, leading to the sudden end of the Assyrian threat to Jerusalem.

What is the significance of the Jewish people's continued existence in the context of the story?

The continued existence of the Jewish people, despite numerous historical attempts at their destruction, is presented as a testament to a divine miracle and an argument for the existence of God.

Where was the daughter's bat mitzvah celebrated?

The daughter's bat mitzvah was celebrated in the Old City of Jerusalem, near the site where the Judean troops once faced the Assyrian forces.

What question posed by Rav Shakay is central to the family's reflection on their history and faith?

The central question is 'Where are the gods of all the other countries that have gone before?', which underscores the enduring nature of the Jewish people and their faith amidst the fall of other empires.

What realization did the father have while standing with his family in the British Museum?

The father realized that their very presence as a continuing Jewish family, studying the history of their people, is itself a miracle and a powerful argument for the existence of God.

What is the broader implication of the story told in the video script?

The broader implication is that the survival and resilience of the Jewish people throughout history, despite adversities and the fall of powerful empires that sought their destruction, serves as a profound argument for the divine and the existence of God.