Jews: The Case for God | Ep 3: Rome

Summary

The video script explores the historical significance of Jewish history as a testament to divine intervention. It recounts the story of the Arch of Titus in Rome, which bears the image of a menorah, symbolizing the Jewish defeat and dispersal in 70 CE. The narrative highlights Rabbi Akiva's prophecy that despite Rome's might, it would one day fall into ruin while Jerusalem would be rebuilt. The script connects this prophecy to the modern establishment of Israel and the reclamation of Jerusalem in 1967, suggesting a fulfillment of Akiva's vision. It concludes by reflecting on the enduring presence of the menorah on the Arch of Titus as a symbol of Jewish resilience and the case for God's existence in the face of historical adversity.

Takeaways

• 🕍 The Menorah symbol on the Arch of Titus represents a significant moment in Jewish history and dispersal.
• ⛪️ The Arch of Titus was erected to celebrate the Roman victory over Jerusalem and the destruction of the Second Temple.
• 🏛️ Jerusalem's Temple was a city of great splendor, with its golden menorah shining so brightly that it was said to blind those who approached the city.
• 🔥 In 70 CE, the Romans under Titus breached Jerusalem, destroyed the Temple, and took its treasures, including the golden menorah, back to Rome.
• 🎭 The Roman conquest of Jerusalem was depicted in public displays of triumph, with the golden menorah paraded through the streets of Rome.
• 🏙️ Rome's transformation after the conquest included the building of the Colosseum and the Arch of Titus, the latter bearing the image of the menorah.
• 📜 Rabbi Akiva's prediction of the fall of Rome and the rebirth of Jerusalem seemed far-fetched at the time but has come to pass over the centuries.
• 🏰 The story of the Arch of Titus is not just one of tragedy but also a testament to the resilience and survival of the Jewish people.
• 🌍 The re-establishment of Israel and the adoption of the menorah as its symbol represent a reversal of the historical events and a fulfillment of ancient prophecies.
• 🚶‍♂️ Modern Jews in Rome maintain the tradition of not walking under the Arch of Titus, as a sign of rejection of the historical subjugation.
• 🌟 The enduring presence of the menorah on the Arch of Titus, juxtaposed with the current state of Rome, offers a compelling argument for the existence of a divine plan in Jewish history.

Q & A

What is the significance of the menorah depicted on the Arch of Titus?

The menorah on the Arch of Titus symbolizes the Roman victory over Jerusalem and the looting of the Jewish Temple's treasures, particularly the golden menorah, which was a sign of the divine presence within the temple.

Why was the Arch of Titus considered a symbol of Jewish dispersal and defeat?

The Arch of Titus was seen as a symbol of Jewish dispersal and defeat because it bore an image of the Roman triumph over Jerusalem, including the capture and display of the sacred menorah, which represented a profound loss for the Jewish people.

What was the historical context of the Roman assault on Jerusalem in 70 CE?

The Roman assault on Jerusalem in 70 CE occurred after a Jewish revolt against Roman rule. The city was under Roman control, and the temple was considered a symbol of Jewish identity and resistance. The brutal attack led to the destruction of the temple and the looting of its treasures.

How did Rabbi Akiva interpret the sight of a fox in the ruins of the temple?

Rabbi Akiva saw the fox as a sign that the power and might that had caused the destruction of the temple would itself eventually lie in ruins. He believed that this would fulfill the prophecy of Zechariah, which foretold a time when Jerusalem would be restored and its streets filled with playing children.

What was the significance of the Jewish people gathering at the Arch of Titus after the United Nations' vote to approve the partition plan in 1947?

The gathering at the Arch of Titus signified a reversal of the historical narrative of Jewish defeat and dispersal. With the establishment of a Jewish state, the Jews walked under the arch in the opposite direction of Titus's triumphal entry, symbolizing the rebirth of Jewish sovereignty and the fulfillment of Rabbi Akiva's prophecy.

How did the Romans use the treasures from the Jewish Temple after its destruction?

The Romans used the treasures from the Jewish Temple to celebrate their victory and to fund the construction of various monuments and buildings in Rome, such as the Colosseum and the Temple of Peace, which served as a museum for the temple treasures.

What was the role of Vespasian and Titus in the reconquest of Jerusalem?

Vespasian, seeking stability for his family's rule, appointed his son Titus to lead the reconquest of Jerusalem. Titus was tasked with recapturing the city at all costs, which led to a brutal Roman assault and the eventual destruction of the temple.

What was the impact of the Roman sack of Rome by the Goths on the Jewish Temple treasures?

The Roman sack by the Goths resulted in the loss of the Jewish Temple treasures, which were taken during the initial Roman conquest of Jerusalem and displayed in Rome. The treasures were lost forever, symbolizing the end of an era and the further dispersal of Jewish cultural artifacts.

How did the term 'ghetto' originate and how was it used in relation to the Jewish community in Rome?

The term 'ghetto' was invented in Venice and Rome, where Jews were confined to specific areas of the city. Once a year, the Jews of Rome were taken out of the ghetto and forced to stand under the Arch of Titus next to the menorah, swearing fealty to Christendom, symbolizing their subjugation.

What is the significance of the modern Israeli state using the menorah as its seal?

The use of the menorah as the seal of the modern Israeli state is a symbol of Jewish continuity and resilience. It is the same menorah depicted on the Arch of Titus, signifying the transformation of a symbol of defeat into one of national identity and sovereignty.

How did Rabbi Akiva's prediction about the fall of Rome and the restoration of Jerusalem align with historical events?

Rabbi Akiva's prediction foresaw the decline of Roman power and the rebuilding of Jerusalem. This came to pass as the Roman Empire fell, Latin ceased to be a spoken language, and Jerusalem was indeed rebuilt with its streets filled with playing children, aligning with the rabbi's vision of a restored Jewish homeland.

Outlines

00:00

🌟 The Menorah and the Arch of Titus: A Symbol of Jewish History and Divine Presence

This paragraph discusses the profound significance of the Menorah, a Jewish candelabra, which is depicted on the Arch of Titus in Rome. The Menorah symbolizes the divine presence and was once housed in the ancient Temple in Jerusalem. The paragraph describes the historical context of the Roman conquest of Jerusalem in 66 CE, the destruction of the Temple in 70 CE, and the subsequent looting of the Temple's treasures, including the golden Menorah. It also highlights the prediction made by Rabbi Akiva almost 2000 years ago, which foretold the downfall of Rome and the rebirth of Jerusalem, a prophecy that resonates with the modern establishment of the State of Israel and the return of Jewish sovereignty to Jerusalem.

05:02

🏛️ Akiva's Prophecy and the Transformation of Jewish Destiny

The second paragraph narrates Rabbi Akiva's response to the desolation of the Temple and the Jewish defeat, contrasting it with the despair of his colleagues. Akiva's laughter and explanation of a future triumph signal a profound faith in the eventual victory of Jewish people and the fulfillment of the prophet Zechariah's vision. The paragraph also covers the fall of Rome, the loss of the Temple treasures, and the historical mistreatment of Jews in Rome, including their confinement to the ghetto and forced oaths of allegiance. It concludes with the dramatic shift in Jewish fortune post-Holocaust, the establishment of Israel, and the symbolic act of Jews walking under the Arch of Titus in the opposite direction of Titus's triumph, signifying the reversal of Jewish fate and the validation of Akiva's faith in the enduring spirit and destiny of the Jewish people.

Keywords

💡Divine

The term 'divine' refers to something relating to a deity or a religious aspect that is considered to be sacred or heavenly. In the video's context, it is used to describe the miraculous or the presence of God within Jewish history. The 'divine' is associated with the golden menorah, which symbolizes the divine presence within the Jewish temple.

💡Jewish History

Jewish history encompasses the long and rich historical narrative of the Jewish people, their culture, religion, and experiences. The video suggests that Jewish history serves as a strong argument for the existence of God, highlighting significant events and the resilience of the Jewish people, such as the destruction and rebuilding of Jerusalem.

💡Arch of Titus

The Arch of Titus is a historic monument in Rome that commemorates the Roman general Titus's victory, including the sacking of Jerusalem. The arch is significant in the video as it bears an image of the Jewish menorah, symbolizing the defeat and dispersal of the Jewish people. However, the video also presents it as a testament to the fulfillment of ancient prophecies and the enduring spirit of the Jewish people.

💡Menorah

A menorah is a seven-branched candelabrum used in the Jewish temple, symbolizing the divine presence. In the video, the golden menorah is depicted on the Arch of Titus, representing the treasures taken from the Jewish temple. It also becomes a symbol of Jewish resilience and the eventual establishment of the State of Israel, as the modern Israeli seal features the menorah.

💡Rome

Rome, as mentioned in the video, was the epicenter of an ancient empire that once ruled the world. It is portrayed as a place of both triumph and tragedy for the Jewish people, with the city's history intertwined with Jewish suffering and survival. Rome's fall and the survival of the Jewish people serve as a central theme in the video, illustrating the enduring nature of Jewish faith and culture.

💡Titus

Titus was a Roman emperor who led the sacking of Jerusalem in 70 CE. In the video, his actions are depicted as a tragic event in Jewish history, but also as a catalyst for the fulfillment of ancient prophecies. Titus's triumphal arch and the parade celebrating his victory are key elements in the narrative, symbolizing both defeat and the eventual triumph of the Jewish people.

💡Prophet Zechariah

Prophet Zechariah is a biblical figure whose predictions are referenced in the video. Rabbi Akiva's laughter upon seeing a fox in the ruins of the temple is tied to Zechariah's prophecy of a time when Jerusalem would be rebuilt and filled with life, indicating a belief in the eventual restoration and prosperity of the Jewish people.

💡Rabbi Akiva

Rabbi Akiva is one of the most famous figures in Judaism, known for his wisdom and leadership. In the video, he is portrayed as a visionary who, despite the destruction of the temple, foresaw the eventual triumph of the Jewish people. His prediction of Rome's decline and Jerusalem's restoration is highlighted as a testament to faith and the enduring spirit of the Jewish people.

💡Holocaust

The Holocaust refers to the genocide of millions of Jews during World War II. In the video, it is mentioned as the greatest destruction since the time of Titus, marking a dark period in Jewish history. However, the video also shows the resilience of the Jewish people, as the establishment of the State of Israel followed shortly after the Holocaust, symbolizing rebirth and hope.

💡United Nations Partition Plan

The United Nations Partition Plan for Palestine was a proposal in 1947 to divide the British Mandate of Palestine into separate Jewish and Arab states. The video highlights the approval of this plan as a pivotal moment leading to the establishment of the State of Israel, marking a significant turning point in Jewish history.

💡Ghetto

The term 'ghetto' originally referred to the areas in Venice and Rome where Jews were confined to live. In the video, it symbolizes the oppression and forced isolation of the Jewish people. However, the term also becomes a symbol of resilience as the Jews of Rome maintained a tradition of never walking under the Arch of Titus, a form of emotional rejection of their subjugation.

Highlights

The concept that Jewish history may be the greatest argument for the existence of God.

The Arch of Titus in Rome, an ancient monument, bears an image of a Jewish menorah, symbolizing Jewish dispersal and defeat.

The story of Titus's Arch is not just of tragedy but also of triumph and the fulfillment of a prophecy made by an ancient rabbi.

In 66 CE, Jerusalem was a glorious city with a temple so radiant that it was said to blind those who approached it.

The temple's golden menorah was a sign of the divine presence, lit daily by priests within the sanctuary.

The Roman assault on Jerusalem in 70 CE was exceptionally brutal, even by Roman standards.

Titus brought back treasures from Jerusalem to Rome, including the golden menorah, and held a grand parade to celebrate the victory.

The Colosseum and Circus Maximus were used to advertise the destruction of Jerusalem and the Roman conquest.

The Arch of Titus was created as a triumphal monument, depicting Titus's parade and the golden menorah.

Rabbi Akiva's visit to Rome and his prophecy that the power and might of Rome would one day lie in ruins, while Jerusalem would be restored.

The transformation of Rome's forum from a bustling center of civilization to a silent ruin, contrasting with the rebirth of Jerusalem.

The creation of the word 'ghetto' and the forced annual oath of Jewish loyalty to Christendom under the Arch of Titus.

The emotional rejection of the Arch of Titus by the Jews of Rome, who maintained a tradition of never walking under it.

The gathering of Jews in Rome at the Arch of Titus in 1947 following the United Nations' approval of the partition plan for a Jewish state.

The symbolic reversal of Titus's triumphal entry by Jews walking under the Arch of Titus with Zionist flags in the 1940s.

The adoption of the menorah, as depicted on the Arch of Titus, as the seal of the new Jewish state.

The Israeli forces' entry into the Old City of Jerusalem in 1966 and the raising of a Jewish flag on the Temple Mount for the first time since Titus's destruction.

The fulfillment of Rabbi Akiva's 2000-year-old prediction of Rome's decline and Jerusalem's restoration, witnessed in modern times.

The enduring significance of the menorah as a symbol of Jewish history and faith, found in both Jewish and non-Jewish contexts.

Transcripts

[Music]

what if

in a world searching for signs of the

divine the greatest miracle

was right in front of our face what if

jewish history is the greatest argument

for god

rome epicenter of an ancient empire

which once

ruled the world in the ruins of this

very non-jewish site one will find the

image

of a jewish candelabra known as a

menorah

it appears upon a structure called the

arch of titus

well known to jews because it bears upon

it

the most infamous image of jewish

dispersal and defeat in our

history but the story of titus's arch

is ultimately not of tragedy but triumph

and the fulfillment of an extraordinary

prediction

made by an ancient rabbi almost 2 000

years ago

in 66 ce jerusalem was a glorious city

crowned by its temple plated in gold

the historian josephus writes that the

temple shone with such radiance that

those approaching jerusalem

needed to avert their eyes as if blinded

by solar rays

the radiance without reflected the glow

within

for inside the temple sanctuary

every day priests would light an

exquisite golden candelabra

a menorah as a sign of the divine

presence

that dwelled within but jerusalem was

not free

it was like much of the world under

rome's iron grip

pagan trespasses into the temple sparked

a revolt

and the romans were expelled from the

city

in the year 69 political instability

shook rome and the title of emperor

passed

to the general task with re-conquering

jerusalem this patient

lacking an incredibly impressive resume

and seeking stability

for his family's rule vespasian

left the reconquest of jerusalem in the

hands of his son titus and ordered him

to recapture it at all costs what

followed

was a roman assault brutal in a way that

was

unknown in much of roman history

jerusalem was breached

in 70 ce and to this day one can still

find

enormous slabs of stone strewn around

the temple mount

because of the roman attack josephus

describes

how marauding roman legionaries stormed

into the temple

slaughtered thousands of civilians and

how

the altar of the temple itself was piled

with bodies and running

with rivers of blood the temple was

burned to the ground

titus stripped jerusalem of all its

treasures brought them back to rome

where he staged an extraordinary parade

surrounded by thousands and thousands of

cheering romans

with the legionnaires burying the temple

treasures through the streets

hoisting the golden menorah above

their heads vespasian titus proceeded to

remake rome

in their own image describing everywhere

their conquest of jerusalem

a coliseum rose proclaiming over its

entrance

that it was paid for with the gold of

the temple

the destruction of jerusalem was

advertised at the circus maximus

attended regularly by hundreds of

thousands of denizens

of the city and most famously

an architectural invention came into

being

called a triumphal arch one which has

known

imitators throughout history most

famously the arctic triumph

but the original was known as the arch

of titus and it bore on it a depiction

of titus's parade

centering on the golden menorah

vespasian built a museum for the temple

treasures

known as the temple of peace and for the

jews this was the ultimate in dignity

not only was their own sacred city

utterly destroyed

but they needed to journey to rome in

order to see the most sacred objects of

their faith

one rabbi who did journey to rome is one

of judaism's most famous

akiva who the talmud recounts

could hear even from many miles away

the hubbub of the forum which was then

the center of civilization

akiva returned to jerusalem and

once strolled past the temple mount with

his colleagues where they saw a fox

roaming amongst the ruins as his

colleagues cried seeing this

as bitter evidence of the destruction

and of jewish defeat akiva instead

laughed and explained

to his astonished colleagues that one

day all the power

and the might that was wrong would

itself

lie in ruins and at the same time

the prediction of the prophet zechariah

would be fulfilled

that grandfathers and grandmothers would

sit one day

again in the streets of jerusalem whose

streets would be filled

with playing children

several centuries later rome was sacked

by the goths

the temple treasures were lost forever

the colosseum itself fell into ruin the

circus maximus

disappeared but the arch and its menorah

remained preserved restored by a church

that saw in an evidence of judaism's

defeat

and replacement in venice and rome a new

word was invented

ghetto in which jews were shut up but

once a year

the jews of rome were taken out and

forced to stand

under the arch next to the menorah and

swear fealty

to christendom when the papal states

were dismantled and the ghettos opened

the jews of rome maintained the

tradition never ever

to walk under the arch thereby

signaling their emotional rejection of

all that it proclaimed

in the 1940s the greatest destruction

since that of titus swept the world

jewry

the holocaust and only several years

after that

in 1947 the united nations

voted to approve the partition plan and

allow a jewish state

to come into being and suddenly upon

news of that vote

in rome hundreds thousands of jews

as if by instinct gathered at the arch

zionist flags flying jews

who were displaced persons jews who only

recently had been in concentration camps

and suddenly as one they all walked

under the arch but in the reverse

direction

than that taken by titus upon his

triumphal entry

into the city thereby signaling

with their zionist flags the reversal

of what rome had wrought a jewish state

came into being

and chose as its seal the menorah

exactly as it was depicted on the arch

of titus 19 years after that

israeli forces entered the old city of

jerusalem

and a jewish flag flew from the locus of

jewish aspirations

and the temple mount for the first time

since

titus's destruction

truly what rabbi akiva predicted

almost 2 000 years ago at a time when

such

a prediction would have appeared insane

that all

the might and glory of rome would

disappear

his prediction has come true in our time

rome

is no more there are romance languages

but no one speaks latin today the glory

and the might of the forum that akiva

heard

is now an eerie silence

meanwhile exactly as akiva predicted

jerusalem is rebuilt

its streets are filled

with children playing the hubbub of

their joyous voices is hard

and their grandfathers and grandmothers

sit on benches nearby

and look lovingly upon them

how do we understand this how can what

ruby akiva predicted

have actually come true before our very

eyes

in jerusalem one witnesses the miracle

of jewish

history and the vindication of akiva's

faith

but if one goes to rome

and stands in the midst of what was once

the mightiest place on earth

and ponders a menorah one will

in that very non-jewish place suddenly

find

the case for god

so

[Music]

you