Can Israel Learn the Lesson of 70 AD? - with Gidi Dar and Rabbi David Stav

Nearly 2,000 years ago, Jerusalem fell after political and religious divisions among Jews spiraled into civil war. As Israel heads toward another election after years of political upheaval, October 7 and war, Dan speaks with filmmaker Gidi Dar and Rabbi David Stav, a leading voice in Israel’s religious Zionist community, about the history depicted in Dar’s film, Legend of Destruction, and its echoes in Israel today. Where does the comparison hold, where does it break down, and can Israelis learn from the past before their divisions become even harder to bridge?

This episode features extended scenes from Legend of Destruction. Watch the conversation and clips on our YouTube channel.

Watch the trailer for Legend of Destruction: https://youtu.be/DIvPLLijae0?si=O97Hx_3Xybo_Myuh

Purchase or rent Legend of Destruction:

Amazon DVD: https://link.amazon/B0i5kHIIe

Amazon US TVOD: https://link.amazon/B0dj4d5bL

iTunes: https://tv.apple.com/us/movie/legend-of-destruction/umc.cmc.1x03f8yd00dkhofvrmxouwc6j

GooglePlay: https://play.google.com/store/movies/details/Legend_of_Destruction?id=RRl6A4PyFKo.P&hl=en_US

Amazon UK TVOD: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/video/detail/B0GXS755N5?ref_=atv_dp_share_cu_r

The visuals for Legend of Destruction were created by Studio Potemkin. Learn more about their work here: https://www.studiopotemkin.com/

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This episode is sponsored by the Jewish Communal Fund. Learn more about JCF’s donor advised funds at jcfny.org.

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In this episode:

- Why Gidi Dar made his film, Legend of Destruction

- The factions that divided ancient Jerusalem

- Why ordinary Jews joined the revolt against Rome

- How the revolt against Rome became a Jewish civil war

- The story of how Rabbi Yohanan ben Zakkai saved Torah traditions and transformed Jewish life after the Temple’s destruction

- The parallels between 70 AD and Israel today

- Can Israelis disagree without destroying their whole society?

- How diaspora Jews can support Israel in this fragile moment

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Credits: Ilan Benatar, Beth Pearlman, Devan Schwartz, Brittany Cohen, Ava Weiner, Martin Huergo, Mariangeles Burgos, and Yuval Semo