From Kingdom to Ruin: Queen Salome's Era of Peace
Queen Salome ruled with wisdom, choosing not to wage war but instead investing in a strong army, which kept enemies at bay. Her strategic diplomacy maintained a peaceful and prosperous Judea.
Queen Salome ruled with wisdom, choosing not to wage war but instead investing in a strong army, which kept enemies at bay. Her strategic diplomacy maintained a peaceful and prosperous Judea.
Last week, a surprising discovery was made in the city of Ramanathapuram, India: within an ancient well, a large stone was found, appearing to be a part of an old gravestone. Though the farm workers couldn't decipher the script or showed much interest, a student named Hatim Ali recognized the Hebrew letters.
For years, the source of a significant earthquake in Israel remained a mystery, but recent archaeological excavations in the Judean region have uncovered relevant remains in Jerusalem, Hebron, Gezer, and other sites.
When King Yannai found himself without a Torah scholar to lead a blessing after dinner, his wife, Shlomtzion, had a surprising solution. This incident marked the beginning of a shift in his reign.
*Tuvia* heard that in Padua, Italy, Jews aren't discriminated against, and he could earn a doctorate there. He traveled, completed his studies, and even received medical certification. At the same time, he was offered the position of personal physician to Ottoman Sultan Mehmed IV, and he accepted.
Following Rabbi Menach Hendel's advice, a divorce was arranged, and Isaac divorced his wife. He was promised that if he recovered, they could remarry. Isaac did indeed recover, unwittingly igniting a significant debate within the Torah world that persisted for years.
King Yannai anticipated a fierce backlash when challenging the heart of the people, and preemptively stationed thousands of foreign mercenaries who emerged to massacre Jews. On that day, 3,000 innocent Jews perished to prove that Yannai was in charge, not religious law or the Oral Torah.
Over the years, archaeological evidence has emerged for each part of the biblical story. In 1830, Sennacherib's Prism was discovered in his palace at Nineveh, detailing his campaign in the land of Judah.
Raphael Levy heard about the incident while at home. Though he could have saved himself by moving to another duchy, he knew it would bring disaster upon the Jews of Metz. So, he voluntarily surrendered for questioning, hoping the judges would see he had no connection to the disappearance.
Cleopatra's ambitions could have changed everything, but a daring military strategy ensured Israel's survival as a standalone entity.
The entire sukkah burned down, and Menachem Mendel was nowhere to be found. The people of the town and his family worked tirelessly to uncover the truth and free Hinda from her uncertain status.
Aristobulus, who quickly developed a tyrannical personality, began to fear Antigonus would take his place. His advisors and those around him decided to 'help' him get rid of his brother.
*How a Political Dinner Led to a Devastating Turn in Jewish History*
Christian authorities detained the entire Jewish community of the city, subjecting them to horrific torture for three weeks. Some perished during the 'investigations,' yet none chose to convert to save themselves from brutal punishment.
For hundreds of years, the Solomonic dynasty tried to convert the Jews of the Gideon Kingdom, but they remained steadfast in their faith.
Hidden beneath sand and salt, a remarkable archaeological treasure lay undisturbed for centuries: a vast cemetery from the Mishnaic and Talmudic periods, home to 78 well-preserved tombstones with inscriptions. For nearly two thousand years, their existence and wealth of historical insight remained unknown.
When a pipe bearing the full name of Emperor Caligula was uncovered, it became undeniably clear that this was Caligula's balcony. It's the very spot where he sat with his horse Incitatus, his truest companion.
John, the High Priest, was a war hero and led many of his father’s battles. Yet, Antiochus Sidetes was relentless. As the king of the Seleucid Empire, why would he yield to a Jew ruling a small kingdom?
Under Nazi orders, scientists developed a fake vaccine while secretly crafting a real one to save lives.
Her agents were scattered across Europe as spice merchants, but each of them kept an extra eye on smuggling routes, payments to smugglers, and connections with other Jews looking to escape.