The Pillars: Jerusalem, Athens, and the Western Mind Josephus II: The Legacy of Masada
Mar 19, 2025
The legacy of Masada resonates deeply within Jewish identity. Rabbi Rocklin delves into Josephus' dramatic account of the mass suicide and its timing during Passover, presenting it as both sacrificial and redemptive. He examines the tensions between martyrdom and survival, contrasting Josephus' valorization of death with rabbinic teachings that prioritize life. The discussion also explores Masada's influence on modern Israeli identity and military ethos, highlighting the ongoing debate between heroism and the ethics of self-destruction.
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The Pilgrimage To Masada
- Masada draws virtually every Jewish group, school, and army unit in Israel as a mandatory visit.
- The site's fame rests on Josephus' story of rebels who chose death over Roman capture, not on the ruins alone.
Passover Framing Makes Masada A Sacrifice
- Josephus dates the Massade deaths to the first day of Passover to cast the event as a sacrificial offering.
- This framing links the suicides to Passover and to biblical sacrifice traditions like the Binding of Isaac.
Death As Vindication In Josephus
- Josephus casts the Masada dead as sacrificial victims who achieve glory in death rather than in life.
- This contrasts with earlier Jewish martyrdom stories where God often intervenes to save the faithful.
