The literature of post-Temple historiography provides us with the demographic consequences of the war, and describes the punitive measures taken by the Romans, such as the imposition of a "Jewish Tax". Our first session will focus on the emotional impact of the destruction, and the initial steps taken to alleviate that grief.
Sunday | Dec 3 | 7pm (12pm EST)
The destruction of the Second Temple left its traumatic mark on two distinct areas of Jewish life. The loss of Judaism's religious center clearly represents the outstanding emotional blow to the nation. However, this was also accompanied by the destruction of the practical frameworks of Jewish life and authority structures that regulated Jewish behavior on a daily basis. Both of these voids required immediate spiritual and practical solutions, with innovative steps taken by Jewish leaders and ultimately embraced by much of the nation.