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Today’s Episode: 

Returning to the podcast for a special Christmas episode is Benjamin Birely, an American-Israeli Phd candidate and researcher in ancient historical texts at L’Orientale University in Naples, Italy. 

Today, as the world celebrates Christmas, Benjamin takes us back more than 2,000 years to a land very familiar, to guide listeners through the Jewish environment that defined Jerusalem in 1 A.D and the world of Jesus Christ. The story of that period is one of factionalism, religious and political tensions, civil war, and geopolitical drama – and therefore one that will resonate with listeners today.

(00:00) Introduction
(03:58) the Jewish world of Jesus Christ
(07:15) Jewish factionalism in 1 A.D. Jerusalem
(15:13) Hellenization in Hasmonean Judaea
(21:30) King Alexander, Queen Shlomtzion, and Judean Civil War
(32:26) King Herod and the public mood
(39:04) The environment that bred Jesus Christ
(45:15) After Herod: rise of the Zealots

CREDITS:

ILAN BENATAR - Producer & Editor

ADAAM JAMES LEVIN-AREDDY - Executive Producer

BRITTANY COHEN - Production Manager

MARTIN HUERGO - Sound Editor

MARIANGELES BURGOS AND PATRICIO SPADAVECCHIA - Additional Editing

MAYA RACKOFF - Associate Producer

GABE SILVERSTEIN - Community Management

YUVAL SEMO - Music Composer