According2Sam Podcast

The belief that the United States launched an attack on Iran at the behest of Israel is widely shared, and a growing number of prominent figures are telling their large audiences that this is what happened. Megyn Kelly, for example, told her millions of listeners that the American soldiers killed by IRGC rockets died for Israel. Others have expressed similar sentiments, claiming that Israel controls the United States. These views appear on both the left and the right and seem to transcend traditional political affiliations. Recent statements by the Secretary of State and some members of Congress have made those who hold these beliefs more confident that they are correct. Senators claiming that it is a religious war and that the United States has a biblical obligation to support Israel have also added fuel to this narrative. What is this conflict with Iran really about? Join the conversation and get answers to these questions and more on According2Sam episode #389.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.according2sam.com

The United States and Israel have long been engaged in a shadow conflict with Iran, involving proxy forces and covert operations. Over the weekend, that conflict escalated into direct military strikes on Iranian targets, killing several senior officials. For years, war-hawks in Israel and the United States have advocated for stronger direct military action or regime change in Iran, and now they are getting what they have long wanted. Critics argue that President Donald Trump, who previously pledged to avoid new foreign wars, may be influenced by these hawks rather than what is best for the American people. What actually motivated his decision to authorize military action, and does this violate his commitment to pursue peace? Join the conversation and get answers to these questions and more on According2Sam episode #388.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.according2sam.com

When Antiochus IV Epiphanes marched into Judea in 167 BC, laid siege to Jerusalem, and defiled the Temple, his actions sparked a revolt that is still commemorated today. The festival of Hanukkah—which means “dedication” and is celebrated for eight days each winter—marks this event. The Maccabees ultimately defeated the Seleucid forces, regained control of Judea, and cleansed and rededicated the Temple to Yahweh. Antiochus not only desecrated the Temple and humiliated the Jewish people, but he also persecuted and killed many of them. Although it may be tempting to describe Antiochus simply as an antisemite motivated by hatred of the Jews, that interpretation can be overly simplistic. What other factors might have motivated Antiochus to persecute the Jews, apart from antisemitism? Join the conversation and get answers to this question and more on According2Sam episode #387.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.according2sam.com

After the viral interview between Tucker Carlson and U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, I realized that the major point of contention is not whether the nation of Israel should exist or whether the Jewish diaspora has a right to migrate there. Rather, the issue is where that right comes from. Carlson stated that he believes Israel should exist as a Jewish state, but he pressed Ambassador Huckabee on the source of that right. When Huckabee insisted that it comes from God and rests on a biblical mandate, Carlson strongly challenged his claims. He questioned the biblical borders, the ancestry of the settlers, and how we can know they are Abraham’s descendants, as the Bible describes. Ultimately, the debate raises a broader question: Why is the British Mandate a stronger argument than the biblical mandate for Israel’s right to exist? Join the conversation and get answers to this question and more on According2Sam episode #386.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.according2sam.com

Former Miss California, Caroline Prejean Boller, has been in the news lately after she was removed from the White House's Religious Liberty Commission. During a recent meeting of the commission, Caroline engaged in heated debates with Jewish guests and other members. The confrontation centered around Zionism, antisemitism, and her question of whether not being a Zionist means one is an antisemite. The answer given was yes. Caroline, who was raised as an evangelical Christian but has since converted to Catholicism, said that response was anti-Catholic because Catholics do not embrace Zionism. In a later interview, she claimed that Catholic teaching holds that the Church is the New Israel. Is there a rise in opposition to Zionism among Catholics, and does Catholic teaching support it? The Join the conversation and get answers to these questions and more on According2Sam episode #385.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.according2sam.com

The Maccabean Revolt is one of the most important events in Jewish history. The Maccabees defeated the Seleucid Empire under Antiochus Epiphanes and established a new Jewish dynasty under Hasmonean rule. They took control of Jerusalem and rededicated the Temple after Antiochus defiled it with pagan gods and the blood of swine. This is commemorated each winter with the celebration of Hanukkah and the lighting of the menorah. However, there is much more to the story. The Seleucid Empire was far more powerful than the band of Jewish rebels who defeated it. They had more soldiers, better weapons, and cavalry with horses and elephants. How did the Syrian Wars weaken the Seleucid Empire and allow the Maccabees to win despite unfavorable odds? The Join the conversation and get answers to this question and more on According2Sam episode #384.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.according2sam.com

Filmmaker Michael Moore recently went viral for a rant he delivered on The Ayman Mohyeldin Show on MSNBC. Mohyeldin was born in Egypt to a Palestinian mother. His family immigrated to the United States when he was a young child, and he built his career as a Middle East correspondent. That background adds context to Moore’s remarks in the now-viral clip. Moore argued that the real enemy of the Jewish people is not the Palestinians. According to his understanding of history, he claimed that most persecution of Israel and the Jewish people has come from “white, European-centric Christians.” Looking directly into the camera, he told any Jewish viewers who might be watching, “That’s been your enemy.”

Is there any truth to Moore’s claim, and what might he be leaving out? Join the conversation and get answers to these questions and more on According2Sam episode #383.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.according2sam.com

Rumors are circulating that filmmaker Christopher Nolan is considering casting Oscar-winning actress Lupita Nyong’o as Helen of Troy in an upcoming film based on Homer’s The Odyssey. Nyong’o, who is African, has starred in acclaimed films such as 12 Years a Slave, Us, and Black Panther. While she is widely regarded as a talented actress, the rumor of her being cast as Helen of Troy has sparked significant criticism. Elon Musk commented on the alleged casting on his social media platform, stating, “Christopher Nolan has lost his integrity.” Many other voices have also criticized the casting as implausible, while others have welcomed it, arguing that it is simply an artistic interpretation of a fictional story and that Hollywood does this regularly. Why are people criticizing the casting? Join the conversation and get answers to these questions and more on According2Sam episode #382.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.according2sam.com

The outrage and pearl-clutching over the indictment and arrest of Don Lemon has been interesting to watch. Many of the people claiming that his prosecution signals the end of democracy are the same ones who declared that “no one is above the law” when New York District Attorney Alvin Bragg ran a campaign promising to prosecute President Trump—and then followed through after winning. These same individuals were conspicuously silent when the Obama administration used the Espionage Act to target whistleblowers and journalists who exposed government malfeasance. Yet the indictment of Don Lemon has suddenly stirred them to defend democracy and the free press. How does their hyperbole and overreaction demonstrate their hypocrisy, and what was the probable cause for prosecuting Don Lemon? Join the conversation and get answers to these questions and more on According2Sam episode #381.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.according2sam.com

Throughout human history, many rulers have been given the title “the Great,” including emperors such as Constantine the Great, kings such as Charlemagne the Great, and even queens such as Catherine the Great. To earn this title, each ruler had to accomplish something great during their reign, such as a significant conquest that expanded their kingdom. The earliest kings of the Achaemenid Empire all received the title “the Great,” beginning with Cyrus the Great, followed by Darius the Great, and later his son, Xerxes the Great. Each of these rulers conquered more territory for the Persians than the one before, expanding the empire as far east as India and as far west as the Aegean Sea. However, this expansion would not last. A king from Macedonia would eventually conquer the entire Persian Empire—and he too would receive the title of “the Great.” Who was this great king? Join the conversation and get answers to this question and more on According2Sam episode #380.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.according2sam.com