Masada: A Good Symbol? | Shorashim - Israel with Israelis

Masada: A Good Symbol?

After taking some beautiful pictures together atop Masada, we proceeded to tour the ruins atop the mountain. Masada was originally a fortress for King Herod the Great. Corrupt and rightfully paranoid about potential rebellions, Herod fortified this desert palace in case he had to flee Jerusalem. Later, an extremist and controversial splinter group of Jews took to Masada and withheld months of Roman siege. When the Roman siege finally reached the top of Masada, they found only dead Jews. The group atop Masada decided to kill themselves instead of fall to the Romans. They burned everything except their food supplies, to prove that they could have otherwise survived.

We discussed whether Masada should then serve as a symbol for Jewish/Israeli strength. Should we use these extremists as an example? Are they good role models? Was violating Jewish law to prevent falling to the Romans the right thing to do?

Food for thought!