In this lecture, David Solomon explores which period of Jewish history most resembles the present age. He emphasises that making meaningful comparisons requires qualifying terms and examining key considerations that shaped each era’s dynamics. David outlines relevant factors regarding geopolitics, governance, land control, exile status, spiritual leadership, and ethical behaviour. By analysing periods against these criteria, one can thoughtfully discuss historical parallels, beyond superficial dinner table assertions.
#19 Visionaries, Reformers and Agitators – the Rise of the Prophets of Israel (part 4)
Building the dream
Following the return to the Land of Israel from the Babylonian exile, the Jewish nation found itself grappling with issues associated with the reconstruction of a society and the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem. Two extraordinary figures to emerge at this crucial juncture in Jewish history were the prophets Ḥaggai and Zechariah. In this podcast episode, the final instalment in his series on the Rise of the Prophets of Israel, David Solomon looks at the incredible lives and messages of Ḥaggai and Zechariah; their historical and geopolitical contexts; and the powerful words they uttered to the Jewish people during the period of the return to Zion – many ideas and insights which continue to resonate for us today.
