Rabban Yochanan Ben Zakkai saves Torah
The three year Roman siege of Yerushalayim portended doom for Jewish nationalism. The inhabitants of the Holy City were divided; some were wearied from the hopelessness of the situation; others, although refusing to surrender, fought among themselves. Hunger and disease were rampant. Rabban Yochanan ben Zakkai was among those leaders who determined to do something about the impending destruction of Yerushalyim.
“The Jewish people are fighting among themselves,” he reasoned. “There are so many different political parties, so many different opinions how to deal with the enemy. The Sicarii, or Biryonim, as they sometimes call themselves, are clandestine killers. Anyone they see speaking to a Roman finds his life endangered and becomes a target for their foul play. The Zealots want to fight the mighty enemy and restore Jewish independence; they think the situation is the same as it was in the days of the Maccabbees.” [Ed. Approximately two hundred years prior to the Roman siege, the Jewish people rebelled against pagan Greek / Syrian domination and overcame them. Mattathias and his five sons (one was named Judah, and was called Maccabbee) organized the rebellion. The holiday of Chanukah is celebrated to commemorate the victory over paganism and the restoration of Jewish life.]
“I, and the rest of the Perushim (Pharisees) only want to live peacefully, so we can study and transmit Torah. The Tzedukim (Sadducees) want to become allied with the Romans. And the Romans? What do they do? They enforce the siege and wait patiently while brothers destroy brothers. Woe unto us! If the Holy Temple is destroyed, it will be because my people did not want to live together in peace. It will be because we hated each other for no reason. We are one people, but we act so differently. There are four political parties, each with its own agenda.” [Ed. Why was the Second Holy Temple destroyed? Because needless hatred prevailed. Talmud Bavli Yoma 9b]
