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Devarim In the year 66 of the Common Era, the major Jewish revolt against the Romans began. Gessius Florus, the worst of the Roman Procurators, had been appointed. The Jews of were denied citizenship in the city Caesarea, and the evenhanded super power of the time, Rome, supported those who denied Jews their rights in their own Land. Next, Florus demanded the payment of 17 talents of silver from the treasury of the Beis HaMikdash and sent his legionnaires into Yerushalayim where they killed, raped and looted at will. More than 3000 Jews were crucified in one day despite their rights as citizens. Tens of thousands came to prevent the desecration of the Temple and prevented Florus's legions from reaching it. The Revolt had begun. As soon as the Roman legions had been routed from Yerushalayim, the fight for control began between the Jews. Various factions competed for control and each militia controlled a neighbourhood. The Roman governor, Cestius Gallius, attempted to squelch the rebellion. He destroyed all that stood before him. Realising the impossible situation of the legionnaires besieged near Yerushalayim, he attempted to withdraw them while sending for reinforcements from Rome. The withdrawal turned into a rout and most of the legionnaires were trapped and killed near Beis Choron, while Galus barely escaped with his life. The Revolt began in earnest. A council was set up in Yerushalayim to appoint military commanders. The most important post, governorship of the Galilee and the Golan was given to Joseph ben Mattahias, later called Josephus Flavius, who seemed best equipped and trained to lead the defence of the passage from the north through the mountains into the interior of the country. Sadly, he lacked the commitment to his heritage needed to succeed. Awed by Rome in his early visits there, he was impressed by its physical might and "civility." He never gave up hope of making a "peace "with Rome, that he felt would save his country. Ha maintained excellent relations with the descendant of Herod, Agrippa II, who was committed to retaining Roman domination over the Land of Israel. Many, suspecting Josephus of treachery, appealed to Yerushalayim that he be relieved of his post, however, through guile and support of the assimilationist faction, he retained his post. However, those committed to the freedom gathered around Jochanan of Gush Chalav. For the next months, Josephus, instead of planning the battle against Rome, preoccupied himself with political machinations against Jochanan and his followers. This intericene fighting was exactly what the Roams wanted as they came to make war against the Jews. As expected, the Romans came down from the north, from their regional centre in Antioch, led by Vespassian sixty thousand crack troops were sent to put down this petty rebellion. It stretched into a war of three years, due to the unusual bravery and heroic resistance of the Jews, despite the treachery of Josephus. Sepphoris, the mightiest fortress in the area, the key to the North, was held by allies of Josephus and was surrendered without a fight. At Yotapatha, Josephus's troops demanded he fight. The Romans were held up for weeks trying to overcome the defenders and were about to give up when a traitor opened for them the gates. Josephus gave himself up to Vespassian, adopting his family name, Flavius, in Vespassian's, honour. Over forty thousand Jews died in the battle and the rape of Yotapatha and twelve thousand woman and children were sold in slavery. The man, in whom the defence of the Land had been entrusted, ended up a traitor and Roman sycophant. Jochnan of Gush Cholov led the defense of Gamla and Gosh Cholov. Eventualy, under constant presure from Joshephus's friends and the Romans he escaped to Yerushalayim where once again the defence fell apart due to internal divisions. Yerushalayim was destroyed because they did not honour the Sages in her midst.(Gemara Shabbos). The Beis HaMikdash was destroyed due to causeless hatred in our midst. |
