IN-PERSON ONLY
A partnership between the Biblical Archaeological Forum, BASONOVA, B’nai Israel Congregation, and the Haberman Institute
Location: B’nai Israel Congregation | 6301 Montrose Road | Rockville, MD 20852
Register: Click here to learn more.
Presented by Jonathan Klawans
Professor of Religion and Judaic Studies, Boston University
The story of the mass suicide at Masada has been told by our only contemporary source, Josephus, the first-century Jewish historian, priest, autobiographies, and general. Although his histories may have been written, at least in part, for a Roman audience, this presentation evaluates the story in the context of ancient Jewish sectarianism and nationalism.
The validity of the story in light of Josephus’s biases and motivations will be probed, and taken into consideration will be the attitudes toward suicide and martyrdom as articulated by Josephus and other ancient Jewish sources.
Also explored will be the meanings the story has taken on in contemporary Israeli history and culture with comparisons to some more recent stories of tragic mass suicide.