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The Kingdom of Israel faced significant consequences under Assyrian rule, as the Assyrians implemented their aggressive strategy for controlling conquered peoples. The Assyrians scattered the population of Israel through forced transmigration, relocating them across the empire and replacing them with other populations. This tactic was designed to prevent rebellion by disrupting cultural and social cohesion. Their approach reflected a direct-control strategy that prioritized maintaining power through fear and the destruction of local identity. Assyrian propaganda, such as the Sennacherib Prism, emphasized their dominance and ruthlessness, further discouraging resistance. The transmigration caused the scattering of the Israelites not only led to the loss of the ten northern tribes, but it also shaped jewish history as a whole.

Photo link: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/2469/the-taylor-prism-of-king-sennacherib-nineveh/

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Sennacherib Prism

"I approached Ekron and slew the governors and nobles ⁹who had rebelled, and ¹⁰hung their bodies on stakes around the city. The inhabitants ¹¹who rebelled and treated (Assyria) lightly I counted as spoil.
¹⁸As for Hezekiah the Judahite, ¹⁹who did not submit to my yoke: forty-six of his strong, walled cities, as well as ²⁰the small towns in their area, ²¹which were without number, by leveling with battering-rams ²²and by bringing up siege-engines, and by attacking and storming on foot, ²³…I besieged and took them."

"(Hezekiah) himself, like a caged bird ²⁸I shut up in Jerusalem, his royal city. 2"

Tanach:  2 Chronicles 32

13 “Do you not know what I and my predecessors have done to all the peoples of the other lands? Were the gods of those nations ever able to deliver their land from my hand? 14 Who of all the gods of these nations that my predecessors destroyed has been able to save his people from me? How then can your god deliver you from my hand? 15 Now do not let Hezekiah deceive you and mislead you like this. Do not believe him, for no god of any nation or kingdom has been able to deliver his people from my hand or the hand of my predecessors. How much less will your god deliver you from my hand!”

10 “This is what Sennacherib king of Assyria says....

Were the gods of those nations ever able to deliver their land from my hand? 14 Who of all the gods of these nations that my predecessors destroyed has been able to save his people from me? How then can your god deliver you from my hand?

These two quotes, one from Sennacherib Prism and the other one from the Tanach (2 Chronicles 32) reflect the two contrasting perspectives on the siege. In the first quote, Sennacherib is emphesizing his military dominance, and praising himself on how well he destroyed the rebelling cities and those who apposed Assyrian rule. The Sennacherib Prism narrative portrays Sennacherib as an unstoppable force who defeated the people and their God through his absolute force. The second quote tells a different story, the Tanach, describes a message that he sent to Judah. The message, arrogant and blasphemous, describes how Sennacherib claims that no God has ever saved any nation from Assyria's might. He is challenging God, and maybe even trying to scare Judah into submission. This eventually sets the stage to his downfall. The description from the Tanach is a big shift from human power to divine intervention, which portrays Judah's survival as a triumph of faith rather than military strength that Sennacherib boasted about. Together, these quotations reveal how historical events are interpreted differently one celebrates physical might, instilling fear and over exaggeration of one's power, while the other highlights moral and spiritual resilience.

Picture link: https://bible.fandom.com/wiki/Sennacherib

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Neo-Babylon-626 BC–539 BC (Yerushalmi’s Zachor )

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Neo-Babylon-626 BC–539 BC (Yerushalmi’s Zachor )

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"Above all, they had learned from the Bible that the true pulse of history often beat beneath its manifest surfaces, an invisible history that was more real than what the world."

According to Yerushalmi’s Zachor, history is recorded in the Torah to teach lessons by showing the consequences of actions and encouraging the Jewish people to learn from the past. This record allows reflection on both successes and failures, providing guidance on how to improve and live according to God’s laws. The events in history are not random; they happen for a purpose, often tied to how well people follow God’s laws and live up to their covenant with Him. For example, the fall of Jerusalem is seen not as just a military defeat but as a result of the people’s sins and God allowing it to happen. These lessons help individuals strive to be better Jews and uphold the teachings of the Torah. History teaches the consequences for our actions and not only that, but that God controls history and uses it to guide people.

Photo Link: https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fsmarthistory.org%2Fneo-babylonian%2F&psig=AOvVaw3RXaKugixvrxWUSoELHGoy&ust=1735769377798000&source=images&cd=vfe&opi=89978449&ved=0CAMQjB1qFwoTCOibkJeF04oDFQAAAAAdAAAAABAE

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(29:11) “For I am mindful of the plans I have made concerning you—declares GOD—plans for your welfare, not for disaster, to give you a hopeful future.”

In this pasuk God is reassuring the people in Babylon that His plans for them are not harm, but for peace, with a, “hopeful future.” That despite what they are going through now and how they may feel hopeless in their current position, God has a plan to restore them. His assurance of hope provides them comfort and motivation and a light in their dark tunnel when everything seems bleak. This verse encourages the people to trust in God, even in hardship. This verse is a reminder that God’s promises extend beyond the moment of hardship, offering a vision of restoration and renewal that goes beyond the present struggles. God’s plans, although not immediately visible, are working toward their ultimate good. This reinforces the idea that history, though painful at times, is part of a divine plan that will eventually lead to the fulfillment of God’s promises.

Photo Link: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/321676

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The Cyrus Cylinder

“I am Cyrus, king of the world, great king, mighty king, king of Babylon, king of the land of Sumer and Akkad, king of the four quarters, son of Cambyses, great king, king of Anshan, grandson of Cyrus, great king, king of Anshan, descendant of Teispes, great king, king of Anshan, progeny of an unending royal line, whose rule Bel and Nabu cherish, whose kingship they desire for their hearts’ pleasures.”

This quote from The Cyrus Cylinder, describes Cyrus as a divinely chosen leader with a focus on his actions for the people of Babylon and the wider region, emphasizing his role as a benefactor who restores order and peace.

He gives himself credit to “restoring Babylon,” as it says, “The citizens of Babylon…I lifted their unbecoming yoke.  Their dilapidated dwellings I restored.  I put an end to their misfortunes.” This paragraph stresses Cyrus’ personal authority, asserting his power and legitimacy by listing his royal lineage and the territories he governs.

Ezra: 1-

"Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia: All the kingdoms of the earth hath the LORD, the God of heaven, given me; and He hath charged me to build Him a house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. 3 Whosoever there is among you of all His people--his God be with him--let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the house of the LORD, the God of Israel, He is the God who is in Jerusalem…”

This quote is a stark contrast to The Cyrus Cylinder. Here Cyrus is praising God, and saying that God had put him in charge of building a house in Jerusalem. Ezra portrays Cyrus as a servant of God, carrying out the divine will, with a focus on the restoration of the Jewish people and their religious practices in Jerusalem.

The Cyrus Cylinder emphasizes Cyrus’ personal power, and him speaking and praising himself as the sole role as a liberator who restores peace in the empire, with a strong focus on political and military achievements. Ezra 1, on the other hand, stresses the religious and prophetic significance of Cyrus’ actions, portraying him as an instrument of God’s will for the restoration of the Jewish people and their temple. Both sources talk about Cyrus’ involvement, but they differ strongly  in their focus on either the king’s personal authority or his role as a servant of God’s will.

Photo link: https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/W_1880-0617-1941

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Reflecting on what we learned in the first module, I realized how differently the Torah interprets events verses non-jewish sources. How we focus on history and God, and teaching important lessons from mistakes from the past and better improve ourselves. Incorporating this into a Tanakh classroom would be analyzing the past mistakes and seeing what we can learn from them and improve ourselves. Looking into the silver lining and see how God truly wants us to succeed even when we are amidst hard times. For example, the exile in Jeremiah 29 serves as a reminder that even in the darkest times, God has a plan for us—a plan for peace and a hopeful future. This perspective highlights how Jewish history isn't just about surviving difficult moments, but about learning from them and growing spiritually.

Incorporating this into a Tanakh classroom means encouraging students to look at the mistakes and challenges faced by the Jewish people as opportunities for reflection and growth. It’s about examining events not just for their historical significance, but for their moral and spiritual lessons. For instance, when discussing the Babylonian exile, students could analyze how the Jewish people’s actions led to their downfall, and how they could apply those lessons in their own lives today. I would also emphasize how God’s guidance and promises remain a constant through hardship, encouraging students to find the silver lining in their own struggles and see how they too can grow from challenges. By exploring the narratives of the Tanakh through this lens, students can better understand the importance of repentance, resilience, and the pursuit of righteousness in their own lives.