Bet Guvrin

Today has been amazing as we visited Bet Guvrin and discussed the Bar Kochba rebellion. The story focuses on Shimon Bar Kozba, the supposed meshiach who takes leadership as king after the second Beit HaMikdash is destroyed in 70 CE on the 9th of Av. Shimon Bar Kozba (Bar Kochba) leads the rebellion and places Baiter as the new capital for the Jewish people. We also focused on the Roman Amphitheater. We are told that the Jews were NOT allowed to enter unless they had family that were forced to fight. On top of this, we are informed that the Jewish people prioritized Pikuach Nefesh (saving a life). They were allowed to break any laws necessary in order to save a life besides committing adultery, murder, and idolatry. Eventually, Baiter fell which is defined as the second worst massacre in Jewish history besides the Holocaust. During this time, a man name Hadrian was leading over the Romans. He made a rule that the Jews could NOT wear Tefillin, read the Torah, recite the Shema, blow the Shofar, and observe Shabbat. These are just a few of the regulations that Hadrian forced the Jews to follow, but also made Judaism extremely challenging. Speaking over other challenging obstacles, I also conquered a fear! Ever since I was little, I have always had claustrophobia. Today, I climbed through an INCREDIBLY small hole. This picture shows the hole I climbed through. This is nothing compared to what the Romans went through when conquering their fears, but it is still something! Lastly, we discussed how serious we are about fighting for our values. Personally, I do not know exactly what I would do in the situation because I have never been in it. I would always fight for my family and for what I believe in. Besides that point, I believe that how hard you are willing to fight is based on how much you believe in the issue. - Samantha