THE WESTERN WALL OF JERUSALEM
Holiest Site of Judaism
Upon establishing a kingdom in the hills of Judaea, the Israelites created a religion, based on a great temple on the hill in Jerusalem. Kings David and Solomon stand tall in our shared lore, but how much of their tale is real? Garry Stephens of the History in the Bible podcast returns to discuss the biblical history: David and Solomon, the construction of the first temple, the two kingdoms, and the exile.
With the destruction of the second temple, the Jews would turn their temple into a book, redefining religion in the process. But today, the temple has resonance again, or at least what's left of it.
We'll visit the Western Wall with Lara Rodin and Noah Lew who also wax nostalgic about Israel breakfasts, and we'll talk about my favorite Israeli breakfast, shakshuka, eggs poached in a zesty tomato sauce.
The Bible, New Revised Standard Version, Catholic Edition
Finkelstein, Israel. The Bible Unearthed: Archaeology's New Vision of Ancient Israel and the Origin of its Sacred Texts
Lonely Planet Guide to Israel and the Palestinian Territories
I used other sources on the kingdoms of Israel and Judah, the Western Wall, Herod's Temple, and the authorship of the Bible, but I neglected to note them at the time.
Photo by brionv on wikicommons