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We have this superpower from the West that is calling the shots.

We're now a part of Rome.

We're at the end of a very long reign of a king that might not even really be Jewish.

So there's this feeling that the solution, both politically and religiously, can only come

from a dramatic, drastic event, divine intervention, or a type of figure, a Messiah,

that will shake everything up beyond the normal politics of the day.

It's 7 p.m. on Tuesday, December 23rd in New York City. It is 2 a.m. on Wednesday, December 24th in Israel, where Israelis are turning to a new day.

On today's episode, we have Benjamin Beirley returning to Call Me Back due to popular demand.

Benjamin is an American-Israeli PhD candidate and researcher

in ancient historical texts at La Orientale University in Naples, Italy. About two months ago,

Benjamin joined me on the podcast to discuss his experience with extreme anti-Zionism and anti-Semitism

in Naples. The episode had quite a response. It seemed to

have touched a nerve, with many listeners reaching out to us to tell us how much they learn from

Benjamin's stories and insights. Today, Benjamin joins for something a little different. It's

Christmas Day today, which marks a story that happened in a very familiar land

more than 2,000 years ago. For this holiday season, we wanted to go back and learn about the

Jewish world that defined the year 1 AD in Jerusalem. The story of that period is one of

factionalism, religious and political tensions, civil war, and geopolitical

drama. But ultimately, says Benjamin, it's a story that will very much resonate with all of our

listeners, especially, but not only, our Jewish listeners. So with that, here's Benjamin Beerley

on Year 1 in Jerusalem. Before a conversation, here's a word from our sponsor.

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