Faithful Allies: The Religious Roots of America’s Unwavering Support for Israel
The relationship between the Jewish people and the land of Israel is ancient, predating even the term “Jew” itself. To understand the profound spiritual bond that Jews feel toward this land, it’s essential to travel back thousands of years to the cradle of their history.
Genesis: Abraham and the Promise
The genesis of Jewish history can be traced to Abraham, regarded as the patriarch of the Jewish people. According to the Hebrew Bible, God called Abraham to leave his home in Mesopotamia and travel to a land that God would show him. This land was Canaan, which corresponds to modern-day Israel and parts of Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria. In Canaan, God made a covenant with Abraham, promising the land to his descendants.
From Bondage to Freedom: The Exodus and Conquest of Canaan
The narrative then shifts to Egypt, where Abraham’s descendants found themselves in bondage. The story of Moses leading the Israelites out of Egyptian slavery is foundational for Jewish identity. After 40 years of wandering the desert, the Israelites, now led by Joshua, returned to Canaan. Through a series of battles, they established themselves in the land.
The Kingdoms of Israel and Judah
The 12 tribes of Israel initially formed a confederation but eventually united under a monarchy. The first king, Saul, was followed by David, who established Jerusalem as the capital. Under David’s son Solomon, the First Temple, a central place of Jewish worship, was built in Jerusalem. After Solomon’s death, the united kingdom split into two: the northern Kingdom of Israel and the southern Kingdom of Judah.
Exile and Return
In 722 BCE, the Assyrians conquered the northern Kingdom of Israel, dispersing its inhabitants. The southern Kingdom of Judah faced a similar fate in 586 BCE when the Babylonians, led by Nebuchadnezzar, destroyed Jerusalem and the First Temple. The Jews were taken into Babylonian captivity. However, in 539 BCE, the Persian King Cyrus the Great conquered Babylon and allowed the Jews to return to Judah. Here, they rebuilt the Second Temple in Jerusalem.
From Roman Rule to Diaspora
The subsequent centuries saw the region controlled by various empires: Persians, Greeks, and finally Romans. The Jewish-Roman tensions culminated in two major revolts. The first, in 66 CE, led to the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE. The second revolt, led by Simon bar Kokhba in 132 CE, resulted in a catastrophic defeat for the Jews. The Romans renamed the region “Syria Palaestina,” and a large portion of the Jewish population was killed, enslaved, or exiled.
Despite the dispersion, the connection to the land remained a focal point of Jewish identity. Throughout the diaspora, Jews prayed facing Jerusalem and yearned for a return to Zion. This hope was encapsulated in rituals, liturgy, and festivals.
In conclusion, the bond between the Jewish people and the land is profound, spanning millennia. It is a relationship forged through covenants, wars, exile, and an enduring hope. This historical bond serves as the backdrop for the modern State of Israel and influences the geopolitics of today’s Middle East.