The History Of The Land Of Israel Podcast.

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Egypt had no sooner established its dominance in Canaan than it faced its first challenge in the form of a new and threatening empire in the north. Who would end up as the dominant force? And what happened to Canaanite culture as it faced imperial subjugation? 

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Egypt had recovered from years of weakness and was poised to take revenge on Canaan for years of Hyksos conquest. But a plucky Canaanite king organized a spirited defense of the land. Who would triumph?

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We are used to hearing the Jewish version of the Egyptian Exodus story. But there is also an ancient Egyptian one, where the Jews are the villains. That story played a significant role in the development of antisemitism. 

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According to Jewish tradition, the Book of Exodus was written by Moses. But scholars believe it was put together by three different authors. Who is right? Why was the story written and how has its interpretation among Jews changed over the years?

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The Exodus from Egypt is one of the most influential in human history. But many archaeologists doubt its veracity. Did it really happen and how did the story become so important? 

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It looked like Egypt was on its last legs, occupied by Nubians in the south and Canaanites in the north. But they reunited the country and made Egypt great again. How did they do it, and what happened to the Hyksos after their kingdom fell?

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Egyptologists tend to look at the Canaanite rule of Egypt through the Hyksos as a chaotic interlude. But in reality, they had great kings and amazing accomplishments. We also look at Egyptian lore and examine how foreign rule scarred the Egyptian psyche. 

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Is there a historical basis for the story of the ten plagues recounted in the Book of Exodus? There are some scientific explanations for these events. And we also have some idea of who may have witnessed them and passed the stories on for posterity. 

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The Tanakh, in several places, mentions a practice of running children through the fire for the god Molech. What does that mean? Did the Canaanites sacrifice their children to a bloodthirsty god? And if so, was that tradition ever practiced by the Israelites?

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Canaanite mythology sheds light on the roots and motives behind much of Israelite theology and law.  In this episode we look at the story of the golden calf, as told in Exodus, and see how it relates to Canaanite culture as we continue to delve into the roots of Judaism. 

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The Ugaritic Texts provide us with the internal world of the Canaanite worshippers of Baal and Asherah. The faith we are often warned against in the Tanakh. But their mythology contains the roots of the Israelite faith, which would eventually become Judaism. In this episode we look at the warrior/seductress Anat, who holds the key to the connection. 

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We have all heard of Hammurabi's Code. But how important was it really? Was it just? Did anyone actually follow it? And most importantly, is it really the source of biblical law? 

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The Mari Archives provide us with a glimpse of the Amorite culture. They reveal the close links between that culture and the Israelites. But more than anything else, they allow us into the emotional worlds of real people. Fathers, sons, wives, and daughters, as they navigate the cutthroat world of dynastic politics. 

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The Amorites are remembered in Deuteronomy as a race of giants. The most notable Amorite there is Og of the Bashan. Og also appears in Phoenician and Islamic mythology. Who was he? Where did the Amorites come from and how did they become the most powerful people in the region? 

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Byblos was the closest ally of Egypt in the land of Canaan. For generations, they traded and influenced each other. They even shared gods. But their alliance was tested when a group of bandits rebelled against the king. Would Egypt come to the aid of its ally, or would it stand alone?

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The Egyptian Old Kingdom collapsed, leading to a period of turmoil and instability in the Nile Delta. But in Canaan, the good times rolled. The middle bronze age is known as the "Canaanite golden age," a time of unparalleled freedom and prosperity in the Land of Israel. We recount their incredible achievements. 

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After the unexplained collapse at the end of the copper age, a new culture emerges from the ashes of the Chalcolithic. The Canaanites would dominate the land in the Bronze Age and bring give it a new name and identity. But almost immediately, they faced incursions from imperialist neighbors. 

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The Land of Israel was a pioneer in agriculture. However,  when Egypt unified it found itself with the most powerful empire the world had ever known on its doorstep. How did Egypt go from a backwater to the powerful land of the pyramids? 

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The Copper Age was one of astounding advances in the Land of Israel. It saw the first kingdoms and hierarchies emerge. It also had organized religions and incredible treasures. In this episode, we focus on two fascinating stories. The life of a pastoral shepherd and an amazing treasure hidden for thousands of years.  

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The walls of Jericho are best known from the story of Joshua Ben-Nun's reconquest of the Land of Israel. The Book of Joshua tells a memorable story. But did that really happen? There were indeed ancient walls in Jericho. But the story is not so simple.

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The Natufians were the first genuinely agricultural society in the world. They brought social stratification, religion, and jewelry to the Land of Israel. Some Palestinians even claim Natufian heritage. This is their story. 

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20,000 years ago, the Ice Age entered one of its worst periods, the chilling Last Glacial Maximum. The humans in the Land of Israel tried desperately to survive. They pulled together and made it through, and in the process changed the history of humanity forever. 

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As the Neanderthals died off, the first modern humans entered the Land of Israel. But the Neanderthals left them a parting gift. Combining local and imported elements, Homo Sapiens create a uniquely Levantine culture. 

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In this episode, we will welcome you to the podcast. And introduce the method and scope as we ask the question: to whom does the Land of Israel belong?

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The Land of Israel is the leading lady in our show. So, who is she, and what is she like? Some have described it as a “land of milk and honey,” others as a barren wasteland. But, as always, we look for the truth. 

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The Land of Israel was underwater during much of the Jurassic era. But that didn't stop dinosaurs from making their home there. We look at some Israeli dinosaurs. We also follow the earliest of our ancestors as they discover the power of fire in the Jordan Valley. 

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Homo Erectus was getting cozy in the Land of Israel. But strange foreigners came to the land from Europe, the famed and misunderstood Neanderthals. What happened when they met? Violence, sex, and possibly genocide. Listen for the full story.

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