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Benjamin Birely
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Benjamin Birely
The Blogs

Benjamin Birely

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May 19, 2023, 2:22 PM
Featured Post
Fear and loathing at Damascus Gate
When the teen bullies at the Flag March saw me filming them, they surrounded me and cursed me out, never mind that we all wore the same kippot on our heads
Dec 18, 2022, 4:57 PM
Hanukah: Light Flowing From the Darkness
The story of Hanukah isn't exactly as it seems.  Many historians of the period will tell you that the Maccabees are much less the tale of a courageous band of freedom fighters triumphing over oppressive, anti-Jewish "Greeks" and much more...
Dec 14, 2022, 5:22 AM
Hanukah, Purim, And Why Israel Needs More Hanukah
It's no surprise that the Hasmoneans have a complicated reputation in Jewish tradition. Despite their heroism, the Maccabean revolt produced a short-lived, dysfunctional and Hellenized priestly dynasty that paved the way for Roman rule. Within a generation of the revolt,...
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About Me
Benjamin made aliyah in 2011 and lives in Jerusalem. Over the past decade he served as a lone soldier, completed a B.A. and M.A. in Ancient History at Tel Aviv University, and worked in Israel's tech industry. See his account HolyLandSpeaks on TikTok and Instagram.