**spoiler alert**
I found it to be an excellent overview of the story of the Jews. I agree with some of the other reviewers that the scope was rather limited -- it did not include many of the Jewish groups that are scattered throughout the world. If it did, I think it would have to be a much, much longer series, because there is truly a lot to be said.
Having said that, where I disagree with some reviews, is that I think he explains very well why the Jews have survived as a people, alluding not only to the adaptation of its religion to the nomadic lifestyle (i.e. the memory of the spoken word, the work of Moses Mendelsohnn, the ghettos (for example, in Venice); the Talmud and its portable and philosophically-malleable nature; and the openness with which certain countries and communities allowed Jews to enter, collaborate and prosper.
I think a reviewer mentioned that it felt as though the host wanted the viewer to feel guilt. I did not get that feeling at all. I think he wanted the viewer to understand that, unfortunately, the sad state of the Jewish story, "paranoia confirmed by history", cannot be denied.
I also strongly agree that Herzl's notion of Zionism and its true meaning has been well defined and brought into more proper context by the host and by what Herzl saw happen in Europe, including France (e.g. Dreyfus). Namely, that Jews were still being treated like vermin for being Jews, in spite of assimilation. The idea of Jews needing a nation makes a lot of sense -- at least it *made* a lot of sense in the world of Herzl -- and this Zionism made even *more* sense to Jews during WW2. So, as defined by Jews needing this home, like any nation, it is in that sense a noble endeavor that, had it happened earlier, may have saved Jews from prosecution. Though I have yet to find a Jew who wouldn't trade the lives lost for Israel.
While there is debate about Israel/Palestine and origins and land, I think it would be fair to say though, that if we all came back to where we came from originally, Saudi Arabia would have to give part of Medina to the Jews, which of course will never happen. So, because we don't necessarily come back to where we originated. It has to be, as they say, a world of adaptation. But that's where this stops being a review and becomes a personal opinion. Anyway, great introduction but definitely, DEFINITELY begs for further research. And I'm sure it was not meant to be the end-all-be-all of historic series. I would like to see one on Russian Jews sometime, as well as Mountain Jews.
I found it to be an excellent overview of the story of the Jews. I agree with some of the other reviewers that the scope was rather limited -- it did not include many of the Jewish groups that are scattered throughout the world. If it did, I think it would have to be a much, much longer series, because there is truly a lot to be said.
Having said that, where I disagree with some reviews, is that I think he explains very well why the Jews have survived as a people, alluding not only to the adaptation of its religion to the nomadic lifestyle (i.e. the memory of the spoken word, the work of Moses Mendelsohnn, the ghettos (for example, in Venice); the Talmud and its portable and philosophically-malleable nature; and the openness with which certain countries and communities allowed Jews to enter, collaborate and prosper.
I think a reviewer mentioned that it felt as though the host wanted the viewer to feel guilt. I did not get that feeling at all. I think he wanted the viewer to understand that, unfortunately, the sad state of the Jewish story, "paranoia confirmed by history", cannot be denied.
I also strongly agree that Herzl's notion of Zionism and its true meaning has been well defined and brought into more proper context by the host and by what Herzl saw happen in Europe, including France (e.g. Dreyfus). Namely, that Jews were still being treated like vermin for being Jews, in spite of assimilation. The idea of Jews needing a nation makes a lot of sense -- at least it *made* a lot of sense in the world of Herzl -- and this Zionism made even *more* sense to Jews during WW2. So, as defined by Jews needing this home, like any nation, it is in that sense a noble endeavor that, had it happened earlier, may have saved Jews from prosecution. Though I have yet to find a Jew who wouldn't trade the lives lost for Israel.
While there is debate about Israel/Palestine and origins and land, I think it would be fair to say though, that if we all came back to where we came from originally, Saudi Arabia would have to give part of Medina to the Jews, which of course will never happen. So, because we don't necessarily come back to where we originated. It has to be, as they say, a world of adaptation. But that's where this stops being a review and becomes a personal opinion. Anyway, great introduction but definitely, DEFINITELY begs for further research. And I'm sure it was not meant to be the end-all-be-all of historic series. I would like to see one on Russian Jews sometime, as well as Mountain Jews.