Maccabees and Yevanim - Decorations from an Akko Synagogue depict images from the Hanukah story

Z’khor Y’mot Olam: Ḥanukah

We refer to our enemies in this period as ‘Yevanim’ not for geopolitical reasons, but for the primordial cultural force that they represented and spread via their temporal power.

Roots of a tree, for the poem "Roots" by Ari Shapiro

Roots

My father planted an ancient tree In foreign soil which starved its roots The tree developed, gnarled and twisted Displaying its resilience with every…

Esav, father of Edom

Z’khor Y’mot Olam: Edom

The association of Edom with Rome & the ensuing Roman destruction of Judea has marked Edom-Rome in our people’s national consciousness as the central antagonist in Israel’s collective story.

Pesaḥ and Mitzrayim through the lens of Jewish historiography

Z’khor Y’mot Olam: Pesaḥ

As Jewish historiography features a primordialist view of national identities, Biblical nations such as Mitzrayim are generally seen as representing timeless forces in history.

Flag of the tribe of Levi

Z’khor Y’mot Olam: Shvatim

Jewish historiography presents a cyclical approach that sees primordial forces shining into our world. In this view, that which exists now is simply a filtered manifestation of that which came before.