The final struggle against Roman rule in Judea took place between 132-135 C.E. under the leadership of the charismatic Simon Bar Kokhba. But the origins of his campaign to oust the Romans from Judea and regain Jewish control had begun over a century earlier, with the death of Herod the Great, the endless squabbles between Jewish factions, and the growing hatred of the Romans that resulted in the first Revolt of 66-70 C.E.

Rabbi Dunner presents the background of this era, giving context to devastating defeat of Bar Kochba and his rebels that resulted in one of the most horrifying genocides ever perpetrated against the Jews, and destroyed any real chance for a return to Zion and the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem for millennia.