Ark in the Authentic Domain

This volume is an innovative exposition of the person and teaching of Rabbi Johanan Ben Zakkai (the Rivaz), the 1st century Jewish sage who crossed the lines over to emperor Vespasian during the siege of Jerusalem. He proclaimed that for the Jews the learning of the Torah was even more essential than independence. Hence, he asked for permission to study the Torah at Jabneh, where after the destruction of the Second Temple he established the famous schools for religious studies. He is very controversial within Orthodox circles until this very day. However, we claim that he saved Judaism as it is studied and upheld throughout the generations of scholarship in the diasporas of Babylon, Spain, North Africa and Europe. The story and the saga of Rabbi Johanan Ben Zakkai is presented in this volume within the context of the history of the Jews and Judaism.