We often hear about brilliant strategies and mighty armies. But what if sheer, unbelievable size played a bigger role than we think?
Let's talk giants. Not just any giants, but the Amorites.
Now, you might know the names Sihon and Og. They were kings of the Amorites, and legend paints them as colossal figures, true titans of their time. But according to tradition, they weren't the exception. They were the rule! The entire Amorite nation was said to be filled with giants and heroes.
Can you imagine facing an entire army of those guys?
There's a fascinating story about this, involving Hadrian, the Roman Emperor who conquered Jerusalem. Flush with victory, he was boasting about his achievement. That’s when Rabba Johanan ben Zakkai stepped in.
Rabba Johanan, a pivotal figure in Jewish history, basically told him, "Hold on a second. You think you conquered Jerusalem? Think again."
He then led Hadrian to a cave. And what was inside? The corpses of the Amorites. Each one, according to the story, measured eighteen cubits. Now, a cubit is an ancient unit of measurement, roughly the length of your forearm. Eighteen cubits? We're talking truly enormous beings!
Rabba Johanan then tells Hadrian, "When we were worthy, these giants fell into our hands. But now, because of our sins, you rule over us."
Talk about putting things in perspective.
The story, found in Legends of the Jews, a sweeping compilation of Jewish folklore by Rabbi Louis Ginzberg, based on sources like the Talmud and Midrash, isn’t just about size, is it? It’s about worthiness. It's about the idea that victory isn't always about military might, but about something deeper.
What does it mean to be "worthy"? Was the fall of Jerusalem really due to the Jews' sins, or was this Rabba Johanan's way of making a profound point to the arrogant emperor? And what does it say about the Amorites themselves? Were they simply brutes, or did they possess a certain virtue that was lost with their demise?
These are the kinds of questions that linger long after the story ends. It makes you wonder: What giants are we facing today, and what does it truly take to overcome them?