Son of the Short Swords « Ask The Rabbi « Ohr Somayach

Ask The Rabbi

Son of the Short Swords

Become a Supporter Library Library
Topic: Zealot, Definition

Eli Zeldovich from Mainz, Germany wrote:

Dear Rabbi,

My question is genealogical. In tracing my family name Zeldovich, son of Zel, I have come to Josephus' coining of the word Zealot to describe the defenders of Masada. What is the root of this word zealot? Were the women and children survivors of Masada taken to Rome as "zealots?" Thank you for your time. Shalom.


Dear Eli Zeldovich,

According to Josephus, the only survivors of Masada were a woman and two children.

It's unlikely that there's any connection between your name and the zealots. Zeldovich is a Russian name. Josephus refers to the zealots by the Greek word "sicarii" which means "the short swords," because they carried with them short swords.


 
Enter Search Phrase:    
Browse By Keyword: a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z


Ohr Somayach International is a 501c3 not-for-profit corporation (letter on file) EIN 13-3503155 and your donation is tax deductable.