As Ambassador of the State of Israel, Tisha B'Av this year is different from previous years. This time I'm in Rome, at Titus' Gate, built in honor of that victory over Jerusalem, in the year '70.
Across from us stands the Colosseum, constructed from the spoils of that war; and on the other side - the Curia, the Roman Senate building. Incredible symbolism.
The triumphal procession made its way through the main streets. Then it came here, to the Via Sacra - the holy path - to the Temple of Jupiter, where sacrifice was performed and public celebrations took place.
Yosef ben Matityahu, the commander of the Galilee during the Great Revolt, who was captured and joined Titus, documented the war in his book "History of the Jewish War against the Romans." He was an eyewitness to the parade.
I will read an excerpt from the book:
KINDLY SUPPORT OUR BLOG BY BROWSING THE ADS
THANKS SO MUCH, IT MEANS A LOT ESPECIALLY IN THESE DIFFICULT TIMES!







