This fascinating, animated video (04:04) briefly describes the history of Masada, with an emphasis on the role the alleged mass suicide of Jewish rebels on this desert mountaintop fortress has played in modern Israeli consciousness throughout the decades. Citing the connection between modern politics and ancient history, the video shows a shift in the way in which the story has been told over time, from a Zionist legend of Jewish sovereignty and heroism to a warning of the dangers of political and religious extremism. This video was produced by BimBam, an educational organization that creates accessible digital media about Judaism.