The title of this chapter alludes to the book by doron Mendels, The Rise and Fall of Jewish Nationalism. As should be evident by now, I agree with Mendels on a number of issues. Like him I am comfortable using the concepts of national identity and nationalism in the context of antiquity. I too do not see any useful distinction between national identity and ethnicity. And I agree that the concept of nationalism can be useful in understanding ancient Jewish history. My disagreement concerns the concept of a “fall” of Jewish nationalism after 135 c.e. In fact, even that disagreement dissolves once we pay careful attention to what Mendels argues. He makes clear that his book will focus on “political nationalism,” and that in its “activist” form. In the case of the Jews, “political activism” meant “the wish for a Jewish state in Palestine.” It is the active striving for such a state that disappears, according to Mendels, after 135 c.e. However, a “passive political nationalism” survived among the rabbis at least. By this he seems to mean that the wish for a Jewish state did not cease, only that it did not lead to “a revolution on a grand scale.” Mendels further narrows his focus by concentrating on what he calls the “symbols of political nationalism.” These include the temple, territory, kingship, and army. It is actually the “fall” of these four during the century plus following the Roman conquest of Judah in 63 b.c.e. that his book argues.