# The Sands of Masada & The Sanity Clause

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/shalom-from-tel-aviv-with-paul-maleary-nigel-lithman-kc-7884133/the-sands-of-masada-the-sanity-clause
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/shalom-from-tel-aviv-with-paul-maleary-nigel-lithman-kc-7884133/the-sands-of-masada-the-sanity-clause.md
Podcast: [Shalom From Tel Aviv with Paul Maleary & Nigel Lithman KC](https://stenobird.com/podcast/shalom-from-tel-aviv-with-paul-maleary-nigel-lithman-kc-7884133)
Published: 2026-07-05T17:56:19+00:00
Episode link: https://shows.acast.com/shalom-from-tel-aviv-with-paul-maleary-nigel-lithman-kc/episodes/the-sands-of-masada-the-sanity-clause
Audio file: https://sphinx.acast.com/p/open/s/6a18c72069630795d8cfed98/e/6a4a8fcaecd1239143052fe7/media.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/shalom-from-tel-aviv-with-paul-maleary-nigel-lithman-kc-7884133/episodes/the-sands-of-masada-the-sanity-clause
Duration seconds: 3095

## Resource

In this engaging episode, hosts Paul Maleary and HH Nigel Lithman KC take listeners on an eclectic journey spanning geography, history, and pop culture. Life in Tel Aviv & The New Car: Nigel shares his excitement over purchasing his very first new car—utilizing the tax discounts available to new citizens in Israel. He details the journey of returning a rental near the Hilton Hotel in Tel Aviv, taking the train up toward Binyamina, and catching a cab to Haifa to collect the vehicle. He highly praises the efficiency, air conditioning, and multi-level layout of the Israeli train system, noting that he recently acquired his senior railcard for free public transport. Utility Debates & Cultural Nuances: The hosts discuss the logistics of state-owned vs. private utilities in Israel, referencing the nearby Leviathan gas rig. Nigel shares a humorous story about a brief water power cut and the "stroppy but gorgeous" nature of local customer service. They also touch upon London politics, noting a story about Camden Council ordering the removal of residential air conditioning. Geopolitical Realities & Ancient History: The conversation pivots to international politics, noting recent leadership shifts in South American nations (Colombia and Paraguay) reversing Palestinian statehood choices and pledging to move embassies to Jerusalem. Nigel shares a captivating historical anecdote about Jerusalem’s Dung Gate , explaining why an Arab cemetery was historically placed there to disrupt the prophecy of a Messiah from the Jewish high priesthood (the Cohens, who cannot defile themselves with contact with the dead). A Trek Through the Southern Desert: Nigel guides Paul through a theoretical road trip heading south from Jerusalem toward Beer Sheva: Ein Gedi: A beautiful desert oas…

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## Transcript

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