Chapter 10 Jewish Life and Literature Chaplain Ronald O. McCants Instructor

The Historical World: Varieties of Classical Judaism

* Priestly family of Jews rebels. The rebellion began under Mattathias after Antiochus sought to stamp out Judaism by forbidding Jewish practices and desecrating the temple (167 BC). Judas Maccabaeus recaptured Jerusalem and reconsecrated the temple, an event celebrated in the holiday Hanukkah.Judas MaccabaeusHanukkah

The Pharisees stressed faith in the one God; Upheld the divine revelation of the law both written and oral handed down by Moses through Joshua, the elders, and the prophets. Belief in eternal life and resurrection for those who keep the law. Insisted on strict observance of Jewish law, which they began to codify. Developed the synagogue as an alternative place of worship to the Temple.

A small following primarily from the upper classes. Rejected the doctrines of predestination, physical resurrection, and the immortality of the soul. God did not interfere in human affairs and that man had a free will and could freely choose between good and evil.

Ceremonial purity entailed scrupulous cleanliness, the wearing of only white garments, and the most strict observance of the Sabbath. Believed in the immortality of the soul. They condemned slavery and prohibited trading because it led to covetousness and cheating; they avoided luxury, abhorred untruthfulness and forbade oaths. Subsisted by pastoral and agricultural activities and handicrafts. They avoided the manufacture of weapons. Belief in several Messiahs influence Christianity.

Fervent veneration of the Torah and detestation of non-Jews and Jews lacking in religious fervor. Organized as a party during the reign (37 B.C.–4 B.C.) of Herod the Great, whose idolatrous practices they resisted. Expressed opposition by revolts and violence against Jews who conformed to Roman ways. The Zealot garrison at Masada, a mountaintop fortress near the Dead Sea, was captured by the Romans only after its 900 defenders had committed mass suicide (A.D. 73) rather than be captured.

Descendants of immigrants from Assyria who intermixed with the population of the Kingdom of Israel, which was conquered by Assyria in 722–721 B.C.E. Samaritans recognize only the Pentateuch in a special redaction. From the late sixth century B.C.E., the religio-political conflicts between the Samaritans and the Jews intensified.

Judaism formally applies to the post- Second Temple period. The way of life of the Jews in the Torah, first five books of the Bible, law of Moses. First used by Hellenized Jews to describe their religious practice.

Nazareans Jesus referred to as a Nazarene, alluding to his home town, Nazareth. Mark 10:47 " When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!“ The early Christians. (Acts 24:5)

Deuterocanon The "second canon" is a set of seven used by Catholics. Protestantstypically refer to them by the term "apocrypha," hidden writings. Apocrypha is a collection of uninspired, spurious books written by various individuals.

Dead Sea Scrolls A collection of 972 texts consisting of biblical manuscripts.biblical manuscripts Hebrew Bible extra-biblical documents found between 1946 and 1956 on the northwest shore of the Dead Sea.Hebrew BibleDead Sea They were located at Khirbet Qumran in Palestine, known as the West Bank.QumranWest Bank The documents preserve evidence of great diversity in late Second Temple Judaism.Second Temple Judaism Written mostly on parchment, dated between 408 B.C.E. and 318 B.C.E.parchment 408B.C.E318B.C.E

Question for Modern Contemporary Discussion What assumption do we have about the ways of … ? Pharisees (strict adherence of the law) Sadducees (No belief in afterlife; choose to do good or evil) Essenes (Profound emphasis on outward cleanliness) Zealots (acts of violence to live in peace)

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