First Century Judaismnt.wilesonline.net/Judaism_files/Judaism.pdf · · 2010-02-07Pharisees...
Transcript of First Century Judaismnt.wilesonline.net/Judaism_files/Judaism.pdf · · 2010-02-07Pharisees...
1st Century Judaism 1
First Century Judaism
Introduction to the New Testament
New Brunswick Theological Seminary Virginia Wiles
1st Century Judaism 2
Quick Overview
The Jewish People
Jewish Insitutions
Jewish Expectations
1st Century Judaism 3
The Jewish People
A Common Heritage
Diverse Expressions
1st Century Judaism 4
A Common Heritage
Common History
Common Scriptures
Common Rituals
1st Century Judaism 5
Sharing a History Exodus
ca. 1300 B.C.E. Moses & Torah
Monarchy ca. 1000 B.C.E. David Divided Kingdom Prophets
Exile ca. 587 B.C.E. Monotheism
Return ca. 540-440 B.C.E. Apocalypticism
1st Century Judaism 6
Judaism after the Return
Alexander’s Death -- 323 B.C.E.
The Maccabean Revolt -- 168-167 B.C.E.
The Hasmonean Dynasty -- 164-63 B.C.E.
Rome Takes Over -- 63 B.C.E.
Governance of Palestine in the 1st Century
The Destruction of the Temple -- 70 C.E.
1st Century Judaism 7
The Maccabean Revolt 175 Antiochus IV “Epiphanes”
eccentric despot sought to enforce Hellenization co-opted the High Priest Office (Jason & Menalaus)
167 “Abomination of Desolation” see 1 Macc. 1:54; Dan. 11:31; 12:11
Judas Maccabeus “The Hammer” see 2 Macc. 9ff.
164 Rededication of the Temple Hannakah
1st Century Judaism 8
Roman Palestine Herod Antipas
Galilee and Peraea “that fox”
Archelaus Judea, Samaria, and
Idumea Removed by Romans in 6
C.E. Thereafter ruled by
Procurators (=Pilate) Philip
extreme N and NE built Caesarea Philippi
1st Century Judaism 9
The Temple Destroyed Ruling Procurator
expropriated Temple treasury (66 C.E.)
Jewish rebellion ensued
Titus marched on Jerusalem in 70 C.E. and Destroyed the Temple
Masada, the last Judean fortress, fell in 73
Other rebellions 115-117 C.E. 132 C.E.
1st Century Judaism 10
Common Scriptures Torah Tanak Torah -- LAW Nebi’im -- PROPHETS Kethubim -- WRITINGS
The Scriptures in Translation The Septuagint The Targums
1st Century Judaism 11
Other Jewish Writings The Apocrypha Greek “additions” to the Septuagint Key texts for study of Second Temple
Judaism The Pseudepigrapha Many apocalypses
Jewish Midrash A form of “story telling” among Jewish
thinkers. See, for example, 2 Cor 4
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Common Rituals
1st Century Judaism 13
Diverse Expressions Pharisees Sadducees Zealots and Sicarii Essenes The Samaritans The Therapeutae Diaspora Judaism Diversity in Literature
1st Century Judaism 14
The Pharisees
Social Characteristics pietist movement composed mostly of laity mostly tradesmen, craftsmen, merchants,
farmers Views: Focused on the necessity of adapting Jewish
piety to the changed conditions of life in the “modern” world.
Written and Oral Torah
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The Sadducees
Unclear origins (= Zadokites)
included great majority of chief priests
great power in Jerusalem during Hasmonean and Herodian periods
?rejected oral law
?collaborated with Rome
1st Century Judaism 16
Chief Priests Included: captains of the temple, temple
treasurers and overseers, directors of weekly courses of priests
High Priest: president and convener of Sanhedrin
Factors limiting power and influence no longer inherited (from Herod the Great
on) held office at pleasure of Romans
1st Century Judaism 17
Zealots and Sicarii
Origins unclear
Applies (broadly) to anyone who participated in revolutionary struggle against Rome
1st Century Judaism 18
The Essenes Mentioned by Josephus (&Philo?)
?Perhaps related to Qumran community?
Origins: Group of priests & levites left temple in Jerusalem to protest abuses under Hasmonean high priests
1st Century Judaism 19
Qumran
“Teacher of Righteousness”
Highly structured community with emphasis on purity
Monastic
Apocalyptic -- Good vs. Evil
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Qumran Discipline If any man has uttered the Venerable Name even
though frivolously, or as a result of shock, or for any other reason whatever, while reading the Book or praying, he shall be dismissed and shall return to the Council of the Community no more. If he has spoken in anger against one of the Priests…, he shall do penance for one year and shall be excluded for his soul’s sake from the pure Meal of the Congregation….
1st Century Judaism 21
Other Jewish Groups The Samaritans
Claimed to be authentic survivors of exiled Israelite nation Mt. Gerazim Samaritan Pentateuch
The Therapeutae mentioned by Philo 1st c. Egyptian Jewish Female monastics
Diaspora Judaism Philo and Paul Little information
1st Century Judaism 22
Diversity in Jewish Literature
The Writings of Rabbinic Judaism
Jewish Mysticism
Jewish Apocalyptic Texts
1st Century Judaism 23
The Talmud Oral Law = Mishnah
Gemara (commentary on Mishnah)
Talmud = Mishnah + Gemara Palestinian Bablylonian
1st Century Judaism 24
Jewish Mysticism
1st Century Judaism 25
Jewish Apocalyptic Texts
1st Century Judaism 26
Jewish Institutions
The Temple
The Synagogue
The Sanhedrin
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The Second Temple Built upon the return from the Exile
Herod the Great began expansion in 20 BCE
Served as the “Center” of Judaism
Stunning work of architecture
Social Arrangement of the Temple
1st Century Judaism 28
Model of the Second Temple
1st Century Judaism 29
Social Arrangement of Temple
Holy of Holies
Holy Place
Court of Israel
Women’s Court
Court of the Gentiles
1st Century Judaism 30
Jewish Synagogues Origins uncertain: Egypt? Babylon? Judea? Council house and place of assembly Place of prayer -- proseuche Central Purpose: The Proclamation and
Exposition of the Law Oriented toward the laity Rectangular building facing toward Jerusalem Board of Directors (3); Archisynagogus; 10
minimum Service: Shema, prayer, and Torah Meeting on Monday and Thursday as well as
Sabbath
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Synagogue at Capernaum
1st Century Judaism 32
Synagogue at Gamla
1st Century Judaism 33
The Sanhedrin “sunedrion” = “seated together” first mentioned ca. 55 BCE; lasts until 70 CE Chief priests, elders, and scribes 71 Jewish elders, presided over by high priest
(=72) Both legislative and judicial authority = “city
council” In Palestine, both civil and religious authority;
in Diaspora, only religious
1st Century Judaism 34
Jewish Eschatology Simple Eschatology
Prophetic Eschatology
F P
F P
“Repent”
1st Century Judaism 35
Apocalyptic Eschatology
F P Crisis
“This evil age” “The Age to Come”
1st Century Judaism 36
The Language of Apocalyptic
The Kingdom of God The Messiah (The Son of God) The Son of Man This World -- The World to Come “Life of the Ages” (=Eternal Life) The Messianic Banquet Resurrection and the People of God
1st Century Judaism 37
Summary Jewish People:
Common Heritage -- Diverse Expressions
Jewish Insitutions: Temple -- Synagogue -- Home
Jewish Expectation: Apocalyptic