Diversity In Jewish History Essay
WEEK 1 STUDY QUESTIONS
1) What historical events, situations, and conditions might account for the diversity within Judaism in the first century?
Many historical diversities were shaped within Judaism in the first century. For instance there were four specific periods in Jewish history. The Persian Period (ca. 537-332 BCE) in which the Jewish nation was ruled by high priests with minimal interference from Persian Kings. The Hellenistic Period (ca. 332-1678 BCE) which was a “reign of terror” for the Jews because they were harshly punished under the Antiochus IV Epiphanes, who wanted to exterminate the Jewish religion. During the Hasmonean Period (167-63 BCE) Jewish rebels, known as the “Maccabees” led a revolt against Antiochus and won independence, and the Roman Period (63 BCE-70 CE) which took control over the Jewish state and Palestine. Also, the population was very diverse during this time. For instance, the population in Palestine consisted of four main groups; the Pharisees, Sadducees, Herodian’s, and the Samaritans. The Pharisees were known in gospel stories as opponents of Jesus and often portrayed as “narrow-minded legalists,” they also emphasized faithfulness to Torah and their interpretation of the law was driven by a conviction that all of God’s people should live with the utmost sanctity. The …show more content…
For instance, all of the Jews believed there was only one God, and this God had chosen the Jewish people to be an elect and holy people, which would be distinct from all other people living on earth. They also believed that God had made a covenant with them and given them the Torah, in which they would live their lives in ways that would separate them from all other people. They all believed and practiced circumcision, kept the Sabbath, observed food restrictions, and committed themselves to following the standards of the Ten
1) What historical events, situations, and conditions might account for the diversity within Judaism in the first century?
Many historical diversities were shaped within Judaism in the first century. For instance there were four specific periods in Jewish history. The Persian Period (ca. 537-332 BCE) in which the Jewish nation was ruled by high priests with minimal interference from Persian Kings. The Hellenistic Period (ca. 332-1678 BCE) which was a “reign of terror” for the Jews because they were harshly punished under the Antiochus IV Epiphanes, who wanted to exterminate the Jewish religion. During the Hasmonean Period (167-63 BCE) Jewish rebels, known as the “Maccabees” led a revolt against Antiochus and won independence, and the Roman Period (63 BCE-70 CE) which took control over the Jewish state and Palestine. Also, the population was very diverse during this time. For instance, the population in Palestine consisted of four main groups; the Pharisees, Sadducees, Herodian’s, and the Samaritans. The Pharisees were known in gospel stories as opponents of Jesus and often portrayed as “narrow-minded legalists,” they also emphasized faithfulness to Torah and their interpretation of the law was driven by a conviction that all of God’s people should live with the utmost sanctity. The …show more content…
For instance, all of the Jews believed there was only one God, and this God had chosen the Jewish people to be an elect and holy people, which would be distinct from all other people living on earth. They also believed that God had made a covenant with them and given them the Torah, in which they would live their lives in ways that would separate them from all other people. They all believed and practiced circumcision, kept the Sabbath, observed food restrictions, and committed themselves to following the standards of the Ten