Religious & Political Groups in Israel

1. Religious & Political Groups in Israel Pharisees, Sadducees, Essenes, Qumran, Zealots, etc.

2. Pharisees • Term comes from “parush” – “separated” • Popular with the common people – yet they separated themselves from the people • Emphasized correct observance of the Law • Emphasized tradition – application of the Law • Oral tradition was important (interpretation of the law)

3. Pharisees • Strictly observed the laws of purity in OT • Ceremonial washings; proper preparation of food; careful observance of agricultural laws; meticulous tithing • Believed in resurrection (life after death) • Believed in last judgment; reward/punishment after death; fate and freewill

4. Pharisees • Worked primarily through the synagogues • Significant 1st cen. Pharisees: • Hillel – more liberal in interpretation of Law • Shammai – very literal in interpretation • Their followers argued about: • Divorce, which foods could be eaten on certain holy days, books of the Bible • Many of their teachings gathered in Mishnah

5. Sadducees • Mostly from priestly and wealthy families • Collaborated with the Hellenists/Romans • Rejected the oral traditions (Pharisees) • Not as popular with the common people • Controlled the Temple -- sacrifices • Controlled most of the Sanhedrin

6. Sadducees • Debated with Pharisees a lot • Had more political power than Pharisees • Produced no literature – unlike Pharisees • After destruction of Temple in AD 70, they became powerless and faded away.

7. Sadducees • Disagreed with Pharisees on almost everything • Did not believe in: a coming Messiah, angels, resurrection, the last judgment, life after death

8. Essenes • A separatist group – lived isolated from others • Many lived near the Dead Sea – Qumran • Required to give up their possessions and turn them over to the group • Thought the Temple cult was corrupt • Offered their own sacrifices

9. Essenes • Strict on purity laws & practices • Frequent ritual baths • Strict Sabbath observance • Strict social order and rank within group • Initiation ceremony: ritual washing, sacred meal presided over by leader

10. Essenes • Believed in resurrection, immortality of soul • Devoted much time to Bible study • Wrote several books – Dead Sea Scrolls • Josephus (1st cen. Historian) – 4,000 Essenes

18. Zealots • Strongly resisted Roman intervention • Very strict, more than Pharisees • No organized resistance until 60’s • Sicarii assassinated official collaborating with Romans • Extremist group

19. Apocalyptic Movement • “Apocalyptic” – to reveal • Writings that encouraged the Jews to remain faithful during times of persecution • Used symbolism (book of Revelation) • God is all powerful and will overcome evil • Strong expectation of Messiah to deliver them from oppression

20. Apocalyptic Movement • Many apocalyptic books written between time of Old Testament and New Testament • Some books written in the name of an Old Testament character, perhaps in their honor • Pseudepigrapha – collection of these writings • Apocrypha – another collection of Jewish writings not included in Old Testament

21. Temple • In the 1st cen. AD the Temple was the focal point of the Jewish religion. • The presence of God on earth was symbolized by the Temple/. • The Temple was where sacrifice for sin took place. • Ceremonies were held each day and special ceremonies on the Sabbath and other holy days.

22. Temple • The original Temple was built by king Solomon. • It was destroyed by the Babylonians and later rebuilt. • The Romans then destroyed it again in AD 70. It was never rebuilt.

23. Temple • The priests were responsible for keeping the Temple and officiating at all its ceremonies. • The importance of the Temple is difficult to overestimate. • It symbolized God’s presence, God’s control of everything, and God’s blessings on Israel.

24. Temple • Court of Gentiles • Court of Women • Court of Israel • Holy Place • Most Holy Place (Holy of Holies) • Only High Priest could enter Holy of Holies; only on one day a year

25. Synagogues • Synagogues had been built around Israel and even outside of Israel. • Focal point for studying the scriptures, worship, social functions, education for young boys, etc. • Places that symbolized their community spirit, their heritage, their national pride, etc.

26. Sanhedrin • The official law making body for Jewish people • Had 71 members • Originally primarily Sadducees • Pharisees later added • Rome allowed it to function, with some limitations (e.g. death penalty)

27. Sanhedrin • Final court for hearing legal disputes • Heard both civil and criminal cases • No real distinction between these and religious matters (It was ALL religious) • Had its own police force; made arrests • Usually met on Monday and Thursday

28. Samaritans • Geographically they lived where the Northern kingdom of Israel was in the Old Testament • They were a mixed race; originally Jews that married other nationalities that were resettled in their homeland – Samaria • Developed different religious practices from Jews, yet had several similar practices

30. Samaritans • Built their own Temple at Mt. Gerizim • Offered sacrifices there • John Hyrcanus (Maccabee) destroyed it • Much hatred between Jews & Samaritans • Accepted only the first 5 books of OT • Believed in only one God (same as Jews) • Believed in a coming Messiah

31. Samaritans • Jews would have no associations with them • Jesus had a special interest in them • Jesus sent his disciples out from Jerusalem to Judea, Samaria, and beyond (Acts 1:8)

32. Religious Festivals • Day of Passover – celebrated deliverance from Egyptian slavery • Day of Atonement – (Yom Kippur) • Day of repentance • Celebration of God as Redeemer of His people • Day of forgiveness • Scapegoat ceremony • Only day High Priest could enter the Holy of Holies

33. Feast of Weeks – (Pentecost) • Late spring – end of early grain harvest • Also celebrated the giving of the law to Moses • Feast of Tabernacles – • Fall – Completion of harvest • Commemorated God taking care of their ancestors in the wilderness after leaving Egypt • Men ate and slept in small huts for 8 days

34. Sabbath • Most important holy day • Weekly observance – day of rest from work • Worship in recognition of God as creator • Hanukkah – Feast of Dedication (of Temple) • Maccabean cleansing and rededication of Temple • 8 days • Also known as Festival of Lights