Friday:
Breslauer chapter 3.
Chanukah
Book of Daniel &
“Apocalypse”
Written as prophecy of empires & God’s
final victory
End of the world
• God will create a new world for the
pious
164 bce Maccabees rule
but Syrian troops stay in Jerusalem.
142 bce
Independence from Syria.
• Maccabees claim to be “High
Priests” and “Kings”
• “Zadokite” Priesthood abolished
• M. Claim “Zadok” as ancestor.
“Messiah”
• Bible predicts a hero to restore the true
religion / government for Jews.
• Maccabees associate themselves with
predictions.
• Others make similar claims.
Maccabees
Claim total power
Oppressive
Face Jewish opposition.
Parties
• Sadducees: “Zadokites” Priestly class.
• Pharisees: Torah interpreters for masses.
• Essenes: Sectarians. Very Apocalyptic
– LIVE SEPARATELY. Hermits
• Zealots: Militants
63 bce Rome
• Defeats Judah, Replaces Hasmoneans.
– Puppet Kings
• Temple Desecrated.
Roman Puppet Kings
HEROD the Great: Expands Temple
“Western Wall” “Wailing Wall”
Distrusted by Judeans.
Western Wall:
Holiest site Jews now have
access to
Pharisees and Sadducees
• Different beliefs
• Interpretation of Torah.
Shavuot
Count 50 days “from morning after the Sabbath”
Sad. “Literalists”, count from Sabbath that
occurred during Pesach.
Phar. say,from the second day of Pesach:
“Sabbath” is a figure of speech
Sabbath: “Light no fires”
Sad. say: have no fires at all.
Phar. say: a pre-lit fire is o.k..
– Spirit of Joy more important than
legislation.
Resurrection
•
•
Sad. “No”
Phar. “Yes”
• What of Maimonides??
Fate / Destiny
•
Sad. “No”
•
Phar. “Yes”
Atonement
• Sad. A ritual procedure / Law
• Phar. A personal quest for righteousness
Revolution against Rome
• Sadducees, Pharisees try accommodation
• Essenes already living separately
Reject Jerusalem: too defiled.
War.
• 66-73 ce 1st Jewish Rebellion
• 70 ce Jerusalem destroyed.
• 73 ce: MASADA
Masada
Yohanan ben Zakkai
Refined Pharisaic Ideas:
• Made peace with Romans
• Allowed to form a leadership for Jews.
2nd century C.E.