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

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)

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

Pharisees Worked primarily through the synagogues Significant 1 st 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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Temple In the 1 st 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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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)

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

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

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

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)

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

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

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