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 bceIndependence 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.

ShavuotCount 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.