HEBR1002: Survey of Jewish History and Culture in 1st millennium CE

1
HEBR1002 Survey of Jewish History and Culture in
1st millennium CE

• 5th lesson, 27 November 2007
• The Emergence of the Rabbinic Movement
• and the Compilation of the Mishnah

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• Definition (S. Stern) Judaism as defined by
  Rabbis or by Rabbinic literature
• What evidence do we have of rabbinic movement?
• External ? non-positive evidence
• See M. Stern (ed.), Greek and Latin authors on
  Jews and Judaism (Jerusalem 1976-1984)
• Internal ? positive evidence but biased
• Rabbis have their own agenda, not interested in
  history as such but rather in halakhah and aggadah

3
Connection between Pharisees and Rabbis?

• Different views in scholarship
• No discontinuity
• Rabbis were spiritual descendants of Pharisees
  and they also exercised predominant influence on
  Jewish religious life
• Discontinuity
• Pharisees had been insignificant and marginal
  group that disappeared in late 1st century.
  Rabbis gradually became religious leaders of the
  Jews. Relationship with Pharisees unclear.

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Mishnah Avoth 11vv. Moses received the Torah at
Sinai and handed it on to Joshua, and Joshua to
the elders, and the elders to the prophets. And
the prophets handed it on to the men of the great
assembly. They said three things Be prudent in
judgment. Raise up many disciples. Make a fence
for the Torah. Simeon the Righteous was one of
the last survivors of the great assembly etc...
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The forefathers according to M. Avoth
11-18 Men of the Great Assembly of which
Simeon the Righteous was the last one left at
time of Alexander the Great? Cf. bYoma
69a Antigonos of Socho Five pairs of scholars
Hillel and Shammai beginning 1st century
CE Rabban Gamaliel the Elder (I) 30-60 CE His
son Simeon ben Gamaliel the Elder 60-70 CE
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Jabneh-period (from 70 CE onwards)

• Two names connected with Jabneh
• Jochanan ben Zakkai (ca. 70-80 CE) to whom the
  so-called taqqanot (?????) of Jabneh are
  ascribed
• Gamaliel II (ca. 80-120 CE) gained perhaps more
  authority, but doubtful whether Patriarchate
  already existed

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After the Second Revolt (135 CE) migration of
rabbis to Galilee?

• M. Goodman. State and Society in Roman Galilee,
  AD 132-212 (London, 2nd. ed. 2000).
• versus
• S. Stern, Rabbi and the Origins of the
  Patriarchate, in JJS 54,2 (2003), pp. 193-215,
  esp. pp. 211-212 (downloadable as electronic
  journal!)

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Rabbi Judah ha-Nasi (ca. 175-217 CE)

• Also known as Rabbi
• Aristoccratic background title Nasi.
• Patriarchate started?
• New dynasty founded?
• See S. Stern, Rabbi and the Origins of the
  Patriarchate, in JJS 54,2 (2003), pp. 193-215
  (downloadable as electronic journal!).
• Contrast D. Goodblatt, The Monarchic Principle
  Studies in Jewish Self-Government in Antiquity,
  Tübingen 1994

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Entrance to catacombs in Beth Shearim
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Catacomb in Beth Shearim
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Jewish symbols in catacombs of Beth Shearim
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Hellenistic influence in catacombs mask of
Zeus?
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Early 3rd century Compilation of the Mishnah

• Compilation in time of R. Judah ha-Nasi
• Compilation of Jewish common Oral law
• 6 Main headings (sedarim Orders)
• 63 masekhtot tractates
• Each tractate subdivided into perakim
• chapters and chapters into separate Mishnayot
  (pl. of mishna).

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Example (see handout) Mishnah Rosh ha-Shanah
41

• Order (usually not mentioned when citing Mishna)
  Moed (Festivals)
• Tractate Rosh ha-Shanah
• Chapter 4
• Mishna 1
• Usually abbreviated to mRH 41