✡️Intro to Judaism Unit 6 – Second Temple Era and Jewish Diaspora

Historical Context

• The Second Temple Era spans from the rebuilding of the Second Temple in Jerusalem in 516 BCE to its destruction by the Romans in 70 CE
• Begins with the return of the Judean exiles from Babylon under the Persian Empire (539-332 BCE)
  • Cyrus the Great, king of Persia, allowed the Jews to return to Judea and rebuild the Temple
• Hellenistic period (332-167 BCE) marked by the spread of Greek culture and language following Alexander the Great's conquests
  • Jewish culture and religion faced challenges from Hellenistic influence
• Hasmonean dynasty (167-63 BCE) established Jewish independence after the Maccabean Revolt against Seleucid rule
• Roman period (63 BCE-70 CE) characterized by increasing Roman control over Judea
  • Herod the Great, a Roman client king, ruled Judea (37-4 BCE) and renovated the Second Temple
• Jewish Diaspora, the dispersion of Jews outside of Judea, grew significantly during this era due to various factors (trade, exile, and voluntary migration)

Key Events and Timeline

• 539 BCE: Cyrus the Great of Persia allows Jews to return to Judea and rebuild the Temple
• 516 BCE: Completion of the Second Temple in Jerusalem
• 332 BCE: Alexander the Great conquers the Persian Empire, beginning the Hellenistic period
• 167-160 BCE: Maccabean Revolt against Seleucid rule, establishing Hasmonean dynasty
• 63 BCE: Roman general Pompey captures Jerusalem, ending Hasmonean independence
• 37-4 BCE: Reign of Herod the Great, a Roman client king who renovated the Second Temple
• 66-73 CE: First Jewish-Roman War, resulting in the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE
• 132-135 CE: Bar Kokhba Revolt, the final Jewish uprising against Roman rule

Political Landscape

• Persian period (539-332 BCE): Jews lived under Persian rule as a semi-autonomous community
  • Judea was a province within the Persian Empire, governed by a local Jewish leader (e.g., Zerubbabel)
• Hellenistic period (332-167 BCE): Judea under the control of Hellenistic kingdoms (Ptolemaic and Seleucid)
  • Hellenistic rulers promoted Greek culture and language, creating tensions with traditional Jewish practices
• Hasmonean dynasty (167-63 BCE): Jewish independence achieved through the Maccabean Revolt
  • Hasmonean rulers combined political and religious authority, serving as both kings and high priests
• Roman period (63 BCE-70 CE): Increasing Roman control over Judea
  • Herod the Great, a Roman client king, ruled Judea (37-4 BCE) and maintained a delicate balance between Jewish traditions and Roman interests
  • Direct Roman rule established in 6 CE, with Judea governed by Roman prefects and procurators
• Jewish revolts against Roman rule (66-73 CE and 132-135 CE) led to the destruction of the Second Temple and the suppression of Jewish political autonomy

Religious Developments

• Emergence of diverse Jewish religious groups (Pharisees, Sadducees, Essenes) with different interpretations of Jewish law and practice
  • Pharisees emphasized the importance of oral law and tradition alongside written Torah
  • Sadducees, closely associated with the Temple priesthood, rejected the oral law and focused on literal interpretation of written Torah
  • Essenes, a separatist group, emphasized asceticism and apocalyptic beliefs
• Canonization of the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh) during the Second Temple period
  • Compilation and standardization of sacred texts (Torah, Prophets, and Writings)
• Development of synagogues as centers of Jewish religious and communal life, particularly in the Diaspora
  • Synagogues served as places of prayer, study, and social gathering
• Emergence of apocalyptic literature and messianic expectations, particularly in response to foreign rule and oppression
  • Books like Daniel and 1 Enoch reflect apocalyptic worldviews and hopes for divine intervention
• Hellenistic influence on Jewish religious thought, as seen in the works of Philo of Alexandria, who sought to harmonize Jewish and Greek philosophical ideas

Cultural and Social Changes

• Spread of Greek language and culture (Hellenization) throughout the Jewish world
  • Adoption of Greek names, dress, and customs by some Jews, particularly in urban centers
  • Translation of the Hebrew Bible into Greek (Septuagint) for the benefit of Greek-speaking Jews
• Development of Jewish literature in Greek, such as the works of Josephus and Philo
  • Josephus, a Jewish historian, wrote extensively on Jewish history and the Jewish-Roman wars
  • Philo, a Jewish philosopher from Alexandria, sought to harmonize Jewish and Greek thought
• Emergence of a wealthy Jewish aristocracy, particularly during the Hasmonean and Herodian periods
  • Jewish elites often adopted Hellenistic lifestyles and participated in the broader Greco-Roman world
• Growth of the Jewish Diaspora, with significant Jewish communities in Alexandria, Antioch, Rome, and Babylon
  • Diaspora Jews maintained ties to Jerusalem and the Temple through pilgrimage and financial support
• Increasing social and economic stratification within Jewish society
  • Tensions between wealthy elites and poorer segments of the population, particularly in rural areas

Diaspora Communities

• Jewish communities flourished in various parts of the Hellenistic and Roman world (Alexandria, Antioch, Rome, Babylon)
  • Alexandria, Egypt: Largest and most influential Diaspora community, known for its intellectual and cultural achievements
  • Antioch, Syria: Significant Jewish population, played a key role in the spread of early Christianity
  • Rome, Italy: Growing Jewish community, with a mix of Roman citizens and foreign-born Jews
  • Babylon, Mesopotamia: Thriving Jewish center, home to the Babylonian Talmud and influential rabbinic academies
• Diaspora Jews maintained a strong sense of Jewish identity and connection to Jerusalem
  • Pilgrimage to Jerusalem for major festivals (Passover, Shavuot, Sukkot)
  • Financial support for the Temple through the annual half-shekel tax
• Adaptation and acculturation to local customs and languages
  • Use of Greek language in religious and everyday life
  • Adoption of Greek names and participation in Hellenistic education and culture
• Development of distinct Diaspora Jewish literature and thought
  • Works like the Wisdom of Solomon and the writings of Philo reflect the influence of Hellenistic philosophy on Jewish thought
• Interaction and occasional tension with non-Jewish neighbors
  • Participation in local civic life and economic activities
  • Occasional outbreaks of anti-Jewish sentiment and violence (e.g., the Alexandrian riots of 38 CE)

Important Figures

• Ezra and Nehemiah: Jewish leaders who played key roles in the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the Second Temple in the 5th century BCE
  • Ezra, a priest and scribe, led a religious reform movement and reestablished the Torah as the law of the land
  • Nehemiah, a Persian-appointed governor, oversaw the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls and fortifications
• Judah Maccabee: Jewish priest who led the Maccabean Revolt against Seleucid rule in the 2nd century BCE
  • Judah's victories and the rededication of the Temple are commemorated in the festival of Hanukkah
• Herod the Great: Roman client king of Judea (37-4 BCE), known for his ambitious building projects and complex relationship with the Jewish people
  • Herod renovated and expanded the Second Temple, making it one of the most impressive structures in the ancient world
  • He also built the fortress of Masada and the port city of Caesarea
• Hillel and Shammai: Influential Jewish sages and leaders of competing schools of thought in the 1st century BCE
  • Hillel emphasized the importance of compassion and ethical behavior in interpreting Jewish law
  • Shammai favored a more strict and literal interpretation of the law
• Josephus: Jewish historian and military leader who wrote extensively on Jewish history and the Jewish-Roman wars
  • His works, including "The Jewish War" and "Antiquities of the Jews," provide valuable insights into the Second Temple era
• Philo of Alexandria: Jewish philosopher who sought to harmonize Jewish and Greek thought
  • Philo's writings, such as "On the Creation" and "On the Life of Moses," interpret Jewish scriptures through the lens of Greek philosophy

Legacy and Impact

• Destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE marked a turning point in Jewish history
  • Loss of the central place of worship and the end of the sacrificial system
  • Shift towards rabbinic Judaism, centered on the study of Torah and the observance of Jewish law
• Emergence of Christianity as a distinct religious movement, initially within the Jewish community
  • Jesus of Nazareth, a Jewish preacher, and his followers laid the foundations for early Christianity
  • Spread of Christianity throughout the Roman world, eventually becoming the official religion of the empire
• Development of rabbinic literature (Mishnah, Talmud) in the centuries following the Second Temple era
  • Codification of Jewish oral law and traditions
  • Establishment of rabbinic academies in Palestine and Babylon
• Continued growth and diversification of the Jewish Diaspora
  • Jewish communities adapted to new cultural and political contexts while maintaining a sense of Jewish identity
• Second Temple era laid the groundwork for the development of modern Judaism
  • Many key concepts, practices, and texts that define Judaism today have their roots in this period
  • The resilience and adaptability of the Jewish people in the face of challenges and upheavals during this era continue to inspire and inform Jewish life and thought