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Post-Exodus Judaism

2.4: Change and Continuity. Post-Exodus Judaism. Before the Hebrews enter Canaan God makes a foreboding prediction: His people will break the covenant again They will worship false idols They will suffer greatly for their sins Why??. Jewish Kingdoms.

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Post-Exodus Judaism

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  1. 2.4: Change and Continuity Post-Exodus Judaism

  2. Before the Hebrews enter Canaan God makes a foreboding prediction: • His people will break the covenant again • They will worship false idols • They will suffer greatly for their sins Why??

  3. Jewish Kingdoms • After Joshua leads the Hebrews across the river Jordan • Hebrews gradually make Canaan their home • Eventually controlling the region… • …Gaining friends, and enemies as they established themselves, through co-existence… • …and through battles against those who challenged them…

  4. Jewish Kingdoms • At this point, Judaism became a religion, focused around the book of law: 5 books of Moses (Pentateuch) • Arc of the Covenant, as a result, became another element of ritual worship • Sacrifice, however, continued to be practiced • Still, no rabbis, no synagogues.

  5. Jewish Kingdoms • It is in this context, that Judaism gained a monarchy: • 1st: Saul • 2nd: David: who successfully gained some autonomy for Hebrews in Canaan, through military conquest • 3rd: Solomon: who built a temple in honour of YHWH, and placed the Arc of the Covenant inside (~ 9th C, BCE) • Under Solomon, worship of YHWH is now centered around a common temple • Animal sacrifices continued

  6. Jewish Kingdoms • So what is new in post-Exodus period? • Arc of Covenant. Throne of YHWH. Material focus for worship. • Kings/Prophets. YHWH allows this to protect Israelites and provide order for a ‘sedentary society’. • Judiasm also gains a mystical element: • Prophetic movement. Meaning: Small "p" prophets. Like Amos and Isaiah. • Not of the same class as Abraham or Moses—big "P" prophets. (i.e. no covenant established with them) • More so mystical leaders • Moral stories, predictions, spiritual activists, who God “spoke and acted” through.

  7. Struggle Continues, in the Kingdom • A cycle is clearly presented in the Book of Judges of the people forgetting YHWH and worshipping the local Baals • As a consequence: • oppressed by foreign troops, • then crying out to YHWH, for help. • Then, YHWH delivers Hebrews --via a leader-- who restores peace and prosperity, and the reminder of what the true worship of YHWH means. • There were many external enemies during this age.

  8. Dispersal #1 • In 922BCE, after Solomon’s reign, war broke out and Canaan was split into 2 regions: • Israel and Judah. This split weakened both kingdoms against their neighbours • North: Israel was captured and destroyed by Assyrians in 721BCE • Populations dispersed forever. (“Lost tribes”…) • South: Judah captured in 586CE. Temple destroyed by Babylonians • Hebrews either killed, or brought to Babylon as captives • Remember God’s predictions, when Moses passes away?

  9. Crisis of the Babylonian Captivity • With Hebrews in Exile from Canaan… • …And with the temple of YHWH destroyed… • ..Along with the Arc of the Covenant • Crisis: How does one stay Jewish, in exile? • Or--how does one stay Jewish, outside of the Promised land? • Choices: give up, or innovate…

  10. Response to the Babylonian captivity • 1. YHWH now appears as radically different compared to local Canaan deities. Animals sacrifice loses popularity. Focus once again on YHWH as One true Invisible GOD. Also. YHWH’s scope is larger. Not just God of Canaan. Increasing is seen as the God of Gods– God of all Humanity. Otherwise, how would YHWH reach Jews in Babylon? • 2. Development of the Synagogue. With the temple of Judaism now destroyed, local, portable places of worship and study needed. • 3. Rabbi: study of scripture, essential while Hebrews in Exile. Why? To teach future generations how to worship the One True God. This required skilled teachers. Hence, Rabbis. (“my master”), who were initiated into the Oral Torah, to teach the decoding of the written Torah

  11. Response to the Babylonian captivity • Give up, altogether? For nearly a generation (till 539BCE) they were in captivity. • …Or, develop a response that provides meaning and purpose. • Enter: the Messiah doctrine • One day, YHWH will send to Hebrews, the Messiah (anointed Divine King) who will signal the end of suffering, and the entry once again into Paradise. • Like Prophets, and prophets, but More… • Is the ONE who will finallylead Hebrews back to Heaven. • Interestingly, this idea develops in Canaan. Which ancient middle eastern religion were Hebrews in contact with, which espoused the idea of a future Messiah?

  12. 2nd Dispersal • Solomon’s temple is rebuilt in 515BCE • Many Hebrews return to Canaan. But by this point, many had dispersed throughout the area (Diaspora) • For the next 400 years, Hebrews face other challenges, including the arrival of the Greeks (and the conversion of their temple into a temple for Zeus) • Most severe, comes in the form of the Romans who persecute Jews for not recognizing Roman Kings, as theirking.

  13. 2nd Dispersal • In 64CE, Romans take final control over Jerusalem • During time of Jewish persecution, different Jewish “sects” develop, each with a different method to end their suffering, and quicken the arrival of the Messiah: • Zealots: violent revolution, overthrow the Romans = quicken Messiah’s arrival • Essenes: went underground—literally. Believe detailed observence of Torah, would quicken the arrival of the Messiah. Authors of the Dead Sea Scrolls.

  14. 2nd Dispersal • 66CE, Zealots lead a revolt against the Romans • In 70CE, Romans capture Jerusalem, destroy the 2nd temple, and kill many Hebrews • In 132CE Zealots organize another revolt. This time Roman cleanse Jerusalem of Hebrews • In the end, few Jewish sects remain: Rabbinic/Essenes, and small Jesus Movements. Kicked out of Jerusalem, dispersed throughout the world

  15. 2nd Dispersal • Once again, Israelites had a choice: give up their religion, or innovate. The chose the latter: • Rabbis replace the Temple Priests • Synagogues become the main place of worship • Develop religions explanation for all they have been through, and the challenges to come: • Messiah concept now a permanent feature • Prayer practice, now allowed at home • Adopt a philosophical, non-violent means for survival, rather than military.

  16. After the year 70CE, Judaism is faced with a 1800+ year challenge, of existing, and holding on to hope, in the face of… • Persecution… • And, with full knowledge, and the covenant remains unfulfilled…

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