New Testament Introduction J e w i s h f a i t h a n d l i f e i n N T t i m e s

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1 New Testament Introduction J e w i s h f a i t h a n d l i f e i n N T t i m e s I. Introduction A. Understanding of Judaism is basic B. New Testament as a source II. The Rhythm of the Week, the Year and Life A. Sabbath 1. Friday night to Saturday night 2. Forbidden work 3. Permitted work

2 The Rhythm of Day in New Testament Times Mark 15: 25 It was the third hour when they crucified him. Mark 15: 33 When the sixth hour came there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. Mark 15: 34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, 'Eloi, eloi, lama sabachthani?' Luke 12: Blessed those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. In truth I tell you, he will do up his belt, sit them down at table and wait on them. 38 It may be in the second watch that he comes, or in the third, but blessed are those servants if he finds them ready.

3 New Testament Introduction J e w i s h f a i t h a n d l i f e i n N T t i m e s I. Introduction A. Understanding of Judaism is basic B. New Testament as a source II. The Rhythm of the Week, the Year and Life A. Sabbath B. Calendar and the Jewish Festivals 1. Rosh ha-shanah New Years day 2. Yom kippur The Day of Atonement 3. Sukkot The Feast of Tabernacles 4. Pesach- Passover, Easter 5. Shavuot Feast of Weeks 6. Three pilgrimages each year

4 The Jewish Calendar Solar Year = 365 days Lunar Year = 352 days Difference = 12 days The Lunar Year is adjusted to the Solar Year, every time the difference between the two has become around 30 days, by adding an extra ADAR between SHEVAT and ADAR

5 New Testament Introduction J e w i s h f a i t h a n d l i f e i n N T t i m e s I. Introduction II. The Rhythm of the Week, the Year and Life A. Sabbath B. Calendar and the Jewish Festivals C. Temple 1. The Grand Temple Renovation by Herod 2. Hierarchical architecture

6 N The Jerusalem Temple Antonia Fortress In New Testament times Court of Gentiles The Holiest of Holies The Holy Place Gate of Nikanor The Beautiful Gate Towards Mount of Olives and Gethsemane C C C C Altar Court of Priests C C C C C Treasury/ Women s Court Ramp (balustrade) C Kidron valley (C = Chamber) Court of Israelites (men) Solomon s Porch Court of Gentiles Portico of the Kings Hulda gates

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9 Temple Warning

10 Temple Warning Inscription: MHQENA ALLOGENH EISPO- REUESQAI ENTOS TOU PE- RI TO IERON TRUFAKTOU KAI PERIBOLOU OS D AN LH- FQH EAUTWI AITIOS ES- TAI DIA TO ECAKOLOU- QEIN QANATON No outsider shall enter the protective enclosure around the sanctuary. And whoever is caught will only have himself to blame for the ensuing death

11 New Testament Introduction J e w i s h f a i t h a n d l i f e i n N T t i m e s Mark 11: He entered Jerusalem and went into the Temple; and when he had surveyed it all, as it was late by now, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve. 12 Next day as they were leaving Bethany, he felt hungry. 13 Seeing a fig tree in leaf some distance away, he went to see if he could find any fruit on it, but when he came up to it he found nothing but leaves; for it was not the season for figs. 14 And he addressed the fig tree, 'May no one ever eat fruit from you again.' And his disciples heard him say this. 15 So they reached Jerusalem and he went into the Temple and began driving out the men selling and buying there; he upset the tables of the money changers and the seats of the dove sellers. 16 Nor would he allow anyone to carry anything through the Temple. 17 And he taught them and said, 'Does not scripture say: My house will be called a house of prayer for all peoples? But you have turned it into a bandits' den.'

12 The steps to the Nikanor Gate 1. Most models have the lowest step the largest one, and as we go up the steps are smaller and smaller. 2. Another suggestion is that the steps are concave and the higher the step the larger it is (described by the Meiri). Mishnah: the steps were "like half of a round granary, a term it also uses of the Sanhedrin, when describing the way the judges were seated. There all judges need to see each other. At Simchas Beis Hashoeivah, the Levi'im stood on these steps and played musical instruments. The format of concave steps seems more appropriate for conducting an orchestra.

13 New Testament Introduction J e w i s h f a i t h a n d l i f e i n N T t i m e s II. The Rhythm of the Week, the Year and Life C. Temple 1. The Grand Temple Renovation by Herod 2. Hierarchical architecture 3. Organization and duties 4. Obligatory gifts a great treasure 5. Cult as a time rhythm D. The Synagogue 1. Text reading, interpretation and religious education 2. Laymen leadership E. From the Cradle to the Grave 1. Family and Home 2. The ethnic dimension 3. Starting a family 4. Patriarchal family structure 5. Circumcision 6. Bar mitzvah 7. Death and burial

14 New Testament Introduction J e w i s h f a i t h a n d l i f e i n N T t i m e s III. Faith, Theology and Praxis A. Common Judaism 1. Judaism versus Judaisms 2. One God a) The LORD is Our God b) Love the Lord with all your heart c) Put the words on your heart B. The Covenant 1. Torah for Israel 2. Righteous Non-Jews 3. God s goodwill and grace 4. Responsibility and reconciliation 5. A new covenant 6. New covenants are added to Older covenants 7. The fulfillment of the Covenant reaches beyond Israel 8. Enter by grace, Remain with responsibility 9. Punishment or testing Why are God s People defeated? 10.The Messiah C. Rituell Purity 1. Forms of impurity 2. How to handle ritual impurity?

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17 Vespasianus Iudaea capta Titus Iudaea capta

18 New Testament Introduction J e w i s h f a i t h a n d l i f e i n N T t i m e s IV. Who s in charge? Jewish parties and the people of the land A. Sanhedrin B. The Pharisees 1. Main characteristics 2. The name 3. Separation 4. Hillel och Shammai 5. Theological inventions: Resurrection and Angles C. The Sadducees 1. Political power and Temple cult 2. Neither angels nor resurrection 3. Temple cleanness 4. Only the Pentateuch 5. Collaborators or Peace keepers D. The Esseenes 1. Dualism and Eschatological expectation 2. Esseenes and the Jesus-movement E. Rebels and Assassins 1. The Sicaries 2. The Zelots F. The people of the Land