JDS 225 Final Review

Eliezar

Mishnaic sage from the first century. Relationships with Gamaliel and Akiva.

Agrippa I

11 BCE - 44 CE. Grandson of Herod, Son of Aristobulus and Berenice. Reigning king of Judea 41-44 CE. He was lent a large sum of money by Alexander (brother of Philo) to bail Judea out of debt. His reign was chronicled by Josephus and Philo. Ruled with satisfaction to the Jewish people.

Vespasian

9 - 79 CE. Roman emperor about a year after Nero's death. Under Nero, he crushed the first Jewish rebellion at Yotapa with his son, Titus. Gave the emperor a job description with written responsibilities. Did a great job at stabilizing Rome after all of the trouble that Nero had caused. Is looked at as a good emperor.

Nasi

"Prince." Term used to describe the President of the Sanhedrin (Jewish Council).

Tanakh

"Hebrew Bible"; the canonical collection of Jewish texts, which is also a textual source for the Christian Old Testament. The Tanakh consists of twenty-four books. Tanakh is an acronym of the first Hebrew letter of each of the Masoretic Text's three traditional subdivisions: Torah ("Teaching", also known as the Five Books of Moses), Nevi'im ("Prophets") and Ketuvim ("Writings")—hence TaNaKh.

Claudius

10 BCE - 54 CE. Roman emperor after Caligula. Wasn't anticipated to be a good ruler, but actually really helped to stabilize Rome. He reaffirmed the rights of the Jews under Roman rule. Apparently he expelled the Jews at one point

Hillel (the Elder)

110-10 BCE. During the time of King Herod and Emperor Augustus. A famous Jewish religious leader who is associated with the development of the Mishnah and the Talmud. Renowned within Judaism as a sage and scholar, he was the founder of the "House of Hillel" school for Tannaim and the founder of a dynasty of Sages who stood at the head of the Jews living in the Land of Israel until roughly the fifth century of the Common Era. Was a very accepting leader who welcomed newcomers into the Jewish religion. They would say, "Can you teach me Judaism while on one foot [for brevity]?" And he'd say, "That which is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow. That is the whole Torah; the rest is the explanation; go and learn."

Pliny the Younger

112 CE. Governor of what is now modern-day Turkey. Anonymous accusations were sent in to him claiming that certain people were "Christians." These people were forced to appear before him in a trial, which he documented. He wrote letters about the trials to Trajan, the Roman emperor at the time. He asked advice on how to treat these suspected Christians. Trajan said that being "Christian" was reason for punishment enough - there is never any mention of a crime other than being religion. These letters between Pliny and Trajan are the earliest documentation we have of Christians, marking that Christianity had fully separated from Judaism at this point. The Romans also did not go out and seek out Christians to persecute at this time.

Caligula

12 - 41 CE. Roman Emperor after Tiberius. He was a decent ruler at first, but then he became very ill with a fever and was said to be psychotic after that. Romans had a custom of worshipping their emperors as Gods after their deaths - Caligula demanded that he be worshipped in life too though. He wanted images of himself erected in Jewish temples - this would prove to be very problematic for the Jew-Roman relationship. Is this really someone they want ruling over them?!

Josephus

37 - 100 CE. He is a historian from the early first century - we get a lot of our ancient history knowledge from him! He was the son of Mattatyahu. He fought in the Jewish War and was taken captive by Vespasian of Rome. When captured, he made a prediction that Vespasian would become the next Roman emperor. After this, he was taken to Rome as a slave and interpreter. Eventually, Vespasian did become emperor and freed him. He became a full Roman citizen, a good friend of Vespasian's son Titus, and was in great favor with the Romans. He tried to help the Romans get his fellow Jews to stop revolting, but history tells us it didn't work. The Romans tell him to create a written story of what has happened in the wars. Eventually, he creates a new genre of writing. He makes a biography of himself! This probably says a lot about him as a person, but it also creates a popular new form of writing.

Nero

37 - 68 CE. Roman emperor after Claudius. During this time, tensions were rising between the Jews and the Greeks under Roman rule. Nero showed clear favor towards the Greeks. The Jews revolt against Roman power, for the first time. 66 CE. Caligula gets angry and sends Vespasian to crush the rebellion.

Titus

39-81 CE. Roman emperor after Vespasian. It was during Nero and Vespasian's rules where he distinguished himself as a general. Helped to put down the first Jewish Rebellion. The Siege of Jerusalem (70 CE): The city of Jerusalem was pillaged. Everyone was slaughter, women were raped, the temple was burned to the ground along with the rest of the city. It was DEVASTATING. A turning point in Jewish history. The only was Judaism survived was due to the diaspora. Titus had a love affair with the Jewish Berenice, daughter of Agrippa II. Titus had support as the Roman emperor from the Jews who did not want to revolt, and Berenice openly supported him as emperor. However, this relationship was highly disapproved of in the Roman empire.

Rabbi Akiva

40 - 137 CE. A lead contributor to the Mishnah. Regarded as "Chief of the Sages." Instrumental in drawing up the canon of the Tanakh. Executed in the aftermath of the Bar Kokhba Revolt.

Tiberius

42 BCE - 37 CE. Roman emperor after Augustus. During Tiberius' reign, Jews had become more prominent in Rome and Jewish and gentile followers of Jesus began proselytizing Roman citizens, increasing long-simmering resentments. Tiberius in 19 AD ordered Jews who were of military age to join the Roman Army. About 4,000 Jewish teens left to fight in Sardinia. He banished the rest of the Jews from Rome and threatened to enslave them for life if they did not leave the city.

Shammai

50 BCE - 30 CE. A Jewish scholar and opponent of Hillel. They are typically always mentioned together! Founded the "School of Shammai"; differed fundamentally from the School of Hillel. His took a much stricter stance on Judaism than Hillel. While Hillel was the President of the Sanhedrin (Jewish council), Shammai became the VP. Once Hillel died, Shammai took over as President, passing 18 ordinances in conformity with his religious ideals. These ordinances were to strengthen Jewish identity by insisting on a strict division between Jews and gentiles. When a gentile approached Shammai and asked him to explain how to convert to Judaism "while standing on one foot," Shammai sent him off and said it was impossible. This same gentile then approached Hillel, who was much more accepting, and he subsequently converted to Judaism.

Domitian

51 - 96 CE. Roman emperor after Titus. Charged the Jews pretty high taxes.

Octavius / Augustus

63 BCE to 14 CE. Adopted son of Caesar, inherited Caesar's power and land. The first emperor of the Roman Empire. He formed the 2nd Triumvirate with Mark Antony and Marcus Lepidus. After the destruction of this triumvirate, he ran Rome under the facade of a strong republic, giving more power to the Roman Senate. Augustus maintained a favorable relationship with the Jews, following the fashion of Caesar. He placed Herod in power (a very Hellenized, pro-Rome Jew). The Jews didn't really like Herod because they did not trust him and his Roman-loving ways. Once Herod died, Augustus divided the kingdom of Judea between his three sons. Augustus was regarded favorable by most Jews, especially in the diasporas.

Herod the Great

74 - 4 BCE. Son of Antipater; his father appointed him governor of Galilee. In the 30s BCE, Herod and his brother were named tetrarchs by the Roman leader Mark Antony in order to support Hyrcanus II, the current Roman-appointed King of Judea. When Hyrcanus II had the throne taken from him by his nephew Antigonus, Herod went to Rome to plead with them to restore Hyrcanus' power. What they ended up doing was naming Herod the King of Judea. Herod married a Hasmonean princess, Mariamne (also the granddaughter of Hyrcanus) in order to win over Jewish favor. (He already had a wife and child, so he banished them... smooth). It took him 3 years to recapture Jerusalem from Antigonus. When he did (37 BCE - The Siege of Jerusalem), he officially became the sole ruler of Judea, ending the Hasmonean Dynasty and beginning the Herodian Dynasty. Herod was a convert to Judaism, so his religious faith and devotion were questioned. He wasn't very trusted! People were very suspicious of him. Pros of his rule: - Expanded the borders of Judea to previous glory - Active in trading because of his close ties to Rome. Economic growth! Extended trading along the coast to maximize jobs and make Judea a competitive trading option. - Built an aquaduct to obtain fresh water. - Built up the temple of Jerusalem. - Palaces and fortresses built all over the country (really for him to hide in, in case of an execution attempt). Palaces were designed in Jewish tradition. Rumors of Herod's execution frightened him - he killed anyone that posed a threat to him. Even his own family! He ended up dying from what is now thought to be kidney failure. Death: He knew he was dying, and he knew he wouldn't be mourned. He ordered a large group of distinguished people to come to Jericho (his place of death) and they would be killed at the moment of his death so the day he died would always be remembered with great sorrow. He died and this order was not carried out, the men were released. Died in 4 BCE. Despite him being a good later, he is really not remembered too fondly by Jews.

Abba Arikha (Rav)

A Jewish Talmudist who was born and lived in Kafri, Sassanid Babylonia, known as an amora (commentator on the Oral Law) of the 3rd century who established at Sura the systematic study of the rabbinic traditions, which, using the Mishnah as text, led to the compilation of the Talmud. With him began the long period of ascendancy of the great academies of Babylonia, around the year 220. He is commonly known simply as Rav. While Judah I was still living, Rav, having been duly ordained as teacher, though not without certain restrictions, returned to Babylonia, where he at once began a career that was destined to mark an epoch in the development of Babylonian Judaism. Established his own school with became the intellectual center for Babylonian Jews. It was at the school of Rav that Jewish learning in Babylonia found its permanent home and center. Rav's activity made Babylonia independent of Palestine, and gave it that predominant position which it was destined to occupy for several centuries.

2 Baruch

A Jewish pseudopigrapha written close to the second century CE. It is a apocolyptic text that attempts to give meaning to the destruction of the Jewish Temple by the Romans. An attempted explanation of why God would allow this to happen - I guess sort of a way of coping.

Rabban Yohanan ben Zakai

A Jewish sage of the Tannaim. The first Jewish sage to be given the title "rabbi" in the Mishnah! He was a very influential person in Jewish history who contributed greatly to the Rabbi Movement. Upon the destruction of Jerusalem, Yohanan converted his school at Yavneh into the Jewish religious centre, insisting that certain privileges, given by Jewish law uniquely to Jerusalem, should be transferred to Yavneh. His school functioned as a re-establishment of the Sanhedrin, so that Judaism could decide how to deal with the loss of the sacrificial altars of the temple in Jerusalem, and other pertinent questions.

John the Baptist

A Jewish/early Christian figure - born in late 1st century BCE, died ~30 CE.

Petronius

A Roman governor of Syria, first century CE. He didn't really follow Caligula's orders though - Caligula kept trying to speak and meet with him but he kept putting it off and making excuses. Caligula then orders him to commit suicide - Caligula is executed before Petronius goes through with it. Pretty much, Caligula was personally offended when the Jews disrespected him. He ordered Petronius to convert their temple into a Pagan shrine honoring himself. Petronius was very aware of the troubles brewing between the Jews and the Romans and thought this was an awful idea, so he was trying to stall the conversion of the temple while he smoothed things over with the Jews and tried to get Caligula to change his mind.

Roman Emperors

Augustus -> Tiberius -> Caligula -> Claudius -> Nero -> Vespasian -> Titus -> Domitian

Antipater (the Idumaean)

Died 43 BCE. Founder of the Herodian Dynasty. Became a powerful official under the later Hasmonian kings, and subsequently became a client of Pompey the Great when he conquered Judea in the name of the Roman Republic. When Caesar defeated Pompey, Antipater rescued Caesar while in Alexandria, and was made chief minister of Judea, with the right to collect taxes. Antipater eventually made his sons, Phasaelus and Herod, the governors of Jerusalem and Galilee. After the assassination of Caesar, Antipater sided with Gaius Cassius Longinus against Mark Antony. The pro-Roman politics of Antipater led to his increasing unpopularity among the devout, non-Hellenized Jews. He died by poison. The politics of Antipater, as well as his insinuation into the Hasmonean court, paved the way for the rise of his son Herod the Great, who used this position to marry the Hasmonean princess Mariamne, endear himself to Rome, and become king of Judea under Roman influence.

James, Brother of Jesus

Died 69 CE. Brother of Jesus, an apostle, a bishop, and a Jewish religious leader. Helped spread the Jesus movement.

Pontius Pilate

First century CE. Prefect of the Roman province of Judea under the Emperor Tiberius. He is best known for the trial and crucifixion of Jesus. In all four gospel accounts, Pilate lobbies for Jesus to be spared his eventual fate of execution, and acquiesces only when the crowd refuses to relent. He thus seeks to avoid personal responsibility for the death of Jesus. In the Gospel of Matthew, Pilate washes his hands to show that he is not responsible for the execution of Jesus and reluctantly sends him to his death. Inscription on a limestone block known as the Pilate Stone refers to him as the Prefect of Judaea.

Gessius Florus

Gessius Florus was the Roman procurator of Judea from 64 until 66 CE. Florus was appointed to replace Lucceius Albinus as procurator by the Emperor Nero due to his wife Cleopatra's friendship with Nero's wife Poppaea. He was noted for his public greed and injustice to the Jewish population, and is credited by Josephus as being the primary cause of the Great Jewish Revolt. Upon taking office in Caesarea, Florus began a practice of favoring the local Greek population of the city over the Jewish population. The local Greek population noticed Florus' policies and took advantage of the circumstances to denigrate the local Jewish population. One notable instance of provocation occurred while the Jews were worshiping at their local synagogue and a Hellenist sacrificed several birds on top of an earthenware container at the entrance of the synagogue, an act that rendered the building ritually unclean. In response to this action, the Jews sent a group of men to petition Florus for redress. Despite accepting a payment of eight talents to hear the case, Florus refused to listen to the complaints and instead had the petitioners imprisoned.

Honi the Circle Drawer

Jewish scholar of the 1st century CE. It is reported that during one Winter, God had not sent for rain. Honi drew a circle in the sand and said that he would not leave the circle until God made it rain. God made it drizzle, and Honi was not satisfied. He demanded more rain. God then made it pour. Honi was still not satisfied, saying he wanted a calm rain. God then turned the storm into a calm rain. Honi was almost punished for being disrespectful to God, but was excused because he "had a special relationship to God."

Judah HaNasi

Judah the Prince was a second-century rabbi and chief redactor and editor of the Mishnah. He was a key leader of the Jewish community during the Roman occupation of Judea. According to the Talmud he was of the Davidic line, the royal line of David, hence the title nasi "prince". The title nasi was also used for presidents of the Sanhedrin. Over time, different traditions of the Oral Law came into being, raising problems of interpretation. Many rulings were given in a specific context, but would be taken out of it; or a ruling was revisited but the second ruling would not become popularly known. To correct this, Judah the Prince took up the redaction of the Mishnah. If a point was of no conflict, he kept its language; where there was conflict, he reordered the opinions and ruled; and he clarified where context was not given. The idea was not to use his own discretion, but rather to examine the tradition as far back as he could, and only supplement as required. Judah succeeded his father, Simeon ben Gamaliel II, as patriarch (head) of the Jewish community in Palestine and, consequently, of the Sanhedrin as well.

Saul/Paul of Tarsus

Paul was a Jew who did not agree with the Jesus movement and did not believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. According to writings in the New Testament, Paul was dedicated to the persecution of the early disciples of Jesus in the area of Jerusalem. In the narrative of the Acts of the Apostles, Paul was traveling on the road from Jerusalem to Damascus on a mission to "bring them which were there bound unto Jerusalem" when there is a blinding light and a heavenly voice. The voice tells him that he is Jesus. Paul becomes very confused! Jesus asks him why persecuting followers of the Jesus movement. He gets taken in by members of the movement who are at first very afraid of him. They teach him the new ways of the Jesus movement and Paul converts to Christianity. "The Conversion of Paul" It's just weird because there was technically no "Christianity" yet. Paul then goes to synagogue on the Sabbath and tells all the Jews about his experiences.

Gamaliel II

Rabban Gamaliel II was the first person to lead the Sanhedrin as Nasi after the fall of the second temple, which occurred in 70 CE. Gamaliel was appointed nasi approximately 10 years later. Said to be a descendent of Hillel/King David. In Yavneh, during the siege of Jerusalem, the scribes of the school of Hillel had taken refuge by permission of Vespasian, and a new centre of Judaism arose under the leadership of the aged Yohanan ben Zakkai, a school whose members inherited the authority of the Sanhedrin of Jerusalem. Gamaliel II became Yohanan ben Zakkai's successor, and rendered immense service in the strengthening and reintegration of Judaism, which had been deprived of its former basis by the destruction of the Second Temple and by the entire loss of its political autonomy. He put an end to the division which had arisen between the spiritual leaders of Judaism by the separation of the scribes into the two schools called respectively after Hillel and Shammai, and took care to enforce his own authority as the president of the chief legal assembly of Judaism with energy and often with severity.

Talmud

Rabbinic texts composed of the Mishnah and the Gemara. Translates to literally mean "instruction," and can be referring to the Mishnah+Gemara or the Gemara alone. Mishnah: First major written redaction of Jewish oral tradition, the "Oral Torah." Gemara: An elucidation (clarification) of the Mishnah and related Tannaitic writings that often ventures onto other subjects and expounds broadly on the Hebrew Bible. Amoraim: The sages who "told" or "spoke over" the Oral Text. These new teachings were eventually chronicled in the Gemara, which filled in the blanks/gaps of official religious written texts.

Agrippa II

Ruled into the late first century CE. Son of Agrippa I, the final ruler of the Herodian Dynasty. He was educated at the court of Claudius, a Roman emperor. During the War with Rome (~67 CE), Agrippa tried very hard to keep his people from rebelling. They did so anyway, Rome crushed them, the city of Jerusalem was destroyed, the temple, burned, etc.

Simon bar Kokhba

The Jewish leader of the Bar Kokhba revolt against the Roman Empire in 132 CE. Not much is known about him as a person, other than the fact that he is considered by some to be a Messiah due to how influential he was for the Jewish people. He led support for a revolt against Rome, in which he established an independent Jewish state that he ran for 3 years. After a 2.5 year war with Rome, this state was conquered in 135 CE. This is the third Jewish revolt against Roman power, and it was far more effective than previous attempts! They used guerilla-style warfare like the Maccabees. They did lose however, and it was a devastating loss. The Jewish population was almost entirely wiped out, and for a while you couldn't even tell a Jewish city from a non-Jewish city. It's a wonder the religion even survived. After this revolt, Judea is renamed "Palestine" by Hadrian.

Tannaim

The Rabbinic sages whose views are recorded in the Mishnah, from approximately 10-220 CE. The period of the Tannaim, also referred to as the Mishnaic period, lasted about 210 years.

Halakha

The collective body of Jewish religious laws derived from the Written and Oral Torah. It includes the 613 mitzvot ("commandments"), subsequent Talmudic and rabbinic law, and the customs and traditions compiled in the Shulchan Aruch (literally "Prepared Table", but more commonly known as the "Code of Jewish Law").