The Hellenization of Judaism

Paper Summary:

This paper provides a detailed account of how Judaism interacted with the Greco-Roman socio-religious milieu after Alexander the Great's conquest of Judea in the third BCE. It discusses Hellenism and its effect on Judaism, more specifically, the creation of Jewish sectarianism in the form of Pharisees, Sadducees, and Essenes. It explores the nature of these separate sects and the ways in which Jewish lore and culture were affected and interpreted anew through such changes. The Maccabean revolt is mentioned, as are several other primary-sourced events that can be seen to have directly affected the theocratic nature of Judea. It also examines how the admission that, although Hellenization affected Judaism and changed it beyond all hope for original reclamation, without sectarianism and the Hellenization of Judaism, Jewish culture would not be in existence today.

From the Paper:

"Another cultural influence to affect Judaism as a result of its encounter with Hellenism is reflected in the material culture of the time. Three of the four apocrypha books of Maccabees mention, in negative terms, the erection of a gymnasium in Jerusalem , a Greek center for exercise, conversation and discussion. The erection of such a building was viewed differently throughout the Jewish community, but many felt that it indeed threatened Judaism; the idea of embracing Greek culture to such an extent entailed for them the idea of abandoning the holy covenant. The adoption of Hellenistic values was therefore seen as a having a destructive and threatening effect on Judaism by even the Jews themselves during these times."

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