Teachers Save a Nation

Judaism is just one of many religions, but how it came to its modern form is quite unique and interesting. Judaism began with what is known as Biblical Judaism. A strict religion, it faced problems in moving forward through history without changes being made. Changes were made though, and Rabbinic Judaism arose. It was a much better version of Judaism for the Jews, given that it is still the most practiced form of Judaism today. Rabbinic Judaism was able to prosper due to the ability of the Pharisees, an elite group of Jews, to not only survive during great turmoil, but to adjust and carry out Judaism without the Temple.

The Israelite religion before the year 70 CE was known as Biblical Judaism. This form of Judaism was a strict religion that centered on the temple cult in Jerusalem, stressed purity, agricultural festivals, holy days, and a divinely appointed king (Torah, Leviticus 11). Temple cult involved sacrifices made at the Temple. These sacrifices were to be carried out only by the priests and the priests then consumed the sacrifices. Temple was of the upmost importance in Biblical Judaism. Purity laws consisted of what foods Israelites were allowed to eat, how individuals were to stay pure, and how to be purified. Along with purity laws were agricultural festivals and holy days. Agricultural festivals included Pesach, Shavu’ot, and Sukkot. Holy days were Rosh Qodesh, Rosh Ha-Shanah, and Yom Qippur. Lastly, Biblical Judaism consisted of a divinely appointed king known as Mashiach. Saul was the first, followed by David, and then Solomon (Dr. Hofer, Notes).

Early Rabbinic Judaism was clearly different than Biblical Judaism. Rabbinic literature was crucial to the new form of Judaism and it consisted of the Mishnah, Talmud, ...

... middle of paper ...

...ature, which would be the foundation for what was to be known as Rabbinic Judaism.

The Rabbis then slowly began to go out into Synagogues and spread their now form of Judaism by reading pages from the Torah. Synagogues were originally places to gather and all kinds of people attended them during their early stages. The transition from place of gather to place of worship was slow-moving but eventually, the Rabbis took over the Synagogues, which was a crucial shift for Rabbinic Judaism because they now had a place to worship.

In conclusion, Rabbinic Judaism “won” because of the Pharisees. They were the only elite group left to teach Judaism after the destruction of the Temple, they formed rabbinic literature, and they took over the Synagogue. All in all, they were able to piece these pieces together to help evolve Judaism as a whole without the requirement of Temple.