Chapter 10 Halakhic Text and Historical Context: the Attitude of the Sages to Greco-Roman Culture from the Second to the Fourth Century

In: Jews and Christians in the First and Second Centuries: Mapping the Second Century
Author:
Emmanuel Friedheim
Search for other papers by Emmanuel Friedheim in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
Type:
Chapter
Pages:
272–298
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004704404_011

Purchase instant access (PDF download and unlimited online access):

$40.00
Add to Cart
Redeem Access Token

Abstract

This study traces the attitude to Graeco-Roman culture of the Sages in the Land of Israel in the Mishna and Talmud Eras. The rabbinic sources indicate that after the destruction of the Temple, and even more so after the Bar Kokhba Revolt, the presence of Greek and Roman culture had significant damaging influence upon Jewish society. The rabbis tried to counter it through many sermons, but – surprisingly enough – not by absolute prohibition. The way they treated Greek and Roman culture, one that went side by side with prohibitions, increasingly tended toward lenience and permissiveness once it became clear that prohibition did not provide protection against cultural influence. Study of the Sages’ attitude toward Graeco-Roman culture offers one example of how the campaign they waged against various pagan influences upon Judaism underwent change and transformation. The article demonstrates that halakhic permissiveness does not indicate that the situation was culturally and religiously excellent.

  • Collapse
  • Expand
Series:  Compendia Rerum Iudaicarum ad Novum Testamentum, Volume: 18
Cover Jews and Christians in the First and Second Centuries: Mapping the Second Century
E-Book ISBN:
9789004704404
Publisher:
Brill
Print Publication Date:
09 Sep 2024

  • Adler, Y., ‘Ritual Baths Adjacent to Tombs: An Analysis of the Archaeological Evidence in Light of the Halakhic Sources’, JSJ 40 (2009) 55–73

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Albeck, H., Introduction to the Talmud, Babli and Yerushalmi, 3rd pr Tel-Aviv, Devir 1987 (Heb)

  • Avi-Yonah, M., The Jews under Roman and Byzantine Rule – A Political History from the Bar Kokhba War to the Arab Conquest, Jerusalem, Magnes 1984

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Baruch, E., The Dwelling-House in the Land of Israel during the Roman period: Material Culture and Social Structure, unpub. PhD diss, BIU 2008 (Heb)

  • Batsch, C., ‘La littérature tannaïtique comme source historique pour l’étude du Judaïsme du deuxième temple’, REJ 166 (2007) 1–15

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Beer, M., ‘The Destruction of the Second Temple Period in the Ancient Jewish Thought’, in A. Oppenheimer – I. Gafni – D. Schwartz (eds), The Jews in the Hellenistic and Roman World – Studies in the Memory of M. Stern, Jerusalem, Shazar 1996, 437–451 (Heb)

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Beer, M., The Sages of the Mishnah and the Talmud – Teachings, Activities and Leadership, ed. by E. Friedheim – D. Sperber – R. Yankelevitch, Ramat-Gan, BIU 2011 (Heb)

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Belayche, N., Iudaea-Palaestina – The Pagan Cults in Roman Palestine (Second to Fourth Century), (Rel. d. röm. Provinzen 1) Tübingen, MS 2001

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Blidstein, G.J., ‘Prostration and Mosaics in Talmudic Law’, Bulletin of the Institute of Jewish Studies 2 (1974) 19–39

  • Blidstein, G.J., ‘Rabbinic Judaism and General Culture – Normative Discussion and Attitudes’, in J.J. Schacter (ed), Judaism’s Encounter with Other Cultures – Rejection or Integration? Northvale, Rowman and Littlefield 1997, 1–69

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Braudel, Fernand, ‘Histoire et Sciences sociales : La longue durée’, Annales 4 (1958) 725–753

  • Chuvin, P., Chronique des derniers païens – La disparition du paganisme dans l’empire romain du règne de Constantin à celui de Justinien, Paris, Belles lettres 1991

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Cohen, S.J.D., ‘The Rabbi in Second Century Jewish Society’, The Cambridge History of Judaism, III, The Early Roman Period, Cambridge, CUP 1999, 922–990

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Costa, J., ‘Judaïsme helléniste et Judéo-Paganisme en Terre d’Israël – L’exemple des Minim’, Henoch 34 (2012) 95–128

  • Dan, Y., Studies in the History of Palestine in the Roman-Byzantine Period, Jerusalem, Ben Zvi 2006 (Heb)

  • Dvorjetski, E., Hot Medicinal Springs in the Land of Israel during the Second Temple, Mishna and Talmud Periods, PhD diss, vol 1, HUJ 1992 (Heb)

  • Eliav, Y.Z., ‘Did the Jews at First Abstain from Using Roman Bath-House?’, Cathedra Quarterly 75 (1995) 3–35 (Heb)

  • Eliav, Y.Z., ‘Viewing the Sculptural Environment – Shaping the Second Commandment’, in P. Schäfer (ed), The Talmud Yerushalmi and Graeco-Roman Culture, vol 3, (TSAJ 93) Tübingen, MS 2002, 411–433

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Eliav, Y.Z., ‘Two Comments on Idolatry in the Roman Bath House’, Cathedra Quarterly 110 (2003) 173–180 (Heb)

  • Epstein, I.N., ‘Additional Fragments of the Jerushalmi’, Tarbiz 3 (1932) 237–248 (Heb)

  • Fine, S., Art and Judaism in the Graeco-Roman World – Toward a New Jewish Archaeology, Cambridge, CUP 2005

  • Florsheim, Y., Peirushei Ha-Ramban le-Yerushalmi Seder Nashim, vol 2 Jerusalem, Mossad Harav Kook 2005 (Heb)

  • Frey, J.B., Corpus inscriptionum Iudaicarum – Recueil des inscriptions juives qui vont du IIIe siècle avant Jésus-Christ au VIIe siècle de notre ère, vol 1, Europe, Rome, Pontificio Istituto di Archeologia Cristiana 1936

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Friedheim, E., ‘A New Look at the Historical Background of Mishna Aboda ZaraI, 1’, Zion 71 (2006) 273–300 (Heb)

  • Friedheim, E., ‘Jewish Idolaters in the Land of Israel in the Days of the Mishna and Talmud’, in R. Margolin (ed), Proceedings of the 12th World Congress of Jewish Studies, Division B, Jewish History, Jerusalem 2000, 21–44 (Heb)

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Friedheim, E., ‘Jewish Society in the Land of Israel and the Challenge of Music in the Roman Period’, RRJ 15 (2012) 61–88

  • Friedheim, E., ‘La société juive en Palestine romaine face aux interdits alimentaires ou une perception plurielle de l’identité judéenne’, in B. Caseau – H. Monchot (eds), Religion et interdits alimentaires – Archéozoologie et sources littéraires, (Orient & Méditerranée 38) Leuven, Peeters 2016, 66–76

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Friedheim, E., ‘Le judéo-polythéisme en Galilée au temps de la Mishna et du Talmud – sources complémentaires’, REJ 179 (2020) 291–313

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Friedheim, E., ‘Le milieu rabbinique face aux diversités sociales et religieuses en Palestine romaine du Ier au IVe siècle de notre ère’, in M.A. Vannier (ed.), Judaïsme et Christianisme chez les Pères, (JAOC 8) Turnhout, Brepols 2015, 147–164

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Friedheim, E., ‘Quelques remarques sur l’introduction du culte de Jupiter héliopolitain à Emmaüs-Nicopolis à l’époque romaine’, RB 109 (2002) 101–109

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Friedheim, E., Rabbinisme et Paganisme en Palestine Romaine – Étude historique des Realia talmudiques (Ier–IVème siècles), (Religions in the Graeco-Roman World 157) Leiden – Boston, Brill 2006

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Friedheim, E., ‘Sol Invictus in the Severus Synagogue at Hammath Tiberias, the Rabbis, and Jewish Society: A Different Approach’, RRJ 12 (2009) 89–128

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Friedheim, E., ‘Sur l’existence de Juifs polythéistes en Palestine au temps de la Mishna et du Talmud : Une nouvelle approche’, in C. Clivaz – S.C. Mimouni – B. Pouderon (eds), Les Judaïsmes dans tous leurs états au Ier–IIIe siècles – Les Judéens des synagogues, les chrétiens et les rabbins, (JAOC 5) Turnhout 2015, 73–116

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Friedheim, E., ‘The Cult of Tyche in Palestine during the Roman Period – A Study in Historical Geography’, Jerusalem & Eretz-Israel 1 (2003) 47–85 (Heb)

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Friedheim, E., ‘The Religious and Cultural World of Aelia Capitolina – A New Perspective’, Archiv Orientální 75 (2007) 125–152

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Friedheim, E. – Dar, S., ‘Some Historical and Archaeological Notes about Paganism in Byzantine Palestine’, RB 117/3 (2010) 397–409

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Ginzberg, L., A Commentary on the Palestinian Talmud – A Study on the Development of the Halakhah and Haggadah in Palestine and Babylonia, vol 1 New York 1941 (Heb)

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Goodenough, E.R., Jewish Symbols in the Greco-Roman Period, vol 12 Summary and Conclusions, (Bollingen Series 37) New York, Pantheon 1967

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Hadas-Lebel, M., ‘L’attitude rabbinique à l’égard de la culture grecque (IIe et IIIe s.): Marques de résistance à Rome’, in C. Iancu – J.M. Lassère (eds), Juifs et judaïsme en Afrique du Nord dans l’antiquité et le Haut Moyen-âge, Montpellier, Université P. Valéry 1985, 1–12

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Hadas-Lebel, M., ‘Le Paganisme à travers les sources rabbiniques des IIe et IIIe siècles – Contribution à l’étude du syncrétisme dans l’empire romain’, in H. Temporini – W. Haase (eds), ANRWII, 19/2, Berlin – New York 1979, 397–485

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Halbertal, M. – Margalit, A., Idolatry, Cambridge MA, HUP 1992

  • Herman, D., ‘Trends in R. Yohanan’s Decrees’, The Annual for Rabbinic Law 16–17 (1990–91) 219–241

  • Herr, M.D., ‘External Influences on the World of the Sages in the Land of Israel – Absorption and Eviction’, in Y. Kaplan – M. Stern (eds), Assimilation and Acculturation – Continuity and Changing in the Culture of Nations and in the Jewish People, Jerusalem, Shazar 1989, 83–102 (Heb)

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Herr, M.D., ‘Hellenism and the Jews in the Land of Israel’, Eshkolot new series 2–3 (1977–78) 23–27 (Heb)

  • Hezser, C., ‘Social Fragmentation, Plurality of Opinion, and Nonobservance of Halakhah: Rabbis and Community in Late Roman Palestine’, JSQ 1/3 (1993–94) 234–251

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Higger, M., Otzar Habraitot, vol 2, New York 1939 (Heb)

  • Hoss, S., ‘Die Mikwen der späthellenistischen bis byzantinischen Zeit in Palästina’, ZDPV 123 (2007) 49–79

  • Hyman, A., Toledoth Tannaim Ve-Amoraim, vol 3, London 1920, repr Jerusalem, Makhon Peri Haarets 1987 (Heb)

  • Jaeger, W., Paideia: The Ideals of Greek Culture, vol 1, Archaic Greece, The Mind of Athens, 2nd ed New York, OUP 1945

  • Kalmin, R., Jewish Babylonia between Persia and Roman Palestine, Oxford, OUP 2006

  • Levine, L.I., Judaism and Hellenism, Conflict or Confluence? Seattle, U of Washington Press 2000

  • Levine, L.I., The Rabbinic Class in Palestine during the Talmudic Period, Jerusalem, Ben-Zvi 1985 (Heb)

  • Lieberman, S., Hellenism in Jewish Palestine – Studies in the Literary Transmission Beliefs and Manners of Palestine in the I Century B.C.E.–IV Century C.E., New York, JTSA 1962

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Lieberman, S., Tosefeth Rishonim – A Commentary Based on Manuscripts of the Tosefta and Works of the Rishonim and Midrashim in Manuscripts and Rare Editions, vol 1 (1939) repr New York – Jerusalem, JTSA 1999 (Heb)

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Lieberman, S., Tosefta Ki-fshutah, vol 1, Order Zera’im, New York – Jerusalem, JTSA 1993 (Heb)

  • MacMullen, R., Christianity and Paganism in the Fourth to Eighth Centuries, New Haven, YUP 1997

  • Malissard, A., Les Romains et l’eau – Fontaines, salles de bains, thermes, égouts, aqueducs …, Paris, Belles lettres 2002

  • Mimouni, S.C., Le judaïsme ancien du VIe siècle avant notre ère au IIIe siècle de notre ère, des prêtres aux rabbins, Paris, PUF 2012

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Misgav, H., ‘Synagogue Inscriptions from the Mishna and Talmud Period’, in Y. Eshel, et al. (eds), And Let Them Make Me a Sanctuary: Synagogues from Ancient Times to the Present Day, Ariel 2004, 49–56 (Heb)

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Neusner, J., ‘Rabbinic Sources for Historical Study – A Debate with Ze’ev Safrai’, in Neusner – Avery-Peck, Judaism in Late Antiquity, 123–142

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Neusner, J., ‘From Biography to Theology: Gamaliel and the Patriarchate’, RRJ 7 (2004) 52–94

  • Neusner, J. – Avery-Peck, A.J. (eds), Judaism in Late Antiquity – Where We Stand, Issues and Debates in Ancient Judaism, vol 3.1, Leiden, Brill 1999

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Oppenheimer, A., Galilee in the Mishnaic Period, Jerusalem, Shazar 1991 (Heb)

  • Rosenthal, D., Mishna ‘Avoda Zara – A Critical Edition, PhD diss. HUJ, Jerusalem 1980 (Heb)

  • Roth-Gerson, L., The Jews of Syria as Reflected in the Greek Inscriptions, Jerusalem, Shazar 2001 (Heb)

  • Safrai, Z., ‘Rabbinic Sources as Historical: A Response to Professor Neusner’, in Neusner – Avery-Peck, Judaism in Late Antiquity, 143–167

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Safrai, Z., The Jewish Community in the Land of Israel in the Talmudic Period, Jerusalem, Shazar 1995 (Heb)

  • Schwartz, S., Imperialism and Jewish Society: 200 B.C.E. to 640 C.E., Princeton, PUP 2001

  • Sperber, D., The Path of Halacha – Women Reading the Torah: A Case of Pesika Policy, Jerusalem, Reuven Mass 2007

  • Sperber, D., Ways of Pesika – Methods and Approaches for Proper Halakhic Decision Making, Jerusalem 2008

  • Stemberger, G., ‘Rabbinic Sources for Historical Study’, in Neusner – Avery-Peck, Judaism in Late Antiquity, 169–186

  • Stern, S., ‘Pagan Images in Late Antique Palestine Synagogues’, in S. Mitchell – G. Greatrex (eds), Ethnicity and Culture in Late Antiquity, London, Classical Press of Wales 2000, 241–252

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Stern, S., ‘Figurative Art and Halakha in the Mishnaic-Talmudic Period’, Zion 61 (1996) 397–419 (Heb)

  • Sussman, Y., ‘A Halakhic Inscription from Beth-Shean Valley’, Tarbiz 43 (1974) 88–158 (Heb)

  • Sussman, Y., ‘An Inscription from the Synagogue of Rekhov’, Qadmoniot 32 (1976) 123–128 (Heb)

  • Urbach, E.E., ‘The Rabbinical Laws of Idolatry in the Second and Third Centuries in the Light of Archaeological and Historical Facts’, IEJ 9 (1959) 149–165

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Urbach, E.E., The Sages – Their Concepts and Beliefs, Jerusalem, Magnes – Hebrew UP 1986 (Heb)

  • Weiss, Z., ‘The Jews of Ancient Palestine and the Roman Games: Rabbinic Dicta vs. Communal Practice’, Zion 66 (2001) 439–443 (Heb)

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Weiss, Z., The Sepphoris Synagogue – Deciphering an Ancient Message through its Archaeological and Socio-Historical Contexts, Jerusalem, IES – HUJ 2005

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Yankelevitch, R., ‘Their Bread … Laws of Concealment’, Sinai 87 (1980) 48–54 (Heb)

Metrics

All Time Past 365 days Past 30 Days
Abstract Views 90 90 17
Full Text Views 11 11 0
PDF Views & Downloads 28 28 1