Second Temple Judaism is a religious belief system developed by the Jews in the region of Judaea, during the Second Temple period, which began with the rebuilding of the Second Temple in Jerusalem after it was destroyed by the Babylonians in 587 BCE. This era, which lasted until the end of the first century CE, saw the development of many rabbinic schools, and the rise of a variety of Jewish approaches to religious observance. Second Temple Judaism was marked by a number of important developments, including the emergence of a canonized form of the Hebrew Bible, a specific set of commandments (the 613 mitzvot), and a heightened sense of eschatology. This period also saw the establishment of a major center of Jewish religious thinking in the Sanhedrin.
Second Temple Judaism is an important part of understanding the history and development of Judaism. It effectively serves as the bridge between ancient Judaism and the more modern forms of the faith, allowing us to observe the shifts in belief and practice that have occurred over time. In addition, this period also saw the emergence of religious practices and institutions, such as the synagogue, that have come to be essential components of Jewish life.
The beliefs and teachings of Second Temple Judaism revolved around a number of core principles. These included a strong emphasis on the Hebrew Bible and its Ten Commandments, the belief that the messiah would one day appear to save the Jewish people, and the idea that all Jews were responsible for living in accordance with God’s commandments. This period also saw a rise in apocalyptic thinking, as many Jews were expecting a messiah to come and usher in a new era of peace and justice. Other important practices during this period included animal sacrifice, fasting, and the observance of shabbat, or the Jewish sabbath.
While the roots of Second Temple Judaism can be traced back to the Babylonian Exile, it was during the period of the Second Temple period that the many associations of Judaism we recognize today, such as the synagogue and the celebration of shabbat, were established. For example, the Mishnah, an important part of Jewish religious law, was established during this period, as was the Talmud, an important collection of rabbinic writings. This period also saw the emergence of the rabbinic schools of Hillel, Shammai and Akiva.
Although Second Temple Judaism has its own distinct characteristics, it is important to recognize that it is connected to the preceding period of ancient Judaism. This is particularly true when it comes to the core beliefs and practices of the faith. Though there were some changes in the ways of life of Jews during this period, the central ideas of monotheism, the focus on the Hebrew Bible and the need for obedience to the Law remained constant during this period.
Rise of Hellenism in Judaism
Another major influence during the Second Temple Period was the rise of Hellenistic culture. This period saw the spread of Greek values, art and architecture throughout the region, and the adoption of many of the Greek political and religious models. This had an impact on Jewish practice, with many Jews adopting Greek religious practices such as worshiping their gods at temples. At the same time, this period also saw the emergence of a number of Jewish movements that rejected Hellenism and sought to reassert a more traditional form of Judaism.
One of the most important movements during this period was the Pharisees, who sought to uphold the principles of the Torah, promote Jewish education and cultivate an environment of respect for the Law and its commandments. The Sadducees, on the other hand, were more accepting of Hellenism, and sought to challenge traditional interpretations of the Torah. This period also saw the emergence of the Essenes, a religious sect that lived in communities and sought to practice a more ascetic form of Judaism than the mainstream.
The Roman occupation of the region had a major impact on the Jewish people during this period. Jerusalem, the religious and political center of the Jewish world, was destroyed by the Romans in 70 CE, and the Second Temple was destroyed shortly thereafter. This event marked the end of the Second Temple Period and the beginning of a major diaspora of Jews from the region.
Messianic Movements
The Second Temple Period also saw a number of messianic movements, which sought to liberated the Jewish people from foreign rule and restore Jerusalem to its former glory. Among the most well-known of these was the messianic figure of Jesus of Nazareth, who was born during this period and whose teachings and ministry had a major influence on the development of Christianity.
Other important messianic figures during this period include Simon bar Kokhba, who led the revolt against Roman rule in the first century CE, and Shimon ben Kosiba, who was in the leadership of the revolt and was proclaimed as messiah by the Jewish people. It is thought that both of these figures drew on traditional Jewish expectations of a messiah, even while they rejected the general Hellenization of Judaism.
The Second Temple Period was a major period of transition for the Jewish people, and its influences can still be seen in some aspects of Jewish religious life and observance today. The establishment of the synagogue, the emergence of rabbinic literature and law, and the messianic expectations all played an important role in the development of Judaism. Although the actual Second Temple was destroyed, the religious and cultural legacies of this period remain a major part of Jewish life and thinking.
The Bible During This Period
The Bible was an important part of Second Temple Judaism, and the religion developed under its influence. During the period, there was a process of canonization, in which books of the Hebrew Bible were approved as authoritative texts. This canonized form of the Bible became the basis for Jewish beliefs and observance during this period, and it remains the same for Jews today.
In addition to this, the text of the Bible was also given particular attention. Rabbis and scholars during this period sought to understand the text on multiple levels and to find deeper meaning and understanding within it. This led to the development of what is now known as Jewish hermeneutics, or the process of interpretation and exegesis of the Bible.
The process of interpretation and reinterpretation of the Torah was an important part of this period, and it saw the emergence of the Midrash and other collections of rabbinic literature. This literature sought to explain the biblical text in ways that could provide understanding and insight into Jewish beliefs and practices.
The Role of the Sanhedrin
The Sanhedrin was an important part of Second Temple Judaism and it served as a chief legal and religious authority in the region. It was the home of some of the Jewish people’s most important religious thinkers, including the rabbis Hillel and Shammai, and it was the center of legal decision making for the Jewish community. The Sanhedrin also had the power to decide matters of civil law, and its judgments were respected throughout the region.
The Sanhedrin was also responsible for interpreting the Hebrew Bible and developing new laws and regulations for the Jewish people. This allowed them to respond to new and changing situations, ensuring that the people were living in accordance with the traditions of the faith. The Sanhedrin also had the authority to excommunicate individuals from the Jewish community, if they were deemed to be in breach of Jewish law.
The Sanhedrin’s role in ruling Jewish society also shifted over time, with increasing levels of autonomy being granted by the Roman Empire. This led to the development of a more independent and organized form of Judaism, called Rabbinic Judaism, which was based on the teachings of the rabbis rather than the authority of the Sanhedrin.
Synagogue and Home Prayers
The synagogue was another major development during the Second Temple Period. This type of religious institution had been present in Jewish life since ancient times, but it was during this period that synagogues began to function as important centers for Jewish learning and religious practice. Worship in the synagogue centered on communal prayer and the recitation of the Bible, and it allowed for a more formalized form of worship than had been available in the home.
At the same time, prayer and worship were also practiced at home, and this allowed Jews to maintain a strong connection to their faith even when the synagogue was inaccessible. Home worship could take many forms, from simple, informal prayers to more elaborate and structured rituals such as the Passover Seder.
In addition to formal prayer, Jewish life during the Second Temple Period was also characterized by other religious practices such as study, charity and fasting. These were often practiced as a way to demonstrate one’s commitment and obedience to the faith, as well as to experience and express the teachings of the Torah.
Influence on Later Judaism
The period of Second Temple Judaism was a major period of transition for the Jewish people, and its influences can still be seen in some aspects of Jewish religious life and observance today. The establishment of the synagogue, the emergence of rabbinic literature and law, and the messianic expectations all played an important role in the development of Judaism.
In addition to this, the period of Second Temple Judaism saw a major shift in the way that Jews interacted with other cultures and religions. This period saw the Jews going from a period of isolation to one of integration and accommodation, where they were able to interact more openly with the wider world. This shift opened the door to the development of more tolerant forms of Judaism, and it is seen in a variety of modern Jewish practices.
Second Temple Judaism represents an important period in the history of the Jewish people, and its influence on modern Judaism cannot be overstated. The establishment of rabbinic principles, the emergence of a canonized version of the Hebrew Bible, and the rise of messianic expectations all laid the foundation for the Jewish faith as we know it today. Even though the actual Second Temple was destroyed, its legacy continues to shape and mold the Jewish faith.
