2nd Temple, Herodian Mansions and Southern Wall
Today, September
19, 2017, Kitat Maayan went on a full day tiyul to the old city, specifically
to the 2nd temple, Herodian mansions and to the southern wall. First
we walked through the old city and eventually settled down and started
discussing the four sects, specifically the Tzdokim (Sadducees). We learned
that they lived in the upper city of Jerusalem and were very wealthy. We also discovered
that they were religiously Jewish even though they adopted the Roman culture.
The Tzdokim
practiced Judaism very well. They kept
kosher, worshipped at Beit Hamikdash and were mostly Cohanim (priests). (As opposed to the Prushim who went to the Beit Knesset, believed in some sort of afterlife and were
practicing Rabbi’s. These Jews had normal jobs and in their free time were also
Rabbi’s and studying Jewish texts). On the other hand, they were also very
Roman. They lived in and were deeply immersed in a Roman culture. They have
Roman architecture in their homes, Roman furniture, designs and this was just
some of it. Throughout the upper city were Roman or Greek columns. In addition
Roman statues and paintings, which were not at all kosher, were plastered
throughout the upper city of Jerusalem.
After taking notes about the Tzodokim we got to look into the remnants of their homes. Luckily, we got to see 3 separate floors/homes of this sect in the upper city. In the 1st, we saw mosaic floors, expensive-looking kosher art, a bath as well as a mikveh (ritual bath)! In the 2nd, we saw multiple expensive glass and stone utensils that were easy to wash off and keep kosher and in the 3rd, we saw a huge ballroom, with very intricate patterns on the ceiling, walls and floors.
In all 3 of these examples, we saw aspects that were Jewish as well as some aspects that were Roman. So the big question that led to a class-wide discussion this morning was, are the Tzdokim and the artifacts in their homes more Jewish or Roman? We had many different answers come up in class today, most were our personal opinions, while others were the opinions of a certain group of Jews. I heard that many people think they were more Jewish due to the fact that they were kohanim, reigious leaders at the Temple. I also heard some people say that culture is the most important part of your identity and that if they were culturally Roman than they were more Roman. Additionally, I heard some more varied discussion about whether they were “allowed,” to be both Jewish and Roman or if you don’t follow Judaism to the tee or even worse adopt another religion than you’re not that Jewish. To that I say, was being Roman a religion? Sure, Roman Paganism is a big part of being a Roman, but were the Tzodoknim able to cut this out effectively? If they did, why are they still being questioned and judged about it 2000 years later?
In the afternoon, we learned about what each oleh regel (pilgrim) had to do before being able to enter Beit Hamikdash. First we went inside a museum and watched a movie about a pilgrim making these steps and afterwards, I became the pilgrim and took these steps myself. A oleh regel only makes these steps on three holidays: Pesach, Sukkot, and Shavout. The 1st thing you have to do is trade your coins for enough to get you a chetzhi-Shekel (Half-shekel). Next, you use your chetzhi-Shekel to buy some sort of sacrifice, I bought Gordon the Ram. Following this, you must go to the mikveh, to cleanse your soul and make yourself pure in the eyes of Hashem.
The Final
step that a oleh regel must take is actually climbing the steps and going up
before entering the Beit Hamikdash. While this might seem very simple, it’s a
little more than you’d think. As you go up the stairs, you are traditionally
supposed to say some sort of prayer. As you go farther up at a certain point
only Kohanim are allowed to go any further. This is also the place where Jews
can assemble to serve Hashem and where his presence is most accessible in the
world. This was very important a while
ago, when a lot of people would want to get as close as they can to
Adonai. Today this is still very
important to the Jews as a way to get close to Adonai or just as a place to
feel the spirituality and Judaism among everyone in Jerusalem.
So Kitat
Maayan, my question to you is, in regard to the Tzdokim, in your eyes even
with the Roman culture that these people have adapted to, they consider
themselves Jewish. Do You agree?
Personally I still consider these people to be Jewish even though they have adapted to Roman culture. I think this is a big concept in reform Judaism and as a reform Jew, I don't think that embracing other cultures makes you any less of a Jew. I am a Jewish American and just because I embrace American culture by eating non-kosher foods, doesn't mean I'm not Jewish. I also think that adapting to new cultures is necessary to keep Judaism alive. If we reject other cultures and ways of living, it will make it harder to be Jewish and will contribute to assimilation.
ReplyDeleteI think that those people were still Jewish. Those people still practiced everything that was needed in Judaism. I agree with Lily about the reform comment. It was difficult for others to accept reform Jews as actual Jews. I also don't keep kosher and I don't go to temple all the time, but I still consider myself as a Jew. These people were just adapting to the things around them and I think that that is a good thing. Those people adapted to the surroundings that were around them and I think that it was a good thing to have back then.
ReplyDeleteI think that the people definitely are still Jewish even thought they adapted to Roman cultures. Being Jewish doesn't mean that you are only Jewish there still can be other aspects to your life. So if the people adapted to the Romans and still followed some Jewish practices that doesn't change the fact that they consider themselves to be on a level of the Jewish religion.
ReplyDeleteThey are 100% still Jewish. To me, Judaism is a religion, it is what you believe and what your values are. If you follow the commandments then you are Jewish. Where you live, how you dress, what language you speak, etc, does not determine if you are Jewish or not. If I were to say that they were not Jewish, I would be saying that I am not either. I speak English, I dress as typical Americans would, and I live in an american-styled house. However, when people ask me who I am, I would say that I am Jewish before I would say that I am American. Because of this, I would say that these people are still to be considered as Jewish.
ReplyDeleteI think that all four sects are different. All these people were still Jewish. But, I think, the Saducees considered themselves more Roman. Their houses were Roman styled, they spoke the language, and it was litheir first language. But at the same time they had mikvaot in their homes, menoras, and they went to the Temple. So I think they considered themselves Jewish Romans and not Roman Jews.
ReplyDeleteThe Pharisees were Jewish and not Roman at all. They lived their quiet Jewish lives, prayed, and did not intersect with the Romans, but they liked them for letting them pray and live a calm Jewish life. They did not go to Roman parties as the Saducees did, and they did not adapt to Roman life.
The Zealots also didn't adapt to Roman life. They didn't accept Roman culture at all. They wanted to fight. They stayed Jewish.
The Essenes realised that they can't live with the Romans and left Jerusalem. They were more Jewish.
This tiyul showed the definition of a Sadduces Jew during the Roman Occupation. There were obvious pulls coming from Judaism and Roman culture. In the first house that we saw, there were many signs of Roman influence such as the tiled mosaic floors. Even though there were mosaic floors, they did not commit עבודה זרה. We also saw two other houses that were similar, but did not portray any figures. Although these people were clearly influenced by Roman Culture, they still held on to their Jewish values.
ReplyDeleteIn today's world not adopting other individual's cultures and beliefs on top of your own isn't unusual and isn't always questioned or judged. From this perspective the Roman Jews at the time were still Jewish. Also one should take in consideration that the Jews who were assimilating with Roman culture had kosher art, multiple sets of dishes, specific kinds of dishes for keeping kosher, and mikvehs. It is evident that although the Jews were taking some part in Roman practices, the people were still keeping many traditions.
ReplyDeleteThey were Jewish in that ways that couldn't be given up. They worshiped God and didn't directly go against the commandments. But some broke the culture that a Jew is meant to carry out. Their clothing, professions, and daily lives were all surrounded by Roman influence.
ReplyDeleteCulture and Religion are two different things. Yes, these people adapted Roman Culture but they are still Jewish...Anyone can convert to Judaism. But you can't change stuff like where you were born. If those people felt more comfortable with Roman culture, then I think thats absolutely acceptable, I actually find it cool that they were open to other people and their beliefs, and absorbed cultures of others while staying Jewish.
ReplyDeleteI think that they are 100% Jewish. Being Jewish is something that you just are. It is a spiritual, religious and cultural being. Just because you pick up the ways of another culture, doesn't mean you are leaving your own.
ReplyDeleteI don't think that the Tzdokim are entirely Roman, but they're not entirely Jewish either. Seeing as Judaism is both a culture and a religion, one cannot be a fully fledged Jew if one still holds on to a Roman identity.
ReplyDeleteEven though there was a mix of cultures in my opinion these people are still considered Jewish. In my opinion religion and culture aren't the same thing do they could be Jewish whilst preparing Roman foods or dressing as a Roman.
ReplyDeleteI think that these people are entirely valid in their jewish-ness. Now in time, people have so many different cultures mixed into their identity and nothing is truly separate. Nothing SHOULD be separate, because you should try and take from the cultures you like or are apart of to be a more educated and well-rounded individual. I have so many parts to me- being jewish, being American, being a woman, being a new yorker, and so much more. None of that overshadows any other part.
ReplyDelete