This is a 1cm:100m scale model of the second temple and its surrounding city. At this point in time it was a very divided city. Divided by social class, socioeconomic status, views on Roman leadership and religiousness. In the front right here were the poorest were the Pharisees. Saying they are the poorest does not say much about the others. Saducees were the only Jews to prosper, due to the fact that were near, if not completely, assimilated to Roman culture. All the other Jews had some moral issue and suffered for it. That is why in the end these sects developed. The strength of ones Jewish identity decided whether they could conform to Roman standards or live a less fortunate life.
The difference in color of these two buildings represents the three groups of Jews who were considered impure and the Essenes, who were considered pure. This museum has replicas of the dead sea scrolls which are dated back to the 3rd century B.C.E. This may seem slightly interesting but it has importance far beyond that. One of the peices that was most well preserved was the entire book of Isiah. This proves the existence of a Jewish civilization at a much earlier time then proven before.
As a reform Jew and a teenage boy, I believe i would fall into the category of the Essenes. I am relaxed and mostly opposed to fighting, Especially with somebody who could so simply ruin my life such as parents. With the same jewish identity you have now and who you are as a person, who do you think you may have lived among in the era of the second temple?
I believe it is hard to identify with a group from that era. Definitions have been changed so much in the time between. However if I had to decide which I fit more into I would be more a part of the Sadduces. While still Jewish, most of us today have been assimilated deep into American culture. The Sadduces are similar except being under the Roman Empire. While it would be nice to say we would rebel against those controlling us or remain strictly Jewish at the loss of socio-economic standing, it is just not reality.
ReplyDeleteI believe I would be part of the Sadduces. Being the only Jewish person in my area makes it hard to feel very Jewish. I would consider myself pretty assimilated unless I'm somewhere like camp where I can celebrate my Jewish side. The Sadduces were pretty assimilated and were close allies with the Romans.
ReplyDeleteI think I would most likely be living among the Sadduces because I don't think I would want to cause a commotion and fight in a war which I wouldn't fully believe in. The Zealots were very invested in fighting, they didn't want to assimilate at all. I think I'm pretty assimilated now in the American community where I live and I don't feel a need to change that and be more individualized so I think that would be the same thing if it was back in those times. I think I would have rather lost some of my identity but not be in a conflict and maybe lose my life.
ReplyDeleteIf I was living in the second temple period, I think I would be a part of the zealots. As a jew (and a citizen of the world for that matter), I'm very prompt to question things I may find odd or unjust. If I lived in the second temple period and was being so violated as an individual and in my beliefs as a jew, I have no doubt that I would fight for my rights and freedoms. I'd like to believe that in my everyday life I am capable of speaking out (and acting out in cases that call for it) in order to protect what I support and deserve as a student, or citizen, etc. and therefore would identify most with the zealots.
ReplyDeleteI was upset to have missed a lot the tiyul due to my folliculitis, however when I returned I really enjoyed what we got to see. I absolutely fall into Essenes as well. I'm the cliche california hippie, and I'm so against violence. Also I'm probably more spiritual than aggressive, so I would consider myself a Essene glad you had a good tiyul!
ReplyDeleteI don't think I could identify with only one of the groups because I feel like each had qualities that id like to think i could live by. In keeping Judaism alive I do believe that some assimilation is inevitable and that it could help improve our reputation in society, so for that reason I identify with the sadduces. I don't believe in violence to the extent of what the zealots would do back then, however I feel that in some cases force was necessary for the survival of our people. When it comes to the keeping of our Jewish traditions, the pharisees did a pretty solid job.
ReplyDeleteI feel as if I would fall between the Essenes and the Zealots. I admire the fighting spirit of the Zealots and identity with it well while also identifying with the laid back and spiritual nature of the Essenes.
ReplyDeleteI think I would fall with the Essenes because I am very opposed to fighting and just want to peace, as well as liking how chill and relaxed the Essenes were opposed to the Zealots who were very violent.
ReplyDeleteI think I would probably live with the Essenes. While I think the whole purity thing is going a bit overboard, the way they live is something I could see myself doing.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, I do not feel that I fit directly into any of the 4 groups of Jews but if I were forced to choose one I feel most similar to the Pharisees. They seemed to have a thought process and moral compass most similar to mine. I saw this in the way that they dealt with the Romans and in their practice of Judaism. They dealt with the Romans by looking at the situation and deciding the best way for the Jewish people to continue as they existed at the time but also recognizing that violence, although if successful it would continue the Jewish people, was very unlikely to be successful and would be almost futile. Their Judaism was synagogue based and community centric. I feel that I take my situations and decide the best option which hurts the least amount of people and I feel that my life is centered around the different communities which I am part of.
ReplyDeleteI believe that if I was around during this time I would fall into the Essenes group because I am laid back about many situations. While I do think the purity idea is a little ridiculous I feel that being peaceful is a better way to solve problems like the Essenes. Thanks for sharing Max!
ReplyDeleteI think I think that I would live among the Saducees because I would not want to get on the Romans's bad side. Today, although I consider myself a Jew, I do not follow all the Jewish laws and I do not agree with all of them. I am assimilated into Canadian culture, but I still follow many Jewish traditions.
ReplyDeleteI think I think that I would live among the Saducees because I would not want to get on the Romans's bad side. Today, although I consider myself a Jew, I do not follow all the Jewish laws and I do not agree with all of them. I am assimilated into Canadian culture, but I still follow many Jewish traditions.
ReplyDeleteI think that i would be a Saducees mainly because i dont like fighting and the roman culture scares me slightly. I do consider myself to be a Jew, i try to follow most of the laws i can but it sometimes it doesnt always work out in my favor.
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