by hadassah | Nov 26, 2025 | The Rabbis
Tosefta Pesahim 4-13- Hillel’s Rise to Power Rabbinic literature preserves several versions of the narrative of Hillel’s rise to power as leader of the Pharisaic-Rabbinic sages ca. 30 B.C.E. According to this account, Hillel’s attempt to prove his views...
by hadassah | Nov 26, 2025 | The Rabbis
Josephus, XV, 2-3, 368-70- Sameas and Pollio Josephus provides a brief report about Sameas and Pollio, two Pharisaic leaders. Most scholars see them as identical to Shemaiah and Abtalion mentioned in the Mishnah as teachers of Hillel and Shammai. (2) …...
by hadassah | Nov 26, 2025 | The Rabbis
Josephus, Antiquities XIV, ch. 4-5- Herod’s Trial before the Sanhedrin In an attempt to maintain order and control of the Galilee where he was governor from 47 B.C.E., Herod summarily killed those rebels whom he regarded as robbers without trial. He was tried...
by hadassah | Nov 25, 2025 | The Rabbis
Mishnah Hagigah 2-2-3, Tosefta Hagigah 2-8, 10- Rabbinic Traditions about the Pharisees Later Rabbinic tradition traced the official nasi (patriarch) and head of the court all the way back to the Hasmonean and Herodian periods. In these passages, in which there...
by hadassah | Nov 11, 2025 | First Revolt to Bar Kokhba
Jewish Archaeology – Discoveries: The Dura Europos Synagogue No one artifact is going to tell you this whole story of the Jewish people but every so often you can find one that summarizes a whole lot of information that gives you a whole new or better vision of...
by hadassah | Sep 17, 2025 | First Revolt to Bar Kokhba
Roman Judean Times The Roman Judea material is exciting because it deals with real-life concrete space and a period of ultimate crisis in the history of the Jews. There’s been no period of crisis like the first century when the Temple was destroyed and...
