Religious Groups in Palestine

Question 1

Describe the Sadducees

Answer 1

• priestly noblemen of the Temple
• took charge of the Temple & its finances
• believed only in written law
• rejected oral law
• allied with Romans in order to maintain their social status

Question 2

Describe the Pharisees

Answer 2

• dominated the synagogue
• held significance among citizens as the Jews would visit the synagogue more frequently than the Temple (which was more a place of pilgrimage)
• far more Pharisees than Sadducees
• more open of accepting oral law as well as written law
• rivalled the Romans but didn’t join in active conflict

Question 3

Describe the Zealots

Answer 3

• revolted against Rome
• resistant to Roman occupation
• their revolt against Rome between 66 & 70 CR had disastrous effects for the Jewish nation

Question 4

Describe the Essenes

Answer 4

• lived in a monastic (monks/nuns) community in close proximity to the Dead Sea, they dedicated their lives to a strict lifestyle of studying of the Law
• they were segregated from a typical life & gave up all of their wealth once they joined
• all admittants required to take part in a two year probation before they could be admitted
• the Dead Sea Scrolls were created & hidden by this group during the time of crisis
• the community came to an end in 68 CE when they were overrun by the Romans

Question 5

Describe the People of the Land

Answer 5

• most Jews during this period of time did not belong to one of these religious groups & were just known as “the people of the land”
• they were looked down upon because of their more relaxed approach to observance of the
  Law