Profile Dec 2020-Jan 2021

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Profile Dec 2020-Jan 2021 November | December 2020 | January 2021 • Kheshvan | Kislev | Tevet | Sh’vat 5781 Healing of the Body, Healing of the Soul Leo Baeck Centre PROFILE FOR PROGRESSIVE JUDAISM THE LEO BAECK CENTRE FOR PROGRESSIVE JUDAISM STOP PRESS! THE CHANUKAH STORY • PLANS FOR THE COMING MONTHS • HOW WAS IT FOR ALL SERVICES, EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES WILL REMAIN ON-LINE UNTIL FURTHER YOU? & HHD FEEDBACK • MARLIS COHEN NOTICE OR WHERE STATED INSIDE: EULOGY • CHANUKAH AT HOME Presidential Musings am sure none of us ever Of course, we look forward to the time when we can expected to attend High Holy gather together safely but we won’t forget what Day services via computer. we’re learning about being more connected. We IWhat a magnificent job all those will continue to use virtual means going forward as involved have done! The services well, in order to stay well connected. ran very smoothly in general, in spite of a few technological hiccups. By the time you read this, our Simkhat Torah I thank Rabbi Jonathan, Michael Taft, Services will also have been conducted. Simkhat Mannie Gross, Maurice Duband and the Torah gives us a once in a year opportunity to cantors, and especially, for the first time, our tech recognise the contributions of two very special team with Elisabeth Holdsworth our tech shammas, people in our congregation. This year our and help from others, who ensured that our services Khatan Torah was Ellis Edwards and Elisabeth were kept safe from intruders. We also thank the Holdsworth our Kallat B’reshit. Among the many lay leaders who contributed and ensured that Rabbi things Elisabeth does, she has been responsible Jonathan had support during this most unusual time. for ensuring that our zoom services run well and securely. Her knowledge in this field has been It is wonderful that in spite of the ravages of the invaluable. Her contributions to LBC are numerous. current health crisis, LBC’s event calendar is still so This year she has added to them by becoming full. It continues to provide constant offerings even in a Board member. Ellis has been a member for a this unprecedented time and offers people the chance number of years. He was in charge of security to get involved from the comfort of home. Extending for some time, can be relied on to help out where a message from one of Rabbi Jonathan’s High Holy needed, and is currently our treasurer. Not an easy Day sermons, it would be nice to see some new people task. become involved because things are so accessible. Join us for Friday night musical Shabbat, Saturday It is with sadness that I report on the passing of morning services, an event on the calendar - or better our long-standing and dearly loved member Marlis yet - join a group such as ritual, communications, Cohen. Marlis has been, among other things, our membership, LBAC, REJEWVENATION or any of the co-treasurer for many years, as well as doing so many other groups that support the running of much more for the LBC and wider community. Our LBC. I see it as a great time to check out the groups sincere condolences go to Sharene and her family that make LBC what it is - a place where you’re on this sad loss. welcomed, noticed and can get involved. The Rabbi’s You will probably be aware that the Board, earlier compendium and the weekly e-profile will list these this year, established a temporary emergency activities, and some external ones too. Send an email assistance fund to help keep people connected to the office, check the LBC calendar to see what’s with LBC in this most unusual of times. In Marlis’ happening, and get contact details for groups of honour, and to mark her contribution to the interest. community, we have decided to rename the Another inspiring event coming up is the UPJ Biennial, assistance fund the “Marlis Cohen Community which will be held exclusively online on Sunday 8th Fund’, and make it permanent. We thank Sharene November. It is a wonderful opportunity to participate for allowing us to do this. More information on this in this event without having to worry about the fund will be forthcoming shortly but contributions expense of accommodation and travel. You can go to as well as applications are already very welcome. upj.org.au to register. Shana Tova Gillian Lubansky, LBC President HELP US TO CARE FOR THE LEO BAECK CENTRE As we start to consider returning to our regular activities at LBC, we are working out how best we can take care of the building and grounds. In the past, we have had volunteers coming in either on a regular basis to tend, prune and weed the gardens, or to polish the silverware before the festivals, or to tidy and sort bookshelves, and we have also arranged occasional working bees to blitz various areas. On Yom Kippur the Rabbi talked about the opportunities to come forward and help, and if you think there might be anything in these areas you could do, either hands-on or by helping to organise a working bee, please call Julie-Anne in the office on 9819 7160 or email Tanya at [email protected]. 2 Profile | November-December 2020 - January 2021 THE CHANUKAH STORY Rabbinic Reflection JEWISH SURVIVAL - WAS IT hills outside Jerusalem. After indicate that REALLY THE WAY THE BOOKS Mattathias’ death about a year the loss of OF THE MACCABEES TELL IT? later in 166 BCE, his son Judah religious and Maccabee led an army of Jewish civil rights did a little Wikipedia research dissidents against Hellenized by the Jews in order to remind us of the Jews, of whom there were many. in 168 BCE details of the Chanukah story. The Maccabees destroyed Greek was not the I altars in the villages, circumcised result of religious In the late fourth century before boys, and forced Hellenized persecution but rather an the Common Era, Alexander Jews into hiding. Eventually administrative punishment (‘the Great’), who was tutored they claimed victory over the by the Seleucid Empire in the by Aristotle, had created the ruling Seleucid dynasty by use of aftermath of local unrest, and massive Macedonian (Greek) guerrilla tactics and their speed that the Temple was restored empire by conquering the Persian and mobility, around 160 BCE. upon petition by the High Priest and Indian empires, establishing Judah’s nickname “Maccabee,” is Menelaus, who it seems was some 20 cities that carried taken from the Hebrew word for already the high priest at the his name in the process, most “hammer” and is now often used beginning of the Maccabean notably Alexandria in Egypt. But to describe the Jewish partisans revolt and remained so to about when he died in Babylon in 323 as a whole as Maccabees. 161 BCE, rather than being BCE, his new empire was soon liberated and rededicated by the torn apart and divided between The Maccabees are said to have Maccabees. To me this sounds his surviving generals and entered Jerusalem in triumph far more plausible, even if less heirs, although the Hellenistic and ritually cleansed the Temple heroic! And the eight nights, civilisation he developed lived on. which had been desecrated by or eight days the miracle oil Antiochus IV, re-establishing One of these generals was supposedly lasted? The festivals traditional Jewish worship there before Chanukah are the ones Seleucus I Nicator, who and installing Jonathan “Apphus” established new and longer- we recently celebrated: Sukkot (‘the diplomat’), Judah’s youngest and Shmini Atzeret. Sukkot is a lasting power across most of brother, as high priest. A large the lands that Alexander had week long – seven day – festival Seleucid army was sent to – and on the eighth day the one conquered in Asia, including quash the revolt, but apparently Judea, and this is consequently day festival of Shmini Atzeret returned to Syria on the death of – concludes the whole festival known as the Seleucid Greek Antiochus IV. Empire. Several of its later period. So the suggestion is that when, in mid-winter, with leaders were called Antiochus, I can understand the success its long, dark nights, they were and Antiochus IV took the title of a guerrilla army living in the able to resume Temple 'service as of ‘Epiphanes’ or ‘God manifest’, caves of the Judean desert normal', they celebrated the eight ruling from 175 to 164 BCE. His around Jerusalem for years, combined days of Sukkot and title probably did not go down but have often wondered how Shmini Atzeret late – illuminated well with the Judeans, whom they managed to reconquer by lights and candles! Ironically he persecuted heavily, issuing the Temple – let alone hold on this is a festival beloved by decrees in 168 BCE forbidding to it and allow it to operate as all Jews, perhaps especially various Jewish religious previously against the will of Progressives, when in fact it practices. A priest from Modi’in, the ruling power of the time, the marks a zealous uprising against Mattathias the Hasmonean, Seleucid Greek Empire? But Judah Jews more ‘integrated’ into the sparked the revolt against the Maccabee had already made an surrounding culture (in their case Seleucid Empire by refusing to alliance with Rome, tying the Greek influences). Overthrowing worship the Greek gods. hands of the weaker Seleucid the Seleucid Greeks is clearly Empire, whose commander Lysias only a part of the story – a bloody Mattathias is said to have killed a agreed to a political compromise and violent attempt at preventing Hellenized Jew who had stepped that restored religious freedom.
Recommended publications
  • Download (671Kb)
    Young, Muir Campbell (2018) The Matthean split: an analysis of the Pharisees in the Gospel of Matthew. MRes thesis. http://theses.gla.ac.uk/82354/ Copyright and moral rights for this work are retained by the author A copy can be downloaded for personal non-commercial research or study, without prior permission or charge This work cannot be reproduced or quoted extensively from without first obtaining permission in writing from the author The content must not be changed in any way or sold commercially in any format or medium without the formal permission of the author When referring to this work, full bibliographic details including the author, title, awarding institution and date of the thesis must be given Enlighten: Theses https://theses.gla.ac.uk/ [email protected] The Matthean Split: An Analysis of the Pharisees in the Gospel of Matthew GUID: 221442 Muir Campbell Young Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of MRes Theology & Religious Studies Word Count: 28,416 School of Critical Studies College of Arts University of Glasgow July 12th 2018 GUID: 2221442 Abstract This dissertation is concerned with the acerbic relationship between the Matthean community and the Pharisees as shown in the Gospel of Matthew. It is the view of this study that texts reflect the world which created them and as such this dissertation uses historical and literary criticism to analyse the setting of the Gospel of Matthew by locating it within a specific time and place. Once this has been achieved the study moves to discuss and evaluate the impact that specific events such as the First Jewish War (66-73 CE) and the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple (70 CE) had on the author and his contemporaries as he composed the text.
    [Show full text]
  • 2210 Bc 2200 Bc 2190 Bc 2180 Bc 2170 Bc 2160 Bc 2150 Bc 2140 Bc 2130 Bc 2120 Bc 2110 Bc 2100 Bc 2090 Bc
    2210 BC 2200 BC 2190 BC 2180 BC 2170 BC 2160 BC 2150 BC 2140 BC 2130 BC 2120 BC 2110 BC 2100 BC 2090 BC Fertile Crescent Igigi (2) Ur-Nammu Shulgi 2192-2190BC Dudu (20) Shar-kali-sharri Shu-Turul (14) 3rd Kingdom of 2112-2095BC (17) 2094-2047BC (47) 2189-2169BC 2217-2193BC (24) 2168-2154BC Ur 2112-2004BC Kingdom Of Akkad 2234-2154BC ( ) (2) Nanijum, Imi, Elulu Imta (3) 2117-2115BC 2190-2189BC (1) Ibranum (1) 2180-2177BC Inimabakesh (5) Ibate (3) Kurum (1) 2127-2124BC 2113-2112BC Inkishu (6) Shulme (6) 2153-2148BC Iarlagab (15) 2121-2120BC Puzur-Sin (7) Iarlaganda ( )(7) Kingdom Of Gutium 2177-2171BC 2165-2159BC 2142-2127BC 2110-2103BC 2103-2096BC (7) 2096-2089BC 2180-2089BC Nikillagah (6) Elulumesh (5) Igeshaush (6) 2171-2165BC 2159-2153BC 2148-2142BC Iarlagash (3) Irarum (2) Hablum (2) 2124-2121BC 2115-2113BC 2112-2110BC ( ) (3) Cainan 2610-2150BC (460 years) 2120-2117BC Shelah 2480-2047BC (403 years) Eber 2450-2020BC (430 years) Peleg 2416-2177BC (209 years) Reu 2386-2147BC (207 years) Serug 2354-2124BC (200 years) Nahor 2324-2176BC (199 years) Terah 2295-2090BC (205 years) Abraham 2165-1990BC (175) Genesis (Moses) 1)Neferkare, 2)Neferkare Neby, Neferkamin Anu (2) 3)Djedkare Shemay, 4)Neferkare 2169-2167BC 1)Meryhathor, 2)Neferkare, 3)Wahkare Achthoes III, 4)Marykare, 5)............. (All Dates Unknown) Khendu, 5)Meryenhor, 6)Neferkamin, Kakare Ibi (4) 7)Nykare, 8)Neferkare Tereru, 2167-2163 9)Neferkahor Neferkare (2) 10TH Dynasty (90) 2130-2040BC Merenre Antyemsaf II (All Dates Unknown) 2163-2161BC 1)Meryibre Achthoes I, 2)............., 3)Neferkare, 2184-2183BC (1) 4)Meryibre Achthoes II, 5)Setut, 6)............., Menkare Nitocris Neferkauhor (1) Wadjkare Pepysonbe 7)Mery-........, 8)Shed-........, 9)............., 2183-2181BC (2) 2161-2160BC Inyotef II (-1) 2173-2169BC (4) 10)............., 11)............., 12)User......
    [Show full text]
  • Intertestamental Period Dynasties
    Intertestamental Chronologies* Year Egypt Asia Judea Texts Persian rule Persian-appointed 360 Artaxerxes II 404–358 governors Job, Jonah Artaxerxes III post-exilic 358–338 350 340 Arses 338–336 Darius III 336–331 330 Macedonian rule Alexander the Great 333–323 Greek control Wars for Succession Ptolemaic–Seleucid 320 Ptolemaic rule control (disputed) Ptolemy I Soter Zadokite High Priests 323–285 Onias I c. 320–280 310 Seleucid rule Esther Seleucus I fourth–third cent. 312–280 (Palestine) 300 Ptolemaic rule (300?) Ecclesiastes early third cent. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - (Palestine) 290 (Zadokites) 1 Enoch third to first cent. Ptolemy II 280 Philadelphus 285–246 Antiochus I Soter Simon I 280–261 c. 280–260 270 260 Antiochus II Theus Eleazar 261–246 c. 260–245 Septuagint 250 ca. 250 (Alexandria) Ptolemy III Evegetes Seleucus II Callinicus Manasseh c. 245–240 240 246–221 246–226 Onias II c. 240–218 230 Tobit late third cent. Seleucus III Ceraunus 226–223 (Palestine) 220 Ptolemy IV Philopator Antiochus III the Great 221–203 223–187 Simeon II 210 c. 218–185 200 Ptolemy V Epiphanes 203–181 Seleucid rule (200) (Simon II) Jubilees 190 third–second cent. (Palestine) Seleucus IV Philopator 187–175 Onias III Sirach 180 185–175 early second cent. Ptolemy VI (Palestine) Philometor Antiochus IV Epiphanes Jason 175–172 181–145 170 175–163 Menelaus Ptolemy VIII 172–162 169–164 Daniel Cleopatra II 160 Antiochus V 163–162 Alcimus 162–159 mid-second cent. 163–127 (Palestine) Demetrius I (unknown) 162–150 150 Hasmoneans Alexander Balas 150–145 Jonathan Apphus 152–143 Ptolemy VIII 145–131 Demetrius II Nicator 145–139 140 Cleopatra III 142–131 Antiochus VI Dionysus145–142 Simeon Tassi Diodotus Tryphon 142–139 142–134 Antiochus VII Sidetes 138–129 John Hyrcanus I 130 134–104 Demetrius II Nicator 129–126 Alexander II Zabinas 129–123 Ptolemy VIII 120 127–116 Cleopatra Thea 125–121 2 Maccabees Antiochus VIII Grypus late second cent.
    [Show full text]
  • The Maccabean Revolt
    THE MARION COUNTY MANNA PROJECT offers a Printer Friendly Summary of THE MACCABEAN REVOLT Question: "What happened in the Maccabean Revolt?" Answer: The Maccabean Revolt (1) was a Jewish rebellion against their Greek/Syrian oppressors in Israel, c. 167—160 BC, as well as a rejection of Hellenistic compromises in worship. The history of the Maccabean Revolt is found in 1 & 2 Maccabees (2) and in the writings of Josephus. The origin of Hanukkah (3) is traced back to the Maccabean Revolt. First, some background on the events leading up to the Maccabean Revolt. The Old Testament (4) closes with the book of Malachi (5), covering events to roughly 400 BC. After that, Alexander the Great (6) all but conquers the known civilized world and dies in 323 BC. His empire is distributed to his four generals who consolidate their territory and establish their dynasties. Ptolemy, one of his generals, ruled in Egypt. Seleucus, another of his generals, ruled over territory that included Syria. These generals founded dynasties that were often at war with each other. Israel (7), located between the two kingdoms, occupied a precarious position. Ptolemaic rule of Israel (Palestine) was tolerant of Jewish religious practices. However, the Seleucid Empire (8) eventually won control of the area and began to curtail Jewish religious practices. In 175 BC, Antiochus IV (9) came to power. He chose for himself the name Antiochus Epiphanes, which means “god manifest.” He began to persecute the Jews in earnest. He outlawed Jewish reli- gious practices (including the observance of kosher food laws) and ordered the worship of the Greek god Zeus.
    [Show full text]
  • Eschatology and the Last Days (Handout No 5)
    Eschatology with Pastor Scott, Handout #5 The Destruction of Jerusalem I. Israel’s context1 A. Size: between Vermont and Maryland B. Reason for invasion: land bridge connecting present-day Europe, Africa, and Asia C. Previous destruction/invasions: 1. Egyptians (926 BC) 2. Assyrians (721 BC) 3. Babylonians (597 BC) 4. Persians (539 BC) 5. Greeks (late 300s BC) 6. Romans (63 BC) D. Greek invasion and conquest 1. Alexander the Great a. Established Alexandria in Egypt (331 BC) b. Marched to Babylon (323 BC) c. Upon death in 323 BC has kingdom divided among his generals 2. Alexandrian generals a. Seleucid dynasty in Syria b. Ptolemaic dynasty in Egypt 3. Israel control by Greece a. Palestine annexed to Ptolemy I in 320 BC b. Israel allowed free worship under Ptolemy I c. Antiochus III the Great (Seleucid) annexed Israel to Syria in 198 BC i. Seleucids worked to acculturate Jews to Greek religion/culture (i.e., Hellenization) d. Antiochus IV Epiphanes captured Jerusalem in 175 BC i. Temple plundered ii. Citizens murdered iii. Sabbath observance outlawed iv. Circumcision outlawed v. Possession of scriptures outlawed 4. Revolt by the Maccabees a. Lasted 7+ years, from 167-160 BC b. Led by Judah Maccabee c. Recaptured Jerusalem in 164 BC d. Cleansing and rededication of the temple e. In 140 BC, the revolt succeeded under Judah Maccabee’s brother, Jonathan Apphus, in finally expelling Greek influence from the Palestinian region altogether 1 For more information on the sociocultural and religious context of Judaism in the 1st C., see Anthony J. Tomasino, Judaism Before Jesus: The Events & Ideas That Shaped the New Testament World Eschatology with Pastor Scott, Handout #5 5.
    [Show full text]
  • Index Nominum Et Rerum
    Index nominum et rerum NOTE: No effort has been made to enforce uniformity of spelling and trans- literation on the authors, so people or things may appear in the index with a different spelling from that used in the text. Nor has any effort been made to include every proper name that appears in the book. Abibalos, 300 bishop of, 24124 Abimelech, 173 Jews of Abraham, 31-32, 102, 173, 2149, 30056 riots and embassy, 78, 84-5 Abraham ben David of Posquières, marriage customs, 99 Rabbi, 198-9, 201 Philo of. See Philo Judaeus Abulafia, Meir HaLevi, Rabbi, 182 rhetors, 159 admissions Alexandrian poets, 219 of debt, 179-207 Alexandrians, 2708 Aduatuci, 7112 Alguadez, Meir, Don, 3120 adultery, 99-103 alum, 226-7 Aeneas of Gaza, 155, 162 Ammon, 104, 219 Aeschines, 104 Amnon son of David, 23, 26, 2913, 32, Africa, 211–23 10137 agriculture, 52 amoraim, 97, 192 Agrippa, Marcus Vipsanius, 70 Amphitryon, 10242 Agrippa I, King, 705, 85114, 119 Amulo, 9513 Agrippa II, King, 17, 705 Anaxilas, 214-15, 221 Agrippesians, 70 andrapodismos, 236, 240-1, 248-50. See Aḥa sar ha-birah, Rabbi, 110 also doulagogia, plagiaria Akiva, Rabbi, 5517 animals, 46, 60, 229, 329 Albania, 73-426-8 in Africa, 214-17 Al-Bargeloni, Judah, Rabbi, 186-8 rent of, 200 Alcmene, 10242 sacrificial, 173, 323 Alexander Balas, 26440 anniculi probatio, 83 Alexander Polyhistor, 2149 Antigonus Monophthalmus, 227 Alexander son of Aristobulus II, 7430, Antigonus II Mattathias, King of Judaea, 76, 77 77 Alexander the Great, 104, 286 Antioch on the Orontes, 60, 118, 161 Alexandra wife of Philip II, 102, 104 Antiochus III, 71, 296 Alexandria, 14915, 172, 246 Antiochus IV, 10031 362 Antoninus, 121, 124, 128 Babylonian Talmud.
    [Show full text]
  • Historical Jesus 9: Jewish Groups
    Historical Jesus 9: Jewish Groups Four Main Jewish Groups “The Jews had for a great while had three sects of philosophy peculiar to themselves; the sect of the Essenes, and the sect of the Sadducees, and the third sort of opinions was that of those called Pharisees;…But of the fourth sect of Jewish philosophy, Judas the Galilean was the author.” (Josephus, Antiquites of the Jews 18.11, 23) Two centuries before Jesus’ began his ministry, a Greek empire ruled over the land of Israel. The empire outlawed the Law of Moses (Torah) and defiled the Temple by sacrificing a pig to an idol there. This caused a revolution led by the Hasmonean family who presided over Israel from 167-63 bc. 1 They won their religious freedom and eventually political freedom. During this period, several groups emerged including the Pharisees, Essenes, and Sadducees. 2 Pharisees and Sadducees in the Hasmonean Period 3 167 - Mattathias initiated revolution --- military leader --- 166 4 167 -160 Judah the captured and cleansed son of Mattathias military leader --- Maccabee Temple 160 -143 Jonathan Apphus achieved religious son of Mattathias high priest possibly instigated freedom Essenes to withdraw 142 -135 Simon Thassi achieved political freedom son of Mattathias high priest --- 134 -104 John Hyrcanus minted coins, conquered son of Simon high priest supported Pharisees Samaria, Idumea then Sadducees 104 -103 Judah Aristobulus conquered Galilee son of Hyrcanus king & high infuriated Pharisees priest by claiming kingship 103 -76 Alexander conquered Iturea, Gaza brother
    [Show full text]
  • Editor:Sam. Eisikovits [email protected]
    1 בס''ד נפלאות הבריאה Chanukkah Editor:Sam. Eisikovits [email protected] 2 Chanukkah Hanukkah (/ˈhɑːnəkə/ HAH-nə- ,חֲנּוכָּה ḥanuká, Tiberian: ḥanuká, usually spelled חֲנֻכָּה :kə; Hebrew pronounced [χanuˈka] in Modern Hebrew, [ˈχanukə] or [ˈχanikə] in Yiddish; a transliteration also romanized as Chanukah or Ḥanukah) is a Jewish festival commemorating the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem at the time of the Maccabean Revolt against the Seleucid Empire. It is also known as the Festival of .(ḥag ha'urim ,חַג הַ אּורִ ים :Lights (Hebrew Hanukkah is observed for eight nights and days, starting on the 25th day of Kislev according to the Hebrew calendar, which may occur at any time from late November to late December in the Gregorian calendar. The festival is observed by lighting the candles of a candelabrum with nine branches, called a menorah (or hanukkiah). One branch is typically placed above or below the others and its candle is used to light the other eight ,שַמָּ ש :candles. This unique candle is called the shamash (Hebrew "attendant"). Each night, one additional candle is lit by the shamash until all eight candles are lit together on the final night of the festival. Other Hanukkah festivities include playing the game of dreidel and eating oil- based foods, such as latkes and sufganiyot, and dairy foods. Since the 1970s, the worldwide Chabad Hasidic movement has initiated public menorah lightings in open public places in many countries. Although a relatively minor holiday in strictly religious terms, Hanukkah has attained major cultural significance in North America and elsewhere among secular Jews as a Jewish alternative to Christmas, and is often celebrated correspondingly fervently.
    [Show full text]
  • The Jew Who Wasn't There: Studies on Jews and Their Absence in Old Norse Literature
    The Jew Who Wasn't There: Studies on Jews and Their Absence in Old Norse Literature The Harvard community has made this article openly available. Please share how this access benefits you. Your story matters Citation Cole, Richard. 2015. The Jew Who Wasn't There: Studies on Jews and Their Absence in Old Norse Literature. Doctoral dissertation, Harvard University, Graduate School of Arts & Sciences. Citable link http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:23845410 Terms of Use This article was downloaded from Harvard University’s DASH repository, and is made available under the terms and conditions applicable to Other Posted Material, as set forth at http:// nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:dash.current.terms-of- use#LAA The Jew Who Wasn't There: Studies on Jews and their Absence in Old Norse Literature A dissertation presented by Richard Cole to The Department of Germanic Languages and Literatures in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the subject of Germanic Languages and Literatures Harvard University Cambridge, Massachusetts May 2015 Copyright Notice This copy of the dissertation has been supplied on condition that anyone who consults it is understood to recognise that its copyright rests with its author and that no quotation from the dissertation and no information derived from it may be published without the author’s prior consent. © Richard Cole, 2015. Abstract This dissertation explores certain attitudes towards Jews and Judaism in Old Norse literature. Regardless of an apparent lack of actual Jewish settlement in the Nordic region during the Middle Ages, medieval Icelanders and Norwegians frequently turned to the image of 'the Jew' in writing and in art, sometimes using him as an abstract theological model, or elsewhere constructing a similar kind of ethnic Other to the anti-Semitic tropes we find in medieval societies where gentiles really did live alongside Jews.
    [Show full text]
  • 17-18 Bible Study #16 2 6 18 2Nd Maccabees
    17-18 Bible Study #16 2 6 18 2nd Maccabees • 2nd Maccabees focuses on a 20 year portion of the Maccabean era which begins in the last year of King Seleucus IV (187-175 B. C.) and concludes with the Maccabean victory over the Seleucid General Nicanor (160 B.C.) • It concentrates on the exploits of Judas Maccabeus 2nd Maccabees (Cont) • It subordinates militarism to martyrdom • Presents ordinary Jews as heroes who remain faithful to the Law • Suggests the primacy of spiritual protests over the call to arms • Presents events from a religious point of view • Stands in the tradition of the Hasidim (who wrote the Book of Daniel) 4 great stories in 2nd Maccabees • 2nd Mac 2: 4-8 The hiding of the Ark of the Covenant • 2nd Mac 7: 1-42 The death of a mother and her seven sons • 2nd Mac 10: 1-9 The restoration of the Temple • 2nd Mac 12: 39-45 Praying for the dead Transition • We will now review the transition to the New Testament from the Maccabean period Transition to the New Testament 1st Maccabees (Cont) • 1st Maccabees 2:1-6 • Mattathias had five sons: • John died • Simon became the counselor • Judas Maccabeus (the hammer) led the army • Eleazar died • Johathan founded Hazmonean Dynasty • 168 B.C. – 134 B.C. The Maccabean Revolt Transition • 175 B.C. King Antiochus Epiphanes came to power • 164 B.C. Judas captured and rededicated the temple (Hanukah) • 163 B.C. • King Antiochus Epiphanes died in Persia • Lysias broke through the Jewish line but had to return to Antioch as Philip was about to return and challenge 8 year old Antiochus as king • Eleazar (brother of Judas) died in battle fighting an elephant Transition (Cont) • Lysias negotiated peace with the Jews granting them religious freedom but not political independence • Judas continued to fight the Hellenizers • 161 B.C.
    [Show full text]
  • Download Slides
    “The days are coming," declares the Sovereign Lord, “when I will send a famine through the land — not a famine of food or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the Lord.” -Amos 8:11 “Oh, that one of you would shut the temple doors, so that you would not light useless fires on my altar!” -Malachi 1:10 “For my part, I assure you, I had rather excel others in the knowledge of what is excellent, than in the extent of my power and dominion.” ~Plutarch, Life of Alexander “And when the book of Daniel was showed him, wherein Daniel declared that one of the Greeks should destroy the empire of the Persians, he supposed that himself was the person intended; and he was then glad.” Josephus, Antiquities 11:8:5 “The shaggy goat is the king of Greece, and the large horn between his eyes is the first king. The four horns that replaced the one that was broken off represent four kingdoms that will emerge from his nation but will not have the same power.” -Daniel 8:21-22 -Robs the Temple -Ends the Daily Sacrifice -Forbids Circumcision -Forbids Assembly for Prayer -Forbids Possession of Scripture -Sacrifice of Pig upon the Altar -Forces Jews to eat the flesh of pigs -Incites Rebellion Revolt Led by Mattathias the Priest John (Gaddi) Simon (Thassi) Judas (Maccabeus) Eleazar (Avaran) Jonathan (Apphus) Commissioned to clear the seas of piracy Resolves the Civil War between the Sadducees and Pharisees Conquest of Jerusalem “Go and make a careful search for the child.
    [Show full text]
  • 821 the Undesignated “Brother of Hyrcanus
    Appendix 4B, Attachment 1 CHARTED EXPLORATION OF DESCENDANCIES/FAMILIAL RELATIONSHIPS 1 THE ASAMONAEANS/MACCABEES /HASMONAEANS Note: Sources of data are reference-quoted narratives in Appendices 4B I-III unless otherwise cited. Roman numerals that distinguish same-named individuals correspond with those assigned in its internal data. Sequencing of siblings on a line does not indicate chronological order of births. [Continued from Appendix 3B, II, Attachment 5] / Mattathias / + ? / + ? / + ? / + ? / + ? Judas/Maccabeus / Jonathan/Apphus John/Gaddi/Gaddis Eleazar/Avaran/Auran / ? + ? Simon/Thassi/Matthes / / + ? / + ? / + ? / + ? “brother of Daughter Judas [#2] Mattathais / Hyrcanus” + Ptolemy [#2] / Son of Aububus John Hyrcanus I – continued below ? + ? / (Salome-) Alexandra I John Hyrcanus I / + ? / + ? / + ? / + ? / + ? ? + ? Judas/Aristobulus I Antigonus I Alexander I Unnamed son Unnamed son / Left widow, “Salome,” Janneus Absalom, who the Greeks + “uncle and father-in-law called “Alexandra” [I] Alexandra I (Aristobulus I’s widow) of Aristobulus II” / / / / + ? ? Hyrcanus II Aristobulus II [-----------------------------+ Daughter] / + ? / + ? / + ? / + ? / + ? 2 3 Alexandra II ----+---Alexander II Antigonus II Alexandra III Unnamed 4 / / / / + ? + Philippion Daughter? A Daughter Aristobulus III MARIAMNE/MIRIAM I Unnamed + Ptolemy Menneus 5 + Pheroras + Herod the Great Daughter (Philippion’s father) Continued in 4 B, Attachment 2 + Antipater III betrothal [? + Ptolemy, son of [4B, Att. 2, B] / Menneus Lysanias] The undesignated “brother of Hyrcanus [I]” was sent to Antiochus VII by Jerusalem leaders as a hostage. AJ XIII.VIII.3; BJ I.II.3. Judas #2 and Mattathais #2 both were assassinated with their father, high priest Simon Matthes, by Ptolemy, son of Abubus, in 134 b.c. Aristobulus I, Hyrcanus I’s “eldest son.” Antigonus I, son of Hyrcanus I, was slain by Judas/Aristobulus I.
    [Show full text]