Thursday, April 09, 2015

First Century Synagogues

For it is now clear, thanks to the investigations of Lee Levine and Richard Horsley on first-century-CE synagogues, and of E. P. Sanders on the beliefs and practices of Palestinian (or Formative) Judaism, that there was no fixed synagogue liturgy in Palestinian synagogues until at least well into the second century of our era. Moreover, they further point out that first-century Palestinian synagogues were not places of communal prayer. They were instead places dedicated only to Torah recitation and instruction.—The Disciples’ Prayer, pages 56–57

5 comments:

Alan Knox said...

While I agree with the first part of the quote, I disagree with the final sentence. Also according to Levine and others, the first century synagogue included recitation, teaching, discussion, meals, and other social activities. Interestingly, McKay also found that "worship" terminology was absent from synagogue descriptions until after the destruction of the temple. While the temple existed, "worship" terminology was only used in the context of the temple.

-Alan

Alan Knox said...

I found this quote from my own studies:

"However, the synagogue's primary importance throughout antiquity [pre-70 C.E.] lay in its role as a community center. Within the confines of the synagogue the Jewish community seems to have not only worshipped regularly, but also studied, held court, administered punishment, organized sacred meals, collected charitable donations, housed the communal archives and library, and assembled for political and social purposes." (Lee I. Levine, The Ancient Synagogue: The First Thousand Years, New Haven: Yale University Press, 2000, page 3)

This is a good list of activities included as part of the synagogue, although McKay would probably disagree with Levine's use of "worship" language in this context.

-Alan

jps said...

Alan,

Thanks for the comments. It doesn't seem to affect Gibson's main point, though, which is that the Lord's Prayer probably wasn't derived from synagogue activities.

By the way, are you ever going to finish your dissertation? Or is that a bad subject? I would love to read it. (And I sure miss your blog!)

James

Alan Knox said...

Ah, I didn't realize that Gibson was questioning the source of the Lord's Prayer. I was just commenting on this particular quote.

No, I am not planning to finish my dissertation. I decided to stay in the technology field instead of changing to the academic field, and I couldn't justify the time required to finish the dissertation. But, no, it's not a bad subject. :)

-Alan

jps said...

I understand fully. I've been ABD since 1989—and I plan on staying that way : )

James