Topics from Sanders, Judaism, Chapter Twelve

Circumcision:

• Recognized sign of Jewish distinctiveness
  
• Question of religious purpose
  
• Created conflict with Greco-Roman ideals of bodily perfection (mutilation)

Purity:

Dietary Laws:

• Main principles:

  • Defintions of permitted and forbidden species:
    
    • Quadrupeds: Split hoof and chewing cud
      
    • Fish: Fins and scales
      
    • Birds: Not birds of prey
      
    • Insects: Locusts & grasshoppers

• Slaughter

  (profane slaughter not ordered in Bible)
  
• Removal of blood
  
• Separation of milk and meat (expansion of Biblical rules)
  
• Avoidance of idolatrous offerings and libations and socializing with pagans (especially wine and oil).

Other impurities:

• Corpses (Special rules: impurity through being in the same room; purificaitons through waters of Red Heifer ).
  
• Childbirth (+ sacrifices)
  
• Menstruation
  
• Irregular genital discharges
  
• Some carcasses
  
• Leprosy

Effects on daily life:

• Introduction (?) of immersion for women
  
• Preparation of food for Temple and Priests (?)
  
• Susceptibility to impurity through contact with liquids.
  
• Widespread observance of purity rules:
  
• Ubiquity of Mikvahs as index of common or sectarian Judaism (?)

Practical implementation or ideals of love and charity

Summary on level of Jewish commitment to the law and relationship between legalism and devotion.

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