In the New Testament, the Pharisees are often depicted as the antagonists of Jesus, constantly questioning and challenging his teachings and authority. But who exactly were the Pharisees, and what role did they play in Jewish society during the time of Jesus? This article explores the history, beliefs, and practices of the Pharisees, providing a deeper understanding of their interactions with Jesus and their significance in the context of first-century Judaism.
The Pharisees originated as a reform movement within Judaism during the Second Temple period. They emphasized strict adherence to the written Law (Torah) and sought to interpret and apply it in every aspect of daily life. The Pharisees believed that obedience to the Law, both written and oral, would lead to divine favor and blessing. They also emphasized the importance of tradition and the oral teachings passed down from generation to generation, known as the Mishnah and Talmud.
With their focus on legalism and purity, the Pharisees often came into conflict with Jesus, who challenged their interpretations of the Law and criticized their emphasis on external rituals and traditions. Jesus accused the Pharisees of being more concerned with outward appearances and соблюдение правил than with genuine love and compassion for people.
Who Were the Pharisees
The Pharisees were a prominent religious group in first-century Judaism, known for their strict adherence to the Law and their emphasis on tradition and purity. Here are six important points about the Pharisees:
- Reform Movement: Originated as a reform movement within Judaism during the Second Temple period.
- Legalism: Emphasized strict adherence to the written Law (Torah) and its oral interpretations.
- Purity: Stressed the importance of ritual purity and separation from impurity.
- Tradition: Valued oral traditions and teachings passed down from generation to generation.
- Conflict with Jesus: Often clashed with Jesus over his teachings and interpretations of the Law.
- Hypocrisy: Criticized by Jesus for their outward show of piety and neglect of genuine love and compassion.
The Pharisees played a significant role in Jewish society at the time of Jesus, and their interactions with him provide valuable insights into the religious and social dynamics of that era.
Reform Movement: Originated as a reform movement within Judaism during the Second Temple period.
The Pharisees emerged during a time of great turmoil and change in Jewish history, known as the Second Temple period. This period, which lasted from the return of the Jewish people from exile in Babylon in 538 BCE to the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE, was marked by political upheaval, foreign occupation, and religious ferment.
- Response to Hellenization:
One of the major challenges facing Judaism during this time was the increasing influence of Hellenistic culture, which threatened to erode traditional Jewish beliefs and practices. The Pharisees arose as a response to this challenge, seeking to preserve and strengthen Jewish identity and religious observance.
- Strict Adherence to the Law:
The Pharisees believed that the key to preserving Jewish identity and ensuring divine favor was strict adherence to the Law (Torah). They emphasized the importance of following not only the written Law but also the oral traditions and interpretations that had been passed down from generation to generation.
- Purity and Separation:
The Pharisees also placed great emphasis on ritual purity and separation from impurity. They believed that maintaining a state of purity was essential for proper worship and communion with God. This emphasis on purity extended to both physical and spiritual aspects of life.
- Social and Political Activism:
In addition to their religious reforms, the Pharisees were also involved in social and political activism. They sought to influence public policy and ensure that Jewish law was upheld in all areas of life. They also played a leading role in the struggle against Roman occupation and the preservation of Jewish autonomy.
The Pharisees' reform movement had a profound impact on Judaism, shaping its development and leaving a lasting legacy that continues to influence Jewish thought and practice to this day.
Legalism: Emphasized strict adherence to the written Law (Torah) and its oral interpretations.
At the heart of Pharisaic beliefs and practices was a strong emphasis on legalism, a strict adherence to the written Law (Torah) as well as its oral interpretations and traditions. This legalistic approach permeated all aspects of their lives, from religious rituals and observances to everyday social interactions.
- Written Law (Torah):
The Pharisees believed that the written Law, as revealed to Moses on Mount Sinai, was the foundation of Jewish faith and practice. They studied the Torah diligently, seeking to understand its teachings and apply them to their daily lives.
- Oral Law (Mishnah and Talmud):
In addition to the written Law, the Pharisees also placed great importance on the oral traditions and interpretations that had been passed down from generation to generation. These oral teachings, known as the Mishnah and Talmud, were believed to be equally authoritative with the written Law.
- Tithing and Ritual Purity:
The Pharisees were known for their scrupulous observance of the Law's細かい規定, such as tithing (giving a tenth of one's income to the temple) and maintaining ritual purity. They believed that these acts demonstrated their faithfulness to God and ensured His blessing.
- Legal Disputes and Rulings:
The Pharisees also played a significant role in interpreting and applying the Law in legal disputes. They served as judges and teachers, issuing rulings on a wide range of matters, from family law to business transactions.
While their legalism could sometimes lead to a rigid and overly meticulous approach to religious observance, the Pharisees' emphasis on the Law was rooted in a deep desire to honor God and live in accordance with His will.
Purity: Stressed the importance of ritual purity and separation from impurity.
The Pharisees placed great emphasis on ritual purity and separation from impurity, believing that maintaining a state of purity was essential for proper worship and communion with God. This emphasis extended to both physical and spiritual aspects of life.
- Physical Purity:
The Pharisees observed strict rules regarding physical purity, such as washing hands before meals and avoiding contact with anything considered ritually impure, such as dead bodies or certain animals. They also practiced ritual immersion in water (mikveh) to purify themselves after certain activities or events.
- Dietary Restrictions:
The Pharisees followed the dietary laws outlined in the Torah, which included avoiding certain foods such as pork, shellfish, and mixtures of meat and dairy. These dietary restrictions were seen as a way to maintain ritual purity and obedience to God's commands.
- Spiritual Purity:
In addition to physical purity, the Pharisees also emphasized spiritual purity, which they believed could be achieved through prayer, study of the Law, and avoiding sinful behavior. They sought to align their thoughts, words, and actions with God's will and to live in a state of moral and ethical purity.
- Separation from Impurity:
To maintain their state of purity, the Pharisees often separated themselves from those they considered impure, such as tax collectors, sinners, and gentiles. This separation was not meant to be a sign of pride or elitism, but rather a practical way to avoid contamination and to focus on their own spiritual growth.
While their emphasis on purity could sometimes lead to a narrow and exclusive mindset, the Pharisees' desire for purity was rooted in a deep longing for holiness and a close relationship with God.
Tradition: Valued oral traditions and teachings passed down from generation to generation.
In addition to the written Law (Torah), the Pharisees also placed great value on the oral traditions and teachings that had been passed down from generation to generation. These oral traditions, known as the Mishnah and Talmud, were believed to be equally authoritative with the written Law and provided guidance on a wide range of topics, including religious rituals, legal matters, and ethical behavior.
The Pharisees believed that these oral traditions were essential for understanding and interpreting the written Law. They argued that the written Law alone was not sufficient to provide all the necessary details and instructions for daily life, and that the oral traditions provided the necessary補足情報. These oral traditions were believed to have originated with Moses himself and to have been passed down orally from teacher to student over the centuries.
The Pharisees were diligent in studying and preserving these oral traditions. They established schools and academies where students could learn the Law and the oral traditions from qualified teachers. They also engaged in debates and discussions to ensure that the oral traditions were accurately transmitted and understood.
The Pharisees' emphasis on oral tradition was not without its critics. Some, like the Sadducees, argued that only the written Law was authoritative and that the oral traditions were unreliable and subject to human error. However, the Pharisees believed that the oral traditions were essential for preserving the integrity of the Law and for providing practical guidance for everyday life.
The Pharisees' commitment to oral tradition has had a lasting impact on Judaism. The Mishnah and Talmud, which were eventually written down, have become central texts in Jewish law and thought. These texts continue to be studied and debated by Jewish scholars to this day, and they provide a valuable window into the beliefs and practices of the Pharisees and their influence on the development of Judaism.
Conflict with Jesus: Often clashed with Jesus over his teachings and interpretations of the Law.
Jesus' teachings and interpretations of the Law often brought him into conflict with the Pharisees. While Jesus respected the Law and its authority, he challenged the Pharisees' legalistic and narrow approach to its interpretation. Jesus emphasized the spirit of the Law over its細かい規定 and focused on love, mercy, and forgiveness as the heart of religious devotion.
One of the most significant points of contention between Jesus and the Pharisees was his attitude towards the Sabbath. The Pharisees believed that the Sabbath was a day of strict rest and that any work or activity was forbidden. Jesus, however, healed people and performed other acts of mercy on the Sabbath, which the Pharisees considered a violation of the Law.
Jesus also criticized the Pharisees for their hypocrisy and their emphasis on outward show of piety. He accused them of being more concerned with following the minutiae of the Law than with genuine love and compassion for people. Jesus taught that true religion was not about external rituals and observances, but about a transformed heart and a life lived in accordance with God's will.
The Pharisees were also threatened by Jesus' popularity and influence among the people. They saw him as a rival who was drawing people away from their authority and undermining their teachings. This led them to plot against Jesus and eventually to conspire with the Roman authorities to have him arrested and crucified.
The conflict between Jesus and the Pharisees was not simply a clash of personalities or a difference of opinion. It was a fundamental disagreement about the nature of God, the purpose of the Law, and the path to salvation. Jesus' teachings and actions challenged the Pharisees' authority and their understanding of Judaism, and ultimately led to his crucifixion.