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80 Is Judaism the Religion of Moses?

Is Judaism the Religion of

Moses?

The beginning of the Sanhedrin, the origin of the
"traditions of the elders,” the usurpation of au-
thority by laymen -- these are discussed in this
installment.

by Ernest Martin

Part Eight

I n previous installments we followed the Egyptian rule of Palestine until 198 B.C. In that year the
Syrian kingdom on the north invaded and conquered the territory of Judea. The change in gov-
ernment from Alexandria to Antioch in Syria -- and the resultant establishment of the Syrian way
of life in Palestine -- meant that a readjustment had to be made in the Jews' manner of living inher-
ited from the Egyptian Hellenists.

The Syrians were Hellenists as much as the Egyptians were but there was quite a difference
in their mode of observing it!

The Religious Anarchy Ends

When the Syrians assumed control of Palestine, the Jews were fully conscious that some-
thing new was taking place. It was this contrast between the Egyptian Hellenism they had been
used to and the Syrian Hellenism which they were now obliged to follow, that shocked a few Jews
into becoming cognizant that another way of life was possible -- their old way of life -- living by the
Holy Scriptures! The Jews knew the Scriptures plainly did not recognize either form of Hellenism.
New interest in God and the religion of Moses began to revive.

Beginning of Sanhedrin

This new interest in the religion of their forefathers caused some of the Jews to reflect on the
past in order to ascertain how their forefathers had been governed in their religious life. They recog-
nized that from the time of Ezra and Nehemiah to Alexander the Great, the Sopherim had been the
religious leaders and teachers of the people. The Sopherim, remember, had disappeared from the
scene -- Simon the Just was the last of them.

Understanding that some organization like the Sopherim must exist if there was to be reli-
gious unity and the people properly taught the Law, the leaders of this new revival decided to meet
in council with one another. Its avowed purpose was to direct those who were desiring to live ac-

The Berean Voice September-October 2002