Yeshiva University Dead Sea Scrolls Seminar
Yeshiva University is pleased to invite you to our first Annual conference on the Dead Sea Scrolls
May 19, 2013 – 1:30-4:30 PM
Lipschutz-Gutwirth Study Hall
2501 Amsterdam Avenue
New York, NY 10033
1:30-1:40 Opening Remarks
Moshe J. Bernstein, David A. and Fannie M. Denenberg Chair in Biblical Studies, Yeshiva University
1:40-2:20 “If a Case is Too Baffling for You to Decide…’ (Deuteronomy 17: 8-13): Between Constraining and Expanding Judicial Autonomy in the Temple Scroll and Early Rabbinic Scriptural Interpretation”
Steven D. Fraade, Mark Taper Professor of the History of Judaism, Yale University
2:20-3:00 “Heaven and Earth, Past and Future: Empire in the War Scroll”
Alexandria Frisch, Visiting Assistant Professor in Jewish Studies, Ursinus College
3:00-3:40 “Playing Musical Instruments on the Sabbath: Qumranic Prohibition or Rabbinic Safeguard?”
Richard J. Hidary, Assistant Professor of Judaic Studies, Yeshiva University
3:40-4:20 “Sacrifice in the Dead Sea Scrolls”
Lawrence H. Schiffman, Vice-Provost for Undergraduate Studies and Professor of Judaic Studies, Yeshiva University
4:20-4:30 Closing Remarks
Professor Bernstein
Light refreshments.
RSVP to Amy Rotheim Sullivan – enrollment@yu.edu
The Yeshiva University Dead Sea Scrolls Seminar is made possible through the generous support of Debra and Jay Zachter.
Second Temple Period Rationales for the Torah’s Commandments: Josephus
The Jewish historian Josephus presents a summary of the Torah’s legislation in Antiquities 4.196-302. In this section, he surveys in a reorganized fashion what he regards as the constitution of the Jewish people, namely the laws of the Torah. In this context, he presents numerous reasons for commandments. We will be able to talk about only a small number of these. We should note at the outset that these reasons for the commandments may be distinguished easily from the rest of the material, that constitutes either a simple rewriting of the biblical requirements or the presentation of legal interpretations of them.
In 201, Josephus explains why there can only be one altar and temple, namely “for God is one and the stock of the Hebrews one.” Clearly, the intention here is to say that the unity of the people and its God is symbolized by having only one, central temple, that we know to be located in Jerusalem. In 203, we learn the reason for the thrice yearly pilgrimage festivals that the Torah requires:
… In order that they may give thanks to God for the benefits that they have received and that they may appeal for benefits for the… Continue reading
Second Temple Period Rationales for the Torah: Philo
We will see a rather extreme contrast when we examine some examples of rationales for commandments as given in the works of Philo Judaeus. This Alexandrian Jewish philosopher and exegete was himself engaged in an ideological battle with Jewish extreme allegorists who believed that by giving allegorical reasons for commandments one essentially obviated the need to observe them. Philo argued what was essentially the traditional view, namely, that the continued observance of commandments designed to teach certain specific lessons was the only way to successfully inculcate those lessons and that, therefore, the Torah’s commandments could never be set aside simply because one could learn the lessons without the practice. Rather, he sought to provide an understanding, drawing on Jewish tradition as he knew it and Hellenic philosophy, in order to justify Jewish observances. There has been considerable debate as to the extent to which Philo drew from proto-rabbinic or rabbinic sources. While we will not dwell on the matter here, we should note that early rabbinic traditions should be understood to reflect a common heritage with those of the Alexandrian Jews.
After dealing with the Decalogue, the Ten Commandments, Philo presents a four-part treatise called The Special Laws. This treatise… Continue reading
