New Ideas in the Hasmonean Period (160 - 37 BCE)
1. Final compilation of the Bible
a. Translation into Greek; loss of Hebrew as a spoken language
2. New cosmology emphasizing G-d in the highest heavens, remote from human realm
a. angels and demons
b. an afterlife
c. resurrection of the "righteous dead"
d. final judgment
e. messianic beliefs about inauguration of a golden age on earth
3. The end of prophecy: new possibilities for religious change
a. reinterpretation of prophets: prophets spoke words even they didn't understand about future events
b. otherworldy visions wherein visionary granted heavenly ascent (G-d no longer comes down to human realm)
c. pseudoepigraphy: writing new books but attributing them to Biblical authors
--Testament of Levi, the Enoch books
d. example of changes introduced by these mechanisms: solar calendar, bodily resurrections, last judgment
e. the Apocalypse ("to uncover"): visions of the end of time and overthrow of the present world order
--a kind of spiritual code
--cosmic battle of good and evil in which evil will be defeated
4. Competing Judaisms
a. Diaspora / Israel (Greek / Aramaic)
b. Literalist vs. ongoing tradition
--Sadducees value only written Torah
--Pharisees preserve oral Torah in addition to the written
c. Apocalyptic: adding new books
d. New worship spaces: the synagogue in addition to the Temple
e. Arguments over the Jerusalem priesthood
--Qumran sectarians withdrew entirely from Temple worship