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Thu, 29-Jan-09 13:54:30
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Rebecca1973 wrote: Thanks for the reply. I was talking more about Jewish "converts" - if this is the appropriate word - in the first century CE.
"In the early second century (CE) there were so many converts to Judaism among the Romans that the emissaries of Alexandria in Rome felt constrained to complain to Trajan that "his senate was full of Jews."
The Jewish people were also a unique and sizeable minority dispersed throughout the major cities of the empire. Not only was their idea of one God unique, they also possessed a unique sense of community, had a highly developed social welfare infrastructure, as well as a uniquely high level of literacy. In the words of historian Michael Grant:
"Numerically...they [the Jews] were fewer in those days than they are now-perhaps eight million...But no less then seven million of these eight million were in the Roman empire, where they constituted between six and nine percent of the population - in the eastern provinces, the percentage was perhaps as high as twenty. Comprising, as they did, such a high proportion of the total number of inhabitants, they could scarcely fail to exercise an influence upon events; given their highly distinctive beliefs and customs, so divergent from the Greco-Roman way of life which surrounded them, it was predictable that their relationship with their neighbors would become both dramatic and explosive."(3)
However, conversion to Judaism has always been a major undertaking, one which has historically required the prospective convert to demonstrate his or her sincere desire to follow the Torah's teachings.
Nevertheless, Roman historical records show us that Judaism did catch on, especially in major cultural centers such as Rome and Alexandria. The best-known exporter of hybrid Jewish ideology was Philo Judeas, who lived and taught between 20 BCE to 50 CE. Strongly influenced by Hellenism, he sought to fuse Greek philosophy with Judaism and to export this mixture to the world. Philo was a prolific writer with a considerable following.
Among those who converted at this time was Onkelos, a nephew of one of the Roman emperors, possibly Nero, who subsequently translated the Hebrew Bible into Aramaic. Josephus(4) describes Nero's wife, Poppea, as being very supportive and interested in Judaism and there is much speculation amongst historians as to other important Romans who were sympathetic to Judaism and may even have converted.
It cannot be denied that the message and lifestyle of Judaism was very attractive to many Romans. Historian Howard Sachar, in his History of Israel, p. 111, suggests an explanation for why this was so:
"The conditions were highly favorable. The old paganism ... was decaying, and sensitive minds were repelled by it. The clear-cut monotheism and the rational practices of the Hebrews, expounded with charm by the Hellenized Jewish writers, made a deep impression. There were great numbers of converts, if not officially to Judaism, at least to Jewish practices and ideals."
So great was the impact of Judaism on the empire that the Roman writer Seneca complained: "This abominable nation has succeeded in spreading its customs throughout all lands: the conquered have given their laws to the conquerors."
This is not to imply that, just because some citizens of the empire converted and many more openly sympathized with the Jews, that the religion of Moses was taking Rome by storm. The reason why was not simple: Jewish laws, restrictions and rituals seemed difficult to follow. While certain commandments such as Sabbath rest and dietary laws were very popular and relatively easy to observe, other rituals of Judaism were seen as too extreme and too difficult -- for example circumcision and sexual abstinence during a part of each month.
Additionally, many saw Judaism as a national religion of a specific people -- that is, being Jewish meant not only ascribing to a religious faith, but also adopting a different national identity. Naturally, if you were born in Rome, you surely did not want to appear to be giving up your Roman citizenship. It didn't help matters that Judea was one of the most rebellious and troublesome provinces in the empire, and Jews in general were often viewed with suspicion and hostility. This no doubt caused many Romans to think twice about joining Jewish ranks.
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