As the title indicates, this treatise explores the field of Jewish sexual ethics. It is not intended to research all the areas associated with this topic, but to select those realms which best explain the concrete negative attitudes of Jewish society, particularly in the first century CE, towards sexuality. While a very brief introduction provides an interesting background about the pagan (i.e. Greek/Roman) views on Jews, Judaism and Jewish sexuality – as far as the few sources allow – the main chapters are dealing with the following different perspectives:
(1) Jewish profane literature
(2) Different Jewish sects (schools), including the early Christian “sect”
(3) Jewish Holy Scripture, including the later rabbinic (Mishnaic) legislations
These differing views on that important topic allow to differentiate between some Jewish “mainstream” practice or understanding and the various facets in different groups or authors. The early Christian “sect” as given in the NT scriptures is included as well as the Mishnaic legislation in order to demonstrate the two most lasting and durable streams of perception. Both survived until nowadays in the Jewish and Christian communities, which differ quite a lot in legal regulations but still have the same basis as given in the Hebrew Scriptures.
By researching, combining, and commenting the numerous Jewish Scriptures, this thesis finally explains what is to be understood by the term “sexual sin” supported by some basic principles, although it has not been possible to investigate every aspect of that huge field. Thus, the goal of providing a well based reasonable argumentation as a foundation of understanding Jewish thinking and practice, especially in the most interesting and “restless” first century CE, is reached quite comprehensively.
Table of Contents
I INTRODUCTION
I.1 THEMATIC CONCEPT
I.2 METHODOLOGICAL CONCEPT
II PAGANS ABOUT JEWISH THEOLOGY AND SEXUALITY
II.1 ORIGIN OF JEWS AND JUDAISM
II.2 JEWISH RELIGION
II.3 JEWS AS INDIVIDUALS
II.4 ASPECTS OF JEWISH SEXUALITY
II.4.1 Hecataeus of Abdera
II.4.2 Cornelius Tacitus
II.4.3 Strabo
II.4.4 Pliny the Elder
II.5 SUMMARY
III JEWISH PROFANE LITERATURE ABOUT SEXUAL ETHICS
III.1 FLAVIUS JOSEPHUS
III.2 PHILO OF ALEXANDRIA
III.3 SUMMARY
IV PERCEPTIONS OF DIFFERENT JEWISH “SECTS”
IV.1 ESSENES AND THERAPEUTAE
IV.2 SADDUCEES
IV.3 ZEALOTS
IV.4 THE EARLY CHRISTIAN “SECT”
IV.4.1 Basic Implications of Jewish Holy Scripture
IV.4.2 Purity and Loyalty
IV.4.3 Permanence and Exclusivity
IV.4.4 Sexual Apostasy and the Church’s Intervention
IV.5 SUMMARY
V JEWISH HOLY SCRIPTURE ON ILLICIT SEXUALITY
V.1 THE OLD TESTAMENT
V.2 THE MISHNAH
V.3 ILLICIT SEXUALITY
V.3.1 Bestiality
V.3.2 Homosexuality
V.3.3 Adultery
V.3.4 Incest
V.3.5 Prostitution
V.3.6 Rape
V.3.7 Marriages with Gentiles
V.3.8 Premarital Intercourse
V.3.9 Illegitimate Children
V.4 SPECIAL CURSES
V.5 SUMMARY
VI CONCLUSIONS
VII APPENDIX
VII.1 ABBREVIATIONS
VII.1.1 Biblical Text Versions
VII.1.2 Books of the Bible (OT and NT)
VII.1.3 Apocrypha
VII.1.4 Mishnah
VII.1.5 Flavius Josephus
VII.1.6 Philo of Alexandria
VII.1.7 Other
VII.2 TABLES OF REFERENCES
VII.2.1 Old Testament
VII.2.2 New Testament
VII.2.3 Mishnah
VII.2.4 Flavius Josephus
VII.2.5 Philo of Alexandria
VIII BIBLIOGRAPHY
VIII.1 REFERENCE BOOKS
VIII.2 BIBLE TEXT VERSIONS
VIII.3 INTERNET SOURCES
Objectives and Topics
This thesis examines Jewish sexual ethics in the first century CE, aiming to understand how Jewish schools and communities interpreted and regulated sexuality amidst societal challenges. It seeks to clarify Jewish perceptions of "sexual sin" by investigating Holy Scriptures, profane literature, and the practices of various Jewish sects.
- Analysis of Roman and Greek pagan perceptions of Jewish theology and sexuality.
- Exploration of Jewish profane literature (Josephus, Philo) regarding sexual morality.
- Comparative analysis of sexual ethics across different Jewish sects, including the early Christian "sect."
- Detailed review of Jewish Holy Scriptures and Mishnaic legislation regarding illicit sexual relationships.
- Contextualization of the early church's position within the diversity of first-century Jewish thought.
Excerpt from the Book
II.1 ORIGIN OF JEWS AND JUDAISM
At first we have to listen to the Roman historian Tacitus (ca. 55 – 116 CE). He reports as a main witness about the origins of Judaism within his account on the destruction of the city Jerusalem and its temple.
Some say that the Jews were fugitives from the island of Crete, who settled on the nearest coast of Africa about the time when Saturn was driven from his throne by the power of Jupiter. Evidence of this is sought in the name. There is a famous mountain in Crete called Ida; the neighbouring tribe, the Idaei, came to be called Judaei by a barbarous lengthening of the national name. Others assert that in the reign of Isis the overflowing population of Egypt, led by Hierosolymus and Judas, discharged itself into the neighbouring countries. Many, again, say that they were a race of Ethiopian origin, who in the time of king Cepheus were driven by fear and hatred of their neighbours to seek a new dwelling-place. Others describe them as an Assyrian horde who, not having sufficient territory, took possession of part of Egypt, and founded cities of their own in what is called the Hebrew country, lying on the borders of Syria. Others, again, assign a very distinguished origin to the Jews, alleging that they were the Solymi, a nation celebrated in the poems of Homer, who called the city which they founded Hierosolyma after their own name.
Most writers, however, agree in stating that once a disease, which horribly disfigured the body, broke out over Egypt; that king Bocchoris, seeking a remedy, consulted the oracle of Hammon, and was bidden to cleanse his realm, and to convey into some foreign land this race detested by the gods. […]
Summary of Chapters
I INTRODUCTION: Provides the thematic and methodological context for examining Jewish sexual ethics and religious diversity in the first century CE.
II PAGANS ABOUT JEWISH THEOLOGY AND SEXUALITY: Reviews Greek and Roman perspectives on Jewish origins, religion, and family life to understand the external pressures faced by the community.
III JEWISH PROFANE LITERATURE ABOUT SEXUAL ETHICS: Analyzes the writings of Flavius Josephus and Philo of Alexandria regarding their views on marriage, virtue, and morality.
IV PERCEPTIONS OF DIFFERENT JEWISH “SECTS”: Investigates specific ethical stances of the Essenes, Sadducees, Zealots, and the early Christian community.
V JEWISH HOLY SCRIPTURE ON ILLICIT SEXUALITY: Examines biblical laws and Mishnaic interpretations concerning prohibited sexual acts and the definition of a "perfect" marriage.
VI CONCLUSIONS: Synthesizes findings on Jewish sexual ethics, highlighting the diversity of interpretations and the central role of the Torah in guiding conduct.
VII APPENDIX: Provides comprehensive lists of abbreviations and tables of biblical and historical references used in the research.
VIII BIBLIOGRAPHY: Lists the primary and secondary sources, reference books, and internet resources utilized for this thesis.
Keywords
Jewish sexual ethics, first century CE, Mosaic Law, sexuality, adultery, marriage, Torah, Mishnah, Flavius Josephus, Philo of Alexandria, Jewish sects, Pharisees, Essenes, Sadducees, Zealots, Christian church, purity, holiness, procreation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fundamental focus of this thesis?
The work primarily explores the development and interpretation of Jewish sexual ethics during the first century CE, analyzing how different groups and literature defined lawful and illegitimate sexual practices.
What are the central themes of the work?
Central themes include the role of the Mosaic Law as a foundation for sexual ethics, the influence of external pagan criticism, the importance of procreation, and the diverse perspectives among Jewish sects concerning marriage and purity.
What is the primary research goal?
The aim is to provide a well-founded historical understanding of Jewish sexual ethics by investigating the intersection of ancient Jewish Holy Scriptures, profane literature, and the theological struggles of the various Jewish groups, including the early Christians.
Which scientific methods are applied?
The research uses a historical-critical approach, conducting a comparative analysis of ancient sources—ranging from Jewish biblical texts and the Mishnah to Hellenistic Jewish historians and pagan Roman reports—to reconstruct ancient Jewish thinking.
What content is addressed in the main part of the thesis?
The main chapters cover the social and religious status of Jews in the Roman Empire, the perspectives of major writers like Josephus and Philo, the unique moral stances of different Jewish sects, and an exhaustive analysis of legal stipulations in the Torah and Mishna regarding sexual transgressions.
Which keywords best characterize this study?
The study is best characterized by terms such as Jewish sexual ethics, Torah legislation, Mishnaic interpretation, sect diversity, and the historical interplay between purity laws and societal morality.
How does the author view the influence of pagan authors?
The author perceives the pagan accounts (such as those by Tacitus or Juvenal) as often polemical or biased, yet valuable for identifying common tropes and the "pressure" exerted upon the Jewish identity in the first century.
How is the relationship between the Torah and the Mishnah described?
The Torah is identified as the foundational standard, while the Mishnah is presented as an oral tradition or commentary developed to protect the Law and adapt it to contemporary living situations after the destruction of the Temple.
What stance does the work take on the early Christian sect?
The work positions the early Christian sect as a group deeply rooted in Jewish tradition and the Torah, sharing the same foundational ethics while simultaneously debating specific interpretations of these laws with other contemporary Jewish parties.
- Citar trabajo
- Mag. phil. B. phil. René Gehring (Autor), 2009, “Evil Desires” and the Kingdom of God, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/126328
