The Revolt and the Aftermath
The Hasidaeans' general disinterest in taking up arms to fight on the Sabbath or to suspend complete obedience to the Torah so that they could fight Antiochus in the Maccibaean revolt sparks both pity and perhaps scorn on the part of the Hasmoneans who are determined to fight on the Sabbath rather than, “die as our kindred died in their hiding places.” [1] As the revolt succeeds the account in 1 Maccabees boasts that those who chose to fight, “rescued the law out of the hands of the Gentiles and kings, and they never let the sinner gain the upper hand.” [2] This celebratory language may be coming at the expense of their Hasidean kin in effect saying, “While your passive resistance was pious and showed respect for the law, it was our courageous action that cleansed the land from sin and upheld the law.”
The Hasmonaeans eventually ousted the armies of Antiochus from Palestine and the Jews began a period semi-autonomous self-rule under them. However, political instability and greed during this time of Jewish self-rule fostered an increasing amount of corruption during the Hasmonaen period. Eventually, a dynasty evolved with a level of corruption rivaling that of Antiochus. Beginning with John Hyrcanus, Hasmonaean rulers consolidated their power by combining the roles of priest and king. A climate of intrigue and bribery emerged that shocked and angered their Hasidaean constituents.
The angst felt by the pious Hasidaeas at these developments is expressed by the anonymous author of the apocalyptic Assumption of Moses, “Then there shall be raised up unto them kings bearing rule, and they shall call themselves priests of the Most High God: they shall assuredly work iniquity in the holy of holies.” (Assumption of Moses 6) While nearly all the Hasidaeans, it appears, were disturbed by the Hasmonaean corruption, there was significant disagreement among them about how to respond.
In time this disagreement would result in a splintering of the Hasidaean party into two distinct groups that each responded to the religious and political upheaval of their age very differently – the Pharisees and the Essenes. Both the Pharisees and the Essenes longed to see righteousness and justice return to their homeland. Both valued a separation from the sinful corruption of the society around them. Both followed different paths to express their disapproval of the increasing corruption of their society.
Next time...We'll talk in detail about the Essenes. Who were they, what did they believe, and how they forever changed they way we read the New Testament...
This is part of a series looking at the origins and nature of two important Jewish political parties active during Jesus' ministry, the Pharisees and the Essenes. To see the panorama of BibleDig info on this topic, check out the BibleDig 360: Pharisees & Essenes.
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