But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in.
Matthew 23:13

Our Rabbis have taught: There are seven types of Pharisees... one who performs the action of Shechem... one who knocks his feet together... one who makes his blood to flow against walls... 'pestle' Pharisee [His head] is bowed like [a pestle in] a mortar. The Pharisee [who constantly exclaims] 'What is my duty that I may perform it?' - but that is a virtue! - Nay, what he says is, 'What further duty is for me that I may perform it?' The Pharisee from love and the Pharisee from fear.

'Fear not the Pharisees and the non-Pharisees but the hypocrites who ape the Pharisees; because their deeds are the deeds of Zimri but they expect a reward like Phineas.'
b.Sotah 22b

Then Yeshua spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples, saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do.
Matthew 23:1

Preconceptions and Bias

• Dominate NT theology revolves around the perceived contest between “Judaism” and “Christianity.” Believing in “two religions” biased the theolgians and translators. Finding the Apostolic Scriptures written in Greek sends seminaries etc. to study Greek philosophy to understand Scriptures recorded by Jewish men.
• Luke 24:53; Acts 2:1-2, 42, 46-47; Acts 3:1: The disciples of Yeshua continued worshipping in the Temple, engaging in the sacrifices (xref Acts 22:22-23-24), and the Prayers. They considered themselves to be a part of Judaism, not a new religion.
• Acts 24:10-16; 25:7-8; 28:17-22: Paul never did anything against the customs of the “fathers” – his halaka was in line?
• The early believers were well received by the rest of Judaism up until just before the destruction of the Temple in 70 CE.
• Yeshua commanded His followers to heed what the Pharisees said.

Ezra and the Great Assembly

• Pharisaism comes from the time of Ezra and the Great Assembly (~400 BCE).
• Ezra instituted the Synagogue and discipleship system.
• Pharisees made up largely of non-Levites and other “common” folk.
• Theologically, Paul had no shift after Damascus.

Miracle Workers of the Galil Region

• In the late First Century BCE and following, the Galil Region (Galilee) had a number of famous “miracle worker” Pharisees. They had active healing and exorcision ministries.
• Choni ha Me’aggel [the Circle Drawer]; and Chanina ben Dosa are notable “Chasidim” [pious ones].
• Choni’s “chutzpah” of praying in faith mirrors the “chutzpah” of Yeshua’s disciple’s prayers for healing etc.

Hillel

• A First Century CE tanna [proto-rabbi]. He was originally from Babylon and moved to the Land. He ended up as Nasi of the Sanhedrin. He died when Yeshua was about 14.
• Spent all his time during festivals in the Temple discussing Scripture.
• His approach to Scripture was literal, albeit gracious. His gentle influence on Pharisaism made it favorable to the underclass.
• Famous for the golden rule (“don’t do to others what is hateful to you”) and “teaching Torah while standing on one foot” (Torah summed in “love your neighbor”).

Gamliel the Elder

• Grandson of Hillel. “Rabban” [great teacher/instructor]. He was Paul’s instructor, and was sympathetic to early followers of Yeshua. Much like Hillel, he was favored by common people.
• He enlarged his academy to accommodate study in Greek, and Greek literature (hence, Paul’s familiarity with them).

Yochanan ben Zakkai

• “John son of Zacheus.” A short man. He was a disciple of Hillel and Hillel identified him early on as a great teacher. He was about the same age as Yeshua and they would no doubt would have met.
• His teachings are remarkably similar to Yeshua’s in Matthew 6-8. He was the first to greet everyone on the street, including Gentiles. He was extremely pious and gracious.
• He had 5 principle disciples.
• He saved the Sanhedrin when in 70 CE, he was smuggled out of Jerusalem in a coffin. Vespasian let him reconstitute the Sanhedrin in Yavneh.

Eliezer ben Hyrcanus

• The prominent disciple of Yochanan ben Zakkai. He was born into a wealthy Levite family. He was younger than Paul, but they would have known each other. The Talmud quotes Eliezer more than any other tanna. He best reflected the theology and deeds of Hillel, and Yochanan.
• Yochanan called him “the cistern that does not lose a drop.” He was disowned by his father for becoming a disciple of Yochanan.
• Although all of the First Century House of Hillel teachers were similar in teaching etc. to Yeshua’s disciples, the Talmud records that Eliezer was associated with the “minim” [believers in Messiah Yeshua]
• He was excommunicated because of a “halakkic” debate – accused of getting halaka from one of Yeshua’s disciples.
• Sayings:
  • Let your friend’s reputation be as dear to you as your own.
  • Do not be provoked to anger.
  • Repent one day before your death (i.e. today), since tomorrow my be your last day on earth. Avot 2:5
  • Whoever has a piece of bread in his basket and complains by saying, “What will I eat tomorrow.” is one of little faith. Sotah 48b

Summary

• Studying the tannaim of the First Century is a better way to understand Yeshua’s words than studying Plato or Greek philosophy. Difficult and obscure passages become clear.
• Studying Paul’s theology is best understood when you understand the issues of the day, and Pharisaic theology. Paul remained a Pharisee. All of Yeshua’s disciples had similar views of Scripture to Pharisees.
• The context of the “Apostolic Scriptures” is not “Christianity vs Judaism” – it is “the religion/faith of the Bible vs the kingdom of darkness.” Christianity as distinct from Judaism did not exist until after the Apostolic Scriptures were written.