The most complete definition of sanctified war and of its principles and methods in ancient Israel is found in chapter 20 of Deuteronomy. Here God dictates to Moses and the Israelites the rules for the war to be waged against the pagan Seven Nations residing in Canaan, the land that God had promised to Israel. Deuteronomy 20 proved to be a most vital and influent literary model until the period between the two Jewish revolts against Rome: according to the narratives of 1 and 2 Maccabees, Josephus, and the Megillat Antiokhus, the Maccabees and the Hasmoneans conducted their wars for independence and expansion of Israel in rigorous keeping with the divine commands for warfare against pagans that are listed in Deuteronomy 20; these are fully reconfirmed in the Temple Scroll from Qumran as well. After the momentous defeat of the second Jewish revolt, the new rabbinic leading class became concerned that Scripture might no longer be used to legitimate any patriotic drive within Israel. Rabbinic literature therefore testifies to a gradual, methodical effort to defuse the belligerent message of Deuteronomy 20 on different levels: i. the choice of the books that were to be accepted as canonical Scripture; ii. the interpretation of Scripture; iii. liturgy and homily.
Abstract
Autori: | ||
Data di pubblicazione: | Being printed | |
Titolo: | From Bad Example to Good Advice: Reading and Reworking Deuteronomy 20 in Late Antique Judaism | |
Titolo del libro: | Creative Fidelity, Faithful Creativity | |
Appare nelle tipologie: | 3.1 Articolo su libro |
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File | Descrizione | Tipologia | Licenza | |
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Capelli Naples 2017 Deut. 20 for proceedings - Jun2018.docx | Dattiloscritto finale approvato per la stampa. | Documento in Pre-print | Accesso chiuso-personale | Open Access Visualizza/Apri |