Reading Instruction as a Sectarian Composition
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John Kampen
Abstract
While most scholars engaged in the study of the wisdom texts from Qumran regard Instruction as a pre-sectarian composition, there has been a minority who regarded it as the composition of persons related to the Yaḥad or some similar structure. Similarities to the texts of the Hodayot and the Community Rule have frequently been noted, the interpretation of their significance for a sectarian reading of Instruction the subject of a variety of interpretations. This paper rather examines Instruction from a sociological perspective, evaluating the level of tension exhibited within the text to its sociocultural environment. Such an examination employs the criteria of difference, antagonism, and separation. This results in a conclusion suggesting that Instruction demonstrates the level of tension characteristic of sectarian groups in Second Temple Judaism but also illustrates that the literature identified as sectarian does not all point to one homogeneous group.
Abstract
While most scholars engaged in the study of the wisdom texts from Qumran regard Instruction as a pre-sectarian composition, there has been a minority who regarded it as the composition of persons related to the Yaḥad or some similar structure. Similarities to the texts of the Hodayot and the Community Rule have frequently been noted, the interpretation of their significance for a sectarian reading of Instruction the subject of a variety of interpretations. This paper rather examines Instruction from a sociological perspective, evaluating the level of tension exhibited within the text to its sociocultural environment. Such an examination employs the criteria of difference, antagonism, and separation. This results in a conclusion suggesting that Instruction demonstrates the level of tension characteristic of sectarian groups in Second Temple Judaism but also illustrates that the literature identified as sectarian does not all point to one homogeneous group.
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- Preface: In memoriam Géza G. Xeravits (1971–2019) VII
- Contents IX
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Part 1: Old Testament and Early Judaism
- “From the Heavens, From the Earth” 1
- Different Texts and Different Interpretations of “Exile” 29
- Effaced and Naturalized Modes of Jewish Reading: The Judah and Tamar Story (Genesis 38), the Book of Jubilees, and Robert Alter 45
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Part 2: Qumran
- The Two Spirits and the Origin of Evil 63
- Reading Instruction as a Sectarian Composition 75
- Thoughts on the Way towards “Prolegomena” to an Introduction to the Writings of the Dead Sea Scrolls 93
- Levi, Levites and Worship in Qumran 107
- Children Confined in the House of Darkness 119
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Part 3: Deuterocanonica
- “Narrate omnia mirabilia eius” (Tob 12:20 Vg) 153
- The Rhetorical Function of Burying the Dead in the Book of Tobit 161
- Das Wortfeld „Sterben“ im 2. Makkabäerbuch 177
- The Topic of Intercession in Second Temple Judaism 189
- What’s in a Name? 207
- Des Menschen Wohltat und Gottes Wohlwollen 223
- “Better”–Proverbs in the Book of Ben Sira 241
- “When the Lord created his works from the beginning” (Sir 16:26a) 255
- “Pillars of Gold on Plinths of Silver. . .” (Sir 26:18) 265
- Ben Sira 36:18–37:15: the Art of Choosing 283
- The Enigma of the Judges in Ben Sira 46: 11–12 315
- Bethesda in Sirach 50 revised 335
- Is Wisdom in Baruch 3:9–4:4 Combined with Torah? 351
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Part 4: Cognate Literature
- Good and Bad Angels in the Vitae Prophetarum 371
- “All Is Vanity, Saith the Preacher” 389
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Part 5: Antique Synagogue
- An Evolutionary Perspective on Temple, Synagogue, and Ekklēsia with Special Focus on Paul 401
- Bibliography of Géza G. Xeravits 433
- List of Contributors 441
- Index of Modern Authors 443
- Index of Sources 451
- Index of Subjects 477
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- Preface: In memoriam Géza G. Xeravits (1971–2019) VII
- Contents IX
-
Part 1: Old Testament and Early Judaism
- “From the Heavens, From the Earth” 1
- Different Texts and Different Interpretations of “Exile” 29
- Effaced and Naturalized Modes of Jewish Reading: The Judah and Tamar Story (Genesis 38), the Book of Jubilees, and Robert Alter 45
-
Part 2: Qumran
- The Two Spirits and the Origin of Evil 63
- Reading Instruction as a Sectarian Composition 75
- Thoughts on the Way towards “Prolegomena” to an Introduction to the Writings of the Dead Sea Scrolls 93
- Levi, Levites and Worship in Qumran 107
- Children Confined in the House of Darkness 119
-
Part 3: Deuterocanonica
- “Narrate omnia mirabilia eius” (Tob 12:20 Vg) 153
- The Rhetorical Function of Burying the Dead in the Book of Tobit 161
- Das Wortfeld „Sterben“ im 2. Makkabäerbuch 177
- The Topic of Intercession in Second Temple Judaism 189
- What’s in a Name? 207
- Des Menschen Wohltat und Gottes Wohlwollen 223
- “Better”–Proverbs in the Book of Ben Sira 241
- “When the Lord created his works from the beginning” (Sir 16:26a) 255
- “Pillars of Gold on Plinths of Silver. . .” (Sir 26:18) 265
- Ben Sira 36:18–37:15: the Art of Choosing 283
- The Enigma of the Judges in Ben Sira 46: 11–12 315
- Bethesda in Sirach 50 revised 335
- Is Wisdom in Baruch 3:9–4:4 Combined with Torah? 351
-
Part 4: Cognate Literature
- Good and Bad Angels in the Vitae Prophetarum 371
- “All Is Vanity, Saith the Preacher” 389
-
Part 5: Antique Synagogue
- An Evolutionary Perspective on Temple, Synagogue, and Ekklēsia with Special Focus on Paul 401
- Bibliography of Géza G. Xeravits 433
- List of Contributors 441
- Index of Modern Authors 443
- Index of Sources 451
- Index of Subjects 477
