We began our lesson with a discussion of denominationalism i.e. whether there has always been only one normative Judaism. One of the earliest examples of streams of Judaism, or as Josephus Flavius terms them, "schools of thought", rose during the time of the Hasmoneans, and lasted until the destruction of the Temple in 70 CE. The two major sects were the Pharisees (who enjoyed large popular support) and the Sadducees (who tended to represent the Priestly class and the economic elites). We examined some of the doctrinal differences between them, for example the question of the validity of the Oral Law, which was accepted by the Pharisees, but rejected by the Sadducees. The different interpretations, sometimes technical in nature (e.g. when do we start counting the Omer) reflect deep ideological and theological differences.
Ultimately the Pharisaic traditions are those which survived and laid the foundations for Rabbinic Judaism.
Ultimately the Pharisaic traditions are those which survived and laid the foundations for Rabbinic Judaism.