When did Judaism begin? Prof. Yonatan Adler - The Origins of Judaism [4K]

"When did Judaism begin?" is not a naive question. Every answer to this question would require presenting an acceptable definition of Judaism. Not an easy task. There are many definitions. Most (or all) of them are the subjects of fierce and never ending debates.
Prof Yonatan Adler of the Ariel University, face this challenge in his new book, The Origins of Judaism, which has already attracted much attention. In his study, he deals bravely with the definition of Judaism and then determines the time and place of its emergence.
On this talk with Alex, Prof Adler presents the methodology of his study, explains his analysis and shares his surprising conclusion: Judaism was probably widely adopted in the times of the Hasmonean dynasty throughout the second century BCE.
Now, is this early or late?

Yonatan Adler is associate professor in the department of Land of Israel Studies and Archaeology at Ariel University in Israel. He is a member of the State of Israel's Council for Archaeology since 2018.
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Q&A session with professor Yonatan Adler that follows up this episode
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A link to purchase Prof. Adler’s new book The Origins of Judaism: An Archaeological-Historical Reappraisal
(affiliated):
Kindle
Hardcover

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#jewishpeople
#history
#ancient
#archeology
#bible
#religion
#lecture
#jewish
#judaism
#historyfacts
#ted
#lecture
#interview

[KEDEMChannel]

A link to purchase Prof. Adler’s new book The Origins of Judaism: An Archaeological-Historical Reappraisal
(affiliated):
Kindle
Hardcover

[ortho-g]

I once heard a Jewish scholar say that "we entered Babylon as Israelites and we left there as Jews."

[rapier]

It is a revelation to me to come to grips with the fact that Judaism is not nearly as old as I thought. Very informative video thanks for posting.

[notanemoprog]

Very well structured and ably conducted interview of a well-known and highly respected archaeologist on a difficult topic that people feel great attachment to! Adler's book is bound to be debated for years to come. Thank you to the interviewer Mr. Alex Tseitlin and I hope to see many more such illuminating contributions in the future!

[ianbrowne]

I have just discovered this channel - what a treat! i did my theology degree at Cambridge over 4O years ago - I just wish the lectures i heard then were as riveting as this one! Very clear explanation of the methodology and as with most religious history things look so much simpler when viewed at a distance. For Jews and Christians this opens up so many possibilities!

[MBiernat]

What a surprise. I always thought Judaism an “ancient” religion— especially compared to Christianity— but — Christianity emerging less than 300 years after Judaism?? Completely unexpected

[inmyopinion]

Judaism today is not same as it was in OT is what I am getting from this which makes sense. The destruction of the temple in 70AD changed a lot about Judaism. I love looking at religion from a academics standpoint like this

[petergross]

Admirable is the amount of work Professor Adler put into this research. One of my science professors taught me that when one looks to observe specific things then one is only going to find those things, or not. Therefore, the correlation of such observations with other observations of a different perspective is made difficult by the incompleteness intrinsic in such an approach. In fact, Professor Adler points this out himself. Thank you for all your intriguing work, Professor Adler.

[matthewstewart]

Thank you, Kedem, and Professor Yonatan Adler. very informative and well spoken. I personally would like a series like this one on all the world religions. Given the data available. Again Thank you.

[oftin_wong]

Very very interesting had me to the end.
Love to see good science and religion together and not just biblical bias

[kenmcclellan]

In the 3rd century BC, about the time the Torah was cobbled together from ancient texts at Alexandria, an Egyptian priest named Manetho said Judaism had originally been formed by an Osirian priest who changed his name from Osarseph and led a group of Sethians out of Avaris. So it is apparent that the Hebrews were appropriating snippets of literature and history going back a thousand years as their foundation myth.

Interestingly, you can find pagan carved stones of the Heron (parent of Horus the Brave) in the Rift Valley of Israel just at Mt Horeb is its image on a grand scale. You can find Egyptian scarabs in Canaan seemingly spelling out divine names. We can find statues and drawings of Asherah. And in the north, we can find mosaic zodiacs even in the synagogue! So sometime betweeen the 3rd century BC and the time of Jesus, Sethian sage traditions going back at least a thousand years are being hidden or driven underground by monotheist iconoclasts.

Jesus was, apparently, one attempting to bring back the wisom tradition. A great Seth image is engraved on his tomb (see the left side of the facade of the Talpiot Tomb). Several ancient historians carry the story of the donkey god's statue being found in the Temple when it was invaded in the 2nd century BC.

The rise of Seth at the demise of Orion/Osiris can be found around the world. I could show you proof among the Maya, the Ojuelans and the Nyonyosi. But it appears to be a sudden reversal of the Milky Way -- a Creation story. It is the rise of Lepus and the fall of Orion such is due again to occur in the approaching Apocalypse. The Bundahisn, chapter 4, says in the Taurian apocalypse the sky turned right. This time, it will turn left and an equatorial landmass -- some suspect India --will find itself at the new north pole.

[holysquire]

Judaism partially transitioned from a national identity to a religious identity: From Israelite to Jew

[lloydgush]

Regardless of the definition, you never find the beginning, only the earliest version you can find.

[pmichael]

A masterful presentation of controversial ideas that few could take offense at. Fascinating, and a starting point for further learning.

[elizabethmorton]

Excellent video/interview!! Thank you so much for your work!

[hannojaanniidas]

Initially, I was shocked by Dr Adler's exposition because I thought Judaism was much older by some 600 years, but I'm persuaded by his arguments and the evidence he mounts, which is extensive. I'm a convert ! I've always had a hunch that the Hasmodian Dynasty played a key role in the rise of Judaism, but now I understand that it's key to forming the notion of Jewish statehood.

[ADEpoch]

This was a really good interview, thanks. I found it quite funny that you said that around 1st century CE even the Romans didn't put the emperor's figure on coins minted in Judea. It means that NT story of the "Who's image is on the coin... Render to Caesar..." blah blah blah, is a load of rubbish.

[Yohanan]

I have listened to that interview, and read many of the comments. It baffles me that almost everyone is asking questions based on false premises. Everybody seems to confuse Torah teachings with Judaism. Some even use the idea of "Jews" in the sixth century BCE. This amount of confusion is a result of Rabbinical Judaism which emerged out of the Talmud and the Mishnah way after the return from captivity. The Nomer "Judaism" did not even exist back then. No one thought of a religion called Judaism. The people that went and came out of Egypt were not Jews. They were Israelites: children of Jacob (Israel). They were named by the patriarchal name of each tribe, examples: Danites, Levites, Ephraimites, Benjamites, etc. All Jews are Israelites, but all Israelites are not Jews. The kingdom of the North wasn't known as Jews. They were Israelites.

In the South we had Judah. The children of Benjamin had joined themselves to the tribe of Judah; thefore, their identity became fused with that of the Yahudim. Some of the Levites had also joined the house of David. Prophetically, the scepter would not depart from Judah. Thus the Law stayed with Judah.

Therefore, since the latest powers that conquered the children of Israel, were dealing with the children of Judah, from Nebuchadnezzar to Cyrus to the Greeks (Hellenist Antichus Epiphanes), then the Romans, they thus called the sort of what Jews were doing as the religion of Judah, or the religion of the Jews. Only children of Judah are Jews. This is what Rabbinical Judaism deliberately doesn't tell people. The misinformation is so pervasive that I've heard remarks regarding Jacob and even Abraham being Jews. Can you imagine? They also want you to beleive that you are Jewish by your mother, only, which automatically excludes the 12 sons of Jacob, 99% of today's Jews, the converted sons of Ashkenaz (Ashkenazi Jews who look different from Middleastern Jews, to this day).

The concept of a religion called Judaism is wholly recent, and different from authentic Torah teachings. Of course, most people don't know that, for they only regurgitate what Rabbi or Rambam so and so says. They all replaced the mitzvots of HaShem Elohim by their own teachings, so that they can receive honor from one another. According to prophet Isaiah they've caused my people to forget my Name. This is why, for those of you who don't know, they teach Judaists to say HaShem, meaning the Name, as though HaShem means G'd, which is false; but, what is His Name? They won't tell you?
There is so much more to say. We don't have enough space, here.

[shelleyhender]

What an enjoyable presentation…so appreciate your videos and all the effort you put into seeking out scholars and approaching such wonderful topics! Thank you again!🇨🇦☺🇮🇱

[fay]

I only found your channel today as I was searching for Prof Finkelstein’s work, then I found a video with Prof Adler and then another one with Prof Maeir. I look forward to learning more about this ancient history from more scholars.
Thank you for bringing this scholarly work to the public 🙏.