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Tertullian, "On Idolatry" and Mishnah "Avodah Zarah": Questioning the Parting of the Ways between Christians and Jews PDF

269 Pages·2012·2.716 MB·English
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Tertullian, On Idolatry and Mishnah Avodah Zarah Jewish and Christian Perspectives Series Editorial Board David Golinkin – Alberdina Houtman Marcel Poorthuis – Joshua Schwartz Freek van der Steen Advisory Board Yehoyada Amir – David Berger – Shaye Cohen Judith Frishman – Martin Goodman Clemens Leonhard – Tobias Nicklas – Eyal Regev Gerard Rouwhorst – Seth Schwartz – Yossi Turner VoLuME 22 The titles published in this series are listed at brill.com/jcp Tertullian, On Idolatry and Mishnah Avodah Zarah Questioning the Parting of the Ways between Christians and Jews By Stéphanie E. Binder LEiDEN • BoSToN 2012 Bar-Ilan University, Israel University of Tilburg: Faculty of Catholic Theology, The Netherlands Schechter Institute of Jewish Studies, Israel IBnagre-biloarng u Rneinvenresritty C aeftnetre rth feo ri nJegreubsoarlge mRe Sntnuedrtie Cs,e Instreare flor Jerusalem Bar-Ilan University, Israel Studies Bar-Ilan University, Israel The editors gratefully ack noUwulnendiivgveee rtrhssieit tyfyi n ooaffn cTTiaiilllb bsuuurprgpg:o :F rFta aocfcu ultthlytey oI onf gfCe bCaotrahgto hRloiecln iTnce hTret hoCleeoongtlyeor,g fyo,r Jerusalem Studies. TThhee NNeetthheerrllaannddss University of Tilburg: Faculty of Catholic Theology, This boo k is printed on STaPcchrhioedet -ceNfhsretetaetehnr p etI raTnlpahsetneirtdo.ulsoteg iocfa lJ euwniisvhe rSsittuyd, iTehs,e I Nsreatehlerlands Library o f Congress CaIStSnaccglhhoeeegbcciohnhrtgtgee- rirRn Ii-ennPnssutntiibtetuulrittcte eaC tooiefofn nJJtee eDwwr iaifssothhar SSJteturuuddisieaesls,e, miIssr raSaeteluldies, Israel TIhnet ereadcittoio rsn bgeratwteefuenlly J uadIcankinsgmoewb aolenrdgdg ReC ehtnhrniese trifati nnCaitenync iitnael r h fsiosutrpo Jpreyor,r urts ealoilgfe imothn Se, tauIrdnt giaeensb,d oI rslgrita eeRrlaetnunreer t/ eCdeintteedr for JTebryhu esM aedlaeitrmocre sS lg tPuraodtoeiefrustl.hlyu aisc,k nJoowshleudag eS tchhe wfinaarntzci,a Jl ossueppphor tT oufr tnhee rI.ngeborg Rennert Center for Jerusalem Studies. p. cm. — (Jewish and Christian perspectives series ; v. 17) LT ibhrIean recdyli uotodfr seC sgo rbnaitgebrflueilsolsyg Craaackptnaholiowcgalielnd rggee- iftnehr-ePe fnuincbaelniscc.a iatli osnup Dpoartta of the Ingeborg Rennert Center for Jerusalem Studies. This book is printed on acid-free paper. ISBN 978-90-04-17150-3 (hardback : alk. paper) Binder, Stephanie E. 1. Judaism--Relations--Christianity—History. 2. Christianity and other religions—  TTheisr tbuolloiakn i,s o pnr iidnoteladt royn a ancdi dM-firsehen apha p‘Aevro.dah zarah : questioning the parting of the ways between LJuibdraaisrmy —of HCiostnogrrye. s sI .C Paotoarlothguinisg, -Min-aPrcuebll,i c1a9t5io5n- IDI.a Stachwartz, Joshua. III. Turner, Joseph. Christians and Jews in late antiquity / by Stephanie E. Binder.   p. cm. — (Jewish and Christian perspectives series ; v. 22)  IL nBiitbnMercrala5urc3ydt 5ieoo.sfIn b4 Cib8b5eolti6now gg2err0eea0nsps8 h J Cuicdaaatla irsleomfge iranengnd-ci enCs- hParnuidsbt liiiancndaitetixyo. nin D haitsatory, religion, art and literature / edited  b y2i S9MB6N.a3r ’9c97e68l 0-P99o0—o-0rd4th-c2u232i4s ,7 8Jo-9s h(aulak .S pcahpwear)r t—z, JiSoBseNp 9h7 T8-u9r0n-0e4r.-23548-9 (e-book) 1 .I Tn et er tr upa l.c l itc ai mo n n ,. c —b a e . t1 w 6( J0 ee – ew cn ia s J.h u2 d3a 0an . id sD m C e iha d nr o id sl ot iC la a nh t r r ip iase.t ri 2as.p nieditcoytl iaivnter syh .s i3set.r oMierysis, ;hr vne.la i1gh 7i.o )A nv,o adrath a zn adr aliht—eraCturi2rt0eic 0/is8 me0d3, i1te2d9 5 in btyeI rMnpcraleurtcdaeteils oP nbo,i oberltitcoh. g4ur.i asC,p hJhoriiscshtaiula arne iSfteycr haewnndac erotstz.h , eJro rseelpighi oTnusr—neJur.daism. 5. Judaism—Relations— C hrI iSstBipaN.n ci m9ty7.. 8 i—.- T9i 0 t(-lJe0e.4 w-i1s7h1 a5n0d-3 C (hharirsdtibaanc kp e: rasplke. cptiavpees rs)e ries ; v. 17) 1.I n Jculduadiessm b-i-bRlieolagtriaopnhs-ic-Calh rreifsetiraennictyes—. History. 2. Christianity and other religions—  BR65.T349B56 2012 J udIaSiBsmN— 97H8i-s9to0r-0y.4 -I1. 7P1o5o0r-t3h u(hisa, rMdbaarccke l,: 1al9k5. 5p-a IpIe. rS) chwartz, Joshua. III. Turner, Joseph.  261.2’609015—dc23 1. Judaism--Relations--Christianity—History. 2. Christianity and other religions— 2012031142 J uBdMai5sm35—.I4H8i5st6o 2ry0. 0 I8. Poorthuis, Marcel, 1955- II. Schwartz, Joshua. III. Turner, Joseph. 296.3’9609—dc22 B M 5 3 5 . I 4 8 5 6 2 0 0 8 2008031295 296.3’9609—dc22 TIhSiSs Npu b1li3ca8t8io-2n0 h7a4s been typeset in the multilingual “Brill” typeface. With over 5,100 characters 2008031295 cIoSvBeNrin g 9L7a8ti n9,0 i P0A4 ,1 G7r1e5e0k ,3 and Cyrillic, this typeface is especially suitable for use in the humanities. For more information, please see www.brill.com/brill-typeface. Copyright 2009 by Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden, The Netherlands. iSSN 1388-2074 Koninklijke Brill NV incorporates the imprints Brill, Hotei Publishing, iSBN 978-90-04-23478-9 (hardback) IDC Publishers, Martinus Nijhoff Publishers and VSP. iSBN 978-90-04-23548-9 (e-book) CAolpl yrrigighhtts 2re0s12e rbvye dK.o Nnion kplaijrkte o Bf rtihlli sN pVu, Lbeliicdaetnio, nT hme aNye bthee rrelapnrodds.uced, translated, stored in Kao rneitnrkielivjakel sByrsitlel mN,V o irn ctroarnpsomraittetes dt hine iamnpy rfionrtms B orirl lb, yG laonbya lm oeraienns,t aell,e Hctortoeni iPc,u mblieschhinagn,ical, ISSN 1388-2074 ipDhCo Ptoucbolpisyhienrgs, arnecdo Mrdairntgin ours oNtihjheorwffi sPeu, bwliisthheorus.t prior written permission from the publisher. ISBN 978 90 04 17150 3 AISll SrNigh ts1 r3e8s8er-2ve0d7.4 No part of this publication may be reproduced, translated, stored in Authorization to photocopy items for internal or personal use is granted by Koninklijke Brill NV aCI SroeBptNryier ivga9hl7 ts 8y2 s09t0e0m9 0 b,4 oy 1 rK 7t1roa5nn0isn m3kliitjtkeed Binr ialln Ny Vfo, rLme iodre nby, Tanhye mNeeathnes,r lealnecdtsr.onic, mechanical, provided that the appropriate fees are paid directly to The Copyright Clearance Center, pKhoontoincokpliyjkine gB, rrielcl oNrdVin ign coorr optohreartwesis teh, ew iimthporuitn tpsr iBorri lwl, rHittoetne ip Perumbliissshioinng f,rom the publisher. 222 Rosewood Drive, Suite 910, Danvers, MA 01923, USA. ICDoCpy Priugbhlti s2h0e0rs9, bMy aKrtoinnuins kNliijjkheo Bffr iPllu NblVis, hLeerisd aennd, TVhSeP .Netherlands. AFuetehso arrizea stuiobnj etcot pthoo cthocaonpgye .items for internal or personal use is granted by Koninklijke Brill NV Koninklijke Brill NV incorporates the imprints Brill, Hotei Publishing, provided that the appropriate fees are paid directly to The Copyright Clearance Center, AIDll Cri gPhutbs lrisehseerrvs,e dM. aNroti npuasr tN oifjh tohfifs Ppuubblliischaetirosn a nmda yV bSeP .reproduced, translated, stored in 2p2r2i nRtoesdew ino otdh De rniveet,h Seuriltea n9d10s, Danvers, MA 01923, uSA. a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, Fees are subject to change. pAhllo rtiogchotps yriensge,r vreecdo. rNdoin pg aorrt ootfh tehriws ipsue,b wlicitahtoiount mpraioyr b we rriettperno dpuercmedis, stiroann sfrlaotmed t,h seto pruedb liinsher. Tah rise tbroieovka li ss ypsrtienmte,d o or nt raacnidsm-friettee dp aipne ar.ny form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, Aphuothtoocroizpaytiinong, troe pcohrodtioncgo poyr iottehmers wfoisre i,n wteirtnhaolu ot rp prieorrs ownrailt tuesne pise grrmainstseiodn b fyr oKmo nthinek pliujkbel iBshriellr .NV provided that the appropriate fees are paid directly to The Copyright Clearance Center, 2A2u2t hRooriszeawtiooond t oD prihvoet, oScuoiptey 9it1e0m, sD foarn ivnetresr, nMalA o r0 p1e9r2s3o,n UalS uAse. is granted by Koninklijke Brill NV Fpereosv iadreed s uthbajet ctth eto a cphparnogper.iate fees are paid directly to The Copyright Clearance Center, 222 Rosewood Drive, Suite 910, Danvers, MA 01923, USA. pFreienst aerde isnu btjheec tn teot chhearnlgaen.ds printed in the netherlands CoNTENTS Acknowledgments  .......................................................................................... ix introduction  ..................................................................................................... 1 PART oNE GENERAL BACKGRouND 1. Christians in Carthage  ............................................................................. 7 2. Jews in Carthage: Between Palestine and the Diaspora  ............... 11 3. The “Parting of the Ways”  ....................................................................... 21 Making the Borderlines Clearer Following the Destruction  of the Temple  ................................................................................... 22 obvious Separation between Judaism and Christianity  Does Not Prevent ongoing Contacts  ........................................ 26 Judaism and Christianity Remain intertwined  ........................... 29 The Failure  ............................................................................................. 35 The Comparison of Tertullian’s De Idolatria with Massekhet Avodah Zarah as a Case Study  ................................................... 37 4. Scholarship on the Possible Jewish influence on Tertullian’s Texts  ......................................................................................................... 39 Claiming a Jewish influence on Tertullian  ................................... 39 Denying Jewish influence on Tertullian  ........................................ 44 PART TWo DiRECT CoNTExT 5. Tertullian’s Heresies  ................................................................................. 49 A Jewish Experience?  .......................................................................... 49 A Particular Case in a Particular Environment  ........................... 52 Montanist Schism?  .............................................................................. 53 What Kind of Montanism Did Tertullian Know?  ...................... 57 vi contents 6. Tertullian’s Place among other Christian Authors: Views on idolatry in Comparison  ................................................... 61 A Short Survey of the Different Ways the Pagans Envisaged Their idols  ......................................................................................... 61  Logical Explanations  ...................................................................... 61  Critics of Religion ............................................................................ 63  The Symbolists  ................................................................................. 64 Generalities  ............................................................................................ 67 The Character of the Speech on idols  ........................................... 68 other Common Themes  .................................................................... 75  Miscellaneous  ................................................................................... 75  immorality in idolatry  ................................................................... 81  on the Jews’ observances and on Meats offered to idols  82 7. Tertullian in a Graeco-Roman World  ................................................. 89 The Nature of Philosophy from the First to the Third Century ce  ........................................................................................ 89 Tertullian and Stoicism  ...................................................................... 90 Direct Cultural influences on Tertullian  ...................................... 92 8. The issue of the Jews’ involvement within the Wider Graeco-Roman World  ...................................................................... 104 The Jews and the Graeco-Roman World  ...................................... 104 Final Remarks about the Background of the Comparison  ...... 106  The Maccabees and Figurative Representations  ................... 106 openness and Withdrawal  ................................................................ 107 PART THREE TERTuLLiAN AND THE JEWS oN iDoLATRY introduction to Part Three  ........................................................................... 113 9. Comparison  ................................................................................................. 117 Social Relationships  ............................................................................ 117  Public Festivals  ................................................................................ 117  Private Festivals  ............................................................................... 122 Commensality  ................................................................................ 127 immorality in idolatry  ................................................................. 130 contents vii other Entertainments  .................................................................. 134 Bathhouses  ................................................................................. 134 Shows and Games  .................................................................... 136 Garments  ..................................................................................... 140 Commercial Relationships  ............................................................... 142 The Name of the idols  ................................................................. 142 “The Alleged Ban on Greek Wisdom” ................................. 142 Practical Applications When Living among the  Pagans  ..................................................................................... 144 Trading Products ............................................................................ 152 outsmarting the Law?  ............................................................. 152 Working with the Pagans  ....................................................... 159 Neutral Space  ....................................................................................... 167 The Lure of idolatry  ...................................................................... 167 Dedication to idolatry  .................................................................. 177 Coexistence  ..................................................................................... 182 Finding the Neutral Space  ...................................................... 183 Justifying the Neutral Space  .................................................. 189 10. Contribution of the Comparison: Jews and    Christians in Contact  ......................................................................... 195 Did Jewish and Christian Communities Meet in Carthage?  197 Tertullian’s Feelings towards the Jews  ......................................... 201 Does Tertullian Refer to Real Jews?  .............................................. 203 Do the Results of the Comparison Challenge Common opinions about “Jewish Proselytism”?  .................................... 207 Jews and Christians Allied against the Pagans  .......................... 214 Conclusions ....................................................................................................... 217 APPENDiCES Appendix one identification of the Festivals Quoted in Mishnah Avodah Zarah i, 3  ..................................................................................... 221 Appendix Two Genousia and other Celebrations  ............................ 224 Appendix Three intermarriage .................................................................. 226 Appendix Four תואיסומיב  ....................................................................... 228 Appendix Five Mandell vs. Lieberman  ................................................. 230 Appendix Six Clothing  ............................................................................... 233 viii contents Bibliography  ..................................................................................................... 235 index of Sources  .............................................................................................. 247 General index  ................................................................................................... 253 ACKNoWLEDGMENTS This book is a slightly revised version of my Ph.D. dissertation (2009), which was written under the supervision of Prof. Ranon Katzoff, from my home Department of Classical Studies in Bar-ilan university, and Prof. Albert Baumgarten, from the Department of Jewish History (Bar-ilan university). i would like to acknowledge their very patient and helpful support from my very first reflections on the subject up to its present shape. in addition, i wish to thank Prof. David Schaps, former chairman of the Department of Classical Studies, for his good advice in a number of different fields and Dr. Gabriel Danzig, current head of the department, for his help in the last stages of the revision of the present work. i would like to thank my edi- tors, especially Dr. Susan Weingarten, for the tireless and invaluable work they provided to make this work pleasurable reading. i am also indebted to numerous scholars whom i contacted to discuss issues in which they specialise, or whose works i consulted to enrich my knowledge in differ- ent areas. Though i do not always quote their remarks or mention them personally in the final version of this work, i want to express my gratitude for their attention and desire to help. A special thanks is dedicated to the rabbis of the institute for Advanced Torah Studies of Bar-ilan university for their teaching and encouragement throughout my studies. Moreover, my thoughts go to the relatives and friends who supported the elaboration of my work in varied ways. i am grateful to the editors of the Brill series Jewish and Christian perspectives for their various comments, and particularly to Prof. Joshua Schwartz, who was appointed as one of the judges of my doc- toral dissertation and, trusting it could become a book intended for a wide audience, urged me to revise it. Finally, special thanks are dedicated to the Memorial Foundation for Jewish Culture and to the Center for Research in Jewish History of the Ben Zvi institute of Jerusalem for the financial support that enabled me to revise my dissertation for publication.

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