Rabbinic prayer in late antiquity

doi:10.1017/CHOL9780521772488.024

22 - Rabbinic prayer in late antiquity

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 28 March 2008

Reuven Kimelman

Edited by

Steven T. Katz

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Reuven Kimelman: Affiliation:
Department of Near Eastern and Judaic Studies, Brandeis University, Boston
Steven T. Katz: Affiliation:
Boston University

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Summary

THE CHARACTER OF RABBINICAL PRAYER

Worship of God in the rabbinic period differs from that of the biblical period in its conceptualization of the synagogue and prayer. Practically, this shift is most noticeable in the role of the synagogue, the content and the modalities of the rabbinic liturgy, the role of the precentor, and that of the priests. Theologically, the shift is most noticeable in its central liturgical affirmation that the God of Israel is the King of the world.

THE SYNAGOGUE AND PRAYER

With the destruction of the Temple in 70 ce the center of Jewish worship shifted to the synagogue. There is disagreement among modern scholars and ancient practitioners on the extent of this shift. Nonetheless, all agree to some extent that from tannaitic (70 ce–220 ce) to amoraic times (220 ce–500 ce) there occurred a “templization of the synagogue” and “a sacrificization of prayer.” Since this tendency grew as time went on, it cannot be explained as a way of making up for the just-destroyed Temple. More significant was the awareness over time that the Temple would not soon be rebuilt. The hope in the imminent rebuilding of the Temple initially staved off the sanctification of alternative space. But as memory of the Temple, or at least the apprehension of creating something like the inimitable Temple outside of Jerusalem, receded, the synagogue assumed increasingly a Temple-like aura. The growing sacralization of the Church in the Byzantine period is a parallel, if not contributing, phenomenon.

Keywords

late Roman Empire precentor divine sovereignty biblical priests Rabbinic prayer Rabbinic liturgy synagogue

Type: Chapter
Information: The Cambridge History of Judaism , pp. 573 - 611

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CHOL9780521772488.024 [Opens in a new window]

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Print publication year: 2006

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22 - Rabbinic prayer in late antiquity

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