Jewish Backgrounds of the New Jewish Backgrounds of the New TestamentTestament

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Our Rabbis have taught: There are seven types of Pharisees: the Our Rabbis have taught: There are seven types of Pharisees: the shikmi Pharisee, the nikpi Pharisee, the kizai Pharisee, the ‘pestle’ shikmi Pharisee, the nikpi Pharisee, the kizai Pharisee, the ‘pestle’ Pharisee, the Pharisee [who constantly exclaims] ‘What is my duty Pharisee, the Pharisee [who constantly exclaims] ‘What is my duty that I may perform it?’, the Pharisee from love [of God] and the that I may perform it?’, the Pharisee from love [of God] and the Pharisee from fear. Pharisee from fear.

The shikmi Pharisee — he is one who performs the action of Shechem. The shikmi Pharisee — he is one who performs the action of Shechem. The nikpi Pharisee — he is one who knocks his feet together. The nikpi Pharisee — he is one who knocks his feet together. The kizai Pharisee — R. Nahman b. Isaac said: He is one who makes The kizai Pharisee — R. Nahman b. Isaac said: He is one who makes

his blood to flow against walls. his blood to flow against walls. The ‘pestle’ Pharisee — Rabbah b. Shila said: [His The ‘pestle’ Pharisee — Rabbah b. Shila said: [His headhead] is bowed like ] is bowed like

[a pestle in] a mortar. [a pestle in] a mortar. The Pharisee [who constantly exclaims] ‘What is my duty that I may The Pharisee [who constantly exclaims] ‘What is my duty that I may

perform it?’ — but that is a virtue! — Nay, what he says is, ‘What perform it?’ — but that is a virtue! — Nay, what he says is, ‘What further duty is for me that I may perform it?’ further duty is for me that I may perform it?’

The Pharisee from love and the Pharisee from fear — Abaye and Raba The Pharisee from love and the Pharisee from fear — Abaye and Raba said to the tanna [who was reciting this passage], Do not mention said to the tanna [who was reciting this passage], Do not mention ‘the Pharisee from love and the Pharisee from fear’; for Rab Judah ‘the Pharisee from love and the Pharisee from fear’; for Rab Judah has said in the name of Rab: A man should always engage himself has said in the name of Rab: A man should always engage himself in Torah and the commandments even though it be not for their in Torah and the commandments even though it be not for their own sake, because from [engaging in them] not for their own sake, own sake, because from [engaging in them] not for their own sake, he will come [to engage in them] for their own sake. R. Nahman b. he will come [to engage in them] for their own sake. R. Nahman b. Isaac said: What is hidden is hidden, and what is revealed is Isaac said: What is hidden is hidden, and what is revealed is revealed; the Great Tribunal will exact punishment from those who revealed; the Great Tribunal will exact punishment from those who rub themselves against the walls. rub themselves against the walls.

King Jannai said to his wife’, ‘Fear not the Pharisees and the non-King Jannai said to his wife’, ‘Fear not the Pharisees and the non-Pharisees but the hypocrites who ape the Pharisees; because their Pharisees but the hypocrites who ape the Pharisees; because their deeds are the deeds of Zimri but they expect a reward like deeds are the deeds of Zimri but they expect a reward like Phineas’.Phineas’.

The “Plagues” of the PhariseesThe “Plagues” of the Pharisees

1)1)The Shechemite/Shoulder The Shechemite/Shoulder Pharisee Pharisee

2)2)The Knocking/Wait-Just-a-Moment The Knocking/Wait-Just-a-Moment Pharisee Pharisee

3)3)The Bloodletting/Bruised Pharisee The Bloodletting/Bruised Pharisee 4)4)The Pestle/Tight-Fisted Pharisee The Pestle/Tight-Fisted Pharisee 5)5)The What-is-my-duty-that-I-may-The What-is-my-duty-that-I-may-

perform it/Calculating Pharisee perform it/Calculating Pharisee 6)6)The Pharisee out of Love The Pharisee out of Love 7)7)The Pharisee out of FearThe Pharisee out of Fear

The 7 Kinds of the Pharisees & Jesus’ Woes ComparedThe 7 Kinds of the Pharisees & Jesus’ Woes Compared

1)1) The Shechemite/Shoulder Pharisee The Shechemite/Shoulder Pharisee

Jesus’ Woes: False Motives (Proselytizing & Laying Heavy Burdens on Jesus’ Woes: False Motives (Proselytizing & Laying Heavy Burdens on Men)Men)

2) 2) The Knocking/Wait-Just-a-Moment Pharisee The Knocking/Wait-Just-a-Moment Pharisee

Jesus’ Woes: Exaggerated Humility (difference between outward Jesus’ Woes: Exaggerated Humility (difference between outward appearance & inward reality)appearance & inward reality)

3)3) The Bloodletting/Bruised Pharisee The Bloodletting/Bruised Pharisee

Jesus’ Woes: Those are Blind who Ignore the Obvious to avoid Jesus’ Woes: Those are Blind who Ignore the Obvious to avoid SinningSinning

4)4) The Pestle/Tight-Fisted PhariseeThe Pestle/Tight-Fisted Pharisee

Jesus’ Woes: False Modesty (doing things only to be seen) Jesus’ Woes: False Modesty (doing things only to be seen)

5)5) The What-is-my-duty-that-I-may-perform it/Calculating PhariseeThe What-is-my-duty-that-I-may-perform it/Calculating Pharisee

Jesus’ Woes: Performing a Good Deed to Offset a Bad Deed without Jesus’ Woes: Performing a Good Deed to Offset a Bad Deed without Repentance is Fruitless Repentance is Fruitless

6)6) The Pharisee out of Love The Pharisee out of Love

Jesus’ Woes: God will not Reward Deeds Performed for the Love of Jesus’ Woes: God will not Reward Deeds Performed for the Love of RewardsRewards

7)7) The Pharisee out of FearThe Pharisee out of Fear

Jesus’ Woes: Fear God, who has the Power to send you to Hell (the Jesus’ Woes: Fear God, who has the Power to send you to Hell (the worst fear of a religious person)worst fear of a religious person)