The term "Great Synagogue" refers to a legendary assembly of Jewish leaders and scholars traditionally believed to have been established during the period following the Babylonian Exile. This assembly is thought to have played a crucial role in the restoration and reorganization of Jewish religious life and practices during the Second Temple period. While the historical existence of the Great Synagogue is debated among scholars, it holds a significant place in Jewish tradition and is often associated with figures such as Ezra and Nehemiah.

Historical Context

The Babylonian Exile, which began in 586 BC with the destruction of Jerusalem and the First Temple, marked a period of profound upheaval for the Jewish people. The return from exile, initiated by the decree of Cyrus the Great in 538 BC, allowed the Jews to rebuild the Temple and reestablish their religious practices. It is within this context that the Great Synagogue is said to have emerged, providing leadership and guidance during a time of reconstruction and renewal.

Role and Functions

The Great Synagogue is traditionally credited with several key developments in Jewish religious life:

1. Canonization of Scripture: The assembly is believed to have played a role in the process of canonizing the Hebrew Scriptures, ensuring the preservation and transmission of sacred texts. This effort would have been crucial in maintaining the religious identity and continuity of the Jewish people.

2. Standardization of Worship: The Great Synagogue is thought to have contributed to the standardization of Jewish worship practices, including the establishment of prayer services and liturgical norms. This would have helped unify the diverse Jewish community returning from exile.

3. Legal and Ethical Teachings: The assembly is associated with the development and dissemination of legal and ethical teachings, which would later be foundational to Rabbinic Judaism. This includes the interpretation and application of the Torah to daily life.

Key Figures

· Ezra: Often regarded as a central figure in the Great Synagogue, Ezra is credited with leading the spiritual revival of the Jewish people upon their return to Jerusalem. He is described in the Bible as a "scribe skilled in the Law of Moses" (Ezra 7:6) and is known for his efforts to teach and enforce the Law.

· Nehemiah: A contemporary of Ezra, Nehemiah served as the governor of Judah and played a significant role in the physical and spiritual rebuilding of Jerusalem. His leadership is chronicled in the Book of Nehemiah, where he is depicted as a reformer dedicated to the covenantal faithfulness of the Jewish people.

Biblical References

While the term "Great Synagogue" does not appear explicitly in the Bible, the activities and reforms associated with Ezra and Nehemiah provide a biblical foundation for the concept. The Book of Nehemiah describes a public reading of the Law, which some traditions attribute to the influence of the Great Synagogue: "Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was standing above all the people. And when he opened it, all the people stood up" (Nehemiah 8:5).

Legacy and Influence

The legacy of the Great Synagogue is seen in its lasting impact on Jewish religious life and thought. The assembly is often credited with laying the groundwork for the development of Rabbinic Judaism, which would emerge as a dominant force in Jewish life after the destruction of the Second Temple in AD 70. The emphasis on Scripture, prayer, and ethical living attributed to the Great Synagogue continues to resonate within Jewish and Christian traditions alike.the Great Synagogue

On the return of the Jews from Babylon, a great council was appointed according to rabbinic tradition, to reorganize the religious life of the people. It consisted of 120 members, and these were known as the men of the Great Synagogue, the successors of the prophets, themselves, in their turn, succeeded by scribes prominent, individually, as teachers. Ezra was recognized as president, Their aim was to restore again the crown , or glory , of Israel. To this end they collected all the sacred writings of the former ages and their own and so completed the canon of the Old Testament. They instituted the feast of Purim organized the ritual of the synagogue, and gave their sanction to the Shemoneh Esreh , the eighteen solemn benedictions in it. Much of this is evidently uncertain. The absence of any historical mention of such a body, not only in the Old Testament and the Apocrypha, but in Josephus, Philo, etc., has had some critics to reject the whole statement as a rabbinic invention. The narrative of (Nehemiah 8:13) clearly implies the existence of a body of men acting as councillors under the presidency of Ezra; and these may have been an assembly of delegates from all provincial synagogues-a synod of the national Church.

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... CHAPTER XXXII. THE GREAT CRISIS IN POPULAR FEELING - THE LAST DISCOURSES IN THE
SYNAGOGUE OF CAPERNAUM - CHRIST THE BREAD OF LIFE - WILL YE ALSO GO AWAY?'. ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xxxii the great crisis.htm

The Old Testament Canon from Its Beginning to Its Close.
... authority which it had not before. Talmudic accounts associate with him
the men of the great synagogue. It is true that they are ...
/.../davidson/the canon of the bible/chapter ii the old testament.htm

The Synagogue at Nazareth - Synagogue-Worship and Arrangements.
... Judges; [2151] the men of the Great Synagogue are, of course, credited with it,
and Shemayah and Abhtalyon are expressly designated as preachers.' [2152] How ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter x the synagogue at.htm

The Synagogue.
... O Lord, who blessest thy people Israel with peace." These benedictions are traced
in the Mishna to the one hundred and twenty elders of the Great Synagogue. ...
/.../schaff/history of the christian church volume i/section 51 the synagogue.htm

And the Rulers of the Synagogue, and the Priests and the Levites.. ...
... And the rulers of the synagogue, and the priests and the Levites, said to themselves ...
A great inquiry having taken place in the Sanhedrin, we have been sent to ...
/.../unknown/the gospel of nicodemus /chapter 16 and the rulers.htm

The Greek Kings of Egypt.
... He was the last of the hundred and twenty great prophets, or wise men, whom the
Jews called the great Synagogue; and it was he who sealed up the Old Testament ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson xvi the greek kings.htm

After This, Pilate Going into the Temple of the Jews...
... After we had crucified Jesus, not knowing Him to be the Son of God, thinking that
He did miracles by means of some charm, we made a great synagogue in this ...
/.../unknown/the gospel of nicodemus /chapter 12 28 after this.htm

Christ Appears in the Synagogue at Nazareth. --His Life is ...
... to Nazareth, but the fame of his great deeds at the former place had gone before
him. All eyes were turned upon him when he appeared in the synagogue on the ...
/.../section 128 christ appears in.htm

The Worship of the Synagogue
... hall of hew stones" was also the meeting-place for the great Sanhedrim, and ... occupation,
we might be tempted to conjecture that the term "synagogue" had been ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 17 the worship of.htm

Jesus at Capernaum.
... admit such an hypothesis! The great synagogue of Kefr-Bereim seems to
me the most ancient of all. Its style is moderately pure. ...
/.../renan/the life of jesus/chapter viii jesus at capernaum.htm

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