Around the time of Herod the Great (70 BCE) a civil war broke out between the two main religious factions, the Saducees and Pharisees. Prior to this, King Jannaeus, a Hasmonian who sided with the Saducees, had crucified thousands of Pharisees causing great long term hatred. The Hasmonian family were Saducees and in succession to the position of High Priest. Jannaaeus died and his wife Alexandra brought peace to the land for about 15 years when the Pharisees seeking revenge, restarted the war then went to general Pompeii of the Romans to "bring peace" to the land. The Pharisees attacked the Saducees on Shabbat killing 12,000 priests who refused to fight. The Pharisees then quickly allied themselves with the Romans to take control. Rome sends in a procurator named Antipater, an Edomite descendant and the father of Herod the Great. (This is the Herod who slaughtered the innocents as recorded in the Gospels). Antipater sent Herod to Galillee to bring down a revolt lead by the priest Zacharias. Herod put to death thousands, including innocent victims. He also appointed a gentile to the position of High Priest and had the entire Sanhedrin killed with the exception of two men – Hillel (hill-EL) and Shammai (sha-MY). They were recognized as popular leaders and Herod spared to prevent a full revolt. (Shammai favored the Romans, Hillel opposed them.) Herod appointed political cronies to fill the Sanhedrin. Herod then married the last Hasmonian princess, Alexandra Salome (SAH-low-may), giving him political legitimacy for ruling in Judea. Herod killed off the rest of the Hasmonians, and took total control. Herod had two sons with Alexandra. His older son put on the High Priest’s garments at the age of thirteen. When the people saw this there is a time of national mourning and repentance as he is the first legitimate High Priest in many years. Herod saw this and was threatened so he had this son drowned in a pool. When his wife got upset Herod put her into exile with the younger son. Herod took on another wife, had five children by her, and had them all killed.
Posted on: Thu, 22 Aug 2013 03:24:08 +0000
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