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Meeting houses existed before the
second temple was destroyed, although there were few of them that have been
uncovered archaeologically. Several synagogues were mentioned in Jesus’
ministry. (Matthew 12:9; Matthew 13:54; Mark 1:21; Luke 4:16; John 12:42)
Synagogues Began to
Replace Temple Worship:
After the Temple destruction, many synagogues were built similar to previous
synagogues in that they had three meeting areas. The outer area was for
the congregation, usually divided into two parts or two sides, one for women and
one for men. The second part had a "Bimah" (usually a raised platform)
with a table for Torah scroll as it was being read. The third part of the
meeting house contained the ark that held the sacred scrolls. The ark was
usually decorated with a "sun stone" or sunburst design above it and
had a curtain (veil) that had to be parted as the scroll was retrieved. The
"Bimah" sometimes had moon decorations around it. The congregational
area had stars decorating it. The Temple had similar decorations of sun, moon
and stars. Modern day LDS temples still carry on this symbolic design.
"When the Second Temple was destroyed in 70 C.E., many of the rituals
formerly conducted there were transferred to the synagogue, and organized prayer
became the substitute for sacrifice. The sages referred to the synagogue as mikdash
me'at ("little sanctuary"), viewing it as a miniature Temple where
Jewish congregations all over the world could gather and, to some extent, fill
the void left by the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem." "The
remains of numerous synagogues dating back to the first few centuries of the
Common Era have been uncovered, attesting to the widespread acceptance of the
institution at that time." (Encyclopedia
Judaica Jr.)
As Community Centers, Synagogues Also Became Hotbeds of
Disagreement: It was in many of these
synagogues that fervent discussions ensued about the future of Jewish worship
now that the temple had been destroyed and the priestly cast had become so
divided and fraught with wickedness. Various executions and death attempts had
been planned for believers in Jesus of Nazareth. The true believers in the
restoration of ancient covenants as preached and administered by the Twelve and
the Seventy grew in multitudes well beyond the borders of Israel. Many non-Jews
also felt the true spirit and believed. Their conversions bothered some of the
Jews because the Jews wanted to hold on to past customs and social traditions.
Soon, the growth of the Church became an even greater threat for the Jewish
community leaders. "And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these
things, were filled with wrath," (Luke 4:28) "Then there
arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines,
and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing .
. ." (Acts 6:9) "And I punished them oft in every
synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against
them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities." (Acts
26:11)
Seekers of Truth Were Blessed:
Yet, in many cases there were those who believed in and sought after truths.
When Jesus and later the Apostles and Seventies taught, the congregations were
ready to listen and follow the spirit. "And Jesus went about all the cities
and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the
kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people." (Matthew
9:35) "And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified of
all." (Luke 4:15) "And it came to pass in Iconium, that
they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake, that a
great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed." (Acts
14:1) "And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on
the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and
were baptized." (Acts18:8)
Letters and Religious Writing:
Another part of Jewish life included writing letters to various congregations or
synagogues when personal visits were too difficult. "The letter holds an
honored place in Jewish history and literature. Since the form includes earliest
diplomatic and state correspondence, business and private mail, discussions and
arguments between communities on local or religious questions, polemics and
controversial issues, letters have also provided for scholarly research. Letters
were often written to leading rabbis on questions of Jewish law, a practice that
prevails even today. Collections of the answers, authoritative rabbinic
opinions, are in a body of literature called Responsa). Jewish letters were
written mainly in Hebrew, even after Jews adopted the languages of the countries
of their exile. Hebrew was the language common to all Jews and remained the
vehicle of all scholarly communication. The form of the letters included the
date in Hebrew and the sedra of the coming week. At a later stage,
Yiddish occupied a similar position for European Jews." (Encyclopedia
Judaica Jr.)
"Writing usually required a professional to
execute it. In ancient times a royal court officer, the sofer (scribe),
was undoubtedly the letter-writer as well. The professional letter-writer was an
important post even into the 20th century. Seals which were used to sign and
close the documents of antiquity as well as letters, are displayed in the Israel
Museum, and in other collections. Throughout the Middle Ages letters served as a
major Jewish literary form. They were widely used as a means of publishing the
writers' statements and views and were not necessarily private communications.
They were delivered by a messenger whose errand was often interrupted on the
journey so that the letter could be read to the public. Messages of importance
were copied for reference and often read aloud in the synagogue or other
gathering place." (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.)
Formula for Recognizing Truth:
The truth as it was being taught by the Lord’s chosen added to the rich
culture and tradition that many people still followed. Truth always builds
rather than destroys. Through the Prophet Joseph Smith, God revealed a three-point
standard by which truth is recognizable. "Wherefore, he that preacheth and
he that receiveth, understand one another, and both are edified
and rejoice together. And that which doth not edify is not of God, and is
darkness. That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, and
continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and
brighter until the perfect day." (Doctrine
& Covenants 50:22-24)
Truth Has "Feet:"
"Being truthful is one of the most important virtues that a person can
possess. In the Bible God is described as the "God of Truth" and truth
is one of the 13 divine attributes. The rabbis taught that "truth has
feet," i.e., is well founded and will endure. A sign of this was found in
the very word itself. The Hebrew word for truth is emet; the first letter
of the word is the first letter of the alphabet, the second is the middle letter
of the alphabet and the last is the last letter of the alphabet. Thus, the three
"feet" of truth are spread out and form a solid base. The Hebrew word
for falsehood, however, is sheker, which is formed from the three letters
of the alphabet before the last letter. The letters are not in their
alphabetical order and represent feet which are too close together and not
properly fixed. Falsehood has no foundation and will not last." (Encyclopedia
Judaica Jr.)
Wise Counsel: Paul’s
mentor and teacher, Gamaliel, had wise counsel for those who wanted the
erstwhile Pharisee Saul, now an Apostle of the Lord, brought to death.
"Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a
doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put
the apostles forth a little space; And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take
heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men." "And
now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this
counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: But if it be of God, ye
cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God." (Acts
5:34-35,38-39)
It is important to realize and remember that many are
prepared before they embrace the truth. In their best efforts and faith, they
respond to the Spirit that directs all open-hearted people. They need not reject
their former teachings. Yet, making corrections when needed and building upon
the truths they already perceive, these faithful people were edified in former
days and are in the latter-day – so were the Churches established in the
faith. |