Philo Special Laws

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In the Special Laws Book 1 Philo discusses in detail the cosmic significance of the Jerusalem temple and the practices associated with it. This discussion suggests that Philo’s primary concern was the universal truth of Law of Moses to demonstrate the rationality of temple and the religious practices to those Jews and, perhaps, Greeks living in Alexandria. Before we begin discussing Philo’s temple ideology, one fundamental question needs to be addressed to provide some context: why was it necessary to give a cosmological meaning for the Jerusalem temple and its practices? When we consider that the Alexandrian community could not be involve in the everyday affairs of the temple - as a result of there location, they probably sought new ways …show more content…

In this light, and coupled with the fact that the Jews were enculturated with Greco-Roman culture and ideology, perhaps some Jews were beginning to lose their identity. Thus, this treatise might be a response to Jews who sought new way to define themselves, and, perhaps also against Greek philosophers who sought to undermine Jewish religious practices. Philo’s temple ideology, however, is not a new concept. We see this idea in Isaiah 66, which states, “Heaven is my throne, and the earth my footstool”. Isaiah presents a radically inclusive idea of the Temple, which is presented for the entire Jewish community - inside and outside of Israel. Against this background, the writings of Philo concerning Jerusalem, the temple, and its practices seems as an attempt to make the temple ideology significant to the Alexandrian community. However, he does not consider the physical temple and its practices unnecessary, but argues that the temple has greater cosmic significance than physical appearance. He uses the Stoicism to to argue his position on the truth of the Law Moses, which in …show more content…

laws 66). Philo then introduces the Jerusalem temple stating, “There is also the temple made by hands…” and continues discussing its importance and the reason for having one temple in one place (spec. laws 67). This dual presentation not only points to the importance both temples, but also suggest that the true and superior temple is the cosmos. Philo’s analysis continues by asserting that God “…does not consent to those who wish to perform the rites in their houses, but bids them to rise up from the ends of the earth and come to this temple” (spec. laws 68). This action allows the Jews to truly express their loyalties to God above their home, their land and families. For Philo, everyone is not up for visiting and participating in the religious service. It is only those who who have the “stronger attraction of piety” that leads them to separate from their everyday lives (spec. laws 69-70) Philo then goes into detail on the physical description of the Jerusalem temple. He beings

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