Sabbath Observance during the Second Jewish Revolt (132–135/6 CE): A Re-examination

The discovery of the Bar Kokhba letters in the Judean Desert has provided invaluable insights into the structural, organizational, and administrative aspects of the short-lived state under the leadership of Shimʿon Bar Kosiba (132-135/6 CE). Numerous documents in this collection address the observan...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Bourgel, Jonathan 1979- (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
Check availability: HBZ Gateway
Interlibrary Loan:Interlibrary Loan for the Fachinformationsdienste (Specialized Information Services in Germany)
Published: 2025
In: Journal for the study of Judaism in the Persian, Hellenistic, and Roman period
Year: 2025, Volume: 56, Issue: 4/5, Pages: 445-471
Further subjects:B Second Jewish Revolt
B Bar Kokhba letters
B Sabbath
B Shimʿon Bar Kosiba
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Summary:The discovery of the Bar Kokhba letters in the Judean Desert has provided invaluable insights into the structural, organizational, and administrative aspects of the short-lived state under the leadership of Shimʿon Bar Kosiba (132-135/6 CE). Numerous documents in this collection address the observance of religious commandments; two letters, P.Yadin 50 (= 5/6Ḥev 50) and Mur 44, specifically emphasize the observance of the Sabbath. The purpose of this study is to show that these letters not only underscore the meticulousness of Bar Kosiba and his followers concerning religious matters associated with the Sabbath, but also shed light on the difficulties of adhering to its observance amidst wartime circumstances. Drawing on an analysis of these letters, alongside literary sources and archaeological discoveries related to the Second Revolt, the article also investigates the likely position of Bar Kosiba’s adherents on this complex issue.
ISSN:1570-0631
Contains:Enthalten in: Journal for the study of Judaism in the Persian, Hellenistic, and Roman period
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1163/15700631-bja10108