The Dynamics of Jewish Law and Paul's Epistles
I have a great podcast episode I'd like to share below, but it may benefit from a little setup before you jump in.
Paul and Halacha
I've often shared the idea that the New Testament, particularly the letters of Paul, reflect the Jewish legal process (Halacha) in the contentious era before the codification of the Mishnah (cir. 2nd century). Though this would become more developed in time, it was already extant in the late Second Temple era.
This idea can be confusing because many presume that Paul left 'Judaism' in the rearview mirror as he launched a new religion. He didn't.¹
Instead, we see various letters written to Paul, formal correspondences known as Responsa², (In Jewish thought, Questions and Answers / She'elot u-Teshuvot), which are quite common between Rabbis.
Through these, a local Rabbi could tag in a more knowledgeable leader on a particular issue, seeking guidance for their local community. This is the context of nearly every Epistle in the New Testament. Each community had unique challenges and required a custom-tailored solution for that time and place.
Maybe it was his formal training under Rabban Gamliel, his ability to speak various languages, or his ability to maneuver the complexities of the Roman Empire. Paul had become an emerging voice in the domain of Gentile inclusion into the synagogue community.
Freedom Within a Framework
We should ask, Why was this so difficult to solve? Why couldn't local community leaders draw their own conclusions? Why seek the counsel of another Rabbi?
The answer is that these leaders were trying to stay within the framework of Jewish law. Not go around it.
The situation was complex³. Even in the Apostolic communities, opinions clashed. I've also shared that many of these clashes conformed to the disputes between the two Pharasaic⁴ schools, Hillel and Shammai.
Nevertheless, in time, Paul himself had to seek counsel.
The Majority Rules
The elevation of the problem to the council in Jerusalem reveals another insight into the Halachic process as Paul sought a higher ruling. In Acts 15⁵, the council met, debated, voted, and issued a ruling from the majority opinion.
This is the same process Jewish law adheres to—particularly in the time after the Temple's Destruction in 70CE. This is known as Acharei Rabim Lehatot" (אַחֲרֵי רַבִּים לְהַטּוֹת), which translates loosely as, the majority opinion rules.
This is an important topic, one I have struggled to write about as it is complex, and it will break the bounds of my preferred short-form articles.
Alas, I heard a great podcast episode that laid these ideas out in a clean and easily accessible format. It may be a 201, or 301 level teaching, but I think many will be able to grasp the gist of the context and its relevance to the Epistles.
Enjoy!
Podcast Episode:
"Halakhah and Hierarchy"
Notes
¹ Was Paul the First Christian Convert?
² How to Read the Letters of Paul
³ The Missing Context of the New Testament Part 1
⁵ The Roots of Gentile Inclusion: Noahide Laws and the Jerusalem Council