"Wisdom Jousting" and the Pharisees: Jewish Gospels

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My research is focused on the interpretations of biblical texts in the contexts of ancient culture, languages, and history.

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We start with the Hasidim and discuss how the Pharisees emerged from this group. While the Sadducees were Temple-focused, the Pharisees were purity-in-life focused. They were an of-the-people-for-the-people kind of group scattered throughout the diaspora. Pinchas Shir helps us understand how the Pharisees used Scripture and why they seem to be arguing with Jesus all the time.