Jewish Diaspora In The Hellenistic Period

Alex Kaleel
Mr. Barthle
DES Philosophy P-4
5 September 2014
Jewish Diaspora in the Hellenistic World The Jewish Diaspora during the Hellenistic period was a voluntary movement of the Jewish population into the Hellenistic kingdoms. Not only did this create Jewish presence outside of Judea, but Judea also became a part of the Hellenistic culture. The Jewish Diaspora in the Hellenistic period is often confused with the Babylonian or Roman Diasporas. In these Diasporas, the Jews were conquered and exiled, rather than a voluntary movement. Hellenistic Judaism is a combination of Greek culture and Jewish religious traditions. The Jewish people adopted Greek ways of life voluntarily. They were very attracted to this way of life. The Jewish settlement

(Hellenism and Judaism) During this time period, Alexander the Great managed to spread the Greek culture and language throughout their entire empire. This influenced the Jews to accommodate under Greek laws and values. There were many reasons that created the spread of the Jewish Diaspora during the Hellenistic period. The most important factor was the political history of the Mediterranean during the Ptolemaic rule of Judea. Many Jews began to settle in Egypt. Jewish captives of the Ptolemies formed established communities throughout the country when they were freed. Another reason for fleeing to Egypt is economic reasons. Jews during the Hellenistic Period was very diverse. There were peasants and shepherds, Jewish generals in the Ptolemaic army, and Jewish officials in the civil service and police. (Jewish

They came as mercenaries and were used to defend throne of Ptolemaic rulers against local population. Some came because they were attracted by Hellenistic culture; a few were coerced into coming to Egypt by false promises of riches. (The Jewish Diaspora in the Hellenistic Period) Some Jewish communities existed in other kingdoms and cities. Some including: the city of Antioch, in Syria under the Seleucids, and the Jews in Babylon who chose not to return from exile. However, it was especially in the city of Alexandria that Judaism and the Diaspora flourished. (The Jewish Diaspora in the Hellenistic Period) Jews of the Diaspora had a lot of influence on the polytheistic beliefs of the Greek culture. Hellenistic Greeks had a lot of interest in the Jewish laws and customs. They left them alone to practice their customs most of the time. They may have persecuted them every so often. However, for the most part, the Jews in Ptolemaic Egypt were left alone to practice their religion. Large Jewish communities were separate organizations in Egypt. However, Jews in Egypt maintained a very close connection with Jerusalem. People of Alexandria repaired Jewish temples. Jews of Egypt also brought sacrificial gifts to