can u tell me about the jewish cultures during jesus' time?

Question

can u give me the social classes of the jewish people during Jesus Christ's time...thank u!

Answer 1

It was divided into about 5 main sects. The Tzadikim (Saducees) were in control of the Temple and the Priesthood. The Parushim (Pharisees) were the rabbinic system that had started only 2 centuries earlier. The Essenies were a hermitic sect. There were several other minor sects, but these 3 were the majority. The Samaritans rewrote Scripture to suit themselves, declaring Mount Gerizim was where worship should occur.

The Saducees were the hyperfundamentalists of their day. They believed only in the 5 books of Moses as Scripture and disagreed with the Pharisees adding the Psalms, the Prophets, etc as "Scripture". (Much like most modern Christians being upset with Mormons for adding additional scriptures.)

The Pharisees believed in the resurrection from the dead at some future point in history, but the Saducees rejected this. The Pharisees believed strongly in tradition as a guide for their lives, and established many "fence laws" that made sure that they would never approach a violation of the written laws.

After the destruction of the 2nd Temple, the Pharisees basically had "won" all the arguments, so modern Judaism follows the philosophy of the Pharisees. With the exception of the Karaites who completely reject that traditions of the Pharisees and only follow the written Scriptures. (Therefore Karaites are considered heretical by the rest of Judaism.)

I have not read the following books, but I would suspect that they would answer your questions:
Jews In the Time of Jesus
http://www.amazon.com/Jews-Time-Jesus-Introduction/dp/0809136104
Jerusalem in the Time of Jesus:
http://www.centuryone.com/1136-5.html
2000 Years Ago: The World in the Time of Jesus:
http://www.centuryone.com/4805-2.html
Bandit, Prophets and Messiahs: Popular Movements In the Time of Jesus:
http://www.centuryone.com/8273-3.html
The Social Setting of Jesus and the Gospels:
http://www.centuryone.com/3452-7.html
Sketches of Jewish Social Life:
http://www.centuryone.com/3138-2.html

Answer 2

Jesus himself was a Jew. he was also king of the jews, and king of those around him. there were some jewish people that hated christ, and there were gentiles that hated him also.

Answer 3

God! This would be like....a dissertation or something. Google it.