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How did the Hebrew's idea about people's rights such as fair treatment before the law differ from other ancient group?
Wiki User
∙ 7y ago
You have asked a wide-ranging question with many hundreds of details in its answer. Here are a few examples.
1) In other ancient societies, the monarch was all-powerful. Among the Israelites, however, the king was under the constant scrutiny of the Divinely-informed prophets, who didn't hesitate to castigate him publicly for any misstep in the sight of God. And, other than for the crime of rebellion, the king couldn't punish citizens by his own decision. He was obligated by the Torah-procedures like everyone else.
2) Under Israelite law, killing an infant is full-fledged murder. In other ancient nations, including the Greeks and Romans, killing unwanted babies was completely condoned.
3) Under Israelite law, everyone had recourse to the courts. A child, widow, wife, etc., could initiate legal action against any citizen to redress perpetrated harm. Compare this to those societies in which only mature, land-owning males had rights.
4) In Israelite society, anyone could become a Torah-scholar and receive deserved acclaim. The Sages included individuals who were strikingly beautiful (Rabbi Yochanan) as well as those who were the opposite (Rabbi Yehoshua). There were sighted people as well as the blind (Rabbi Yoseph), vastly rich Sages (Rabbi Elazar ben Azariah) and extremely poor ones (Rabbi Akiva), physically strong Sages (Rabbi Elazar ben Shimon) as well as a quadriplegic (Rabbi Nachum Gamzu). And no one's opinion or behavior was above criticism. The greatest of the Sages could have an insult thrown at him by a lesser Sage if he spoke without thinking (Talmud, Bekhoroth 23b). The sages of the Holy Land could criticize a ruling of the Sages of the Babylonian Talmud (Yoma 57a), and the Babylonian Talmud faithfully records their strong words. Even the royally-descended Rabbi Gamliel could be demoted by his peers (Talmud, B'rachot 27b) when they felt he'd exercised more than his prerogative. I could give tens of examples along these lines.
Pinkie Davis
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washing away their inequities; cleansing for their sins.
What has the author Abraham Mills written?
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Pottery made by Greek peoples before about 500 CE.
What ancient people is the old testament talking about?
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What were the names for the ancient Jewish people?
Israelites (Yisraelim in Biblical Hebrew), Hebrews (a term first used probably by Ancient Egyptians) and Bnei Yisrael ("Children of Israel") are all terms used for Jews before the Common Era.
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How were items traded before there were roads?
The roads may have been rough, but people have traveled and shared their goods from ancient times. Ancient peoples also traveled by sea in boats.
What is the book before James?
Hebrews.
Were the hebrews the first great sailors and traders?
No, the Phoenicians were sailors and traders long before the Hebrews.
Why did the Megarians worship Demeter?
Many Mediterranean peoples of the ancient world worshiped Demeter or a similar goddess before Rome adopted Christianity.
