Before we further investigate the fractious relationship between the Greek kingdoms and the Jewish homeland, it is important to consider the spiritual conditions in Judea during the first two centuries under the Alexandrian successor states. Who were the custodians of the Oral Law, and how did they perform their duties? What was the religious level of the people?

As discussed in Chapter Thirty-six, when the Persians allowed the Jewish people to return to Judea and build the Second Beis Hamikdash, the ruling body of the nascent state was the Anshei Knessess Hagedolah, a council of one hundred and twenty elite leaders, prophets and scholars. They shaped the contours of Jewish life for the rest of history. The last surviving member of this august council was Shimon Hatzaddik, the Kohein Gadol, who had multiple roles in addition to his duties in the Beis Hamikdash. He was the custodian and arbiter of the Oral Law as well as the political, judicial and spiritual leader.

After he passed away, the office of High Priest passed to members of his family, and the custodianship of the Oral Law passed to Antigonos of Socho, who presided over the Sanhedrin. He was by himself the ultimate authority on questions of law and religion, just as Shimon Hatzaddik had been, and Ezra before him, going back in a one-by-one succession all the way to Moshe Rabbeinu. Under his watch, an event occurred that would have profound effects on the Jewish people for the rest of history.

Every day, Antigonos taught the laws of the Torah to an inner circle of students, who discussed and reviewed the teachings until they became experts. Then they taught them to a wider group of students. These were the future rabbis and teachers of the Torah. Among his inner circle were two young men named Zadok and Baisus …

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