Temple in 70 C.E. are their writings. Hence we must turn to texts, acknowledging that we have only a portion of the influential literature produced by the early Jews. We are not able to demonstrate how influential are the writings which have survived; and we should recognize that perhaps the most influential thoughts came through oral traditions connected with the Temple cult or with socially influential groups. The numerous Jewish writings that antedate the defeat of Bar Kokhba in 135 C.E. and the