Introduction

Judaism encompasses both ethnic elements and those more closely associated with religious communities. The interplay of these elements, along with contrasting understandings of separatism and assimilation, tradition and innovation, and continuity and change, have been consistent features of Judaism over its more than 2,000 years of existence.

The term “Judaism” first appears in 2 Maccabees, which dates to the second century bc. In the book’s prologue, the writer contrasts the “barbarian” hordes—referring to the thoroughly Hellenized Jews and their supporters—with those who strove “zealously” in support of “Judaism” (2 Macc 2:19–23). This second group’s goal was to recover the temple, free the city, and restore the laws. These goals go beyond what we today think of as “religion,” as they extend into areas of politics, culture, language, and values.

The terms “Jew” and “Jews” appear far more frequently than “Judaism” in both 1 and 2 Maccabees. The term “Jews” also appears in the deuterocanonical book of 1 Esdras and in the expanded, deuterocanonical versions of the books of Esther and Daniel. In this material, the term refers to religious belief as just one element in the ethnic makeup of those who lived in Judaea and were identified as Judaeans (as opposed to those who were Greeks or Egyptians).