New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-09-16
THE JEWS UNDER THE ROMANS.
THE END OF THE JEWISH STATE.


The period dealt with in this volume tB c. 164
10 A. d. 1851 is in itself momentous. and tho
detachment given it by Mr.. Morrison brings out
its special signihcanccs with particular emphasis
The part played by Roman dominion in the spread
of Christianity has perhaps been shown more
clearly in no former work. while the elements OF
Jewish thought and polity which made those
people chronic rcvOlters, and at the same time
doomed every revolt TO failure. are allowed the
prominence they deserve. The change IN the
character Of Jewish discomfort Is also carfuuy
texamined-thc growth of that new 1cnglous
tenet to the effect that Roman rule was desecra-
ton of a holy region. This view was quite un-
known during the period o. syrian rule over
Palestine, as Mr.. Morrison points out. 1t only
grew into importance when the land had 1al!en
completely under Roman dominion ond when
there was no longer opportunity to play of one
foreign enemy against another, as hid formerly
been done with much temporary success
Rut the divisions which forever prevcntrd the
Jews from securing permanent order and peace
had always grown out of religious disputes The
rrcat schism which had under various names
existed for centuries, and which was represented
during the period here concerned. by the opposed
sects Of the Pharisees and Sadducecs was no DOUBT
quite as much a result of differing tcmperamenfs
as of differing doctrines For this is invariably
the case, though few historians have perceived
the truth In religion, in politics, In business
even the positions taken by men have ever been
Influenced more by temperament than by reason
and evidence. Inherited tendencies. innate In
clinations toward pessimism or optimism, TO-
eether with the cOnstraining force OF custom
and habit, determine for a large proportion of
mankind the positions they hold in matters both
OF opinion ard practice.
The religious doctrines of the Jews however.
became more and more Incompatible with lnde-
pendent national existence or peaceful subm,s-
sion to the overwhelming power Of Rome Inc
latter tried hard TO avoid eXtremitirs; sought 10
govern the Jews through their own princes;
respected their peculiar religious scruples honored
the Temple. But when virtually left TO them
selves the people of Judca Immediately began
to quarrel as to the policy to be pursued. Under
feeble princes anarchy became chrome. IL wos
only when some strong stern and nnScr1ahlious
ruler like the Herod the Great arose that the
distracted land knew anything like quiet. Or
the two contendng sects the Pharsces repre-
scented the most impracticahle elements. Their
extreme wing, the Zealots, who held that there
could he no tolerance or compromise with Rome
and so book arms in fury Of fanaiioism. was
exterminated; hut the Zealot spirit survived and
reappeared again and again. both In Palestine
and among the Jews Of the Dispersion, and each
time the flame was auenchfd in hlood. Inc
destruction Of Jerusalem and the scattering OF
tho derationatl1ed remnant Of the Judeans were
direct results Of this same fierce and insane
fanaticisrn: and the deep hatred which followed
tho Jews for ages over all the earth may probably
be attributed to that influence, at least in the
beginning.
Mr. Aforrson's hook is divided into two parts. !,
The first gives an account of the relations he I
tween the Jews and the Romans during the
three centuries in question. and carries the his
torical narrative down to the extinction Of the
Jewish State under Hadrian. This is a natural
turning-pont in the annals Of the Hebrew race.
Thenceforth physical contention on any extended
scale became impossible to them. Civic tumults
they might foment. hut to their own hurt only;
and they applied themselves to commerce. and
to the collection Of that great mass Of law and
tradition called the Talmud. The second part OF
the volume deals mainly with the structure of
Jewish society under Roman rule. and until
the destruction Of Jerusalem. The civil and
religious functions of the Sanhcdrim set
forth; the system of Temple service is explained.
and the Synagogue is discussed in all its rela-
tons The Scriles Pharisecs and Sadducces are
next considered at some length, and their differ
ences rccounted. An Interesting chapter treats
Of the Essences, but concerning the es0tcric doc
trnes of this sect Mr.. Morrison is unable 70 add
anything to the vague traditions already we'll
known. and the doubtful reports OF JoScphus.
The second part while in some respects less
Interesting than the first. is important and
necessary to the completeness Of the study.
Nothing less than somewhat minute inquest
into the system of the Jewish law can make it
Ineligible how that people were so entirely under
the influence Of religious ideas, and how COM
petcly the civil power was merged in thr
consider the ongin of the all-pcrvading md
regulating ceremonialiSm which attended the Jew
from the cradle 70 the grave. and directed every
act In his life. IL would Of course he u mistake
70 suppose that such system originated in Israel.
The Jews might very we'll have brought tho germ
ideas with them from Babylon. The methods
weIe comm III 10 all the Oriental religions of the
period. and illustrated to this day in India.
1t may indeed Ike assumed without any danger
of error that wherever in an immature civili7a-
tion ceremoninlism becomes established its normal
tendency is toward greater compcXity and in
trcacy. and also toward the extension Of the
sacerdotal caste and system.
The monothcism of the Jews. however. gave 20
thcir ccremonialism q peculiar force and dignity
The heather nations. with rituals no less conpli-
Gated and extensive, had their interest scattered
among many deitics. 10 the inevitable weakening
Of faith and enthusiasm The Jews. in centring
everything upon the One God. gained immensely
from purely imaginative point of view. Ii is
true that the practical aspect Of the was
less satisfactory: for the heather had the power
full argument Of material success their side,
an argument which tue Children of Israel had
themselves never lost - opportunity Of pressing
home during the peri14 when they were cstib-
fishing themselves in Palestine and warning with
the surrounding people. The Romans, q matter
OF course. asked the Jews why, il their God was
SO superior TO other gods, he allowed his chosen
people 10 Dc beaten. enslaved and plnndercd by
the followers Of those lesser divinities: and had
the Jews been bent on proseytizing. this con-
alteration ,uust have been very embarrassing ~
them The view with which they conso!ed them