The Memory of the Temple and the Making of the Rabbis

Naftali S. Cohn explores how the Mishnah, composed after the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple, prominently features temple rituals not as a reaction to loss but as a political tool. By portraying the Temple and its practices in a distinctive way, the rabbis aimed to assert their authority and legitimize their role as the authentic custodians of Jewish tradition amid Roman rule. This approach helped them solidify their influence within the diverse social and religious landscape of Roman Palestine.