Duvduv

For whatever it's worth, The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector in Luke 18 shows a very interesting rabbinic practice and suggesting a rather late source for the story. Among especially pious Orthodox Jews there is an age-old practice of fasting on Mondays and Thursdays on the days when the Torah is read in synagogue in public and extra penitential prayers are recited (called Takhanun). I don't know if the practice of fasting preceded the destruction of the Temple, but it certainly has been since the Mishnaic period.

Now considering that the author of Luke had trouble with names found in the Tanakh it is rather unusual that he should have heard about this practice. I also noticed the practice of beating the breast during the recitation of parts of the Takhanun as well as the 18 Benedictions (Shemona Esreh) blessings, and of course on Yom Kippur.

God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’

13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’

14 “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Duvduv

So if we add to this the very fact of the use of the term rabbi, we can see that such texts would have only been written in the 2nd century or therafter, although other reasons would favor 4th century as far as I am concerned.

Toto

1. Why are you bumping this thread up?

2. What reasons would favor the fourth century? This is just bizarre thinking.

Duvduv

<Sigh> it's not bizarre thinking at all. I have been exploring this issue quite a bit. It's hard to start it all from scratch again.