unknown4

From what I have read, in the Talmud, in Tractate Yoma 39b, it is mentioned that in the 40 years Shimon HaTzaddik was high priest, miracles occurred such as the strip of scarlet-dyed wool which was tied to the head of the scapegoat always turned white during the Yom Kippur service. If it stated that after the death of Shimon HaTzaddik, these miracles occurred some times, but at others times they did not. Also, it is stated that 40 years before the second Temple was destroyed, the strip of scarlet-dyed wool which was tied to the head of the scapegoat remained red and did not turn white.

Now, there is a Christian claim that the miracle turning the strip white ceased around the time of Jesus' crucifixion. I would like to know what is thought about this. Is this merely a coincidence? Do the Christians have their dates messed up? Does the Talmud in fact not say what is quoted?

I guess I am just kind of fishing for more information about the dates, and if possibly the Talmud story was influenced by the story of Jesus, or vice versa.

Thanks for any help.

andrewcriddle

See http://www.sacred-texts.com/jud/t03/yom09.htm#page_58

This story is prima facie legendary and probably late, but exactly 40 years before the Temple was destroyed (ie 30 CE) would be about the time of the crucifixion.

However 40 years before is often used in Jewish writings to mean a generation or so before and does not necessarily mean exactly 40 years.

Andrew Criddle