What do we know about the history of Judaism? What do we know about their many priestly orders, such as the Levites, Shilohites, Zadokites, Aaronites or seventy elders who received the so-called Oral Tradition at Mount Sinai?
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The Gaonim arose in the years following the fall of Judea, in AD 70. They were and are descended from super-wealthy members of the so-called Sadducee party, with maybe a few Pharisees thrown in. High level ones that is. They were on excellent terms with the Roman elite and profited enormously from their occupation of the region. They were allowed to ply their various lucrative trades and enjoyed excellent personal and economic relations with the Roman elite. It was probably members of their coterie who, after the fall of Judea and Second Temple, made new homes in Italy and influenced several Caesars and governors to convert to Judaism. (See Irish Origins Appendix 1 for more on this). It’s a part of history rarely discussed by scholars.
In fact, the destruction of Judea and the scattering of its inhabitants, rich and poor, to the four corners of the empire, was not an arbitrary action on the part of the Romans. Far from it. Events were brought to a head after repeated warnings by Jew
favouring governors. The richest Jews on Judea had been under attack from members of their own community – lower members that is. We know them as the Zealots and Sicarii. There were other crazed groups, but these are the two most famous. They repeatedly attacked the rich merchants, stealing their money and goods, setting fire to their properties and assassinating many of them in public places. They were self-serving anarchic criminals, heavily into drugs and drug-trafficking and other insidious practices.
here is the full interview , this vimeo video is secured so you can find the link below
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