Second Temple Judaism

Second Temple Judaism refers to the religious practices and beliefs of Jewish communities from the completion of the Second Temple in 516 BCE until its destruction in 70 CE. During this period, Judaism was centered around temple worship, sacrifice, and adherence to the Torah, with diverse sects like Pharisees, Sadducees, and Essenes. It was a time of religious development, regional diversity, and evolving beliefs in messianic expectations. Despite political upheavals and foreign rule, the faith maintained its core principles, shaping Judaism’s future and influencing later religious thought and tradition.