The Temple, the Synagogue, and the Early Yeshua-Community

During the Second Temple period, the synagogue was an established institution in the Jewish community in both the land of Israel and in the diaspora. It was where the people assembled to study the Torah and to pray. The synagogue also served as the center for all the community’s cultural and religious activities. During the First Temple period, the Levitical priesthood and the Temple were the exclusive centers of religious activity. As Jews returned from the Babylonian and Persian exiles, however, they brought a new approach to the religion of their ancient forefathers. The diaspora was inst