Religion
Jews had a great deal of emphasis on their beliefs and traditions. One such tradition is the dietary restrictions known as kashrut, also known as keeping kosher. This meant that Jews kept milk away from meat, and only ate animals that were killed in humane ways. Also, Jews were forbidden to eat "unclean foods", such as shellfish and pork.
Another religious tradition was holding weekly Sabbaths. The Sabbath would be a day of rest (Exodus 31:10-32:2 and Exodus 31:11-32:3).
Worshipping at the Temple in Jerusalem was another thing Jews did during 1st century Palestine.
Jews focused on the law. This was not only just the Ten Commandments, but also the highly detailed instructions of the books of Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy.
Jews made animal sacrifices to atone for sins, as well as thanksgiving. Passover was also celebrated in a Jewish life (Exodus 12:6-16).
All Jewish males were circumcised as according to the law. This comes from the practice of Abraham. Only the circumcised could eat at the Passover (Exodus 12:43-13:2). All homes knew of the Bible. It was the only known book. This is how Jews learnt to read and write. At the age of twelve, Jewish boys make their "bar mitzvah", to become a "son of the commandment". This showed that they had reached religious maturity. Men were not allowed to shave the hair of their temples, or their beards (Leviticus 19:22-32).
Jewish girls were able to be promised in marriage at the age of twelve. A girl's father had the right to sell her as a slave. At twelve and a half, the young girl could be married. Women could not show their face in public, and were not allowed to speak to men. Wives had to look after her husband. As wives, they were treated similar to slaves; they did all the work. They cooked, cleaned, nursed, washed the husband, obey the husband, etc.
In Jewish life, boys came before girls. Girls could not refuse marriage.
Jews had a great deal of emphasis on their beliefs and traditions. One such tradition is the dietary restrictions known as kashrut, also known as keeping kosher. This meant that Jews kept milk away from meat, and only ate animals that were killed in humane ways. Also, Jews were forbidden to eat "unclean foods", such as shellfish and pork.
Another religious tradition was holding weekly Sabbaths. The Sabbath would be a day of rest (Exodus 31:10-32:2 and Exodus 31:11-32:3).
Worshipping at the Temple in Jerusalem was another thing Jews did during 1st century Palestine.
Jews focused on the law. This was not only just the Ten Commandments, but also the highly detailed instructions of the books of Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy.
Jews made animal sacrifices to atone for sins, as well as thanksgiving. Passover was also celebrated in a Jewish life (Exodus 12:6-16).
All Jewish males were circumcised as according to the law. This comes from the practice of Abraham. Only the circumcised could eat at the Passover (Exodus 12:43-13:2). All homes knew of the Bible. It was the only known book. This is how Jews learnt to read and write. At the age of twelve, Jewish boys make their "bar mitzvah", to become a "son of the commandment". This showed that they had reached religious maturity. Men were not allowed to shave the hair of their temples, or their beards (Leviticus 19:22-32).
Jewish girls were able to be promised in marriage at the age of twelve. A girl's father had the right to sell her as a slave. At twelve and a half, the young girl could be married. Women could not show their face in public, and were not allowed to speak to men. Wives had to look after her husband. As wives, they were treated similar to slaves; they did all the work. They cooked, cleaned, nursed, washed the husband, obey the husband, etc.
In Jewish life, boys came before girls. Girls could not refuse marriage.
Roman Rule
During this time, Palestine was ruled by Rome. Taxes were paid to the Roman Emperor. Jews disliked this Roman invasion, but did not show it to the Romans. A religious group hated the Romans publicly, and rebelled against them. The Romans were not kind to the Jews. The taxes mentioned were oppressive, and the Romans physically abused Jews. The Romans even enforced the idea that their emperor was a God. This created much hate by the Jews, especially because the Ten Commandments say that there is only one God. Worse, Roman legions sacked Jerusalem and destroyed its holy Temple, a religious temple to the Jews (John 11:48). See: The Political Situation.
During this time, Palestine was ruled by Rome. Taxes were paid to the Roman Emperor. Jews disliked this Roman invasion, but did not show it to the Romans. A religious group hated the Romans publicly, and rebelled against them. The Romans were not kind to the Jews. The taxes mentioned were oppressive, and the Romans physically abused Jews. The Romans even enforced the idea that their emperor was a God. This created much hate by the Jews, especially because the Ten Commandments say that there is only one God. Worse, Roman legions sacked Jerusalem and destroyed its holy Temple, a religious temple to the Jews (John 11:48). See: The Political Situation.
Houses
Peasant houses in 1st century Palestine were small and usually only had one room. The floor was tamped with dirt. Lime was sometimes smothered on the floor to harden the surface and discourage dust. Richer people had flagstones for the floor, while nobles often used wood or mosaic tiles. The poor Jews had few windows. On warm days, Jews cooked outside. Homes were dark, confining and smelly, giving people another reason to stay outside. The roof was a part of the living area (Luke 5:17-26). Jews dried clothes, fruits, and vegetables, stored wood for winter, napped, and prayed there. Jewish homes contained water pots, used for cleaning, cooking, washing hands, as well as feet as a ritual. Jews started living in houses after they learnt agriculture from the Egyptians. Before, they were nomads, wondering and collecting the foods available. But now, they know how to grow their own foods, so they stay in one spot, tending to their farm.
Peasant houses in 1st century Palestine were small and usually only had one room. The floor was tamped with dirt. Lime was sometimes smothered on the floor to harden the surface and discourage dust. Richer people had flagstones for the floor, while nobles often used wood or mosaic tiles. The poor Jews had few windows. On warm days, Jews cooked outside. Homes were dark, confining and smelly, giving people another reason to stay outside. The roof was a part of the living area (Luke 5:17-26). Jews dried clothes, fruits, and vegetables, stored wood for winter, napped, and prayed there. Jewish homes contained water pots, used for cleaning, cooking, washing hands, as well as feet as a ritual. Jews started living in houses after they learnt agriculture from the Egyptians. Before, they were nomads, wondering and collecting the foods available. But now, they know how to grow their own foods, so they stay in one spot, tending to their farm.
Food
Food was scarce. Agriculture helped the Jews with living when it came to foods (2 Maccabees 11:34-12:6). Foods couldn't be stored, which made it harder for the Jews.
(Matthew 5:13) Salt was important, and valuable, in Jesus' time. It made food less bland. It also preserved foods. That was why salt was so valuable. It made foods storable. Romans even traded with it. There is a saying in the Bible about salt.
(Matthew 7:9) Bread was one of the things eaten regularly. But, it had no taste. This is where salt could be used. Bread was created by using wheat, something that the Jews grew as a result of their new knowledge of farming.
(Matthew 15:34) Fish was preserved with salt. Many people were fishermen, so they made a profit by selling fish, and they could also get their wives to cook the fish themselves.
Jews ate only two meals, breakfast and dinner.
Food was scarce. Agriculture helped the Jews with living when it came to foods (2 Maccabees 11:34-12:6). Foods couldn't be stored, which made it harder for the Jews.
(Matthew 5:13) Salt was important, and valuable, in Jesus' time. It made food less bland. It also preserved foods. That was why salt was so valuable. It made foods storable. Romans even traded with it. There is a saying in the Bible about salt.
(Matthew 7:9) Bread was one of the things eaten regularly. But, it had no taste. This is where salt could be used. Bread was created by using wheat, something that the Jews grew as a result of their new knowledge of farming.
(Matthew 15:34) Fish was preserved with salt. Many people were fishermen, so they made a profit by selling fish, and they could also get their wives to cook the fish themselves.
Jews ate only two meals, breakfast and dinner.
Illnesses
All disabled people and people with illnesses were excluded and became outcasts. This was because they were uncurable at the time. Nothing could be done. And no one would support them. Some diseases were contagious, and everyone avoided them. Jews think of these people as sinners. They believe that only the wicked suffer.
(Matthew 8:3) People with leprosy were excluded from the community, and put into a group of other lepers for the rest of their life. Getting leprosy was terrible. Jews believed that people with leprosy did something wrong, and think that that is why they have leprosy. They believe that it is a punishment from God.
(John 9:1) Blind people are mentioned frequently in the Bible. Jesus healed them as well as lepers. The blind would not be able to live as well as ordinary Jews. During that time, aids for the blind didn't exist yet. Being blind was not good. They could not be employed.
All disabled people and people with illnesses were excluded and became outcasts. This was because they were uncurable at the time. Nothing could be done. And no one would support them. Some diseases were contagious, and everyone avoided them. Jews think of these people as sinners. They believe that only the wicked suffer.
(Matthew 8:3) People with leprosy were excluded from the community, and put into a group of other lepers for the rest of their life. Getting leprosy was terrible. Jews believed that people with leprosy did something wrong, and think that that is why they have leprosy. They believe that it is a punishment from God.
(John 9:1) Blind people are mentioned frequently in the Bible. Jesus healed them as well as lepers. The blind would not be able to live as well as ordinary Jews. During that time, aids for the blind didn't exist yet. Being blind was not good. They could not be employed.
Information from About.com, Ask.com, https://www.lds.org/ensign/1987/09/home-life-at-the-time-of-christ?lang=eng and http://www.christusrex.org/www1/ofm/mag/TSmgenB3.html