Guide
Criticism of the Priesthood
By Carol Bakhos
Given the centrality of the Temple and its worship and the diversity of groups and views among Judeans, conflict over the Temple and its practices was common. Such conflict, often centering on claims that the priesthood was illegitimate, is attested in a wide range of sources.
Related Primary Sources
Primary Source
The Corruption of the Priests
And now, my children, I know from the writings of Enoch that in the end-time you will act impiously against the Lord, setting your hands to…
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The Priests as False Stewards
You, priests, take the keys of the sanctuary,
and cast them to the highest heaven,
and give them to the Lord and say,…
Primary Source
The Brazenness of Priests
18. At first they would bring in the skins of sacrificial animals to the chamber of the parvah [in which skins were salted], and they would divide them in the evening among the entire household [of…
Primary Source
The Sale of the Priestly Service
Thus shall Aaron enter [the holy place] (Leviticus 16:3): R. Berekhiah [said] in the name of R. Levi: Thus [be-zot]: Scripture makes known that [Aaron] lived 410 years [the numerical equivalent of the…