Letter of Aristeas on Separation from Non-Jews

Letter of Aristeas 130–152 (selections)

2nd Century BCE

130“You observe,” he said, “what kind of result is produced by conduct and associations, since people who associate with evildoers become perverted, and they are miserable in the whole of life. But if they live together with wise and prudent people, out of ignorance they meet with improvement in their manner of living. [ . . . ]

139“Therefore the…

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This passage from the Letter of Aristeas warns against the morally corrupting influence of gentiles and extols the wisdom of Israel’s lawgiver for erecting barriers to interaction. See also Philo’s similar encapsulation of the biblical call for separatism.

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Ancient Jewish Literature

4th Century BCE–6th Century CE
A rectangular ancient stone tablet with worn Greek inscriptions carved into its surface, displayed upright in a museum setting. The text is faded and partially eroded, making some letters difficult to read.
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