Guide
Boethusians and Therapeutae
By Carol Bakhos
Related Primary Sources
Primary Source
Herod Is Smitten with Mariamme
Jewish Antiquities 15.320–322
There was a citizen of Jerusalem, Simeon, the son of a certain Alexandrian, Boethus, one of the well-known priests, and he had a daughter who was considered the most beautiful woman at that time. So…
Primary Source
Boethusian Incense and the Temple
t. Kippurim 1:8
There was once an incident involving a Boethusian who lit the incense while he was still outside the holy of holies, and the cloud of the incense went out [into the sanctuary] and upset everyone…
Primary Source
Incense Shovel
The incense shovel, or maḥta, was used in the Temple to transfer burning embers from one place to another. Incense shovels are commonly used as a Jewish symbol in synagogue mosaics and are often…
Primary Source
Philo on the Therapeutae
On the Contemplative Life 2–88 (selections)
The practice of these philosophers is shown at once by their designation, for they are appropriately called…