The writer Josephus, in his work Against Apion, makes a pretty bold claim. He argues that Jewish laws and customs have not only been admired but actively imitated by people across the globe, from the earliest Greek philosophers to the "multitude of mankind." He's not just talking about a little influence, either. He suggests that even those who outwardly followed their own cultural norms were, in their hearts and actions, following the lead of the Jewish legislator, Moses.
Think about that for a second.
According to Josephus, the very concept of living simply and fostering friendly relationships, ideas we often attribute to Greek philosophy, actually stemmed from Jewish teachings. He goes on to say that the widespread observance of the Sabbath, our day of rest, has permeated countless cultures – "there is not any city of the Grecians, nor any of the barbarians, nor any nation whatsoever, whither our custom of resting on the seventh day hath not come." And not just the Sabbath! Josephus notes the adoption of Jewish fasts, the lighting of lamps, dietary restrictions and even the emphasis on mutual support and charitable giving.
Why would so many people, from so many different backgrounds, adopt these practices? Josephus points out that Jewish law doesn't offer any superficial allure or easy pleasures. "Our law hath no bait of pleasure to allure men to it, but it prevails by its own force." So what's the draw? Perhaps it's the inherent wisdom, the sense of community, the ethical framework that resonates deeply within the human spirit.
He even touches on the resilience of the Jewish people, our "fortitude in undergoing the distresses we are in, on account of our laws." It's a powerful testament to the enduring strength of faith and tradition.
Josephus then throws down a challenge: are we to believe that all these people who have adopted aspects of Jewish law are simply wicked, deliberately choosing something "foreign and evil"? Or is it possible that these laws possess an inherent goodness, a universal appeal that transcends cultural boundaries? It’s a pretty stark choice, isn’t it?
And what about our own pride in our heritage? Josephus argues that even if we don’t fully grasp the profound wisdom within our own laws, the sheer number of people who seek to emulate them should give us reason to value them. In his words, "though we should not be able ourselves to understand the excellency of our own laws, yet would the great multitude of those that desire to imitate them, justify us, in greatly valuing ourselves upon them."
Josephus concludes with a powerful image: "as God himself pervades all the world, so hath our law passed through all the world also." A bold statement, to be sure, but one that invites us to consider the profound and often unseen ways in which Jewish thought has shaped the world we inhabit.