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Explore the complex origins of the Torah's authority within Judaism. This lecture challenges traditional assumptions, revealing that the Torah’s central role wasn't always a given, particularly during the Second Temple period. We will examine historical and archaeological evidence, as well as various biblical texts, to understand how Jewish identity and religious practice diverged across different communities. The presentation will trace the Torah's ascent to prominence, especially during the Maccabean and Hasmonean periods, and how its interpretation remained a subject of ongoing debate, even into the time of Jesus.