The Decline of Jewish Ritual Purity Observance in Roman Palaestina: An Archaeological Perspective on Chronology and Historical Context

The decline of ritual purity observance in Jewish society after the Second Temple period has never merited thorough treatment, whether from an archaeological or an historical perspective. The purpose of the present study is to redress this lacuna by critically reviewing the archaeological evidence which has led many scholars to establish 70 CE as the watershed for the decline in ritual purity observance. As the evidence stands today, both miqwa’ot and chalkstone vessels persisted as widespread phenomena for decades after 70 CE. A subsequent drop in chalkstone vessel usage in the Galilee, beginning probably sometime around the middle of the second century, suggests that the decline in purity observance as a central part of daily life in all likelihood occurred roughly around this period of time. As this process took place decades after the events of 70 CE, it is hard to imagine how the decline in purity at this time could have had anything to do with the destruction of the Temple and the cessation of its cult as is commonly thought. A different causal explanation for the diminution in the practice of the ritual purity laws among Jews must be sought, and in doing so we shall explore the historical context within which this decline should be placed, and investigate various possible explanations as to why purity eventually ceased to be a central concern for the majority of Jews in Roman Palaestina.