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Re: orion Into the Temple Courts



Mark,

In a message dated 2/04/98 22:27:46 PM Central Standard Time, Dunnlaw@aol.com
writes:

<< Assume that the answer to SG's suggestion is "yes".  A synagogue of a sect
of
 Essens at Qumran would probably include, or have associated with it, the
 functions of writing and copying scripture.  So,  then who among that sect is
 producing or accumulating the non-sectarian texts found there?  A reasonable
>>

	I'd like to toss this into the discussion. Though synagogue was the chice of
terms 
by the Jews in Palestine, proseuche or prayer house was the choice of terms in
Egypt. 
	The earliest reference to a prayer house in Egypt dates to the reign of
Ptolemy
III Euergetes (246-221 BCE.) It reads "For King Ptolemy and Queen Berenice,
his 
sister and wife, and for their children, the Jews (have dedicated) this prayer
house."
Another contemporaneous inscription speaks of thge dedication of a prayer
house
at Crocodilopolis.
	In more than one place Philo compares these prayer houses to schools because
their essential purpose was to teach the law of Moses.
	Best,
Virgil