Peter Zaas, Sienna College
Matthew's Birth Story: An Early Milepost in the History of Jewish Marriage Law

Abstract:

Matthew 1:1-1:18, is titled by its author The Book of the Birth of Jesus the Messiah. But in addition to announcing the birth of the Messiah, the birth narrative announces a new way of looking at Jewish marriage law, highly supportive of Pharisaic Torah observance. It marks the transition from Biblical marriage law to rabbinic, particularly as regards the legal understanding of betrothal, adultery, fornication, and divorce. Concealed within a document meant to be understood as anti-Pharisaic is a strong recommendation for the strict observance of Pharisaic law.