User:Naftoli AbuSharaf/Notzrei haDerekh

Notzrei haDerekh, best translated into English as guardians or keepers of the way,is the name by which the Ebionites aka Notzrim of earliest times called themselves. Synonymous with the term "Notzrei haTorah" being interpreted guardians of the instruction, the Notzrei haDerekh originated as an extremely aesthetic socio-religious group of the last few centuries BCE and the first century CE Judea, Perea, Iturea, Syria and Nabataea. The Notzei haDerekh were referred to by multiple names by ancient historians and polemicists of the nascent Gentile Church. Known for their vehement opposition to the teachings of Paul of Tarsus, the Notzrei haDerekh hailed Yaaqob the Just as their leader. Adhering to a considerably more rigorous set of doctrines, the Notzrei haDerekh were well-accredited for their marked zeal for the law of Mosheh(Moses) and their greatly mysticized interpretation of its writings. The doctrine of the Notzrei haDerekh are even to this day, very misunderstood and overly simplicised. A very deep and esoteric tradition existed from earliest times. The origins of the Notzrei haDerekh began with the Yahuist faith of the Rechabites. At some time immediately following the period covered in the Biblical book of the prophet Jeremiah, a great schism occured among the priestly families of the Levitical Kohanim. Possibly resulting from a combination of factors, it is likely that they formed as a separate body during the era of the Hasmoneans, who contrary to their origins, began to adopt a great deal of Hellenized agendas. The Notzrei haDerekh consisted by large of components from objecting priests of the Tzadokites, Rechabites,and certain of the Netinim who had fled persecution by the Boethusians of the family of Herod. As extremely zealous traditionalists, the Notzrei haDerekh fancied themselves as the 'true remnant' of Israel. Adamant supporters of the Davidic dynasty, they were relentlessly messianic, 'earnestly seeking the kingdom of heaven".Some of the most note-worthy of all Notzrim were Yuchana-Yahia bar Zacharyah, a Kohenite priest refered to as the 'preacher of righteous'; Shimeon bar Antonius of Gitta(Gath), founder of the Simonian sect; Dosithai, founder of the Dosithaeans; and last but not least, Yehoshua bar Yusuf. For further information concerning the Notzrei haDerekh, refer to the article entitled Ebionites.