Jesus Christ

[Judas BentHer]

Of course, the fly in the ointment there is that Rabbinic Judaism did not exist until after the Temple was burned down in 70...

Poor fly. And all due to Wiki.

1st-2nd centuries:

The beginnings of Rabbinic Judaism; development of Oral Torah:
the Written Torah (Hebrew Bible) becomes less central.


Midrash as interpretive technique for expanding interpretations of Scripture - initially, in order to synthesize Scripture with Oral Torah


Oral Torah, in turn, becomes written


"orality" of Oral Torah, midrash - in contrast with a central Temple, religious hierarchy (priesthood), central text (as associated with literacy) -
better suited to the conditions of the Diaspora, i.e., a decentralized plurality of diverse communities, each attempting to preserve "Judaism" in different cultures and contexts .

Source Timeline: the development of Israelite religion / Judaism, the emergence of the Hebrew Bible and the Oral Torah
Dr. Charles Ess / Drury University



Judaism is a religious tradition with origins dating back nearly four thousand years, rooted in the ancient near eastern region of Canaan (which is now Israel). Originating as the beliefs and practices of the people known as "Israel," classical - or rabbinic - Judaism did not emerge until the 1st century C.E. Judaism traces its heritage to the covenant God made with Abraham and his lineage that God would make them a sacred people and give them a holy land.
Source

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EDIT TO ADD: I wonder what the criteria for "competency" is for Bible scholars?

Just as credible as what affords competent historians, I'd imagine.