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Writings
attributed to a figure of great antiquity-flourished in the Second
Temple period. The intent of attributing the writings to these figures
was not deception as we might think but protection and continuity.
Since many of these documents were politically and theologically subversive
attribution to a figure of the past was safer for the author or community
producing the document. Also, it demonstrated a continuity of thought;
the author wrote what they believed the patriarch would have written
had the opportunity been open to them. |