Summary In the Gospels Jesus is called a 'Nazarene' or 'Nazoraean'. Does this mean he came from Nazareth? Basing himself on Lidzbarski's analysis of the Hebrew/Aramaic origins of the Greek terms Nazarênos and Nazôraios Dr Osborne proposes that these epithets indicate that Jesus was a nô?rî, a '(Strict) Keeper/Guardian (of the Law)'. This meant he was a follower of the 364-day liturgical calendar known to us from 1 Enoch, Jubilees, and Qumran. An examination of the passages where these terms appear shows that this hypothesis leads to a deeper understanding of the circumstances in which the first Christian communities arose and clarifies greatly the background of Jesus' crucifixion as Y??û ha-Nô?rî. The book then traces the influence of the nô?rîm on the history of Israel from their origin in the 'calendar wars' that tore apart the Jewish nation from 172-163 BCE. These broke out after the lunisolar calendar was introduced into the temple liturgy by Menelaus the high priest, and only came to an end when the 364-day calendar was reintroduced under his successor, Alcimus. In 151 BCE, however, Jonathan Maccabaeus was appointed high priest and reintroduced the lunisolar calendar. The nô?rîm were suppressed and forced to emigrate or go underground. They reappear as leaders of Jewish resistance to Roman occupation after Pompey incorporated Judaea into the empire in 63 BCE. Eventually they became the chief instigators of the revolt against Rome that led to the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 CE. Osborne argues that the nô?rîm thought to have been included in the Twelfth Benediction of the Amidah at Yavneh around 90 CE are these same '(Strict) Keepers/Guardians (of the Law)'. TABLE OF CONTENTS General Introduction and Summary Part One Chapter 1. Introduction: Jesus the Nazarene and Nazoraean Chapter 2. The Meaning of Nazoraean and Nazarene in the New Testament Chapter 3. Jesus as a 'Notsri' in the Gospels Chapter 4. The Nazoraeans in Acts Chapter 5. Conclusion: The Nazarenes and Nazoraeans are Notsrim, 'Keepers (of the Law)' Part Two Chapter 6. Introduction: The Two Calendars and their Characteristics Chapter 7. Onias III (185? - 175 BCE) Chapter 8. Jason (175-172 BCE) Chapter 9. Menelaus (172-163 BCE) Chapter 10. Alcimus (163-159 BCE) Chapter 11. The Unnamed High Priest (159-151 BCE) Chapter 12. Jonathan Maccabeus (152-142 BCE) Chapter 13. The Story that Could Not Be Told Part Three Chapter 14. Introduction Chapter 15. The Hasidim as Notsrim Chapter 16. The 'Fourth Philosophy' and the Sicarii Chapter 17. The Fourth Philosophy and the Notsrim Chapter 18. Summary and Conclusions Part Four Chapter 19. Introduction Chapter 20. The Notsrim Live on in the Liturgy of the Synagogue Chapter 21. The Birkat ha-mînîm in Christian Sources Abbreviations for Editions of Biblical and Non-Biblical Texts, Works of Reference, and Journals Bibliography