Final answer:
The Mosaic law is the collection of laws given to Israelites by Moses, which includes 613 commands and the Ten Commandments, and is central to Jewish religious practice and identity. In the first century CE, Jewish groups like the Sadducees and Pharisees debated the extent to which these laws should be followed by all Jews. The Mosaic law has had a profound influence on both Judaism and Christianity.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Mosaic law refers to the body of laws and injunctions given to the Israelites by Moses, as described in the Torah, the first five books of the Hebrew Bible. This set of laws includes, most famously, the Ten Commandments, but also encompasses 613 commandments covering various aspects of daily life and religious practices. During the Old Testament period, these laws were central to Jewish identity and religious practice. In the first century CE, Jewish society was divided on how these laws should be followed. The Sadducees believed that only priests needed to adhere to all 613 laws, while the Pharisees argued that all Jews should follow them. The Essenes and the Zealots had their own interpretations and practices concerning these laws. Over time, the Mosaic law influenced not just Judaism, but also Christianity, and became a touchstone for discussions about the relationship between the old laws of the Hebrew Bible and the new covenant established through Jesus Christ as depicted in the Christian New Testament.