Diversity in Judaism

Ancient Judaism appears to have been much more diverse than Orthodox Judaism of today. This can be seen from archaeological sources, which show what daily life was like in antiquity. For example, the synagogue of Dura-Europos in what is today Syria, contains symbols not native to Judaism.

According to Alex Joffe:

Before the discovery of Dura-Europos, it was never imagined that the Jews of antiquity could have painted in this way; and to see these fragments is to be transported to an age and a Judaism that are at once familiar and deeply alien. The scenes use the conventions of the Roman East. Baby Moses is rescued by Pharaoh's naked daughter; the grown Moses is depicted in severe Roman fashion. Solomon's Temple has Greco-Roman columns. The battle of Eben-Ezer is fought on horseback.

Joffe uses these facts to ask some questions about ancient Judaism and its relationship to other religions:

The diversity raises underlying questions: What was Judaism and who were the Jews in late antiquity? Were Jews—and Christians and pagans—isolated and opposing groups or related points along a spectrum of beliefs? These questions raise other interpretive issues. Do the pagan motifs and styles indicate non-rabbinic, effectively mystical varieties of Judaism? Could biblical characters and stories actually have shared characteristics of pagan deities and beliefs? Were Jews competing with Christian churches in their decorative biblical depictions—and, if so, for what audiences? Or did synagogues and churches simply share the same artisans?

It definitely seems possible that the Judaism of the ancient period was much more diverse and more influenced by outside cultures than we generally think. They apparently didn't compartmentalize their lives, separating religion from culture. To them it was all one, and all of it belonged in the synagogue.