70 A History of Judaism
of most Jews, wherever they were, nothing that went on in a synagogue,
whether teaching or prayer, could rival the central role of worship
through sacrifices and offerings in the Temple. That communal prayer
in synagogues was valuable was taken for granted, and doubtless such
liturgy was increasingly appreciated at greater distances from Jeru-
salem, but, unlike the sacrifices, prayer had not been decreed in any
clear fashion in the law of Moses. No one seemed yet to think that such
prayer might substitute for sacrifice.