>>512165903
I think our main distinction is that I don't consider classical era "jews" to have survived. Theophanes already writes that they were entirely wiped out in the 4th century, and a sect started by pagans out of spite briefly attempted to resurrect the concept. Meanwhile the rabbinics today trace their intellectual roots only to the 9th century AD with the Masoretics. They don't even make it back as far as the classical period.

>>511996732
It got restarted by a pagan chief, but the project was abandoned in the 4th century. Eventually the rabbinics we're all familiar with pick up in the 9th century with the Masoretics. The 4th century sect started by the pagans was just to jab at Christianity, very half hearted attempt.