What aspects of the Jewish faith might have contributed to the dissatisfaction of many Jews living under Roman rule?

Among the key aspects of the Jewish faith that might have contributed to dissatisfaction with Roman rule were religious differences, social and political oppression, and economic burdens. Here are some detailed points:

1. Monotheism and Idolatry: Judaism is a strictly monotheistic religion that forbids the worship of idols. This clashed with the polytheistic Roman religion and the emperor cult, where emperors were deified and often expected subjects to participate in their worship. Jews refused to engage in any form of idolatry which led to tension with Roman authorities who interpreted this refusal as disloyalty.

2. Autonomy and Self-Governance: Jews traditionally valued a high degree of religious and political autonomy. Under the Roman Empire, they were forced to submit to imperial governance, which often rode roughshod over local customs and laws, including those pertaining to Jewish practices and leadership structures such as the Sanhedrin (Jewish court system).

3. Sacred Temple Tax: Jewish religious practice revolved around the Temple in Jerusalem, including the obligation to pay the temple tax. The Romans did allow Jews to continue paying this tax, but they also imposed additional taxes and sometimes redirected the temple tax to the Roman treasury, which was considered sacrilegious by many Jews.

4. Military Occupation: The presence of Roman soldiers in Judea and around the sacred Temple in Jerusalem was a constant source of tension. Roman occupation was often seen as a defilement of the holy land and an affront to Jewish autonomy.

5. Religious Persecution: At times, Romans engaged in outright religious persecution, erecting pagan altars in Jewish holy spaces or desecrating the Temple, which incited revolt among the Jewish population.

These factors, among others, fostered a climate of dissatisfaction and resentment, leading to a series of Jewish revolts against Roman rule, including the Great Jewish Revolt (66–73 CE), which culminated in the destruction of the Temple in 70 CE.