The first century Jews venerated the ancient kings of Judah. Since King David was believed to have been born in Bethelehem, they believed that the Messiah who would one day come to save their nation from foreign domination, would asl be born in Bethlehem. The authors of both Matthew and Luke said that Jesus was born in Bethlehem, although the author of John seems to have believed otherwise.
Jewish AnswerThere is no prophecy of a moshiach (messiah) being born in Bethlehem. This is a misunderstanding of the specification that hamoshiach will be a descendant of King David.
The perform the wedding ceremony.
The Star of Bethlehem is traditionally associated with the birth of Jesus Christ in Christian beliefs, symbolizing the guiding light that led the wise men to the newborn Messiah. On the other hand, the Star of David is a symbol of Judaism, representing the shield of King David and the Jewish people. Both stars hold significant religious symbolism in their respective faiths, with the Star of Bethlehem representing the birth of Jesus and the Star of David symbolizing the Jewish identity and faith.
The Pharisees which were Jewish religious leaders
The most practiced religion in Bethlehem at the time of Jesus' birth was Judaism. Bethlehem was a primarily Jewish town and part of the region of Judea, where Jewish religious practices and beliefs were prevalent. Jesus himself was born into a Jewish family and would have been raised in accordance with Jewish customs.
The Rabbis and sages. See also:Important Jewish leaders, prophets and rabbis
Some names of Jewish spiritual leaders include rabbis, cantors, and religious scholars such as Maimonides, Rashi, and Rabbi Akiva. These individuals play important roles in teaching, interpreting religious texts, and providing guidance to the Jewish community.
These religious leaders were called the Kohanim or High Priests. In terms of regional and religious politics, they were called the Sadducees. Opposing them were the Pharisees or populist Jewish leaders that would eventually become the Rabbinate.
Judaism isn't a centralised religion so leaders are at the community level. Leaders can be religious or secular depending on how they're associated with their community.
A great sage of judisim or in other words a Rabbi is a religious leader.
Bethlehem is insiginifcant to the Jewish religion. While some may travel there, it is not a key site.
Sabbath.
Jesus was considered a threat to the religious and political establishment at the time. His followers were calling him "king" and "messiah". This did not sit well with the authorities as Jewish unrest and messianic movements were considered problems. Any one who could move large crowds (and was not approved by the political and religious leaders) had to go.