It is even more deep that this. Archeology tells us that common people of ancient Judea/Israel were more flexible in their practice than post-Roman orthodoxy i

It is even more deep that this. Archeology tells us that common people of ancient Judea/Israel were more flexible in their practice than post-Roman orthodoxy implies. From Asherah statues to an entire Temple (Elephantine island on the Nile) working in parallel to the Jerusalem Temple. The matter of strict adherence as a National identity/religious practice became important following the Diaspora following the Rome-Jewish wars.