Eleazar ben Shammua

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Eleazar ben Shammua or Eleazar I (Hebrew: אלעזר בן שמוע) was a rabbi of the 2nd century (4th generation of tannaim), frequently cited in rabbinic writings as simply Rabbi Eleazar.[1] He was of priestly descent[2] and rich,[3] and acquired great fame as a teacher of traditional law.

Biography[]

Eleazar ben Shammua was a student of Rabbi Akiva,[4] but was not ordained by him due to the Hadrianic persecution. After Akiva's death, however, R. Judah ben Baba ordained Eleazar, together with Rabbi Meir, Jose ben Halafta, Judah bar Illai, and Simon bar Yoḥai, at a secluded spot between Usha and Shefar'am. The ordainer was detected in the act and brutally slain, but the ordained escaped, and eventually became the custodians and disseminators of Jewish tradition.[5]

Mention is made of a controversy between Eleazar and Rabbi Meir at Ardiska.[6] He also maintained halakhic discussions with R. Judah bar Illai and Rabbi Jose,[7] and quite frequently with R. Shimon bar Yochai;[8] but he never appeared with them at the sessions of the Sanhedrin at Usha. Hence it may be assumed that he did not return to the scene of his ordination. Wherever he settled, he presided over an academy to which many students were attracted,[9] including Joseph or Issi ha-Babli[10] and Judah ha-Nasi.[11] Thus, while his name does not appear in rabbinic lore as often as the names of his colleagues at the ordination, Eleazar had an significant influence on the development of the Talmud. Rav styles him "the most excellent among the sages",[12] and R. Johanan expresses unbounded admiration for his large-heartedness.[13]

His nickname[]

See also: Eleazar Chisma

The following story concerning Eleazar is twice told in the Midrashim:[14] R. Eleazar visited a certain place where he was invited to lead the people in prayer, but he said he was unable to do so. "What!" cried the astonished people; "is this the celebrated R. Eleazar? Surely he deserves not to be called 'Rabbi'!" Eleazar's face colored with shame, and he returned to his teacher Rabbi Akiva. "Why are you so crestfallen?" inquired Akiva; whereupon Eleazar related his unpleasant experience. "Does my master wish to learn?" asked Akiva; and, on receiving Eleazar's affirmative answer, Akiva instructed him. Later, Eleazar again visited the scene of his embarrassment, and the people again requested him to lead them in prayer. This time he readily complied with their request, whereupon the people remarked, "R. Eleazar has become unmuzzled" (איטחסם, from חסם = "to muzzle"), and they called him "Eleazar Hasma".[15]

The protagonist of this story is Eleazar ben Shammua, and not (as is often assumed) Eleazar Ḥisma. The latter was never Akiva's pupil. Indeed, he was Akiva's senior, and in the account of a halakhic discussion between him and Eleazar ben Azariah and Akiva, his name precedes that of Akiva.[16] In contrast, Eleazar ben Shammua was an acknowledged disciple of Akiva, and the Midrashim explicitly state that he "went to Akiva, his teacher."

Teachings[]

His disciples once requested him to tell them whereby he merited unusual longevity, when he replied, "I have never converted the Synagogue into a passageway [for the sake of convenience]; have never trodden over the heads of the holy people [i.e., come late to college and stepped between the rows of attentive students; compare Abdan], and have never pronounced the priestly blessing before offering the benediction preceding it."[17] When asked what merits will save man from the tribulations which are to precede the Messianic epoch, he replied, "Let him engage in the study of the Law and in deeds of benevolence."[18] According to Eleazar, children as well as pious adults share in the glory of God.[19] He also taught that the world rests on a single pillar, the name of which is Righteousness, as the Bible says,[20] "The righteous is the foundation of the world".[21]

Quotes[]

  • "Let the honor of your student be as dear to you as that of your colleague; that of your colleague, as the reverence of your master; and the reverence of your master, as that of the Most High."[22]
  • Even a fox, if it is his hour, bow down before him![23]

References[]

  1. ^ Pirkei Avot 4:12; Gittin 3:8, incorrectly "Eliezer"; compare Gemara Gittin 31b; Yerushalmi Gittin 3 45a, Mishnah and Gemara
  2. ^ Meg. 27b; Soṭah 39a
  3. ^ Eccl. R. 11:1
  4. ^ Zevachim 93a, 110b
  5. ^ Sanhedrin 13b; Avodah Zarah 8b
  6. ^ Tosefta Nazir 6:1; see A. Neubauer, G. T. p. 106
  7. ^ Tosefta Zevachim 5:4, 10:10
  8. ^ Sheḳ. 3:1; Yoma 5:7
  9. ^ Eruvin 53a; Yer. Yevamot 8 9d; compare Mekhilta, Beshallah, Amalek, 1
  10. ^ Tosefta Zevachim 2:17; Men. 18a
  11. ^ Eruvin 53a
  12. ^ טובינא דחכימי, Ketuvot 40a; Gittin 26b
  13. ^ Eruvin 53a
  14. ^ Leviticus Rabbah 23:4; Cant. R. 2:2
  15. ^ compare A. Geiger, Schriften, iv. 343
  16. ^ Nedarim 7:2; Sifre Deuteronomy 16
  17. ^ Megillah 27b; Soṭah 39a
  18. ^ Sanhedrin 98b
  19. ^ Midrash Tehillim 22:31
  20. ^ Proverbs 10:25
  21. ^ Hagigah 12b
  22. ^ Pirkei Avot 4:12; Avot of Rabbi Natan 27:4
  23. ^ Megillah 16b

 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Solomon Schechter and S. Mendelsohn (1901–1906). "Eleazer ben Shammua". In Singer, Isidore; et al. (eds.). The Jewish Encyclopedia. New York: Funk & Wagnalls.CS1 maint: uses authors parameter (link) Its bibliography:

  • W. Bacher, Ag. Tan. ii. 275 et seq.;
  • Brüll, Mebo ha-Mishnah, i. 196 et seq.;
  • Z. Frankel, Darke ha-Mishnah, pp. 173 et seq.;
  • Heilprin, Seder ha-Dorot, ii., s.v.;
  • Weiss, Dor, ii. 164 et seq.;
  • Zacuto, Yuḥasin, ed. Filipowski, pp. 45, 58.
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