Berechiah ha-Nakdan
Encyclopedia
Berechiah ben Natronai ha-Nakdan, ("ha-Nakdan", meaning "the punctuator" or "grammarian"), commonly known as Berachya, (13th century) was a Jewish exegete, ethical writer, grammarian, translator, poet, and philosopher. His most famous works are Mishle Shualim (Fox Fables) and Sefer Hahibbur (The Book of Compilation).
. He is thought to have lived sometime in the 12th or 13th century, with some placing him about 1260 in Provence
. Other theories give Northern France as his home while Joseph Jacobs
arrived at the conclusion that Berechiah should be located in England toward the end of the 12th century. This was confirmed by Neubauer's discovery that, in the preface to his fables, Berechiah refers to the "turning of the wheels of fate to the island of the sea [= England
] for one to die and the other to live," clearly a reference to the English massacre of 1190.
's fables, the Talmud, and the Hindus. Berechiah's work adds a layer of Biblical quotations and allusions to Aesop's tales, adapting them as a way to teach Jewish ethics. Manuscripts exist at the Bodleian and Munich (207 written before 1268). The first edition appeared in Mantua, in 1557; another with a Latin version by M. Hanel, Prague, 1661; other editions at Berlin, 1706; Lemberg, 1809; Grodno, 1818; Sklov, n.d.; and Warsaw, 1874. An English translation appeared in 1967 by Moses Hadas
, entitled Fables of a Jewish Aesop; it has recently been republished by David R. Godine, publishers.
The fables give in rhymed prose
most of the animal tales passing under the name of Aesop during the Middle Ages
; but in addition to these, the collection also contains fables conveying the same plots and morals as those of Marie de France
, whose date has been placed only approximately toward the end of the 12th century.
The following table exhibits the relationship between Berechiah's fables and those of Marie, as well as their connection with the Romulus
, the Latin prose translations of the medieval Aesop. These show that Berechiah has only one-half of the additional fables of Marie, and that he has about thirty not in her collection. Some of these are from Avian, others from Oriental sources.
The following fable is one paralleled by Marie de France (No. 73), and derives from an Oriental source, probably the Vaka Jataka (Folk-lore Journal, iii.359):
(died about 1198) without the formula for the dead, so that it is quite probable that the book was composed before 1180.
, Bahya ibn Pakuda, and Solomon ibn Gabirol
.
. He was acquainted with most of the grammarians of the 11th and 12th centuries, and his "Uncle Benjamin," whom he quotes, has been identified with Benjamin of Canterbury.
Berechiah was a translator, his version being extant of Adelard of Bath
's Quæstiones Naturales (MSS. at Munich, Leiden, Oxford, and Florence), as well as of a Lapidary containing a description of sixty-three species of stones. Besides these works, Berechiah is also said by Zunz
to have contributed to the Tosafot
(Sanh. 20b), and, as his name implies, was probably an expert in Hebrew grammar
, for which reason he is quoted by Moses ben Issac ha-Nessiah
of London, in his Sefer ha-Shoham. As this work was probably written before 1215, these references confirm the date and place suggested above.
Biography
Very little is known for certain about his life and much discussion has taken place concerning the date and native country of Berachyah. It is possible that he was a descendant of Jewish scholars of BabyloniaGeonim
Geonim were the presidents of the two great Babylonian, Talmudic Academies of Sura and Pumbedita, in the Abbasid Caliphate, and were the generally accepted spiritual leaders of the Jewish community world wide in the early medieval era, in contrast to the Resh Galuta who wielded secular authority...
. He is thought to have lived sometime in the 12th or 13th century, with some placing him about 1260 in Provence
Provence
Provence ; Provençal: Provença in classical norm or Prouvènço in Mistralian norm) is a region of south eastern France on the Mediterranean adjacent to Italy. It is part of the administrative région of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur...
. Other theories give Northern France as his home while Joseph Jacobs
Joseph Jacobs
Joseph Jacobs was a folklorist, literary critic and historian. His works included contributions to the Jewish Encyclopaedia, translations of European works, and critical editions of early English literature...
arrived at the conclusion that Berechiah should be located in England toward the end of the 12th century. This was confirmed by Neubauer's discovery that, in the preface to his fables, Berechiah refers to the "turning of the wheels of fate to the island of the sea [= England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
] for one to die and the other to live," clearly a reference to the English massacre of 1190.
Fox Fables
Berechiah is known chiefly as the author of a set of over a hundred fables, called Mishle Shualim, (Fox Fables), which derive from both Berachyah's own inventions and some borrowed and reworked from AesopAesop
Aesop was a Greek writer credited with a number of popular fables. Older spellings of his name have included Esop and Isope. Although his existence remains uncertain and no writings by him survive, numerous tales credited to him were gathered across the centuries and in many languages in a...
's fables, the Talmud, and the Hindus. Berechiah's work adds a layer of Biblical quotations and allusions to Aesop's tales, adapting them as a way to teach Jewish ethics. Manuscripts exist at the Bodleian and Munich (207 written before 1268). The first edition appeared in Mantua, in 1557; another with a Latin version by M. Hanel, Prague, 1661; other editions at Berlin, 1706; Lemberg, 1809; Grodno, 1818; Sklov, n.d.; and Warsaw, 1874. An English translation appeared in 1967 by Moses Hadas
Moses Hadas
Moses Hadas was an American teacher, one of the leading classical scholars of the twentieth century, and a translator of numerous works....
, entitled Fables of a Jewish Aesop; it has recently been republished by David R. Godine, publishers.
The fables give in rhymed prose
Rhymed prose
Rhymed prose is a literary form and literary genre, written in unmetrical rhymes. This form has been known in many different cultures. In some cases the rhymed prose is a distinctive, well-defined style of writing...
most of the animal tales passing under the name of Aesop during the Middle Ages
Middle Ages
The Middle Ages is a periodization of European history from the 5th century to the 15th century. The Middle Ages follows the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 and precedes the Early Modern Era. It is the middle period of a three-period division of Western history: Classic, Medieval and Modern...
; but in addition to these, the collection also contains fables conveying the same plots and morals as those of Marie de France
Marie de France
Marie de France was a medieval poet who was probably born in France and lived in England during the late 12th century. She lived and wrote at an undisclosed court, but was almost certainly at least known about at the royal court of King Henry II of England...
, whose date has been placed only approximately toward the end of the 12th century.
The following table exhibits the relationship between Berechiah's fables and those of Marie, as well as their connection with the Romulus
Romulus (fabulist)
Romulus is the author, now considered a legendary figure, of versions of Aesop's Fables in Latin. These were passed down in Western Europe, and became important school texts, for early education. Romulus is supposed to have lived in the 5th century....
, the Latin prose translations of the medieval Aesop. These show that Berechiah has only one-half of the additional fables of Marie, and that he has about thirty not in her collection. Some of these are from Avian, others from Oriental sources.
The following fable is one paralleled by Marie de France (No. 73), and derives from an Oriental source, probably the Vaka Jataka (Folk-lore Journal, iii.359):
The Wolf and the Animals
The Wolf, the Lion's prince and peer, as the foe of all flesh did appear; greedy and grinding, he consumed all he was finding. Birds and beasts, wild and tame, by their families urged to the same, brought against him before the Lion an accusation, as a monster worthy of detestation. Said His Majesty, "If he uses his teeth as you say, and causes scandal in this terrible way, I'll punish him in such a way as to save his neck, if I may, and yet prevent you becoming his prey." Said Lion to Wolf, "Attend me to-morrow, see that you come, or you'll come to much sorrow." He came, sure enough, and the Lion spoke to him harsh and rough. "What by doing this do you mean? Never more raven the living, or live by ravening. What you shall eat shall be only dead meat. The living you shall neither trap nor hunt. And that you may my words obey, swear me that you'll eat no flesh for two years from to-day, to atone for your sins, testified and seen: 'tis my judgment, you had better fulfil it, I ween." Thereat the Wolf swore right away no flesh to eat for two years from that day. Off went Sir Wolf on his way, King Lion stopped at court on his throne so gay. Nothing that's fleshy for some time did our Wolf eat, for like a gentleman he knew how his word to keep. But then came a day when he was a hungered and he looked hither and thither for meat, and lo, a fat sheep fair to look on and goodly to eat (Gen. iii. 6). Then to himself he said, "Who can keep every law?" and his thoughts were bewildered with what he saw. He said to himself, "It overcomes me the longing to eat, for two yearsday by day must I fast from meat. This is my oath to the king that I swore, but I've thought how to fulfil it as never before. Three sixty-five are the days in a year. Night is when you close your eyes; open them, then the day is near." His eyes he opened and closed straightway. It was evening and it was morning, one day (Gen. i. 6). Thus he winked until he had numbered two years, and his greed returned and his sin disappears. His eyes fix the goat (sic) they had seen and he said, "See beforehand I have atoned for my sin," and he seized the neck of the goat, broke it to pieces, and filled up his throat as he was wont to do before, and as of yore his hand was stretched out to the beasts, his peers, as it had been in former days and years.Ethical treatises
Berechiah was also the author of an ethical treatise entitled Sefer Matzref. The treatise is divided into thirteen chapters. In it he quotes Rabbi Abraham ibn DaudAbraham ibn Daud
Abraham ibn Daud was a Spanish-Jewish astronomer, historian, and philosopher; born at Toledo, Spain about 1110; died, according to common report, a martyr about 1180. He is sometimes known by the abbreviation Rabad I or Ravad I. His mother belonged to a family famed for its learning...
(died about 1198) without the formula for the dead, so that it is quite probable that the book was composed before 1180.
Sefer ha-Hibbur
Sefer Hahibbur is the most famous of Berachyah's works. This book of philosophy is almost encyclopedic in style. In it, Berachyah develops on the works of Saadia GaonSaadia Gaon
Saʻadiah ben Yosef Gaon was a prominent rabbi, Jewish philosopher, and exegete of the Geonic period.The first important rabbinic figure to write extensively in Arabic, he is considered the founder of Judeo-Arabic literature...
, Bahya ibn Pakuda, and Solomon ibn Gabirol
Solomon ibn Gabirol
Solomon ibn Gabirol, also Solomon ben Judah , was an Andalucian Hebrew poet and Jewish philosopher with a Neoplatonic bent. He was born in Málaga about 1021; died about 1058 in Valencia.-Biography:...
.
Other works
In addition to these, Berechiah wrote a commentary on the Book of JobBook of Job
The Book of Job , commonly referred to simply as Job, is one of the books of the Hebrew Bible. It relates the story of Job, his trials at the hands of Satan, his discussions with friends on the origins and nature of his suffering, his challenge to God, and finally a response from God. The book is a...
. He was acquainted with most of the grammarians of the 11th and 12th centuries, and his "Uncle Benjamin," whom he quotes, has been identified with Benjamin of Canterbury.
Berechiah was a translator, his version being extant of Adelard of Bath
Adelard of Bath
Adelard of Bath was a 12th century English scholar. He is known both for his original works and for translating many important Greek and Arabic scientific works of astrology, astronomy, philosophy and mathematics into Latin from Arabic versions, which were then introduced to Western Europe...
's Quæstiones Naturales (MSS. at Munich, Leiden, Oxford, and Florence), as well as of a Lapidary containing a description of sixty-three species of stones. Besides these works, Berechiah is also said by Zunz
Leopold Zunz
Leopold Zunz was a German Reform rabbi and writer, the founder of what has been termed "Jewish Studies" or "Judaic Studies" , the critical investigation of Jewish literature, hymnology and ritual...
to have contributed to the Tosafot
Tosafot
The Tosafot or Tosafos are medieval commentaries on the Talmud. They take the form of critical and explanatory glosses, printed, in almost all Talmud editions, on the outer margin and opposite Rashi's notes...
(Sanh. 20b), and, as his name implies, was probably an expert in Hebrew grammar
Hebrew grammar
-History of studies in Hebrew grammar:The Masoretes in the 7th to 11th centuries laid the foundation for grammatical analysis of Hebrew. As early as the 9th century Judah ibn Kuraish discussed the relationship between Arabic and Hebrew...
, for which reason he is quoted by Moses ben Issac ha-Nessiah
Moses ben Issac ha-Nessiah
Moses ben Isaac ha-Nessiah of London was an English grammarian and lexicographer of the late twelfth and early thirteenth centuries. His mother probably was a Jewess named Comitissa of Cambridge....
of London, in his Sefer ha-Shoham. As this work was probably written before 1215, these references confirm the date and place suggested above.