Eleazar ben Arach
Encyclopedia
Eleazar ben Arach was one of the tannaim
of the second generation (1st century CE). Being first among the disciples of Yochanan ben Zakai
(Avot ii. 8; Avot of Rabbi Natan
xiv. 3), he delighted his master with his wisdom and penetration, so that the most extravagant encomiums were lavished upon him. It was said, "If all the sages of Israel were placed in one scale, and Eleazar ben Arach in the other, he would outweigh them all" (Avot l. c.; Avot of Rabbi Natan xiv. 4), and Yochanan described him as a "gushing stream" or "ever-flowing spring" (ibid.).
Yochanan once asked his students, "What is the best thing, the one that a person should cherish most?" Several solutions were handed in, among them one from Eleazar, who suggested, "A good heart"; thereupon Yochanan remarked, "I prefer Eleazar's solution to all of yours, since yours are included in his" (Avot ii. 9; Avot of Rabbi Natan xiv. 5). Again, Yochanan asked, "What is the worst thing, the one that a person should shun most?" In this case, also, Eleazar's reply, "An evil heart," was preferred by the teacher because it included all the others (ibid.).
Eleazar also distinguished himself in the mystical interpretation of the Tanakh
, and to such an extent as to call forth his master's ecstatic exclamation, "Happy are thou, O father Abraham
, from whose loins sprang Eleazar ben Arach" (Jerusalem Talmud
, Hagigah
ii. 77a). To his counsel, often sought and always beneficial, was applied the Biblical expression, "Whatever he does shall prosper" (Tehillim
i. 3). Beneficiaries of his counsel in their admiration called him "Prophet"; to which he replied, "I am neither a prophet nor the son of a prophet, but my teachers have communicated to me the traditional truth that every counsel subserving the promotion of the glory of God realizes good results" (Midrash Tehillim
i. 3.). His motto was, "Be diligent in the pursuit of study; be prepared to respond to an Epicurean
[i.e., a heretic
]; and know for whom you toil and who will pay you the reward of your labor."
Eleazar's name is connected with only a few halakhot
, and with only one halakhic midrash
. The reason for this disappointing paucity of doctrines and sayings is found in the story of the period immediately succeeding the death of Yochanan ben Zakai. The disciples chose Yavne
for their scene of activity, while Eleazar went to Emmaus
, the residence of his wife — a particularly healthful place, blessed with good water, a pleasant climate, and warm baths.
Separated from his colleagues, his faculties became stunted, and he is said to have completely forgotten all he had ever learned (Avot of Rabbi Natan xiv. 6; Ecclesiastes Rabbah
vii. 7). In later years he was pointed out as a warning to the self-opinionated; the Talmud
applying to him the motto of Nehorai: "Go to a place where the Law
is studied, and do not say that the Torah will follow you, for it is your companions who will make it your permanent possession. Do not rely upon your own understanding" (Shabbat
147b; Avot iv. 14).
Tannaim
The Tannaim were the Rabbinic sages whose views are recorded in the Mishnah, from approximately 70-200 CE. The period of the Tannaim, also referred to as the Mishnaic period, lasted about 130 years...
of the second generation (1st century CE). Being first among the disciples of Yochanan ben Zakai
Yochanan ben Zakai
Johanan ben Zakai , also known as Johanan B. Zakkai was one of the tannaim, an important Jewish sage in the era of the Second Temple, and a primary contributor to the core text of Rabbinical Judaism, the Mishnah. He is widely regarded as one of the most important Jewish figures of his time...
(Avot ii. 8; Avot of Rabbi Natan
Avot of Rabbi Natan
Avot de-Rabbi Nathan , usually printed together with the minor tractates of the Talmud, is a Jewish aggadic work probably compiled in the geonic era . Although Avot de-Rabbi Nathan is the first and longest of the "minor tractates", it probably does not belong in that collection chronologically,...
xiv. 3), he delighted his master with his wisdom and penetration, so that the most extravagant encomiums were lavished upon him. It was said, "If all the sages of Israel were placed in one scale, and Eleazar ben Arach in the other, he would outweigh them all" (Avot l. c.; Avot of Rabbi Natan xiv. 4), and Yochanan described him as a "gushing stream" or "ever-flowing spring" (ibid.).
Yochanan once asked his students, "What is the best thing, the one that a person should cherish most?" Several solutions were handed in, among them one from Eleazar, who suggested, "A good heart"; thereupon Yochanan remarked, "I prefer Eleazar's solution to all of yours, since yours are included in his" (Avot ii. 9; Avot of Rabbi Natan xiv. 5). Again, Yochanan asked, "What is the worst thing, the one that a person should shun most?" In this case, also, Eleazar's reply, "An evil heart," was preferred by the teacher because it included all the others (ibid.).
Eleazar also distinguished himself in the mystical interpretation of the Tanakh
Tanakh
The Tanakh is a name used in Judaism for the canon of the Hebrew Bible. The Tanakh is also known as the Masoretic Text or the Miqra. The name is an acronym formed from the initial Hebrew letters of the Masoretic Text's three traditional subdivisions: The Torah , Nevi'im and Ketuvim —hence...
, and to such an extent as to call forth his master's ecstatic exclamation, "Happy are thou, O father Abraham
Abraham
Abraham , whose birth name was Abram, is the eponym of the Abrahamic religions, among which are Judaism, Christianity and Islam...
, from whose loins sprang Eleazar ben Arach" (Jerusalem Talmud
Jerusalem Talmud
The Jerusalem Talmud, talmud meaning "instruction", "learning", , is a collection of Rabbinic notes on the 2nd-century Mishnah which was compiled in the Land of Israel during the 4th-5th century. The voluminous text is also known as the Palestinian Talmud or Talmud de-Eretz Yisrael...
, Hagigah
Hagigah
Tractate Hagigah deals with the Three Pilgrimage Festivals and the pilgrimage offering that men were supposed to bring in Jerusalem. At the middle of the second chapter, the Talmud discusses topics of ritual purity.The tractate contain three chapters, spanning 27 pages in the Vilna edition,...
ii. 77a). To his counsel, often sought and always beneficial, was applied the Biblical expression, "Whatever he does shall prosper" (Tehillim
Psalms
The Book of Psalms , commonly referred to simply as Psalms, is a book of the Hebrew Bible and the Christian Bible...
i. 3). Beneficiaries of his counsel in their admiration called him "Prophet"; to which he replied, "I am neither a prophet nor the son of a prophet, but my teachers have communicated to me the traditional truth that every counsel subserving the promotion of the glory of God realizes good results" (Midrash Tehillim
Midrash Tehillim
Midrash Tehillim or Midrash to Psalms is a haggadic midrash known since the 11th century, when it was quoted by Nathan of Rome in his Aruk , by R. Isaac ben Judah ibn Ghayyat in his Halakot , and by Rashi in his commentary on I Sam. xvii. 49, and on many other passages. This midrash is called also...
i. 3.). His motto was, "Be diligent in the pursuit of study; be prepared to respond to an Epicurean
Epicureanism
Epicureanism is a system of philosophy based upon the teachings of Epicurus, founded around 307 BC. Epicurus was an atomic materialist, following in the steps of Democritus. His materialism led him to a general attack on superstition and divine intervention. Following Aristippus—about whom...
[i.e., a heretic
Heresy
Heresy is a controversial or novel change to a system of beliefs, especially a religion, that conflicts with established dogma. It is distinct from apostasy, which is the formal denunciation of one's religion, principles or cause, and blasphemy, which is irreverence toward religion...
]; and know for whom you toil and who will pay you the reward of your labor."
Eleazar's name is connected with only a few halakhot
Halakha
Halakha — also transliterated Halocho , or Halacha — is the collective body of Jewish law, including biblical law and later talmudic and rabbinic law, as well as customs and traditions.Judaism classically draws no distinction in its laws between religious and ostensibly non-religious life; Jewish...
, and with only one halakhic midrash
Midrash
The Hebrew term Midrash is a homiletic method of biblical exegesis. The term also refers to the whole compilation of homiletic teachings on the Bible....
. The reason for this disappointing paucity of doctrines and sayings is found in the story of the period immediately succeeding the death of Yochanan ben Zakai. The disciples chose Yavne
Yavne
Yavne is a city in the Central District of Israel. According to the Israel Central Bureau of Statistics , at the end of 2009 the city had a population of 33,000.-History:...
for their scene of activity, while Eleazar went to Emmaus
Emmaus
Emmaus was an ancient town located approximately northwest of present day Jerusalem...
, the residence of his wife — a particularly healthful place, blessed with good water, a pleasant climate, and warm baths.
Separated from his colleagues, his faculties became stunted, and he is said to have completely forgotten all he had ever learned (Avot of Rabbi Natan xiv. 6; Ecclesiastes Rabbah
Ecclesiastes Rabbah
Ecclesiastes Rabbah or Kohelet Rabbah is an haggadic commentary on Ecclesiastes, included in the collection of the Midrash Rabbot. It follows the Biblical book verse by verse, only a few verses remaining without comment. In the list of the old sedarim for the Bible four sedarim are assigned to...
vii. 7). In later years he was pointed out as a warning to the self-opinionated; the Talmud
Talmud
The Talmud is a central text of mainstream Judaism. It takes the form of a record of rabbinic discussions pertaining to Jewish law, ethics, philosophy, customs and history....
applying to him the motto of Nehorai: "Go to a place where the Law
Torah
Torah- A scroll containing the first five books of the BibleThe Torah , is name given by Jews to the first five books of the bible—Genesis , Exodus , Leviticus , Numbers and Deuteronomy Torah- A scroll containing the first five books of the BibleThe Torah , is name given by Jews to the first five...
is studied, and do not say that the Torah will follow you, for it is your companions who will make it your permanent possession. Do not rely upon your own understanding" (Shabbat
Shabbat (Talmud)
Shabbat is first tractate in the Order of Moed, of the Mishnah and Talmud. The tractate consists of 24 chapters.The tractate primarily deals with laws relating to Shabbat , and the activities prohibited on Shabbat and distinguishes between Biblical prohibitions and Rabbinic prohibitions...
147b; Avot iv. 14).
External links
- Jewish Encyclopedia article for Eleazar ben Arach, by Solomon SchechterSolomon SchechterSolomon Schechter was a Moldavian-born Romanian and English rabbi, academic scholar, and educator, most famous for his roles as founder and President of the United Synagogue of America, President of the Jewish Theological Seminary of America, and architect of the American Conservative Jewish...
and Samuel MendelsohnSamuel MendelsohnSamuel Mendelsohn was a rabbi and scholar born near Kaunas, Lithuania. He was educated at the rabbinical college in Vilnius, at the rabbinic school in Berlin, and at Maimonides College, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In 1883 he received the honorary degree of doctor of law from the University of...