Difference between revisions of "Gamaliel" - New World Encyclopedia
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| − | [[Image:Stephen-gamaliel-nicodemus2.jpg|thumb| | + | [[Image:Stephen-gamaliel-nicodemus2.jpg|thumb|350px|Gamaliel and Nicodemus portrayed as morning the death of the Christian martyr, Saint Stephen, by a follower of Carlo Saraceni, c. 1615.]] |
| − | '''Gamaliel the Elder''', or Rabbi '''Gamaliel I''', was the grandson of the great Jewish teacher [[Hillel the Elder]]. He was a leading authority in the [[Sanhedrin]] in the mid first century. He died | + | '''Gamaliel the Elder''', or Rabbi '''Gamaliel I''', was the grandson of the great Jewish teacher [[Hillel the Elder]]. He was a leading authority in the [[Sanhedrin]] in the mid first century. His son Shimon ben Gamaliel, was one of the leaders of the Jewish rebellion against Rome, and his grandson, Gamaliel II was an even more famous Sanhedrin leader that Gamaliel I. He died around 54 C.E. |
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| + | Gamaliel is known to the Christian world as the Pharisaic leader who saved the disciples from death in a story in the Book of Acts. | ||
==As Rabban== | ==As Rabban== | ||
| − | Gamaliel I held a reputation of one of the greatest teachers in the annals of Judaism. The Mishnah (Sotah | + | Even though few of his actual teachings have been preserved, Gamaliel I held a reputation of one of the greatest teachers in the annals of Judaism. The Mishnah (Sotah 9:15) pays tribute to this quality, "Since Rabban Gamaliel the Elder died, there has been no more reverence for the law, and purity and abstinence died out at the same time." While believing the law to be wholly inspired by God, he took broad-minded and compassionate attitude toward its interpretation, much like his famous grandfather, [[Hillel the Elder]]. Gamaliel ruled that the [[sabbath]] laws should be interpreted realistically rather than rigorously. He also argued that the law should protect women during divorce and urged [[Jews]] to be kind towards [[Gentiles]]. A tradition preserved in the [[New Testament]] relates that he intervened on behalf of Saint Peter and other Jewish followers of Jesus, telling his Sanhedrin colleagues: "Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. 39But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God." |
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| + | In the [[Talmud]], Gamaliel bears the title "Rabban," a title given to the [[Nasi]], or head of the [[Sanhedrin]]. A leading memer of the House of [[Hillel]], the liberal branch of Pharisaic Judaism founded by his grandfather, he was the first of seven known members of that school who reportedly earned the title of Nasi. <ref>Some dispute exists as to whether Gamaliel actually served as president of the Sandherdrin. However, his influence and reputation as a leading member of that body is beyond question.</ref> | ||
| + | In the [[Mishna]], Gamaliel is spoken of as the author of certain legal ordinances affecting the welfare of the community and regulating issues concerning conjugal rights. Among his rulings, Gamaliel decided that for the purposes of remarriage, a single witness could provide sufficient evidence of the death of a husband (Yevamot 16:7). | ||
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| + | Gamaliel appears as the ruler of the Sandhedrin in three surviving epistles which he dictated to the secretary Johanan. (Sanh. ii.6; Sanh. 11b; Yer. Sanh. 18d; etc.). Two of these letters went to the inhabitants of Galilee and southern Palestine and deal with the question of tithes. The third letter was written for the Jews of the [[Diaspora]], and gave notice of important changes in the official Jewish calendar. He figures in two anecdotes as the religious advisor of Herod [[Agrippa I]] and his wife [[Cypris]] (Pesahim 88 ii). | ||
| − | + | Despite his renown, relatively few of his teachings have been preserved, in part because his opponents in the House of [[Shammai]] seem to have gained control of the Sandhedrin, taking a must stricter line on the crucial question of Jewish relations with the [[Gentiles]]. | |
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| − | + | One one teaching, preserved somewhat imperfectly, he compares types of his students to varieties of Palestinian fish (Aboth di R. Nathan, cb. xl.). In this arrangement Gamaliel enumerates the following kinds of pupils: 1) a diligent student who has no understanding; 2) a good student who also possesses understanding; 3) a pupil who has learned everything but does not know how to reply: and 4) a pupil who has learned everything and knows also how to reply. These correspond to the following varieties of fish: 1) an unclean (ritually inedible) fish; 2) a clean fish; 3) a fish from the Jordan; 4) a fish from the great ocean (Mediterranean). | |
| − | + | One of his best know sayings was, "Secure a teacher for thyself." (Abot i. 5) | |
| − | + | Another was, "Hold thyself [in religious questions] far from doubt, and do not often give a tithe according to general valuation." | |
| − | + | It is thought by some scholars that many sayings of Gamaliel I were erroneously ascribed to his famous grandson of the same name. <ref>[http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/view.jsp?artid=51&letter=G&search=gamaliel Gamaliel I]. Jewish Encyclopedia. Retrieved May 16, 2007.</ref> | |
| − | In | + | ==In Jewish Tradition== |
| − | + | In [[Acts of the Apostles]] Gamaliel is described as a [[Pharisee]] and celebrated scholar of the [[Mosaic Law]]. In Acts (5:34ff), citing past revolts based on the prophesied [[Messiah]] such as [[Theudas]] and [[Judas of Galilee]], Gamaliel advises his fellow members of the [[Sanhedrin]] not to put to death [[Saint Peter]] and the [[Twelve Apostles|Apostles]] for preaching the [[Gospel]]. | |
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| − | + | :A Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. Then he addressed them: "Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. 39But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God. | |
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| + | His advice was acted upon, so great was his authority with his contemporaries. | ||
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| + | It is also stated that he was the teacher of [[Paul of Tarsus|St. Paul]]. In Acts 22:3 Paul tells a crowd in Jerusalem, "I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated at the feet of Gamaliel according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God as all of you are this day." (Acts 22:3) But we are told nothing about the nature or the extent of the influence which he exercised upon the future apostle of the Gentiles. | ||
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| + | Because of his sympathetic attitude to the early Christians, at an early date Christian ecclesiastical tradition has supposed that Gamaliel I embraced the [[Christianity|Christian]] faith, and remained a member of the Sanhedrin for the purpose of secretly helping his fellow-Christians. According to Saint[[Photius]], he was baptized by St. Peter and St. John, together with his son and [[Nicodemus]]. His body was said to be preserved at [[Pisa]], in [[Italy]]. Contemporary Jewish records, however, continue to list him and his sons as respected leaders in the non-Christian branch of the Jewish community. This would be highly unlikely if he had been a convert to Christianity. | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
<references/> | <references/> | ||
| − | == External | + | == External links== |
| − | *[http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/view.jsp?artid=51&letter=G&search=gamaliel | + | *[http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/view.jsp?artid=51&letter=G&search=gamaliel Gamaliel I] ''Jewish Encyclopedia''. Retrieved May 16, 2007. |
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[[Category:Philosophy and religion]] | [[Category:Philosophy and religion]] | ||
{{credit|109314454}} | {{credit|109314454}} | ||
Revision as of 00:59, 16 May 2007
Gamaliel the Elder, or Rabbi Gamaliel I, was the grandson of the great Jewish teacher Hillel the Elder. He was a leading authority in the Sanhedrin in the mid first century. His son Shimon ben Gamaliel, was one of the leaders of the Jewish rebellion against Rome, and his grandson, Gamaliel II was an even more famous Sanhedrin leader that Gamaliel I. He died around 54 C.E.
Gamaliel is known to the Christian world as the Pharisaic leader who saved the disciples from death in a story in the Book of Acts.
As Rabban
Even though few of his actual teachings have been preserved, Gamaliel I held a reputation of one of the greatest teachers in the annals of Judaism. The Mishnah (Sotah 9:15) pays tribute to this quality, "Since Rabban Gamaliel the Elder died, there has been no more reverence for the law, and purity and abstinence died out at the same time." While believing the law to be wholly inspired by God, he took broad-minded and compassionate attitude toward its interpretation, much like his famous grandfather, Hillel the Elder. Gamaliel ruled that the sabbath laws should be interpreted realistically rather than rigorously. He also argued that the law should protect women during divorce and urged Jews to be kind towards Gentiles. A tradition preserved in the New Testament relates that he intervened on behalf of Saint Peter and other Jewish followers of Jesus, telling his Sanhedrin colleagues: "Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. 39But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God."
In the Talmud, Gamaliel bears the title "Rabban," a title given to the Nasi, or head of the Sanhedrin. A leading memer of the House of Hillel, the liberal branch of Pharisaic Judaism founded by his grandfather, he was the first of seven known members of that school who reportedly earned the title of Nasi. [1] In the Mishna, Gamaliel is spoken of as the author of certain legal ordinances affecting the welfare of the community and regulating issues concerning conjugal rights. Among his rulings, Gamaliel decided that for the purposes of remarriage, a single witness could provide sufficient evidence of the death of a husband (Yevamot 16:7).
Gamaliel appears as the ruler of the Sandhedrin in three surviving epistles which he dictated to the secretary Johanan. (Sanh. ii.6; Sanh. 11b; Yer. Sanh. 18d; etc.). Two of these letters went to the inhabitants of Galilee and southern Palestine and deal with the question of tithes. The third letter was written for the Jews of the Diaspora, and gave notice of important changes in the official Jewish calendar. He figures in two anecdotes as the religious advisor of Herod Agrippa I and his wife Cypris (Pesahim 88 ii).
Despite his renown, relatively few of his teachings have been preserved, in part because his opponents in the House of Shammai seem to have gained control of the Sandhedrin, taking a must stricter line on the crucial question of Jewish relations with the Gentiles.
One one teaching, preserved somewhat imperfectly, he compares types of his students to varieties of Palestinian fish (Aboth di R. Nathan, cb. xl.). In this arrangement Gamaliel enumerates the following kinds of pupils: 1) a diligent student who has no understanding; 2) a good student who also possesses understanding; 3) a pupil who has learned everything but does not know how to reply: and 4) a pupil who has learned everything and knows also how to reply. These correspond to the following varieties of fish: 1) an unclean (ritually inedible) fish; 2) a clean fish; 3) a fish from the Jordan; 4) a fish from the great ocean (Mediterranean).
One of his best know sayings was, "Secure a teacher for thyself." (Abot i. 5)
Another was, "Hold thyself [in religious questions] far from doubt, and do not often give a tithe according to general valuation."
It is thought by some scholars that many sayings of Gamaliel I were erroneously ascribed to his famous grandson of the same name. [2]
In Jewish Tradition
In Acts of the Apostles Gamaliel is described as a Pharisee and celebrated scholar of the Mosaic Law. In Acts (5:34ff), citing past revolts based on the prophesied Messiah such as Theudas and Judas of Galilee, Gamaliel advises his fellow members of the Sanhedrin not to put to death Saint Peter and the Apostles for preaching the Gospel.
- A Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. Then he addressed them: "Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. 39But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.
His advice was acted upon, so great was his authority with his contemporaries.
It is also stated that he was the teacher of St. Paul. In Acts 22:3 Paul tells a crowd in Jerusalem, "I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated at the feet of Gamaliel according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God as all of you are this day." (Acts 22:3) But we are told nothing about the nature or the extent of the influence which he exercised upon the future apostle of the Gentiles.
Because of his sympathetic attitude to the early Christians, at an early date Christian ecclesiastical tradition has supposed that Gamaliel I embraced the Christian faith, and remained a member of the Sanhedrin for the purpose of secretly helping his fellow-Christians. According to SaintPhotius, he was baptized by St. Peter and St. John, together with his son and Nicodemus. His body was said to be preserved at Pisa, in Italy. Contemporary Jewish records, however, continue to list him and his sons as respected leaders in the non-Christian branch of the Jewish community. This would be highly unlikely if he had been a convert to Christianity.
ReferencesISBN links support NWE through referral fees
- ↑ Some dispute exists as to whether Gamaliel actually served as president of the Sandherdrin. However, his influence and reputation as a leading member of that body is beyond question.
- ↑ Gamaliel I. Jewish Encyclopedia. Retrieved May 16, 2007.
External links
- Gamaliel I Jewish Encyclopedia. Retrieved May 16, 2007.
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