Difference between revisions of "Nazirite/Nazarite" - New World Encyclopedia
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| − | A '''nazirite''' or '''nazarite''', (in [[Hebrew language|Hebrew]]: נזיר, '''nazir'''), refers to a [[Jew]] who took | + | A '''nazirite''' or '''nazarite''', (in [[Hebrew language|Hebrew]]: נזיר, '''nazir'''), refers to a [[Jew]] who took the [[ascetic]] vow described in {{bibleverse||Numbers|6:1-21|HE}}. The term "nazirite" comes from the [[Hebrew (language)|Hebrew]] word ''nazir'' meaning "consecrated" or "separated".<ref>Alternatively "crowned", see [[Abraham ibn Ezra]]'s biblical commentary</ref> This vow required the man or woman to: |
| − | *Abstain from [[wine]], wine [[vinegar]], [[grapes]], and [[ | + | *Abstain from [[wine]], wine [[vinegar]], [[grapes]], [[raisins]], and according to some - [[alcohol]] and vinegar from alcohol |
| − | *Refrain from cutting one's | + | *Refrain from cutting the hair on one's head |
| − | *Avoid corpses and graves, even those of | + | *Avoid corpses and graves, even those of family members, and any structure which contains such |
| − | After following these requirements for a designated period of time (which would be specified in the individual's vow, and not to be less than 30 days), the person would immerse in a [[Mikvah]] and make three [[korban|offerings]], a lamb as a | + | After following these requirements for a designated period of time (which would be specified in the individual's vow, and not to be less than 30 days), the person would immerse in a [[Mikvah]] and make three [[korban|offerings]], a lamb as a [[burnt offering"]](''olah''), a ewe as a [[Sin-offering]] (''hatat''), and a ram as a [[peace offering]] (''shelamim''), in addition to a basket of unleavened bread, grain offerings and drink offerings, which accompanied the peace offering. |
| − | The nazirite is described as being "holy unto the | + | The nazirite is described as being "holy unto the [[Names of God in Judaism##The Tetragrammaton|Lord]]" ({{bibleverse||Numbers|6:8|HE}}), yet at the same time must bring a sin offering. This contradiction has led to divergent approaches to the nazirite in the [[Talmud]], and [[Rishonim|later authorities]]. |
==Laws of the nazirite== | ==Laws of the nazirite== | ||
| − | [[Halakha]] (Jewish Law) has a rich tradition on the laws of the nazirite. These laws were first recorded in the [[Mishna]], and [[Talmud]] in [[Nazir (Talmud)|tractate ''Nazir'']]. They were later codified by [[Maimonides]] in the ''[[Mishneh Torah]]'' ''Hafla'ah'', ''Nazir''. From the perspective of [[Orthodox Judaism]] these laws are not | + | [[Halakha]] (Jewish Law) has a rich tradition on the laws of the nazirite. These laws were first recorded in the [[Mishna]], and [[Talmud]] in [[Nazir (Talmud)|tractate ''Nazir'']]. They were later codified by [[Maimonides]] in the ''[[Mishneh Torah]]'' ''Hafla'ah'', ''Nazir''. From the perspective of [[Orthodox Judaism]] these laws are not an historical curiosity but can be practiced even today. However, since there is now no [[temple in Jerusalem]] to complete the vow, and any vow would be permanent, modern rabbinical authorities strongly discourage the practice to the point where it is almost unheard today.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.askmoses.com/article.html?h=267&o=232 |title=What is a nazir? |accessdate=2007-08-09 |last= Hecht |first=Mendy |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |year= |month= |format= |work= |publisher=Ask Moses |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= }}</ref> |
===General laws=== | ===General laws=== | ||
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*A nazirite like [[Samson]] | *A nazirite like [[Samson]] | ||
| − | Each one of these has slightly different laws. For example, a permanent nazirite is allowed to cut his hair once a year if the hair is bothersome. A Samson-like nazirite is a permanent nazirite and is not enjoined to avoid corpses. These types of nazirites are known through tradition.<ref>[[Mishneh Torah]] 3:13</ref> | + | Each one of these has slightly different laws. For example, a permanent nazirite is allowed to cut his hair once a year if the hair is bothersome. A Samson-like nazirite is a permanent nazirite and is not enjoined to avoid corpses. These types of nazirites have no source in the Bible but are known through tradition.<ref>[[Mishneh Torah]] 3:13</ref> |
A person can become a nazirite whether or not the [[Temple in Jerusalem]] is standing. However, lacking the temple there is no way to bring the offerings that end the nazirite period. As such the person would de facto be a permanent nazirite.<ref>[[Mishneh Torah]] 2:20-23</ref> | A person can become a nazirite whether or not the [[Temple in Jerusalem]] is standing. However, lacking the temple there is no way to bring the offerings that end the nazirite period. As such the person would de facto be a permanent nazirite.<ref>[[Mishneh Torah]] 2:20-23</ref> | ||
====Redoing the nazirism==== | ====Redoing the nazirism==== | ||
| − | If a nazirite fails in fulfilling these three obligations there may be consequences. | + | If a nazirite fails in fulfilling these three obligations there may be consequences. All or part of the person's time as a nazirite may need to be repeated. Furthermore, the person may be obligated to bring sacrifices, and, in certain circumstances, suffer a penalty of lashes. |
| − | Whether a nazirite has to repeat time as a nazirite depends on what part of the nazirite vow was transgressed. | + | Whether a nazirite has to repeat time as a nazirite depends on what part of the nazirite vow was transgressed. A nazirite who becomes defiled by a corpse is obligated to start the entire nazirite period over again. In the [[Mishna]], Queen Helena vowed to be a nazirite for seven years, but became defiled twice near the end of her nazirite period, forcing her to start over. She was a nazirite for a total of 21 years.<ref>Alternatively for a total of 14 years—see [[Mishna]] tractate "Nazir" 3:5</ref> Nazirites who shave their hair are obligated to redo the last 30 days of the nazirite period. However, if the nazirite drinks wine, the nazirite period continues as normal. <ref>[[Mishneh Torah]] 6:1-3;[[Mishna]] Tractate "Nazir" 6:5</ref> |
===Becoming a nazirite=== | ===Becoming a nazirite=== | ||
A Jewish<ref>[[Mishneh Torah]] 2:16</ref> man or woman can only become a nazirite by an intentional verbal declaration.<ref>[[Mishneh Torah]] 1:5</ref> This declaration can be in any language, and can be something as minor as saying "me too" as a nazirite passes in front of someone.<ref>[[Mishneh Torah]] 1:6</ref> | A Jewish<ref>[[Mishneh Torah]] 2:16</ref> man or woman can only become a nazirite by an intentional verbal declaration.<ref>[[Mishneh Torah]] 1:5</ref> This declaration can be in any language, and can be something as minor as saying "me too" as a nazirite passes in front of someone.<ref>[[Mishneh Torah]] 1:6</ref> | ||
| − | A person can specify the duration for any | + | A person can specify the duration for any amount of days greater than or equal to 30 days. If a person does not specify, or specifies a time less than 30 days, the vow is for 30 days.<ref>[[Mishneh Torah]] 3:1,2</ref> A person who says "I am a nazirite forever" or "I am a nazirite for all my life" is a permanent nazirite and slightly different laws apply. Likewise if a person says "I am a nazirite like Samson," the laws of a Samson-like nazirite apply. However if a person says that he is a nazirite for a thousand years, he is a regular nazirite. |
| − | A father, but not a mother, can declare his son, but not his daughter, a nazirite. However the child or any close family member has a right to refuse | + | A father, but not a mother, can declare his son, but not his daughter, a nazirite. However the child or any close family member has a right to refuse this status.<ref>[[Mishneh Torah]] 2:14-15</ref> |
===Being a nazirite=== | ===Being a nazirite=== | ||
This vow required the man or woman to observe the following: | This vow required the man or woman to observe the following: | ||
| − | *Abstain from [[wine]], wine [[vinegar]], [[grapes]], and [[ | + | *Abstain from [[wine]], wine [[vinegar]], [[grapes]], [[raisins]], and according - to some [[alcohol]] and [[vinegar]] from [[alcohol]]; |
| − | *Refrain from cutting one's | + | *Refrain from cutting the hair on one's head; |
| − | * | + | *Avoid corpses and graves, even those of family members, and any structure which contains such. |
| − | It is also forbidden for the nazirite to have grape, or grape derivatives even if they are not alcoholic. | + | It is also forbidden for the nazirite to have grape, or grape derivatives even if they are not alcoholic. According to Rabbinical interpretation there is no prohibition for the nazirite to drink alcoholic beverages not derived from grapes.<ref>[[Mishneh Torah]] 5:1-3</ref> According to non-Rabbinical interpretation, a Nazirite is forbidden to consume any alcohol, and vinegar from such alcohol, regardless of its source.{{Fact|date=October 2007}} The laws of wine or grapes mixing in other food is similar to [[Kashrut|other dietary laws]] that apply to all Jews.<ref>[[Mishneh Torah]] 5:7</ref> |
| − | A nazirite can groom his hair with his hand or scratch his head and needn’t be concerned if some hair | + | A nazirite can groom his hair with his hand or scratch his head and needn’t be concerned if some hair falls out. However a nazirite cannot comb his hair since it is a near certainty to pull out some hair. A nazirite is not allowed to use a [[chemical depilatory]] that will remove hair.<ref>However no lashes are incurred [[Mishneh Torah]] 5:14 </ref> A nazirite that recovers from [[Tzaraath]], a [[Dermatology|skin disease]] described in {{bibleverse||Leviticus|14|JP}}, is obligated to cut his hair despite being a nazirite. |
The nazirite (except for a Samson-like nazirite as stated above) may not become ritually impure by a dead body. This includes not being under the same roof as a corpse. However a nazirite can contract other kinds of ritual impurity. A nazirite that finds an unburied corpse is obligated to bury it, even though he will become defiled in the process.<ref> [[Mishneh Torah]] 7:14</ref> | The nazirite (except for a Samson-like nazirite as stated above) may not become ritually impure by a dead body. This includes not being under the same roof as a corpse. However a nazirite can contract other kinds of ritual impurity. A nazirite that finds an unburied corpse is obligated to bury it, even though he will become defiled in the process.<ref> [[Mishneh Torah]] 7:14</ref> | ||
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==Attitudes toward nazirites== | ==Attitudes toward nazirites== | ||
| − | The nazirite is called "holy unto the Lord" (Numbers 6:8), but at the same time must bring a sin-offering (Numbers 6:11) and his sins are explicitly referred to ("and make atonement for that which he sinned"). This apparent contradiction, pointed out in the Babylonian [[Talmud]], lead to two divergent views. [[Samuel of Nehardea|Samuel]] and [[Rabbi]] Eliezer Hakappar, focusing on the sin-offering of the nazirite, regarded nazirites, as well as anyone who fasted or took any vow whatsoever, as a sinner. A different Rabbi Eliezer argues and explains that the nazirite is indeed holy and the sin referred to in the verse applies only to a nazirite who became ritually defiled.<ref>[[Talmud]] ''Taanis'' 11a </ref> | + | The nazirite is called "holy unto the Lord" (Numbers 6:8), but at the same time must bring a sin-offering (Numbers 6:11) and his sins are explicitly referred to ("and make atonement for that which he sinned"). This apparent contradiction, pointed out in the Babylonian [[Talmud]], lead to two divergent views. [[Samuel of Nehardea|Samuel]] and [[Rabbi]] Eliezer Hakappar, focusing on the sin-offering of the nazirite, regarded nazirites, as well as anyone who fasted when not obligated to or took any vow whatsoever, as a sinner. A different Rabbi Eliezer argues and explains that the nazirite is indeed holy and the sin referred to in the verse applies only to a nazirite who became ritually defiled.<ref>[[Talmud]] ''Taanis'' 11a </ref> |
[[Maimonides]], following the view of Rabbi Eliezer Hakappar, calls a nazirite a sinner, explaining that a person should always be moderate in his actions and not be to any extreme.<ref>''[[Mishneh Torah]]'' ''Maadah'', ''Deot'' 3:1-4; See also Maimonides Introduction to [[Pirke Avot]] in his commentary on the [[Mishna]]</ref> Nevertheless he does point out that a nazirite can be evil or righteous depending on the circumstances.<ref> ''[[Mishneh Torah]]'' ''Haphlah'', ''Nazir'' 10:21</ref> | [[Maimonides]], following the view of Rabbi Eliezer Hakappar, calls a nazirite a sinner, explaining that a person should always be moderate in his actions and not be to any extreme.<ref>''[[Mishneh Torah]]'' ''Maadah'', ''Deot'' 3:1-4; See also Maimonides Introduction to [[Pirke Avot]] in his commentary on the [[Mishna]]</ref> Nevertheless he does point out that a nazirite can be evil or righteous depending on the circumstances.<ref> ''[[Mishneh Torah]]'' ''Haphlah'', ''Nazir'' 10:21</ref> | ||
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[[Nahmanides]], in his commentary on the [[Torah]], sides with Rabbi Eliezer. He explains that ideally the person should be a nazirite his whole life. Therefore ceasing to be nazirite requires a sin-offering. | [[Nahmanides]], in his commentary on the [[Torah]], sides with Rabbi Eliezer. He explains that ideally the person should be a nazirite his whole life. Therefore ceasing to be nazirite requires a sin-offering. | ||
| − | Many later opinions | + | Many later opinions compromise between these views and explain that a nazirite is both good and bad.<ref>[[Talmud]], ''Taanis'' 11a [[Tosafot]] "Samuel says..."</ref> |
==Nazirites in history== | ==Nazirites in history== | ||
=== Nazirite vows in the Hebrew Bible=== | === Nazirite vows in the Hebrew Bible=== | ||
| − | Two examples of Nazirites in the [[Hebrew Bible]] are [[Samson]] ([[Judges]] 13:5), and [[Samuel]] ([[Books of Samuel|1 Samuel]] 1:11). In both cases, their mothers made the vows before they were born, which required them to live an ascetic life, yet in return they received extraordinary gifts: Samson possessed strength and ability in physical battle, while Samuel was a [[prophet]]. | + | Two examples of Nazirites in the [[Hebrew Bible]] are [[Samson]] ([[Judges]] 13:5), and [[Samuel (Bible)|Samuel]] ([[Books of Samuel|1 Samuel]] 1:11). In both cases, their mothers made the vows before they were born, which required them to live an ascetic life, yet in return they received extraordinary gifts: Samson possessed strength and ability in physical battle, while Samuel was a [[prophet]]. |
* Judges 13:6-7 ([[Judaica Press]]) | * Judges 13:6-7 ([[Judaica Press]]) | ||
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This vow was observed into the intertestamentary period. [[1 Maccabees]] 3:49 mentions men who had ended their nazirite vows, an example dated to about 166 B.C.E. [[Josephus]] mentions a number of people who had taken the vow, such as his tutor Banns (''Antiquities'' 20.6), and [[Gamaliel]] records in the [[Mishna]] how the father of Rabbi Chenena made a lifetime nazirite vow before him (Nazir 29b) — examples showing this practice was observed into the first century CE. | This vow was observed into the intertestamentary period. [[1 Maccabees]] 3:49 mentions men who had ended their nazirite vows, an example dated to about 166 B.C.E. [[Josephus]] mentions a number of people who had taken the vow, such as his tutor Banns (''Antiquities'' 20.6), and [[Gamaliel]] records in the [[Mishna]] how the father of Rabbi Chenena made a lifetime nazirite vow before him (Nazir 29b) — examples showing this practice was observed into the first century CE. | ||
| − | === | + | === Nazirites in the New Testament === |
| − | {{ | + | {{seealso|Historical Jesus}} |
| − | The practice of a | + | The practice of a nazirite vow is part of the ambiguity of the Greek term "[[Nazarene (sect)|Nazarene]]"<ref>[[Bauer lexicon]], 2nd ed., 1979; ''Complete Gospels'', Robert J. Miller, editor, 1992, translation note to Matthew 2:23, page 62: "''Nazorean'': This quote may be dependent upon the Septuagint of Judg 13:5 or 16:17. Matthew's spelling of the word differs from Mark's "Nazarene" (e.g., 1:24)."</ref> that appears in the [[New Testament]]; the sacrifice of a lamb and the offering of bread does suggest a relationship with Christian symbolism (then again, these are the two most frequent offerings prescribed in [[Leviticus]], so no definitive conclusions can be drawn). While a saying in ({{Bibleverse||Matthew|11:18-19|}} and {{Bibleverse||Luke|7:33-35|}}) attributed to [[Jesus]] makes it doubtful that he, reported to be "a winebibber", was a nazirite during his ministry, the verse ends with the curious statement, "But wisdom is justified of all her children". The advocation of the ritual consumption of wine as part of the [[Eucharist]], the ''[[Mikvah|tevilah]]'' in Mark 14:22-25 indicated he kept this aspect of the nazirite vow when Jesus said, "Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the [[kingdom of God]]." The ritual with which Jesus commenced his ministry (recorded via Greek as "[[Baptism of Jesus|Baptism]]") and his vow in {{Bibleverse||Mark|14:25|}} and {{Bibleverse||Luke|22:15-18|}} at the end of his ministry, do respectively reflect the final and initial steps (purification by immersion in water and abstaining from wine) inherent in a nazirite vow. |
| − | Luke clearly was aware that wine was forbidden in ascetic practice, for the angel {{Bibleverse||Luke|1:13-15|}} that announces the birth of [[John the Baptist]] foretells that "he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb", in other words, a | + | [[Luke the Evangelist]] clearly was aware that wine was forbidden in ascetic practice, for the angel {{Bibleverse||Luke|1:13-15|}} that announces the birth of [[John the Baptist]] foretells that "he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb", in other words, a nazirite from birth, the implication being that John had taken a lifelong nazirite vow.<ref>[http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10727a.htm Catholic Encyclopedia: Nazarite]: "Nazarites appear in New Testament times ... Foremost among them is generally reckoned John the Baptist, of whom the angel announced that he should "drink no wine nor strong drink". He is not explicitly called a Nazarite, nor is there any mention of the unshaven hair, but the severe austerity of his life agrees with the supposed asceticism of the Nazarites."</ref> |
| − | + | [[Acts of the Apostles]] is also attributed to Luke and in {{bibleverse||Acts|18:18}}, [[Paul of Tarsus|Paul]] cut off his hair because of a vow he had taken<ref>[http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10727a.htm Catholic Encyclopedia: Nazarite]: "From Acts (xxi, 23 sqq.) we learn that the early Jewish Christians occasionally took the temporary Nazarite vow, and it is probable that the vow of St. Paul mentioned in Acts 18:18, was of a similar nature, although the shaving of his head in Cenchræ, outside of Palestine, was not in conformity with the rules laid down in the sixth chapter of Numbers, nor with the interpretation of them by the Rabbinical schools of that period. (See Eaton in Hastings, Dict. of the Bible, s. v. Nazarites.) If we are to believe the legend of Hegesippus quoted by Eusebius ("Hist. Eccl.", II, xxiii), St. James the Less, Bishop of Jerusalem, was a Nazarite, and performed with rigorous exactness all the ascetic practices enjoined by that rule of life."</ref> and in {{bibleverse||Acts|21:20-24}} Paul was advised to avoid the hostility of the "Jews there are which believe" (believe in Jesus, i.e. the [[Jewish Christians]]) in [[Jerusalem]] who had heard Paul taught [[Antinomianism|against the law]] by purifying himself and accompanying four men to the temple who had taken nazaritic vows<ref>[http://www.ccel.org/ccel/mcgarvey/acts.ch21.html McGarvey]: "It is evident, from the transaction before us, as observed above, that James and the brethren in Jerusalem regarded the offering of sacrifices as at least innocent; for they approved the course of the four Nazarites, and urged Paul to join with them in the service, though it required them to offer sacrifices, and even sin-offerings. They could not, indeed, very well avoid this opinion, since they admitted the continued authority of the Mosaic law. Though disagreeing with them as to the ground of their opinion, as in reference to the other customs, Paul evidently admitted the opinion itself, for he adopted their advice, and paid the expense of the sacrifices which the four Nazarites offered."</ref> (so that he might appear "orderly"<ref>[http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08537a.htm Catholic Encyclopedia: Judaizers] notes: "Paul, on the other hand, not only did not object to the observance of the [[Mosaic Law]], as long as it did not interfere with the liberty of the Gentiles, but he conformed to its prescriptions when occasion required ({{bibleverse|1|Corinthians|9:20}}). Thus he shortly after [the [[Council of Jerusalem]]] [[Circumcision in the Bible|circumcised]] Timothy ({{bibleverse||Acts|16:1-3}}), and he was in the very act of observing the Mosaic ritual when he was arrested at Jerusalem ({{bibleverse-nb||Acts|21:26}} sqq.)."</ref>), a stratagem that only delayed the inevitable mob assault on him. This event brought about the accusation in {{bibleverse|Acts||24:5-18}} that Paul was the "ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes", and thus provides further verification that the term Nazarene was a mistranslation of the term Nazirite. | |
| − | + | What is curious is that Luke does not here mention the apostle [[James the Just]] as taking nazirite vows, although later Christian historians (e.g. [[Epiphanius of Salamis|Epiphanius]] ''Panarion'' 29.4) believed he had, and the vow of a nazirite would explain the asceticism [[Eusebius of Caesarea]] ascribed to James (''Historia Ecclesiastica'' 2.23), an asceticism that gave James the title "James the Just". | |
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| + | Nazirite vows do not appear to have been understood by the Gentiles, nor are they even mentioned in patristic writings; therefore, some look to "nazirite" rather than "of Nazareth" or "the Nazarene" for the origin of these Hebrew/Aramaic epithets for Jesus. This conclusion is based in part on the prophecy in {{bibleverse|Matthew||2:23}} that says of Jesus, "And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene." It is doubtful that the prophets had actually said 'Nazarene', rather than 'Nazirite', because reference bibles state that the prophecy cited in Matt. 2:23 is in reference to {{bibleverse|Judges||13:5-7}} concerning Samson's description as "a Nazirite to God from the womb to the day of his death". In addition, there is no word translated ‘Nazarene’ or any reference to a city of 'Nazareth' in the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament). Furthermore, although {{bibleverse|Luke||1:13-15|49}} describes John the Baptist as a Nazirite from birth, John implied that Jesus was holier than he in {{bibleverse|Matthew||3:13-15|49}}, which says, "Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him". Thus Jesus was baptized, immersion in water being a fulfillment of the nazirite vow. | ||
===Nazirites in the modern State of Israel=== | ===Nazirites in the modern State of Israel=== | ||
{{main|David Cohen (Rabbi)}} | {{main|David Cohen (Rabbi)}} | ||
Rabbi [[David Cohen (Rabbi)|David Cohen]] (1887–1972) was a nazirite. | Rabbi [[David Cohen (Rabbi)|David Cohen]] (1887–1972) was a nazirite. | ||
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==See also== | ==See also== | ||
*[[Nazir (Talmud)]] - The tractate of the Mishnah and Talmud, devoted chiefly to a discussion of the laws of the Nazirite | *[[Nazir (Talmud)]] - The tractate of the Mishnah and Talmud, devoted chiefly to a discussion of the laws of the Nazirite | ||
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==References== | ==References== | ||
| + | *See: Chepey, S. ''Nazirites in Late Second Temple Judaism: A Survey of Ancient Jewish Writings, the New Testament, Archaeological Evidence, and other Writings from Late Antiquity.'' AJEC 60. Leiden: Brill Academic Publishers, 2005. | ||
<references /> | <references /> | ||
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==External links== | ==External links== | ||
| − | *[http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/view.jsp?artid=142&letter=N Nazarite] in the 1906 | + | *[http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/view.jsp?artid=142&letter=N Nazarite] in the 1906 Jewish Encyclopedia |
| − | *[http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10727a.htm Nazarite] in the 1913 | + | *[http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10727a.htm Nazarite] in the 1913 Catholic Encyclopedia |
| − | *[http://encyclopedia.jrank.org/NAN_NEW/NAZARITE.html Nazarite] in the 1911 | + | *[http://encyclopedia.jrank.org/NAN_NEW/NAZARITE.html Nazarite] in the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica |
*Full text of the [http://www.mechon-mamre.org/b/h/h34.htm Mishna ''nazir''] and [http://www.mechon-mamre.org/i/63.htm Mishneh Torah ''nazir''] at Machon Mamre. | *Full text of the [http://www.mechon-mamre.org/b/h/h34.htm Mishna ''nazir''] and [http://www.mechon-mamre.org/i/63.htm Mishneh Torah ''nazir''] at Machon Mamre. | ||
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Revision as of 09:14, 22 October 2007
A nazirite or nazarite, (in Hebrew: נזיר, nazir), refers to a Jew who took the ascetic vow described in Numbers 6:1-21. The term "nazirite" comes from the Hebrew word nazir meaning "consecrated" or "separated".[1] This vow required the man or woman to:
- Abstain from wine, wine vinegar, grapes, raisins, and according to some - alcohol and vinegar from alcohol
- Refrain from cutting the hair on one's head
- Avoid corpses and graves, even those of family members, and any structure which contains such
After following these requirements for a designated period of time (which would be specified in the individual's vow, and not to be less than 30 days), the person would immerse in a Mikvah and make three offerings, a lamb as a burnt offering"(olah), a ewe as a Sin-offering (hatat), and a ram as a peace offering (shelamim), in addition to a basket of unleavened bread, grain offerings and drink offerings, which accompanied the peace offering.
The nazirite is described as being "holy unto the Lord" (Numbers 6:8), yet at the same time must bring a sin offering. This contradiction has led to divergent approaches to the nazirite in the Talmud, and later authorities.
Laws of the nazirite
Halakha (Jewish Law) has a rich tradition on the laws of the nazirite. These laws were first recorded in the Mishna, and Talmud in tractate Nazir. They were later codified by Maimonides in the Mishneh Torah Hafla'ah, Nazir. From the perspective of Orthodox Judaism these laws are not an historical curiosity but can be practiced even today. However, since there is now no temple in Jerusalem to complete the vow, and any vow would be permanent, modern rabbinical authorities strongly discourage the practice to the point where it is almost unheard today.[2]
General laws
As a vow
All the laws of vows in general apply also to the nazirite vow. As by other vows, a father has the ability to annul the nazirite vow of his young daughter, and a husband has the ability to annul a vow by his wife, when they first hear about it (Numbers 30).[3] Likewise all of the laws related to intent and conditional vows apply also to nazirite vows.
Types of nazirites
In general there are three types of nazirites:
- A nazirite for a set time
- A permanent nazirite
- A nazirite like Samson
Each one of these has slightly different laws. For example, a permanent nazirite is allowed to cut his hair once a year if the hair is bothersome. A Samson-like nazirite is a permanent nazirite and is not enjoined to avoid corpses. These types of nazirites have no source in the Bible but are known through tradition.[4]
A person can become a nazirite whether or not the Temple in Jerusalem is standing. However, lacking the temple there is no way to bring the offerings that end the nazirite period. As such the person would de facto be a permanent nazirite.[5]
Redoing the nazirism
If a nazirite fails in fulfilling these three obligations there may be consequences. All or part of the person's time as a nazirite may need to be repeated. Furthermore, the person may be obligated to bring sacrifices, and, in certain circumstances, suffer a penalty of lashes.
Whether a nazirite has to repeat time as a nazirite depends on what part of the nazirite vow was transgressed. A nazirite who becomes defiled by a corpse is obligated to start the entire nazirite period over again. In the Mishna, Queen Helena vowed to be a nazirite for seven years, but became defiled twice near the end of her nazirite period, forcing her to start over. She was a nazirite for a total of 21 years.[6] Nazirites who shave their hair are obligated to redo the last 30 days of the nazirite period. However, if the nazirite drinks wine, the nazirite period continues as normal. [7]
Becoming a nazirite
A Jewish[8] man or woman can only become a nazirite by an intentional verbal declaration.[9] This declaration can be in any language, and can be something as minor as saying "me too" as a nazirite passes in front of someone.[10]
A person can specify the duration for any amount of days greater than or equal to 30 days. If a person does not specify, or specifies a time less than 30 days, the vow is for 30 days.[11] A person who says "I am a nazirite forever" or "I am a nazirite for all my life" is a permanent nazirite and slightly different laws apply. Likewise if a person says "I am a nazirite like Samson," the laws of a Samson-like nazirite apply. However if a person says that he is a nazirite for a thousand years, he is a regular nazirite.
A father, but not a mother, can declare his son, but not his daughter, a nazirite. However the child or any close family member has a right to refuse this status.[12]
Being a nazirite
This vow required the man or woman to observe the following:
- Abstain from wine, wine vinegar, grapes, raisins, and according - to some alcohol and vinegar from alcohol;
- Refrain from cutting the hair on one's head;
- Avoid corpses and graves, even those of family members, and any structure which contains such.
It is also forbidden for the nazirite to have grape, or grape derivatives even if they are not alcoholic. According to Rabbinical interpretation there is no prohibition for the nazirite to drink alcoholic beverages not derived from grapes.[13] According to non-Rabbinical interpretation, a Nazirite is forbidden to consume any alcohol, and vinegar from such alcohol, regardless of its source.[citation needed] The laws of wine or grapes mixing in other food is similar to other dietary laws that apply to all Jews.[14]
A nazirite can groom his hair with his hand or scratch his head and needn’t be concerned if some hair falls out. However a nazirite cannot comb his hair since it is a near certainty to pull out some hair. A nazirite is not allowed to use a chemical depilatory that will remove hair.[15] A nazirite that recovers from Tzaraath, a skin disease described in Leviticus 14, is obligated to cut his hair despite being a nazirite.
The nazirite (except for a Samson-like nazirite as stated above) may not become ritually impure by a dead body. This includes not being under the same roof as a corpse. However a nazirite can contract other kinds of ritual impurity. A nazirite that finds an unburied corpse is obligated to bury it, even though he will become defiled in the process.[16]
Ending of the nazirite period
At the end of the nazirite period the nazirite brings three sacrifices in the Temple in Jerusalem. The first is a ewe for a chatat (sin offering), the second is lamb for an olah (elevation offering), and finally a ram as a shelamim (peace offering) along with a basket of matzah and their grain and drink offerings.[17] After bringing the sacrifices the nazirite shaves his or her head in the outer courtyard of the Temple.
Attitudes toward nazirites
The nazirite is called "holy unto the Lord" (Numbers 6:8), but at the same time must bring a sin-offering (Numbers 6:11) and his sins are explicitly referred to ("and make atonement for that which he sinned"). This apparent contradiction, pointed out in the Babylonian Talmud, lead to two divergent views. Samuel and Rabbi Eliezer Hakappar, focusing on the sin-offering of the nazirite, regarded nazirites, as well as anyone who fasted when not obligated to or took any vow whatsoever, as a sinner. A different Rabbi Eliezer argues and explains that the nazirite is indeed holy and the sin referred to in the verse applies only to a nazirite who became ritually defiled.[18]
Maimonides, following the view of Rabbi Eliezer Hakappar, calls a nazirite a sinner, explaining that a person should always be moderate in his actions and not be to any extreme.[19] Nevertheless he does point out that a nazirite can be evil or righteous depending on the circumstances.[20]
Nahmanides, in his commentary on the Torah, sides with Rabbi Eliezer. He explains that ideally the person should be a nazirite his whole life. Therefore ceasing to be nazirite requires a sin-offering.
Many later opinions compromise between these views and explain that a nazirite is both good and bad.[21]
Nazirites in history
Nazirite vows in the Hebrew Bible
Two examples of Nazirites in the Hebrew Bible are Samson (Judges 13:5), and Samuel (1 Samuel 1:11). In both cases, their mothers made the vows before they were born, which required them to live an ascetic life, yet in return they received extraordinary gifts: Samson possessed strength and ability in physical battle, while Samuel was a prophet.
- Judges 13:6-7 (Judaica Press)
- 6. And the woman came and said to her husband, saying, "A man of God came to me, and his appearance was like the appearance of an angel of God, very awesome; and I did not ask him from where he was and his name he did not tell me.
- 7. And he said to me, 'Behold, you shall conceive and bear a son; and now do not drink wine and strong drink, and do not eat any unclean (thing), for a nazirite to God shall the lad be, from the womb until the day of his death.'
- Amos 2:11-12 (Judaica Press)
- 11. And I raised up some of your sons as prophets and some of your young men as nazirites; is this not so, O children of Israel? says the Lord.
- 12. And you gave the nazirites to drink wine, and you commanded the prophets saying, "Do not prophesy."
Nazirite vows in the intertestamentary period
This vow was observed into the intertestamentary period. 1 Maccabees 3:49 mentions men who had ended their nazirite vows, an example dated to about 166 B.C.E. Josephus mentions a number of people who had taken the vow, such as his tutor Banns (Antiquities 20.6), and Gamaliel records in the Mishna how the father of Rabbi Chenena made a lifetime nazirite vow before him (Nazir 29b) — examples showing this practice was observed into the first century CE.
Nazirites in the New Testament
The practice of a nazirite vow is part of the ambiguity of the Greek term "Nazarene"[22] that appears in the New Testament; the sacrifice of a lamb and the offering of bread does suggest a relationship with Christian symbolism (then again, these are the two most frequent offerings prescribed in Leviticus, so no definitive conclusions can be drawn). While a saying in (Matthew 11:18-19 and Luke 7:33-35) attributed to Jesus makes it doubtful that he, reported to be "a winebibber", was a nazirite during his ministry, the verse ends with the curious statement, "But wisdom is justified of all her children". The advocation of the ritual consumption of wine as part of the Eucharist, the tevilah in Mark 14:22-25 indicated he kept this aspect of the nazirite vow when Jesus said, "Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God." The ritual with which Jesus commenced his ministry (recorded via Greek as "Baptism") and his vow in Mark 14:25 and Luke 22:15-18 at the end of his ministry, do respectively reflect the final and initial steps (purification by immersion in water and abstaining from wine) inherent in a nazirite vow.
Luke the Evangelist clearly was aware that wine was forbidden in ascetic practice, for the angel Luke 1:13-15 that announces the birth of John the Baptist foretells that "he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb", in other words, a nazirite from birth, the implication being that John had taken a lifelong nazirite vow.[23]
Acts of the Apostles is also attributed to Luke and in Acts 18:18, Paul cut off his hair because of a vow he had taken[24] and in Acts 21:20-24 Paul was advised to avoid the hostility of the "Jews there are which believe" (believe in Jesus, i.e. the Jewish Christians) in Jerusalem who had heard Paul taught against the law by purifying himself and accompanying four men to the temple who had taken nazaritic vows[25] (so that he might appear "orderly"[26]), a stratagem that only delayed the inevitable mob assault on him. This event brought about the accusation in Acts 24:5-18 that Paul was the "ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes", and thus provides further verification that the term Nazarene was a mistranslation of the term Nazirite.
What is curious is that Luke does not here mention the apostle James the Just as taking nazirite vows, although later Christian historians (e.g. Epiphanius Panarion 29.4) believed he had, and the vow of a nazirite would explain the asceticism Eusebius of Caesarea ascribed to James (Historia Ecclesiastica 2.23), an asceticism that gave James the title "James the Just".
Nazirite vows do not appear to have been understood by the Gentiles, nor are they even mentioned in patristic writings; therefore, some look to "nazirite" rather than "of Nazareth" or "the Nazarene" for the origin of these Hebrew/Aramaic epithets for Jesus. This conclusion is based in part on the prophecy in Matthew 2:23 that says of Jesus, "And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene." It is doubtful that the prophets had actually said 'Nazarene', rather than 'Nazirite', because reference bibles state that the prophecy cited in Matt. 2:23 is in reference to Judges 13:5-7 concerning Samson's description as "a Nazirite to God from the womb to the day of his death". In addition, there is no word translated ‘Nazarene’ or any reference to a city of 'Nazareth' in the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament). Furthermore, although Luke 1:13-15 describes John the Baptist as a Nazirite from birth, John implied that Jesus was holier than he in Matthew 3:13-15, which says, "Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him". Thus Jesus was baptized, immersion in water being a fulfillment of the nazirite vow.
Nazirites in the modern State of Israel
Rabbi David Cohen (1887–1972) was a nazirite.
See also
- Nazir (Talmud) - The tractate of the Mishnah and Talmud, devoted chiefly to a discussion of the laws of the Nazirite
ReferencesISBN links support NWE through referral fees
- See: Chepey, S. Nazirites in Late Second Temple Judaism: A Survey of Ancient Jewish Writings, the New Testament, Archaeological Evidence, and other Writings from Late Antiquity. AJEC 60. Leiden: Brill Academic Publishers, 2005.
- ↑ Alternatively "crowned", see Abraham ibn Ezra's biblical commentary
- ↑ Hecht, Mendy. What is a nazir?. Ask Moses. Retrieved 2007-08-09.
- ↑ Mishneh Torah Hafla'ah, Nazir 2:16
- ↑ Mishneh Torah 3:13
- ↑ Mishneh Torah 2:20-23
- ↑ Alternatively for a total of 14 years—see Mishna tractate "Nazir" 3:5
- ↑ Mishneh Torah 6:1-3;Mishna Tractate "Nazir" 6:5
- ↑ Mishneh Torah 2:16
- ↑ Mishneh Torah 1:5
- ↑ Mishneh Torah 1:6
- ↑ Mishneh Torah 3:1,2
- ↑ Mishneh Torah 2:14-15
- ↑ Mishneh Torah 5:1-3
- ↑ Mishneh Torah 5:7
- ↑ However no lashes are incurred Mishneh Torah 5:14
- ↑ Mishneh Torah 7:14
- ↑ Mishneh Torah 8:1-3
- ↑ Talmud Taanis 11a
- ↑ Mishneh Torah Maadah, Deot 3:1-4; See also Maimonides Introduction to Pirke Avot in his commentary on the Mishna
- ↑ Mishneh Torah Haphlah, Nazir 10:21
- ↑ Talmud, Taanis 11a Tosafot "Samuel says..."
- ↑ Bauer lexicon, 2nd ed., 1979; Complete Gospels, Robert J. Miller, editor, 1992, translation note to Matthew 2:23, page 62: "Nazorean: This quote may be dependent upon the Septuagint of Judg 13:5 or 16:17. Matthew's spelling of the word differs from Mark's "Nazarene" (e.g., 1:24)."
- ↑ Catholic Encyclopedia: Nazarite: "Nazarites appear in New Testament times ... Foremost among them is generally reckoned John the Baptist, of whom the angel announced that he should "drink no wine nor strong drink". He is not explicitly called a Nazarite, nor is there any mention of the unshaven hair, but the severe austerity of his life agrees with the supposed asceticism of the Nazarites."
- ↑ Catholic Encyclopedia: Nazarite: "From Acts (xxi, 23 sqq.) we learn that the early Jewish Christians occasionally took the temporary Nazarite vow, and it is probable that the vow of St. Paul mentioned in Acts 18:18, was of a similar nature, although the shaving of his head in Cenchræ, outside of Palestine, was not in conformity with the rules laid down in the sixth chapter of Numbers, nor with the interpretation of them by the Rabbinical schools of that period. (See Eaton in Hastings, Dict. of the Bible, s. v. Nazarites.) If we are to believe the legend of Hegesippus quoted by Eusebius ("Hist. Eccl.", II, xxiii), St. James the Less, Bishop of Jerusalem, was a Nazarite, and performed with rigorous exactness all the ascetic practices enjoined by that rule of life."
- ↑ McGarvey: "It is evident, from the transaction before us, as observed above, that James and the brethren in Jerusalem regarded the offering of sacrifices as at least innocent; for they approved the course of the four Nazarites, and urged Paul to join with them in the service, though it required them to offer sacrifices, and even sin-offerings. They could not, indeed, very well avoid this opinion, since they admitted the continued authority of the Mosaic law. Though disagreeing with them as to the ground of their opinion, as in reference to the other customs, Paul evidently admitted the opinion itself, for he adopted their advice, and paid the expense of the sacrifices which the four Nazarites offered."
- ↑ Catholic Encyclopedia: Judaizers notes: "Paul, on the other hand, not only did not object to the observance of the Mosaic Law, as long as it did not interfere with the liberty of the Gentiles, but he conformed to its prescriptions when occasion required (1 Corinthians 9:20). Thus he shortly after [the Council of Jerusalem] circumcised Timothy (Acts 16:1-3), and he was in the very act of observing the Mosaic ritual when he was arrested at Jerusalem (21:26 sqq.)."
External links
- Nazarite in the 1906 Jewish Encyclopedia
- Nazarite in the 1913 Catholic Encyclopedia
- Nazarite in the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica
- Full text of the Mishna nazir and Mishneh Torah nazir at Machon Mamre.
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