Ishmael ben Jose (Hebrew: רבי ישמעאל ברבי יוסי, read as Rabbi Ishmael beRabbi [Son of Rabbi] Yossi) was a rabbi who lived at the beginning of the 3rd century (fifth generation of tannaim). He was the son of Jose ben Halafta.
Ishmael served as a Roman official together with Eleazar ben Simeon, and was instrumental in suppressing the many Jewish bandits who had appeared during the war between Severus and Pescennius Niger (193 CE). This activity was greatly resented by the Jews, who never forgave him for handing over fellow Jews to the Roman authorities for execution.[1]
He had a wide knowledge of the Scriptures, and could write down from memory the whole of the Bible.[2]
As a judge, Ishmael was noted for absolute integrity.[3] His modest bearing called forth high praise from his master. Judah haNasi stated Isaiah 23:18 (which promises that the treasures of Tyre shall belong "to them who dwell before the Lord") refers to Ishmael ben Jose and to others who, like him, consider themselves as of little account, but for whom some day a greater glory waits.[4]
Ishmael b. Jose was not on good terms with the Samaritans. Once, when he was passing through Neopolis on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, the Samaritans jeeringly invited him to pray on Mount Gerizim instead of on "the dung hill" (Jerusalem); Ishmael retorted that the object of their worship was the idols hidden near Neopolis by Jacob.[5] He also had occasional disagreements with Christians.[6]
Once, compelled to say something agreeable about a very ugly woman, he in vain sought ground for a compliment, until he learned that her name was "Liḥluḥit" (the dirty one). "Ah!" said he, "there is something beautiful about her—her name, which suits her uncommonly well."[7]
He explains the phrase "Lamenatzeach, a psalm to David"[9] to mean "sing to Him who is happy when He is conquered", elaborating: "Come and behold! God's way is not man's way. One who is defeated is depressed, but God rejoices in being conquered" and citing Psalm 106:23 (where God rejoices at the fact that Moses convinced Him to spare Israel from punishment).[10]
Quotesedit
The disciples of the Sages, when they become old and aged, wisdom is added to them. The unlearned, when they become old and aged, senility is added unto them.[11]
Do not judge alone, for there is only One who may judge alone.[12]
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Singer, Isidore; et al., eds. (1901–1906). "Ishmael ben Jose". The Jewish Encyclopedia. New York: Funk & Wagnalls. Its bibliography:
ishmael, jose, hebrew, רבי, ישמעאל, ברבי, יוסי, read, rabbi, ishmael, berabbi, rabbi, yossi, rabbi, lived, beginning, century, fifth, generation, tannaim, jose, halafta, contents, biography, teachings, quotes, referencesbiography, editishmael, served, roman, o. Ishmael ben Jose Hebrew רבי ישמעאל ברבי יוסי read as Rabbi Ishmael beRabbi Son of Rabbi Yossi was a rabbi who lived at the beginning of the 3rd century fifth generation of tannaim He was the son of Jose ben Halafta Contents 1 Biography 2 Teachings 2 1 Quotes 3 ReferencesBiography editIshmael served as a Roman official together with Eleazar ben Simeon and was instrumental in suppressing the many Jewish bandits who had appeared during the war between Severus and Pescennius Niger 193 CE This activity was greatly resented by the Jews who never forgave him for handing over fellow Jews to the Roman authorities for execution 1 He had a wide knowledge of the Scriptures and could write down from memory the whole of the Bible 2 As a judge Ishmael was noted for absolute integrity 3 His modest bearing called forth high praise from his master Judah haNasi stated Isaiah 23 18 which promises that the treasures of Tyre shall belong to them who dwell before the Lord refers to Ishmael ben Jose and to others who like him consider themselves as of little account but for whom some day a greater glory waits 4 Ishmael b Jose was not on good terms with the Samaritans Once when he was passing through Neopolis on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem the Samaritans jeeringly invited him to pray on Mount Gerizim instead of on the dung hill Jerusalem Ishmael retorted that the object of their worship was the idols hidden near Neopolis by Jacob 5 He also had occasional disagreements with Christians 6 Once compelled to say something agreeable about a very ugly woman he in vain sought ground for a compliment until he learned that her name was Liḥluḥit the dirty one Ah said he there is something beautiful about her her name which suits her uncommonly well 7 Teachings editIn halakhic literature he is known for citating of his father s sayings which he transmitted to Judah haNasi with whom he read Lamentations and the Psalms 8 He explains the phrase Lamenatzeach a psalm to David 9 to mean sing to Him who is happy when He is conquered elaborating Come and behold God s way is not man s way One who is defeated is depressed but God rejoices in being conquered and citing Psalm 106 23 where God rejoices at the fact that Moses convinced Him to spare Israel from punishment 10 Quotes edit The disciples of the Sages when they become old and aged wisdom is added to them The unlearned when they become old and aged senility is added unto them 11 Do not judge alone for there is only One who may judge alone 12 References edit Bava Metzia 84a Yerushalmi Megillah 74d Makkot 24a Ecclesiastes Rabbah 1 7 Genesis Rabbah 81 see also Yerushalmi Avodah Zarah 5 4 44d compare Genesis 35 4 Sanhedrin 38b Nedarim 66b Lamentations Rabbah 2 420 Midrash Tehillim 3 1 In Psalms 13 1 and elsewhere Pesachim 119a see Rashi ad loc Shabbat 152a Pirkei Avot 4 8 nbsp This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain Singer Isidore et al eds 1901 1906 Ishmael ben Jose The Jewish Encyclopedia New York Funk amp Wagnalls Its bibliography Weiss Dor 286 W Bacher Ag Tan ii 407 411 H Graetz Hist ii 467 469 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Ishmael ben Jose amp oldid 1180542363, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
