Guide
The Educated Jew
By Carol Bakhos
Related Primary Sources
Primary Source
Josephus’ Education
Life of Josephus 8–10
I myself, having been brought up with my brother, whose name was Matthias—he had been born my legitimate brother from both parents—was making great advancements in the progress of my education…
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Josephus’ Greek and Jewish Learning
Jewish Antiquities 20.262–263
I indeed may say, encouraged by the consummation of the work I set out to accomplish, that no other person—were he a Jew or foreigner, however so inclined—could so accurately deliver these accounts to…
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Teaching a Daughter Greek
y. Shabbat 6:1, 7d
R. Abbahu in the name of R. Yoḥanan, “A person is allowed to teach his daughter Greek, because it is an ornament for her.” Simeon b. Ba heard [this] and said, “Because R. Abbahu wanted to teach his…
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Greek Education in the Family of Gamaliel
t. Sotah 15:8
They permitted the household of R. Gamliel to teach their children Greek, because they were close to the [Roman] government.
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Libanius’ Letters to the Jewish Patriarch
Epistles (selected)
To the same [Priscianus—Ed.]
Some disturbance has arisen among our Jews because [of a rumor that] a certain wicked…
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Torah Teaching for Everyone
Sifre Deuteronomy 48
Just as water is free to the entire world, so teachings of the Torah are free to the entire world, as it is said: Behold, everyone who is thirsty come for water, and he who has no money, come and buy…
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The Students of R. Yoḥanan ben Zakkai
m. Avot 2:8
R. Yoḥanan ben Zakkai received [the Oral Torah] from Hillel and from Shammai. He would say: If you have learned much Torah, do not claim credit for yourself, since you were created for this [purpose]…
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The Rabbis’ Monopoly on Torah Study
Leviticus Rabbah 9:3
An event concerning R. Yannai, who was walking on the way. He met a person who was very overbearing. He [R. Yannai] said to him, “Will the rabbi accept my hospitality?” He said to him, “Whatever…
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A Rabbinic Scholarly Elite
Leviticus Rabbah 2:1
It is the custom of the world that a thousand enter upon the study of Scripture, but [only] a hundred come forth [successfully]. Out of a hundred who [proceed] to the [study of] Mishnah, ten come…
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The Duties of a Student to His Master
Pesikta de-Rav Kahana 11:8
R. Levi in the name of R. Ḥama bar Ḥaninah said: [ . . . ] Ordinarily [derekh ha-arets], a disciple carries [utensils] for him and walks in front of the master. [ . . . ] Ordinarily, the disciple goes…
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The Servitude of Students
b. Ketubbot 96a
All manner of service that a slave must render to his master, the disciple must render to his teacher, except for taking off his shoe.
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Rabbinic Study Sessions
y. Berakhot 4:1, 7d
And how many benches were there? R. Jacob b. Sisi said: Eighty benches were there for the disciples of sages, besides those who were standing beyond the fence. R. Yosi b. R. Abun said: Three hundred…
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Rabbis Teaching in Study Houses
y. Bava Metsi‘a 2:11, 8d
It has been taught: Who is this teacher of his who taught him wisdom? Anyone who introduced him [to learning] at the beginning, the words of R. Meir. R. Yudan says: Anyone from whom he has most of his…