Places of rabbinic settlement in the Galilee, 70-400 C.E.: Periphery versus center
The main discussion of this paper is quantitative-historical in nature, and examines the number of Sages who were active in the Galilee settlements during the period of the Mishna and the Talmud, and the different historical and sociological implications that flow from this. Initially, there is a me...
| Published in: | Hebrew Union College annual / Jewish Institute of Religion |
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| Subtitles: | מקומות מושבם של החכמים בגליל, 70-400: פריפריה מול מרכז |
| Main Author: | |
| Format: | Print Article |
| Language: | Hebrew |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Journals Online & Print: | Drawer...
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| Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
| Published: |
College
1998
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| In: |
Hebrew Union College annual / Jewish Institute of Religion
|
| RelBib Classification: | BH Judaism |
| Further subjects: | B
Rabbinic Judaism
B Galilee |
| Summary: | The main discussion of this paper is quantitative-historical in nature, and examines the number of Sages who were active in the Galilee settlements during the period of the Mishna and the Talmud, and the different historical and sociological implications that flow from this. Initially, there is a methodological discussion concerning the question of who is classified as a Sage in talmudic literature, and what parameters are used to ascertain whether a Sage worked in a certain settlement. Next,we discuss the different settlements where the Sages functioned, in chronological order according to the time period when the Sages were active, and present a concise history of the settlements, in cases where this is known. Sepphoris and Tiberias, the largest city centers in the Galilee, are discussed first, and thereafter the rural settlements. Next follows a discussion of the historical implications that lie behind the facts. From this it becomes apparent that the number of Sages who were active in the Galilee, and the numbers of settlements, grew progressively from the beginning of this period and reached its peak in the middle of the talmudic period, remaining stable until the end. The relationship between the different centers, and especially between the cities and villages, i.e. center and periphery, is also discussed. At first, the rural settlements were dominant but, later, during the time of Rabbi Yehudah the Patriarch, the influence of the city centers grew, causing the villages to become reliant on them, and, largely, to seek guidance from them. In conclusion, the increase in the numbers of Sages and the extension of their activities in many settlements enhanced their influence in the Galilee, which was the main Jewish center after the Bar Kochba revolt, and greatly influenced the character of Jewish culture in that period and afterwards. |
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| ISSN: | 0360-9049 |
| Contains: | In: Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, Hebrew Union College annual / Jewish Institute of Religion
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