Joshua ben Karha
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Joshua Ben Karha (Hebrew: יהושע בן קרחה, Yehoshua ben Karcha (or ben Korcha), was a Jewish Tanna sage of the fourth generation.
Biography
He was a colleague of Rabbi Meir and Shimon ben Gamliel II, and a disciple of Rabbi Akiva.
Some believe that he was the son of Rabbi Akiva, who is referred to in the Talmud as the "kere'ah," the 'bald-headed one'.[1] However, others disagree.[2] He never mentions Akiva in his teachings, and would have done so had Akiva been his father.[3]
Joshua was bald; and once in a dispute with a heretic who taunted him on this score, he refuted his opponent with remarkable readiness of wit.[4]
His affection for his people is shown by the indignation with which he rebuked Eleazar b. Simeon (who had delivered the Jewish criminals over to the Romans): "You vinegar son of wine [= "degenerate scion of a noble father"], how long will you give the people of our God unto death?".[5]
He lived to a great age; and when he blessed Judah haNasi he added the wish that Judah might live half as long as himself.[6]
Teachings
The Mishnah cites few of Ben Karha's halakhic commentaries in his name, and the few ones that are recorded, are either in context with him[clarification needed] or in conjunction with another Tannaitic sage. Thus, in another reference, the Talmud cites Karha's practice as performed on the authority of Eleazar ben Azariah,[7] and in an additional reference, on the authority of R. Yochanan ben Nuri.[8] Similarly, he gave his halakhic ruling along with R. Jose ben Halafta, in the matter of the construction of Jericho.[9]
In comparison with the few halachic commentaries, many aggadah commentaries are recorded in his name.
References
- ^ Rashi on Bekhorot 58a; Rashbam on Pesachim 112a
- ^ Compare Tosafot Pesachim 112a
- ^ Jewish Encyclopedia, JOSHUA B. ḲARḤA
- ^ Shabbat 152a
- ^ Bava Metziah 83b
- ^ Megillah 28b
- ^ "Similarly, R' Yehoshua ben Karcha would declare pure due to [the authority of] R' Eleazar ben Azariah." (Tosefta, Tractate Negaim, 7:3)
- ^ Talmud Yerushalmi, Tractate Kil'ayim, 4:2
- ^ Talmud Yerushalmi, Tractate Sanhedrin, 14:2
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Singer, Isidore; et al., eds. (1901–1906). "JOSHUA B. ḲARḤA". The Jewish Encyclopedia. New York: Funk & Wagnalls.