Zeiri

Zeiri was an rabbi who lived in the third century (second generation of amoraim).

Biography

He was born in Babylonia, and later sojourned for a while in Alexandria, before moving to Syria Palaestina, where he became a pupil of Rabbi Johanan. During his sojourn in Alexandria he purchased a mule which, when he led it to water, was transformed into a bridge-board, the water having lifted the spell which rested on the animal. He was refunded the purchase-money, and advised to apply the water-test to everything he purchased, in order to ascertain whether it had been charmed.[1] When Rabbi Eleazar arrived in the Holy Land, he sought information from Zeiri concerning men known in ancient traditions.[2] He was praised by Rabbah as an exegete of the Mishnah.[3] He was proffered the daughter of Rabbi Johanan for a wife, but refused because he was from Babylonia, and she from the land of Israel.[4]

Teachings

In the name of Hanina bar Hama, he transmitted the maxim that he who in the presence of a teacher ventures to decide a legal question, is a trespasser.[5] He also transmitted a saying by Hanina to the effect that the Messiah would not arrive until all the arrogant ones had disappeared.[6]

Several sages transmitted teachings in his name: Rav Chisda,[7] Rabbi Judah,[8][9] Rabbi Joseph,[10] Rabbi Nachman,[8] and Rabbah.[11]

References

1. Sanhedrin 67b
2. Bava Batra 87a
3. Zebahim 43b
4. Kiddushin 71b
5. Eruvin 3a
6. Sanhedrin 98a
7. Berachot 43a
8. Avoda Zarah 61b
9. Menahot 21a
10. Nedarim 46b
11. Nedarim 46a

 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Singer, Isidore; et al., eds. (1901–1906). "Ze'eri". The Jewish Encyclopedia. New York: Funk & Wagnalls.