UTJ Viewpoints

רבן גמליאל אומר

1. עשה לך רב

2. והסתלק מן הספק

3. ואל תרבה לעשר אומדות :

Avot 1:16

Rabban Gamaliel taught:

1. Make for yourself a master

2. remove yourself from doubt

3. do not estimate the tithe tax overmuch

Rabban Gamaliel was not just a rabbi; he was the nasi, the one who is lifted up. He is cited as the teacher of Paul in Acts 5, he knew how to speak to the other, and he carried a most venerable title. Moses, the pre-monarch, and Bar Kochba the warrior, were called nasi. Under Roman rule, the Jews learned to be mentally free even though they were not politically free. Rabban Gamaliel gives three commands, two positive and one negative.

In an age of instability, we are commissioned to find an anchor and mentor, removing oneself from doubt is our uncertain world and not tithing from estimates if we are able.

Bet Shemuel teaches that one should have one rabbi and on consistent system, while R. Uzziel wants rabbis to have three rabbi/mentor/anchors. The students needs certainty in the face of chaos; the mentor manages and overcomes the chaos.

Rabbi Moses al-Shaqr insightfully connects this Mishnah to the previous one; Shammai taught to make Torah “fixed,” a moral fulcrum and Gamaliel shows how this is done.