OSHAIAH (Hoshaiah) RABBAH

OSHAIAH (Hoshaiah ) RABBAH (first half of the second century c.e.), Palestinian amora. Oshaiah was born in southern Palestine (tj, Nid. 3:2), where he studied under *Bar Kappara (mk 24a) and *Ḥiyya (tj, Shab. 3:1), eventually becoming the latter's assistant. The Jerusalem Talmud (Nid. 3:2, 50c) reports that Bar Kappara and Oshaiah's father *Ḥama were found together in "the south" (= Lydda), and that Oshaiah himself disseminated Bar Kappara's Mishnah (tj, Shev. 5:2, 35b) which he brought from Lydda. According to S. Lieberman (Sifre Zuta, 123), Oshaiah eventually established his bet midrash in Lydda, not far from that of Bar Kappara. The Talmud reports that his father, *Ḥama, left the family when Oshaiah was a child in order to study. When after several years Ḥama finally returned, he found that the young stranger with whom he had discussed halakhah on the way was his own son (Ket. 62b). When father and son disputed a particular issue, Oshaiah's grandfather, Bisa, ruled in his grandson's favor (bb 59a). Oshaiah was apparently a member of *Judah Ha-Nasi's council in Sepphoris and was entrusted with examining the witnesses of the new moon (tj, Ned. 6:8). After Judah ha-Nasi's death, he founded his own academy at Caesarea (tj, Ter. 10:2). He was famed for his collection of baraitot, called Mishnayot Gedolot ("Great Mishnayot"; tj, Hor. 3:5) and for the ability with which he explained them. As a result he was called Av ha-Mishnah ("Father of the Mishnah"; tj, bk, 4:6). The collection was respected in Babylon, too, and *Ze'eira remarked, "Every baraita that was not taught in the school of Ḥiyya and Oshaiah is not authentic" (Ḥul. 141a–b).

Oshaiah was particularly strict in requiring from a prospective proselyte both circumcision and immersion in the presence of three rabbis (Yev. 46b), a decision which was possibly prompted in opposition to the widespread conversion of gentiles by Christian Jews. R.T. Herford (Christianity in Talmud and Midrash (1903), 247ff.) suggests that Oshaiah's maxim, "The Almighty dwelt kindly with Israel in scattering them" (Pes. 87b), may also have been directed against them. Bacher (jqr. 3 (1891), 357–60) maintains that Oshaiah had certainly heard of Origen, if not read his works, and associates the latter with "the philosopher" who asked Oshaiah, "Why was not man created circumcised?" Oshaiah replied, "Man, together with all creations, needs perfecting, and circumcision brings perfection" (Gen. R. 11:6). He was also the author of the phrase, "Custom overrides law" (tj, bm 7:1). According to one reading, Oshaiah was poor (Meg. 7a). His kindness and consideration for his fellow men is illustrated by his apology to his son's blind teacher, whom he had not invited to a particular meal for fear that he would be embarrassed by other guests (tj, Pe'ah 8:9, 21b). His son, Merenos, was a scholar (tj, Git. 4:6). Among his pupils were Ammi (tj, Shab. 3:7) and *Johanan b. Nappaḥa (tj, Ter. 10:2). The latter continued to visit Oshaiah even when he himself became a great scholar (tj, Sanh. 11:6, 30b). He once said, "Oshaiah in his generation is like *Meir was in his" (Er. 53a).

bibliography:

Hyman, Toledot, 110–6; Bacher, Pal Amor; Ḥ. Albeck, Mavo la-Talmudim (1969), 163f. S. Lieberman, Sifrei Zuta (1968), 123.

[Stephen G. Wald (2^nd ed.)]