Gamaliel

{{Short description|First century leading authority on Jewish law in the Sanhedrin}} {{About|Gamaliel the Elder|other individuals and uses|Gamaliel (disambiguation)}}{{Infobox Jewish leader | title = Nasi | image = Rabban Gamliel.jpg | honorific-prefix = Rabban | caption = Gamaliel depicted in a medieval miniature | father = Simeon ben Hillel | children = 2, including Simeon ben Gamliel }} '''Gamaliel the Elder''' ({{IPAc-en|ɡ|ə|ˈ|m|eɪ|l|i|əl|,_|-|ˈ|m|ɑː|-|,_|ˌ|ɡ|æ|m|ə|ˈ|l|iː|əl}};<ref>{{cite book|last=Jones |first= Daniel |author2=Gimson, A.C. |title= Everyman's English Pronouncing Dictionary |publisher= J.M. Dent & Sons Ltd |location= London |year= 1977 |page= 207}}</ref> also spelled '''Gamliel'''; {{langx|he|רַבַּן גַּמְלִיאֵל הַזָּקֵן}} ''Rabban Gamliʾēl haz-Zāqēn''; {{langx|grc-x-koine|Γαμαλιὴλ ὁ Πρεσβύτερος}} ''Gamaliēl ho Presbýteros''), or '''Rabban Gamaliel I''', was a leading authority in the Sanhedrin in the early first century AD. He was the son of Simeon ben Hillel and grandson of the great Jewish teacher Hillel the Elder. He fathered Simeon ben Gamliel, who was named for Gamaliel's father,<ref name=JE>{{cite web| first1= Solomon |last1= Schechter |first2= Wilhelm |last2= Bacher | website=Jewish Encyclopedia| url= http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/view.jsp?letter=G&artid=51 |title= Gamliel I}}</ref> and a daughter, who married a priest named Simon ben Nathanael.<ref>''Avodah Zarah'' 3:10</ref>

{{Eras of the Halakha}} In the Christian tradition, Gamaliel is recognized as a Pharisaic doctor of Jewish Law.<ref name="CathEncy">{{cite web| title= Gamaliel |website= Catholic Encyclopedia |url= http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06374b.htm}}</ref> Gamaliel was named as a member of the Sanhedrin in Acts 5 and the teacher of Paul the Apostle in {{bibleverse|Acts|22:3|9}}.<ref>{{cite book| first1= Andreas J. |last1= Köstenberger |first2= L. Scott |last2= Kellum |first3= Charles |last3= Quarles |title=The Cradle, the Cross, and the Crown: An Introduction to the New Testament |page= 389 |publisher= B & H Publishing Group |year= 2009 |isbn= 978-0-8054-4365-3}}</ref> Gamaliel encouraged his fellow Pharisees to show leniency to the apostles of Jesus in {{Bibleverse|Acts|5:34|9}}.<ref>Raymond E. Brown, ''A Once-and-Coming Spirit at Pentecost'', page 35 (Liturgical Press, 1994). {{ISBN|0-8146-2154-6}}</ref>

== In Jewish tradition == thumb|{{center| Rabban Gamaliel<br/>(רבן גמליﭏ)}}

In the Talmud, Gamaliel is described as bearing the titles Nasi (Hebrew: נָשִׂיא ''Nāśīʾ'' "prince") and ''Rabban'' ("our master") as the president of the Great Sanhedrin in Jerusalem; it is not doubted that he held a senior position in the highest court in Jerusalem.<ref name=JE/> Gamaliel holds a reputation in the Mishnah for being one of the greatest teachers in all the annals of Judaism: "Since Rabban Gamaliel the Elder died, there has been no more reverence for the law, and purity and piety died out at the same time".<ref>Sotah 9:15</ref>

Gamaliel's authority on questions of religious law is suggested by two Mishnaic anecdotes in which "the king and queen" ask for his advice about rituals.<ref>Pesahim 88:2 (88b)</ref> The identity of the king and queen in question is not given, but is generally thought to either be Herod Agrippa and his wife Cypros the Nabataean, or Herod Agrippa II and his sister Berenice.<ref name=JE /><ref>Adolph Buechler, ''Das Synhedrion in Jerusalem'', p.129. Vienna, 1902.</ref>

As rabbinic literature always contrasts the school of Hillel the Elder to that of Shammai and only presents the collective opinions of each of these opposing schools of thought without mentioning the individual nuances and views of the rabbis within them, these texts do not portray Gamaliel as being knowledgeable about the Jewish scriptures, nor do they describe him as a teacher.<ref name=JE /> For this reason, Gamaliel is not listed as part of the chain of individuals who perpetuated the Mishnaic tradition.<ref>''Pirkei Abot'' 1–2</ref> Instead, the chain is listed as passing directly from Hillel to Yohanan ben Zakkai.

Nevertheless, the Mishnah mentions Gamaliel's authorship of a few laws about community welfare and conjugal rights. He argued that the law should protect women during divorce and that, for the purpose of remarriage, a single witness was sufficient evidence for the death of a husband.<ref>''Yevamot'' 16:7</ref>

Various pieces of classical rabbinic literature additionally mention that Gamaliel sent out three epistles, designed as notifications of new religious rulings, and which portray Gamaliel as the head of the Jewish body for religious law.<ref>Tosefta ''Sanhedrin'' 2:6; ''Sanhedrin'' 11b; Jerusalem Talmud ''Sanhedrin'' 18d; Jerusalem Talmud ''Ma'aser Sheni'' 56c</ref> Two of these three were sent, respectively, to the inhabitants of Galilee and "the Darom" (southern Judea), and were on the subject of the first tithe. The third epistle was sent to the Jews of the diaspora and argued for the introduction of an intercalary month.

thumb|Statue of Gamaliel in the Chapelle Saint-Nicodème de Pluméliau. Since the Hillelian school of thought is presented collectively, very few other teachings are clearly identifiable as Gamaliel's. There is only a cryptic dictum comparing his students to classes of fish:

: A ritually impure fish: one who has memorized everything by study, but has no understanding, and is the son of poor parents : A ritually pure fish: one who has learnt and understood everything, and is the son of rich parents : A fish from the Jordan River: one who has learnt everything, but doesn't know how to respond : A fish from the Mediterranean Sea: one who has learnt everything, and knows how to respond

In some manuscripts of Dunash ibn Tamim's tenth-century Hebrew commentary on the ''Sefer Yetzirah'', the author identifies Gamaliel with the physician Galen. He claims to have seen an Arabic medical work translated from Hebrew entitled ''The Book of Gamaliel the Prince (Nasi), called Galenos among the Greeks''.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Gero |first1=Stephen |title=Galen on the Christians: A Reappraisal of the Arabic Evidence |journal=Orientalia Christiana Periodica |date=1990 |volume=56 |issue=2 |page=393}}</ref> However, since Galen lived in the second century and Gamaliel died during the mid-first century, this is unlikely.

===Quotes=== In ''Pirkei Avot'', Gamaliel is credited as saying: {{blockquote|Make a teacher for yourself and remove yourself from doubt; and do not excessively tithe by estimation.<ref>{{cite book |title=Six Orders of the Mishnah (Pirḳe Avot 1:16)}}</ref><ref>The Living Talmud - The Wisdom of the Fathers, ed. Judah Goldin, New American Library of World Literature: New York 1957, p. 72</ref>}}

== In the New Testament and in Apocrypha == thumb|Gamaliel appearing to the priest Lucianus in a dream. 15th-century painting.

The Acts of the Apostles introduces Gamaliel as a Pharisee and celebrated doctor of the Mosaic Law in {{Bibleverse|Acts|5:34–40|9|Acts 5:34–40}}. In the larger context (vs.{{bibleverse|Acts|5:17–42|9|17–42}}), Peter and the other apostles are described as being prosecuted before the Sanhedrin for continuing to preach the gospel despite the Jewish authorities having previously prohibited it. The passage describes Gamaliel presenting an argument against executing the apostles, reminding them of the earlier revolts of Theudas and Judas of Galilee, which collapsed quickly after the deaths of those individuals. Gamaliel's advice was accepted after his concluding argument: {{blockquote|And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.||{{bibleverse|Acts|5:38–39|9|Acts 5:38–39}}}} The Book of Acts later goes on to describe Paul the Apostle recounting that though "born in Tarsus", he was brought up in Jerusalem "at the feet of Gamaliel, ''[and]'' taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers" ({{bibleverse|Acts|22:3|9}}). No details are given about which teachings Paul adopted from Gamaliel, as it is assumed that as a Pharisee, Paul was already recognized in the community at that time as a devout Jew. Also, the extent to which Gamaliel influenced aspects of Christianity remains unmentioned. However, there is no other record of Gamaliel having taught publicly.<ref name=JE /> However, the Talmud describes Gamaliel as teaching a student who displayed "impudence in learning," a detail that a few scholars identify as a possible reference to Paul in Shabbat 30b.{{Citation needed|reason=what scholars|date=February 2019}}

The relationship between Paul the Apostle and Judaism remains the subject of scholarly debate. Helmut Koester, Professor of Divinity and Ecclesiastical History at Harvard University, questions if Paul studied under Gamaliel at all, arguing that there is a marked contrast in the tolerance that Gamaliel is said to have expressed toward Christianity with the "murderous rage" against Christians that Paul is described as having before his conversion ({{bibleverse|Acts|8:1–3|9|Acts 8:1–3}}).{{Citation needed|date=August 2013}} However, Richard Bauckham, a scholar at Ridley Hall at Cambridge, argues that Paul was indeed connected to Gamaliel.<ref>{{cite book |last= Bauckham |first= Richard |author-link= Richard Bauckham |title= Earliest Christianity within the Boundaries of Judaism |chapter= 4 Gamaliel and Paul |year= 2016 |pages= 85–106 |doi= 10.1163/9789004310339_006 |isbn= 978-90-04-31032-2 }}</ref>

===Alleged Gospel of Gamaliel=== The "Gospel of Gamaliel" is a hypothetical book proposed by some scholars, perhaps part of the Pilate apocrypha. While no ancient sources directly refer to such a gospel, Paulin Ladeuze and Carl Anton Baumstark first proposed its existence in 1906. Scholars who believe such a book once existed have reconstructed it from a homily, the "Lament of Mary" (''Laha Maryam'') by a bishop named Cyriacus. They believe ''Laha Maryam'' extensively quotes the Gospel of Gamaliel; the Lament includes a section that leads with "I, Gamaliel", which caused speculation that these sections were actually quoting an existing gospel. Other scholars believe such inference that the author was "plagiarizing" a lost gospel is unwarranted: Cyriacus wrote these sections from the perspective of Gamaliel.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Suciu |first1=Alin |date=2012 |title=A British Library Fragment from a Homily on the Lament of Mary and the So-Called Gospel of Gamaliel |journal=Aethiopica |volume=15 |pages=53–71 |doi=10.15460/aethiopica.15.1.659 |issn=2194-4024 |doi-access=free }}</ref>

Reasonably complete manuscripts of ''Laha Maryam'' exist in both Geʽez and Garshuni versions. Regardless of whether ''Laha Maryam'' quotes a lost gospel, Gamaliel appears in it. He witnesses a miracle of healing in raising a dead man at the empty tomb; Jesus' abandoned burial shrouds have miraculous powers. Gamaliel also speaks with Pontius Pilate, who is portrayed favourably as a Christian.<ref>Günter Stemberger, ''Jews and Christians in The Holy Land: Palestine in The Fourth Century'', pages 110–111 (Edinburgh: T & T Clark, 2000. {{ISBN|0-567-08699-2}}); citing M.-A. van den Oudenrijn, ''Gamaliel: Athiopische Texte zur Pilatusliteratur'' (Freiburg, 1959).</ref>

===Veneration=== {{Infobox saint |honorific_prefix= Saint |name= Gamaliel |image= |imagesize= |caption= |titles= |birth_date= 1st century BC |birth_place= |death_date= 1st century AD |death_place= |feast_day= 2 August (Eastern Orthodoxy), 3 August (Catholic) |venerated_in= Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodoxy |beatified_date= |beatified_place= |beatified_by= |canonized_date= |canonized_place= |canonized_by= |major_shrine= |attributes= |patronage= |issues= |suppressed_date= |prayer= }} [[File:Stephengamalielnicodemus.jpg|thumb|''Saint Stephen Mourned by Saints Gamaliel and Nicodemus'', follower of Carlo Saraceni, c. 1615, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston]]

Ecclesiastical tradition claims that Gamaliel had embraced early Christianity, and this explains his tolerant attitude toward early Christians. According to Photios I of Constantinople, he was baptised by Saint Peter and John the Apostle, together with his son Abibon (Abibo, Abibas, Abibus) and Nicodemus.<ref>Paton James Gloag, ''A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on The Acts of the Apostles'', Volume 1, page 191, citing Photius, ''Cod. 171'' (Edinburgh: T & T Clark, 1870).</ref> The Clementine literature suggests he maintained secrecy about the conversion and continued to be a member of the Sanhedrin to assist his fellow Christians covertly in ''Recognitions of Clement'' 1:65–66 Some scholars consider the traditions to be spurious,<ref>Geoffrey W. Bromiley (editor), ''The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia: Volume Two, E–J'', page 394 (Wm B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1915; Fully Revised edition, 1982). {{ISBN|0-8028-3782-4}}</ref> and the passage in which Gamaliel is mentioned does not state that he became a Christian either implicitly or explicitly.

The Eastern Orthodox Church venerates Gamaliel as a saint. He is commemorated on August 2,<ref>[https://www.orthodox.net/menaion/menaion.html Russian Orthodox Christian Menaion Calendar] (referenced Aug 14, 2020)</ref><ref>[https://people.ucalgary.ca/~elsegal/Shokel/170630_Gamaliel.html Saint Gamaliel] (referenced August 14, 2020)</ref> the date when sacred tradition holds that his relics were found, along with those of Stephen the Protomartyr, Abibon (Gamaliel's son), and Nicodemus. The traditional liturgical calendar of the Catholic Church celebrates the same feast day of the finding of the relics on August 3. It is said that in the fifth century, his body had been discovered and taken to Pisa Cathedral by a miracle.<ref>"Gamaliel the Elder", ''Catholic Encyclopedia''</ref>

Gamaliel is referred to in the 15th-century Catalan document, ''Acts of Llàtzer''.<ref>''Diccionari de la Literatura Catalana'' (2008)</ref>

== References == {{Reflist}}

== External links == {{Commons category-inline}} * [http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/view.jsp?artid=51&letter=G&search=gamaliel The Jewish Encyclopedia on Gamaliel I] * {{Cite EB1911|wstitle=Gamaliel|display=Gamaliel s.v. Gamaliel I.|volume=11|page=434}} * [https://web.archive.org/web/20060519083636/http://academic.brooklyn.cuny.edu/economic/friedman/sanhedrin.htm Perspectives on Transformational Leadership in the Sanhedrin of Ancient Judaism]

{{S-start}} {{s-bef|before = Simeon ben Hillel}} {{s-ttl|title = Nasi|years = c. 30–50}} {{s-aft|after = Shimon ben Gamliel}} {{S-end}}

Category:52 deaths Category:Mishnah rabbis Category:1st-century rabbis Category:People in Acts of the Apostles Category:Christian saints from the New Testament Category:Pirkei Avot rabbis Category:Year of birth unknown Category:Sanhedrin Category:Pharisees