The works of the Reverend and learned John Lightfoot D. D., late Master of Katherine Hall in Cambridge such as were, and such as never before were printed : in two volumes : with the authors life and large and useful tables to each volume : also three maps : one of the temple drawn by the author himself, the others of Jervsalem and the Holy Land drawn according to the author's chorography, with a description collected out of his writings.

SECTION IV.

The S••nhedrin still at Iabneh: Rabban Gamaliel President.

WHEN Rabban Jochanan died, Rabban Gamaliel succeeded him in the Presidency seven years. He is commonly called by the Hebrew Writers 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Rabban Gamaliel of Jabneh. But for the right stating of his Presidency there, two things are to be observed. The first is mentioned in Babyl. in Rosh hashanah fol. 31. 1, 2. where all the flittings of the Sanhedrin are reckoned in the Gemara thus: From the room Gazith it flitted to the Taberna [in the mountain of the Temple] from the Taberna into Hierusalem, from Hierusalem to Jabneh, from Jabneh to Osha or Usha, from Osha to She∣pharaam, from Shepharaam to Beth Shaaraim, from Beth Shaaraim to Tsipporis, and from Tsipporis to Tiberias. Now the marginal Gloss teacheth us how to understand these re∣moves. When the President was in any of these places, saith it, the Sanhedrin was with him, and when he or his son went to another place, it went after him. It was at Jabneh in the days of Rabban Jochanan, at Usha in the days of Rabban Gamaliel, but they returned from Usha to Jabneh again: but in the days of Rabban Simeon his son it went back again [to Usha.] So that the time that Rabban Gamaliel sate at Jabneh instantly upon Rab∣ban Jochanans death, was not long, but he went to Usha, and his time at Usha was not long neither, but to Jabneh again. And as we are to observe thus about his time and place, so there is a second thing to be taken notice about him, and that is the mixture of his Presidency.

The Talmudists do speak oft 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Of placing R. Eliezer the son of Azariah in the Presidency. Tsemach David speaks it out thus; R. Eliezer ben Azariah was a Priest, and was exceeding rich: he was made President in the room of Rab∣ban Gamaliel, but afterward they were joyned in the Presidency together: which is still

obscure enough; but the Jerusalem Gemarists give the full story in Taanith fol. 67. col. 4. in these words: A certain scholar came and asked R. Joshua, What is Evening Prayer? He answered, A thing Arbitrary. The same scholar came and asked Rabban Ga∣maliel, What is Evening Prayer? And he said, A bounden duty. He saith to him, But R. Joshua saith it is a thing Arbitrary. He saith to him, To morrow when I come into the Congregation, stand forth and ask this question: So the scholar did ask Rabban Ga∣maliel, What is Evening Prayer? He answered, A bounden duty. How then, saith the scholar, doth R. Joshua say it is a thing Arbitrary? Rabban Gamaliel saith to R. Joshua, Art thou he that saith it is a thing Arbitrary? He answered, No. He says to him, Stand upon thy feet that they may bear witness against thee. R. Joshua stood upon his feet, whilest Rabban sate and was expounding, so that all the Congregation repined at him [for making him to stand so.] And they said to R. Hotspith the Interpreter, Dismiss the people, and they said to R. Zinnun the Minister say Begin, and they said all Begin, and stood upon their feet too. And they said to him [Rabban Gamaliel] Against whom hath not thy mischief passed continually? They went presently and made R. Eliezer ben Azaria President, who was but sixteen years old, but very grave. R. Akibah sate by and took it ill, and said, It is not because he is better studied in the Law then I, that he is thus prefered, but because he is nobler born then I. Happy is the man who hath An∣cesters to priviledge him. Happy is the man that hath a nail to hang upon. And what was the nail that R. Eliezer ben Azaria had? He was the tenth from Ezra. How many benches of scholars were there sitting there then? R. Jacob bar Susi saith, Fourscore besides the people that stood behind them. R. Josi ben R. Bon saith, Three hundred. Rabban Gamaliel went presently to every one at his own home and sought to pacific him, &c. So that by this it appears how and why Gamaliel was outed of his Presidency, name∣ly for his pride and passion [of which we might shew you other examples also] but he was restored again to be partner in the dignity with R. Eliezer whom they pro∣moted now.

There is exceeding much mention of this Gamaliel in the Talmuds, and he is a very busie man there: the Reader there meets with him as oft as with any one man whosoever. He had a servant named Tobi very oft spoken of, whose eye he struck out, and let him go free for it: when he died he much bemoaned and commended him. Be∣ra••••th per. 2. halac. 6. Whilest he sate at Jabneh, in his curiosity for the exquisite taking of the new Moons, he had scored upon his wall several forms and appear∣ances of it, and those that came to bear witness that they had seen the new Moon he brought thither, and asked, How saw you it? In this form, or this, or the other, &c. Rosh hashanah per. 1. hal. 8.