Zeiri
Zeiriwas arabbiwho lived in the third century (second generation ofamoraim).
Biography[edit]
He was born in Babylonia, and later sojourned for a while in Alexandria, before moving toSyria Palaestina,where he became a pupil ofRabbi 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 byRabbahas 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[edit]
In the name ofHanina 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]andRabbah.[11]
References[edit]
This article incorporates text from a publication now in thepublic domain:Singer, Isidore;et al., eds. (1901–1906)."Ze'eri".The Jewish Encyclopedia.New York: Funk & Wagnalls.