Rabbi Yochanan’s Belligerent Talmid

Many delight when various discoveries are made corroborating Tanach or Chazal’s teaching. One of many examples is the discovery of Chizkiyahu HaMelech’s signet ring in 2015. However, the Gemara (Bava Batra 75a) might put a damper on such joy (William Davidson edition of the Talmud): The Gemara analyzes the rest of that verse: “And your gates of precious stones,” (Isaiah 54:12).

This should be understood in light of that incident where Rabbi Yocḥanan sat and taught: “In the future, the Holy One, Blessed be He, will bring precious stones and pearls that are 30 by 30 cubits, and He will hollow out in them a hole of 10 by 20 cubits and set them in the gates of Jerusalem. A certain unnamed student sneered at him, saying: ‘Now we do not find precious stones even of the size of an egg of a dove, and yet all of this we will find?’”

“After a period of time that student’s ship went to sea, where he saw ministering angels sitting and sawing precious stones and pearls that were 30 by 30 cubits, and hollowed out in them were holes of 10 by 20 cubits. He said to the angels: ‘For whom are these?’ They said to him that in the future, the Holy One, Blessed be He, will place them in the gates of Jerusalem. Later, the student came before Rabbi Yocḥanan and said to him: “Continue to interpret, my teacher, it is fitting for you to interpret, as I saw just as you said.” Rabbi Yocḥanan said to him: ‘Worthless man, if you had not seen, you would not have believed; clearly, you are mocking the statement of the Sages.’ Rabbi Yocḥanan set his eyes upon him, and the student was instantly killed and turned into a pile of bones.”

Naaseh V’Nishma

This Gemara seems to reject the legitimacy of verifying Chazal’s teachings. Pure trust appears to be advocated. However, my younger son Hillel suggests that we understand the Gemara based on our commitment to Hashem at Har Sinai of “Naaseh v’nishma—acceptance and study.” It is a problem if one refuses to accept Chazal’s absent empirical evidence. However, it is beautiful if one unconditionally accepts Torah teachings and subsequently delights upon discovering proof of beloved Torah teachings. The Gemara’s skeptical student is reminiscent of the heretic who said to Rava (Shabbat 88a):

“You impulsive nation, who accorded precedence to your mouths over your ears. You still bear your impulsiveness, as you act without thinking. You should listen first. Then, if you are capable of fulfilling the commands, accept them. And if not, do not accept them.”

Wasted Talent

The Torah way is to accept the Torah carte blanche. As the children of prophets (see Pesachim 66a), we intuitively recognize the Torah’s truth without needing independent verification. However, once we unconditionally commit to Hashem, we seek to understand and support this unbreakable connection.

Making matters worse was the student’s arrogant public ridiculing of the teachings of his rebbe, the venerable Rabbi Yochanan. Even worse is that this young man seems to have been of serious spiritual standing, as he was worthy of seeing and speaking with a malach! No wonder Rabbi Yochanan reacted strongly to his student’s belligerence and arrogance. What a shame that such a talented talmid’s abilities are lost hubris.

Interestingly, Rabbi Yochanan did not respond to the student’s initial skepticism. Only after his teaching was verified did he react from a position of strength. Rabbi Yochanan’s timing was impeccable! Had he initially reacted strongly, the other students might have wrongly perceived Rabbi Yochanan’s reaction as defending his honor instead of the Torah’s. Only after Rabbi Yochanan was proven correct was it clear that he was only defending the kavod haTorah.

Conclusion: Reaction to ‘My Reason to Believe’

In 2017, I released a well-received sefer on emunah called “Reason to Believe.” I hoped those who lost their way would return upon reading my arguments for the written and oral Torah. The cover design even reflected this hope. The cover depicts a still-fresh fallen leaf, representing a Jew who lost his faith but could find his way back.

However, I was shocked to discover that the people who embraced this work were already committed to Torah. They enthusiastically told me how the sefer fortified their strong emunah in Torah and Chachamim. Those lost to the fold took little to no interest in the work.

I learned a powerful lesson thereby. Those who make the “naaseh commitment” are ready to take the next step of “nishma.” However, absent “naaseh,” “nishma” does not get off the ground. No wonder Rabbi Yochanan was so adamant about commitment before corroboration.

Rabbi Jachter serves as the rav of Congregation Shaarei Orah, rebbe at Torah Academy of Bergen County and a get administrator with the Beth Din of Elizabeth. Rabbi Jachter’s 18 books may be purchased at Amazon and Judaica House.