the Week of Proper 28 / Ordinary 33
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Bible Encyclopedias
Benjamin B. Levi, R.
The 1901 Jewish Encyclopedia
A Palestinian amora of the fourth century (third or fourth generation), junior contemporary of R. Ammi and R. Isaac (Yer. Peah 1:15a), and senior to Abin II. (Yer. Pes. 7:34c; Yer. Hor. 1:46a). His name is connected with several Halakot (Yer. Ter. 1:40b; Yer. Pes. 2:28d; Yer. 'Ab. Zarah 2:42a, where his patronymic reads "Levaï"), but more frequently with homiletic remarks. On God's message by Jeremiah (23:24), "Can one hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him ["er'ennu"]?" he observes, "When one sitteth in a corner and occupieth himself with the study of the Law, I show him ["ar'ennu"] to the public, or when he hides himself for sinful purposes of apostasy, I expose him to public gaze" (Ex. R.; Tan., Wa'era, 9; compare Num. R. 9:9). According to him, when the time for Israel's restoration shall come, there will be a change in the order of nature; at present when the north wind blows no south wind prevails, and when the south wind prevails there is no north wind; but when God shall restore the exiled, He shall produce an "argestes" (see Jastrow, "Dict." p. 115b), when both winds shall do service, as it is written (Isaiah 43:6), "I will say to the north, Give up, and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far," etc. (Esther R. to 1:8; Cant. R. to 4:16; Lev. R.; Num. R. ).—[Gen. R.; Midr. Teh. 87:2; Pesiḳ. 13:112a, 18:137a; Pesiḳ. R.; Lev. R.; compare Eccl. R. to 1:3.]
- Frankel, Mebo, 69b;
- Bacher, Ag. Pal. Amor. 3:661 et seq.
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Singer, Isidore, Ph.D, Projector and Managing Editor. Entry for 'Benjamin B. Levi, R.'. 1901 The Jewish Encyclopedia. https://www.studylight.org/​encyclopedias/​eng/​tje/​b/benjamin-b-levi-r.html. 1901.