Menahem the Essene

Menahem the Essene
For the Israelite King, see Menahem (Ben Gadi). For the Khazar ruler of the same name, see Menahem (Khazar). For the medieval poet and philologist, see Menahem ben Saruq.
Rabbinical Eras

Menahem the Essene[1] (Hebrew: מנחם‎, Menahem) was a Jewish Tanna sage living during the era of the Zugot. He was "Paired" ("Zugot", pairs) with Hillel the Elder and served as Av Beit Din. The Mishnah, Tractate "Hagigah" 16b, cites that he "went forth [out]", and as a result of that he was replaced by Shammai, that became from that point on the "Pair" mate of Hillel the Elder.

The Babylonian Talmud cites a dispute among the sages over where did Menahem "went forth [out]". Abaye argues that "He went forth [out] into evil courses [culture]" (Hagigah, 16b), while Rava argues "He went forth [out] to the King's [God's] service" (Hagigah, 16b). The Gemara cites a quotation from one of the Baraitas supporting Rava's opinion: "Thus it is also taught: Menahem went forth [out] to the King's [God's] service, and there went forth [out] with him eighty pairs of disciples dressed in silk [regally]" (Hagigah, 16b).

The Jerusalm Talmud cites an additional opinion, that Menahem agreed to be appointed to a ministration position in order to revoke Governmental predestinations against Torah studying (Yer. Hagigah, 2:2).

Many are of the opinion[weasel words] that the "Menahem" recorded in the Mishnah is the one recounted in Josephus' (Antiquities of the Jews, b. 19, Ch. 10:5), where a story is told about a 'Menahem' of the Essene's sect. According to Josephus, when Menahem saw young Herod the Great going to school he clapped him on the back and addressed him as king, announcing to him that he would reign successfully,[1] despite Herod not being in the line of the royal dynasty. When Herod became king, he asked Menahem how long his reign would be. Initially, Menahem didn't reply, and Herod urged him "Would my reign last ten years?". Menahem replied that Herod would reign at least 30 years, but did not specify the exact number. Herod was pleased with Menahem's answer and dismissed him with a clasp of the hand and thenceforth bestowed special honors upon the Essenes.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c Jewishencyclopedia, MENAHEM THE ESSENE article
v · d · eZugot Era
Era Commence:
Zugot:
Jose ben Joezer • Jose ben Jochanan | Joshua ben Perachyah • Nittai of Arbela | Simeon ben Shetach • Judah ben Tabbai | Shmaya • Abtalion | (Bnei Bathyra) | Hillel • Shammai (Menahem)
v · d · eTannaim
Last Generation of Zugot Era
Hillel the Elder | Shammai | Bnei Bathyra | Menahem | Akabia ben Mahalalel | Hananiah b. Hezekiah b. Garon
First Generation
Gamaliel I, the Elder | Shimon ben Gamliel (I) | Ishmael ben Elisha ha-Kohen | Johanan ben Zakai | Jonathan ben Uzziel | Baba ben Buta | Hanina Ben Dosa | Hanina Segan ha-Kohanim | Abba Saul ben Batnit | Admon | Dosa ben Harkinas | Judah ben Bathyra | Eliezer ben Jacob I | Nahum the Mede
Second Generation
(Destruction of the Second Temple and thereafter)
Third Generation
Akiva ben Joseph | Tarfon | Judah ben Baba | Rabbi Ishmael | Eleazar ben Azariah | Jose the Galilean | Eliezer ben Jose | Haninah ben Teradion | Johanan ben Baroka | Simon ben Zoma | Simeon ben Azzai | Onkelos | Hanina ben Antigonus | Hanina ben Hakinai | Yochanan ben Nuri | Eleazar Chisma | Elisha ben Abuyah | Rabbi Ilai I | Eleazar of Modi'im | Halafta | Haninah ben Ahi R. Joshua | Abtolemus | Jose ben Kisma | Jeshbab the Scribe | Aquila of Sinope | Johanan ben Torta | Eleazar ben Judah of Bartota | Matteya ben Heresh | Hanan the Egyptian | Simeon the Yemenite
Fourth Generation
Shimon ben Gamaliel (II) | Judah bar Ilai | Jose ben Halafta | Rabbi Meir (and wife Bruriah) | Simeon bar Yochai | Eleazar ben Shammua | Rabbi Nehemiah | Rabbi Nathan | Joshua ben Karha | Abba Saul | Yochanan HaSandlar | Phinehas ben Jair | Simeon Shezuri
Fifth Generation
Judah I | Huna Kamma | Jose b. Judah | Ishmael ben Jose | Eleazar b. Simeon | Simeon ben Eleazar | Eleazar ha-Kappar | Symmachus ben Joseph | Issi ben Judah | Bar Kappara | Jose ben Zimra | Levi ben Sisi | Rabbi Bana'ah | Simeon b. Menasya | Yadua the Babylonian

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