Gittin 57: Titus, Balaam, Jesus, and Rome
Talking Talmud - A podcast by Yardaena Osband & Anne Gordon
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On Onkelos -- the famous translator, who converted to Judaism. The Gemara here presents his investigations prior to conversion, wherein he consults some dead and ostensibly wicked non-Jews: Titus, Balaam, Jesus. Titus advises him to fight the Jews, not join them. Also, concern about the small size of the Land of Israel, and the way it's going to expand as needed. Plus, other famous converts - Na'aman, Nevuzadran, Haman's descendants, Sisera's descendants, Sennacharib's descendants... Shmaya and Avtalyon, from the "Zugot." Also, reading Rome into the Genesis narrative, with Jacob and Esau standing in for Israel and Rome, and the evil wrought by the empire. [NOTE: The audio cuts out here and there - as noted several times, the app is giving us (Anne especially) problems - but we've double- and triple-checked, and the content is there, despite the occasional blip]
