Jewish Leadership Struggle in the Roman Era part 5

The day that Rabbi Elazar ben Azariah became the Nasi was a most special one. The meeting chamber was filled with scholars, and questions of every kind were raised. None went unanswered. We often find the expression in Talmudic discussions; "It was decided on THAT day..." This always refers to the day of Rabbi Elazar's leadership. The Tractate "Eduyot" was formulated on that day, a unique tractate with no unanswered questions. Rabban Gamliel was also present. An Ammonite convert presented himself with the question if he is permitted to marry a Jewish woman. The question seemed superfluous. The Torah specifically disallows an Ammonite or Moabite to "enter the Congregation" (i.e., marry a Jew). (Deut. 23:4) Rabbi Joshua said that he may. Rabban Gamliel, shocked, protested this seemingly heretical ruling. Rabbi Joshua quoted Biblical verses that showed that the Assyrians had mingled populations sufficiently that tribal purity no longer existed, and therefore the prohibition is no longer in place. Rabban Gamliel was overwhelmed with Rabbi Joshua's superior wisdom and skill. At the end of the day, he went to Rabbi Joshua's home to apologize. He was shocked to see the hovel in which Rabbi Joshua lived, with walls blackened from soot. "Are you a blacksmith?" queried Rabban Gamliel. Rabbi Joshua responded "Woe to the generation of which you are the leader! You are from a wealthy family, and have no concept of how other rabbis live!" Rabban Gamliel was taken aback. "I apologize. Forgive me!" Rabbi Joshua remained silent. "If not for my sake, please forgive me in honor of my father". (Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel, the previous Nasi). Rabbi Joshua then agreed to forgive him. A message was sent to the rabbis "let he who is accustomed to wear the robe wear it." (I.e., restore Rabban Gamliel as Nasi) A question arose, however. We have a principle "We elevate in sanctity, but do not lower it." Would it be justified to depose Rabbi Elazar, who had done no wrong? A compromise was reached, in which Rabban Gamliel would reign as Nasi three weeks out of four,. with Rabbi Elazar serving the fourth week. (Another view is that they were given parallel positions.) This seemingly minor incident set several important precedents. I will analyze these in my next post.