Elisha Ben Avuyah

(c.70-c.140 CE). Tanna of the third generation, an outstanding scholar who nevertheless renounced the teachings and practices of the sages. Various reasons are given in the Talmud for his apostasy. One source (Ḥag. 14b) attributes it to his engagement in mystical speculation. Others suggest that he was affected by the Hadrianic persecutions which followed the collapse of the Bar Kokhba revolt (132-135 CE). Having lost his belief in Jewish fundamentals such as Divine providence and reward and punishment, Elisha ben Avuyah was evidently attracted to Gnosticism. So as to avoid mentioning him by name, the Talmud refers tohim as Aḥer ("Another"). It is related that he once entered a classroom and told the pupils to give up their study of Torah in order to learn some more practical craft. Despite his apostasy and public violation of traditional law, Elisha was never abandoned by R. Meir, who quoted the teachings of his old master ("Aḥerim"), frequently urging him to repent and return to the Jewish fold. Many of Elisha's sayings, which lay emphasis on ethical behavior and the performance of good deeds, appear in talmudic literature. Several Haskalah writers of the 19th century, empathizing with Elisha ben Avuyah, endeavored to "rehabilitate" him and maintained that he had been maligned by his contemporaries. As a Driven Leaf (1939), an historical novel by Milton Steinberg, portrays his life and career.

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