Gamaliel II.

Rabban Gam ( a) liel II ( רבן גמליאל דיבנה Rabban Gamliel = de - Jabneh; Rabban Gamliel also called beRibbi; † around 114 possibly in Lydda ) was a Jewish patriarch.

Gamaliel II, Tannait the second generation (around 90-130 nu Z. ), son of Simeon ben Gamaliel I. and grandson of " Gamaliel the old man ," to distinguish him from his grandfather often called Gamaliel of Yavne, pupil of Hillel, Yohanan ben Zakkai successor of, was approximately after 80/90-110 conductor ( Nasi ) of the schoolhouse of Yavne and leader of rabbinic Judaism, even if his position was not without controversy. This shows his temporary dismissal, while the native of Eleazar ben Azariah priestly family took the lead. Gamaliel II is portrayed as a man who had been in private life, courteous, kind and merciful, merciless in a professional capacity but, strict and uncompromising.

Gamaliel II is a key figure for the reorganization of Judaism, which had become after the destruction of the Jerusalem temple in 70 AD, inter alia, in defense against the growing Christianity necessary, as the synagogue prayer took the place of the daily Temple sacrifices. At the same time in this period overgrown theologically questionable writings, especially the so-called apocalypses. This resisted Gamaliel II from the conclusion of the Old Testament canon and the fixation of the consonant text of the Hebrew Bible.

Many issues of halachah were decided under his direction by majority decision, which is usually the more liberal view of Hillel prevailed.

He took care of the final exclusion of the Jewish Christians from the synagogue and ordered the insertion of (of Samuel the Little formulated ) " birkat ha - minim " ( curse the heretics ) in the Eighteen Benedictions.

Gamliel continued the hillelitische tradition, but also proved severity and relentlessness. His concern was to preserve under difficult conditions in a time of transition Jewish unity and to make the study house in Javne to a qualification recognized by all Jews authority. He made many trips to Rome, got involved in disputes with Roman scholars, trying to keep the rest of the Jewish sovereignty and expand if possible.

When he died, can not be said with certainty. Some sources give his death in Lydda in 114 His tomb is unknown.

Sources (selection)

• The religion in history and the present. ( RGG ), 3rd ed Tübingen 1959.
• Solomon Schechter, Wilhelm Bacher. Gamaliel II In: Jewish Encyclopedia, 1901-1906 (English)