Bible Encyclopedias
Jose B. Nehorai

The 1901 Jewish Encyclopedia

Palestinian amora of the first generation; halakot are transmitted in his name by Johanan (Rashi, B. M. 41a). Of his haggadic explanations the following may be cited: With reference to Ecclesiastes 3:15 he explains the word to mean "the persecuted," "the hunted," and gives the passage the meaning that God will always assist the persecuted, and that even when a righteous man persecutes a wicked man God will assist the latter. Jose gives various Scriptural instances in support of this view (Lev. R. 27:5). As to the religious rites which children are required to perform R. Jose thought that they have an educational purpose, but are not obligatory (Yer. Ber. 3:6b). He taught also that, except in the case of taxes for maintaining schools, the tax-collectors must not be harsh in their dealings (Lev. R. 30:1).