Two Views

Once again, on another occasion, Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi decreed that students not be taught in the marketplace but only in a study hall. What verse did he expound to serve as the basis for this decree? The verse states: “Your rounded thighs are like jewels, the work of the hands of an artist” (Song of Songs 7:2). Just as a thigh is ordinarily hidden and kept covered with clothes,

Despite Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi’s decree, Rabbi Ḥiyya went out and taught his two nephews, Rav and Rabba bar bar Ḥana, in the marketplace.

Concerning the issue with which the entire incident had begun, Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi asked Rabbi Ḥiyya: What is the reason that you, the Master, acted as you did, ignoring my instructions not to teach Torah in the marketplace? Rabbi Ḥiyya said to him: As it is written: “Wisdom cries aloud in the streets” (Proverbs 1:20), (which implies that Torah should be publicized in the streets.)

Rabbi Hanina said: There were windows in the Temple, and from them light would disperse to the world. What is the reason? “He made for the house windows that were broad and narrow,” Both broad and narrow. They got smaller within and broader on the exterior, in order to disperse light to the world. Rabbi Levi said: The custom is [for windows to open] inwards in order to draw light in, but the Temple windows were narrow within and broad outside, in order to disperse light to the world.

(3) For Torah shall come forth from Zion, The word of YHVH from Jerusalem.