Chevruta: Rivals, Companions, and Teachers

(6) Yehoshua ben Perachiah and Nittai of Arbel received the transmission [of the oral tradition] from them. Yehoshua ben Perachia said, Make for yourself a teacher (rav), acquire for yourself a companion (chaver); and judge every person/the whole person with a leaning towards their merit

Put yourselves into groups (kitot) to occupy yourselves with the Torah, for the Torah can only be acquired in company (Chavurah). This is according to R. Yosi in the name of Rabbi Hanina, for R. Yosi said in the name of R. Hanina: How may one explain the verse, “A sword is upon the boasters and they shall become fools” (Jeremiah 50:36)? A sword is upon those who despise the students of the Wise and who sit alone to study the Torah. And not only this, but they also become stupid, as it is written here, “and they shall become fools”....And not only this, but they also have become sinners, for it is said: (“for that we have done foolishly”) and “we have sinned” (Numbers 12:11).

Why does the verse teach Iron sharpens iron, as a person sharpens the countenance of his fellow (Proverbs 27:17)? To say to you: “just as this iron [weapon] sharpens the other, so two students of the Wise sharpen one another in the Law”

One day R. Yochanan was bathing in the Jordan, when Resh Lakish [who was living as a bandit] saw him and leapt into the Jordan after him. Said he [R. Yochanan] to him, ‘Your strength should be for the Torah.’ — ‘Your beauty,’ he replied, ‘should be for women.’ ‘If you will repent,’ said he, ‘I will give you my sister [in marriage], who is more beautiful than I.’ He undertook [to repent]; then he wished to return and collect his weapons, but could not.

Subsequently, [R. Yochanan] taught him Bible and Mishnah, and made him into a great man. Now, one day there was a dispute in the House of Study [with respect to the following. Viz.,] a sword, knife, dagger, spear, hand-saw and a scythe — at what stage [of their manufacture] can they become unclean? When their manufacture is finished. And when is their manufacture finished? — R. Yochanan ruled: When they are tempered in a furnace. Resh Lakish maintained: When they have been furbished in water. Said R. Yochanan to him: ‘A robber understands his trade.’ Said Resh Lakish to R. Yochanan, ‘And how have you benefited me: there [as a robber] I was called Master, and here I am called Master as well.’ ‘[I benefitted you] By bringing you under the wings of the Shechinah (Divine Presence),’ R. Yochanan retorted. R. Yochanan felt himself deeply hurt, [as a result of which] Resh Lakish fell ill.

R. Yochanan's sister came and wept before him: ‘Forgive him for the sake of my son,’ she pleaded. He replied: ‘Leave thy fatherless children. I will preserve them alive. (Jeremiah 49:11) ‘’For the sake of my widowhood then!’ ‘And let thy widows trust in me,’ he assured her.

Resh Lakish died, and R. Yochanan was plunged into deep grief. Said the Rabbis, ‘Who shall go to ease his mind? Let R. Eleazar b. Pedath go, whose analysis of the law is very subtle.’ So he went and sat before him; and on every dictum uttered by R. Yochanan he observed: ‘There is a Baraitha (Ancient oral source) which supports you.’

‘Why aren’t you like the son of Lakisha?’ R. Yochanan complained: ‘when I stated a law, the son of Lakisha used to raise twenty-four objections, to which I gave twenty-four answers, which consequently led to a fuller comprehension of the law; whilst you say, “A Baraitha has been taught which supports you:” do I not know myself that my dicta are right?’ Thus he went on rending his garments and weeping, ‘Where are you, O son of Lakisha, where are you, O son of Lakisha!?’ and he cried thus until his mind was deranged. Thereupon the Rabbis prayed for him, and he died.