32. Galilee covered the ancient possessions of Issachar, Zebulun, Naphtali, and Asher. 'In
the time of Christ it stretched northwards to the possessions of Tyre on the one side, and
to Syria on the other. On the south it was bounded by Samaria - Mount Carmel on the
Western, and the district of Scythopolis on the eastern side, being here landmarks; while
the Jordan and the Lake of Gennesaret formed the general eastern boundary line.'
(Sketches of Jewish Soc. Life. p. 33.) It was divided into Upper and Lower Galilee - the
former beginning 'where sycomores (not our sycamores) cease to grow.' Fishing in the
Lake of Galilee was free to all (Baba K. 81 b).
Assuredly, in its then condition, Galilee was not the home of Rabbinism, though that of
generous spirits, of warm, impulsive hearts, of intense nationalism, of simple manners,
and of earnest piety. Of course, there would be a reverse side to the picture. Such a race
would be excitable, passionate, violent. The Talmud accuses them of being
quarrelsome,33 but admits that they cared more for honour than for money. The great
ideal teacher of Palestinian schools was Akiba, and one of his most outspoken opponents
a Galilean, Rabbi José.34 In religious observanc es their practice was simpler; as regarded
canon- law they often took independent views, and generally followed the interpretations
of those who, in opposition to Akiba, inclined to the more mild and rational - we had
almost said, the more human - application of traditionalism. 35 The Talmud mentions
several points in which the practice of the Galileans differed from that of Judĉa - all
either in the direction of more practical earnestness,36 or of alleviation of Rabbinic
rigorism.37 On the other hand, they were looked down upon as neglecting traditionalism,
unable to rise to its speculative heights, and preferring the attractions of the Haggadah to
the logical subtleties of the Halakhah. 38 There was a general contempt in Rabbinic circles
for all that was Gali lean. Although the Judĉan or Jerusalem dialect was far from pure, 39
the people of Galilee were especially blamed for neglecting the study of their language,
charged with error in grammar, and especially with absurd malpronunciation, sometimes
leading to ridiculous mistakes.40 'Galilean - Fool!' was so common an expression, that a
learned lady turned with it upon so great a man as R. José, the Galilean, because he had
used two needless words in asking her the road to Lydda.41 42 Indeed, this R. José had
cons iderable prejudices to overcome, before his remarkable talents and learning were
fully acknowledged.43
33. Νψνρ+νθ 'cantankerous' (?), Ned. 48 a.
34. Siphré on Numb. x. 19, ed. Friedmann, 4 a; Chag. 14 a.
35. Of which Jochanan, the son of Nuri, may here be regarded as the exponent.
36. As in the relation between bridegroom and bride, the cessation of work the day before
the Passover, &c.
37. As in regard to animals lawful to be eaten, vows, &c.
38. The doctrinal, or rather Halakhic, differences between Galilee and Judĉa are partially
noted by Lightfoot (Chronoger. Matth. praem. lxxxvi.), and by Hamburger (Real-Enc. i.
p. 395).
39. See Deutsch's Remains, p. 358.