Me'asha ben Joseph (?) was an aggadist and mystic; grandson and pupil of Joshua ben Levi[1] From the few details concerning him it appears that on Shabbat he used to have himself carried to the synagogue in order to preach,[2] that he was not rich, and that he died suddenly in the time of Rabbi Ammi.[3] Me'asha is particularly noted for the vision which he is reported to have seen during a trance lasting three days, and concerning which he said: "I have been in a world of confusion where people who are honored here are held in contempt".[4] In Pesach 50a this vision is ascribed to Joseph ben Joshua ben Levi; Joseph was probably Me'asha's father. Me'asha inferred from Isaiah 33:15-17 that when one shuts his eyes to things indecent he is worthy to view the face of the Shekhinah.[5]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Yerushalmi Berachot 2:3; Yerushalmi Beitzah 1:6 et al.
- ^ Yerushalmi Beitzah l.c.
- ^ Ketuvot 85b
- ^ Ruth Rabbah 3:1
- ^ Pesikta Rabbati 24 [ed. Friedmann, p. 125a]; Derekh Eretz 1; [[Leviticus Rabbah 23:13
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Singer, Isidore; et al., eds. (1901–1906). "Me'asha". The Jewish Encyclopedia. New York: Funk & Wagnalls.
