
270 AD to 290 AD: Psalm 61: Poumbedita.
This generation is that of the 270s and 280s.
- The [1] tax burden, inflation, famine, epidemics, money lending and usury (due to very high inflation), increased theft and looting all this constituted a dangerous aggravation of the contrasts between poor and rich, and thus of social tensions. The easing of some of the Halakha’s prescriptions concerning agriculture (especially the Sabbatical year obligation), already begun under Yehuda Ha Nassi, could not change much in the long run. The decline of patriarchy and ultimately of all Palestinian Jewry is undoubtedly closely correlated with these rapidly worsening economic difficulties. When the Roman Empire began to stabilize politically and economically at the advent of Diocletian (284) – the emperor successfully fought against inflation and reformed the monetary system; at the same time, he introduced an administrative reform – the great era of Palestinian Judaism is over.
(extract of the psalm 61 associated to this generation, verses 1 to 2 to 5 )
- For the conductor, on neginath, of David.
- Hearken, O God, to my request, listen to my prayer.
- From the end of the earth (…)
- The Amoraim of this generation are relegated to the Sea of Galilee at the end of the country (corresponding to: end of the earth/land)
- The Amoraim of this generation are relegated to the Sea of Galilee at the end of the country (corresponding to: end of the earth/land)
- (…) I call out to You when my heart becomes faint; on the rock that is higher than I, You lead me.
- For You were a shelter for me, a tower of strength in the face of the enemy.
- I shall dwell in Your tent to eternity; I will take shelter in the covert of Your wings forever.…
- Babylon will indeed be the new « rock » of Judaism of exile, one that will allow Jews in exile to stay close to God, out of time, immune – religiously – attacks of nations .
- Under [2] Rav Chila and Abba bar Abba, circa AD 200, the academy of Nehardea was the spiritual center of Babylonian Judaism, with contact maintained between Yehudaah Ha Nassi and the Jewish community of Eretz Israel. […] The academy of Nehardea was destroyed in 259 by the palmyrenian allies of Rome. Under the direction of Yehuda Bar Ezekiel (220, ca. 279), pupil and successor of Samuel, she was restored to Poumbedita where she remained until the ninth century.
(extract of the psalm 61 associated to this generation, verses 6 to 9 )
- For You, God, have hearkened to my vows; You have given the heritage of those who fear Your name.
- Add days to the days of the king, his years as every generation.
- May he dwell forever before God; kindness and truth should be prepared to guard him.
- So will I sing praises to Your name forever, when I pay my vows every day.
[1] Peter Schäfer: « History of the Jews in Antiquity » / Chapter « The Bar Kokheba Uprising » (French: « Histoire des Juifs dans l’antiquité »/Chapitre « Du soulèvement de Bar Kokheba » (P.203) ).
[2] Encyclopedic Dictionary of Judaism / Cerf-Laffont / Academies / Babylonian Academies. (French: Dictionnaire Encyclopédique du Judaïsme/Cerf-Laffont/Académies/Académies babyloniennes (p10) ).