RICHARD RHEINS

will see how Joseph Karo justified the professional rabbinate in opposition to Rambam 's position.

For the purpose of this paper, a“professional rabbi” is defined as:“one who receives financial compensation and benefits in support of his rabbinic vocation.”

THE PROFESSIONAL RABBINATE AS EVIDENCED IN THE TALMUD ?

Contrary to“popular opinion,” the traditions preserved in the Talmud do not universally prohibit rabbinic salaries, fees and benefits. True, some authorities such as Hillel and Rabbis Zadok and Tarfon were opposed to deriving benefit from teaching Torah, ’ but others(Judah, Assi and Raba)’ established the halakhic foundations for financial compensation, communal salaries and other benefits.

It is important to begin with a review of those Talmudic passages which are most frequently cited in halakhic literature in relationship to the issues of rabbinic compensation, salaries and benefits. Below, the passages have been divided into two major groupings: 1) Talmudic traditions which prohibit salaries and limit privileges; and 2) Talmudic traditions which permit. financial compensation and privileges.

1. The Talmudic Traditions which Prohibit Salaries and Limit Privileges

Two passages are frequently cited by those authorities in opposition to rabbinic salaries, fees and benefits:®:

"R. Zadok said: Do not make[the Torah ] a crown to make yourself great, nor a spade with which to dig.""And Hillel used to say: He who makes worldly use of the crown[of the Torah ] shall

28