THE PROFESSIONALIZATION OF THE RABBINATE
55. Rabbenu Gershom (960-1040) and R. Isaac Alfasi {ia510%) both have references in their responsa to rabbis who were paid salaries yet they made no protest. Alfasi (Responsum#223) dealt directly with the issue of a rabbi's contracted salary with a community. He supported the rabbi. Also, see the important responsa and commentaries of Rabbi Simeon Ben Zemach Duran. Duran erroneously is referred to as the“first professional rabbi.” His comments trace the halakhic principles from the Talmud through the later authorities for support of professional rabbinate. Translations of Duran include: Isidore Epstein , The Responsa of Rabbi Simon B. Zemah Duran, New York , 1930; and Solomon Freehof , A Treasury of Responsa, Philadelphia , 1963, pp.79-80.
57. For a complete translation to Rambam 's commentary to Mishnah Avot , see Paul Forchheimer, Maimonides Commentary of Pirkey Avot, New York , 1983. Forchheimer's edition of Mishnah Avot lists the passage under review as Avot IV.7. My reference is to the Hebrew text of Rambam 's commentary printed in the Babylonian Talmud by the Gross Brothers, Printing Co. Inc., Union City , NJ . There, Rambam 's commentary is ascribed to Avot IV.5.
58. Note that Rambam acknowledged that most of the halakhic authorities
permitted rabbis to receive salaries. This establishes the existence of a communalrofessional rabbinate a full 250 years before R. Simeon b. Zemah Duran(“the rst professional rabbi”).
59. Rambam makes this remark in the middle of his comments to Avot IV.5. 60. Mishnah Avot IV.S. 61. B. Shabbat 118a.
62. Mishneh Torah, Zera'im 10.18.
63. Mishneh Torah, Talmud Torah 3.10.
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