Bavli Gittin 55b-56b: An Aggadic Narrative in Its Halakhic Context

This study presents a literary analysis of the aggadic narrative of Qamza and Bar Qamza, the siege of Jerusalem and R. Yohanan b. Zakkai's escape (b. Git. 55b-56b). The Bavli redactors combined and revised several independent sources to fashion a sustained and coherent narrative. The story blames the destruction of Jerusalem on rabbinic meekness and inaction, on the rabbis' failure to take bold measures in moral, social, and political realms. The second part of the study considers the redactional setting of the story, the fifth chapter of Tractate Gittin and specifically m. Git. 5:3. The chapter consists of a collection of rabbinic "amendments" (tiqqunim) and other enactments, rulings that adjust divine laws to further social and moral ends. In this halakhic context the story is an apology for such rabbinic legislative activity. Calamity results from rabbinic inaction and diffidence, while R. Yohanan b. Zakkai "saves a little" by risky action and compromise. The final section discusses the story in relation to an important intertext, t. Šabb. 16:7, which blames the destruction of the temple on a seemingly minor point of legal indecisiveness. The story should be seen as a narrative explanation of this puzzling charge.