Bel Nidrasc
This term, often phonetically transcribed by Maria Valtorta with several spellings, corresponds to "Beth Midrash (בית מדרש)." It today designates a room or place dedicated to the study of the Torah and the Talmud[1].
At the time of Jesus, it was the preferred place, in the Temple Court, to listen to the teaching of the rabbis.
Description[edit | edit source]
In the work of Maria Valtorta, it is clearly a place in the Temple reserved for teaching: "Here we are at the Temple. I am going to the Beth Midrash, to teach the crowds."[2]).
It is located "within the enclosure of the Temple, after passing the first terrace or first platform, in a place surrounded by porticoes and near a large courtyard, paved with multicolored marbles. The place is very busy and frequented."[3]. It is necessary to ask a magistrate for permission to teach there by justifying one’s qualification as a rabbi. It is probably the portico of Solomon, east of the Court of the Gentiles, where the Disciples still gather after the Ascension of the Lord (Acts 3:11-26 and Acts 5:12-25).
The "best" seats were those located just opposite the Beautiful Gate. Jesus, for His part, generally placed Himself in the most "modest" spot, at the northeast end of the Court, and most often even under the Court of the Gentiles.
Jesus moreover explains at length to Judas why the rabbis of Israel chose this place to teach: « And isn't this the place where usually the rabbis gather to talk? (…) This is the place where everyone likes to school the Disciples. (…) The rabbis do not disdain being listened to by the Gentiles, hoping to make proselytes out of them. Without this hope which, if humble, would be holy, they would not take their place in the Court of the Gentiles but would demand to speak in the Court of the Hebrews »[4]. This was certainly a place reserved exclusively for Israelites[5].
Notable facts[edit | edit source]
This is one of the many cases where Maria Valtorta phonetically transcribes specialized terms or proper names. The source is indeed what she hears (and sees) but not what she has learned (and read). Moreover, the spelling of the same word or name can vary from one episode to another. This is the case here where the Beth midrash is phonetically transcribed as Bel Nidrac or Bel Nidrasc.
It is the place where Jesus dialogued, at the age of 12, with the doctors of the Temple[6].
It was a usual place for Jesus (John 10:23) who arranged to meet there.[7].
He compares the care of Suzanna towards Aglae to a teaching given at the Beth midrash[8].
Its name[edit | edit source]
Beth Midrash means "The House of Studies." It is found under several spellings: Bel Nidrasc, Beth Midrash, Beit Midrach, Bet Midrach.
Where is it mentioned in the work?[edit | edit source]
Explore[edit | edit source]
- 31° 46’ 48’’ N / 35° 14’ 13’’ E / +735m
Notes and references[edit | edit source]
- ↑ The Beth Midrash, or "house of study," is a central place in the Jewish tradition, dedicated to the study of the Torah and rabbinical texts. It is frequently mentioned in the Talmud, notably in the tractate Shabbat. The Beth Midrash is distinct from the synagogue (Beth Knesset), although often located in the same building.
- ↑ (EMV 67.6
- ↑ EMV 68.1
- ↑ EMV 507.1.
- ↑ EMV 492.2
- ↑ EMV 41.2.
- ↑ EMV 111.3
- ↑ EMV 243.3