Melamed
Encyclopedia
See also:Melamed (surname)
Melamed, Melammed is a term which in Biblical times denoted a religious teacher
or instructor in general (e.g., in Ps. cxix. 99 and Prov. v. 13), but which in the Talmudic period was applied especially to a teacher of children, and was almost invariably followed by the word "tinokot" (children; B. B. 21a). The Aramean
equivalent was "makre dardeke" (ib.).
The melamed was appointed by the community, and there were special regulations determining how many children he might teach, as well as rules governing the choice of applicants for the office and the dismissal of a melamed (ib.). These regulations were extended and augmented in the post-Talmudic period.
While giving instruction, the melamed was not allowed to do any other work (Shulchan Aruch
, Choshen Hamishpat, 333, 5). If he was ill, and therefore unable to teach for a time, as much was deducted from his wages as the lessons for that time would have cost (ib.); but if, on the other hand, the pupil was ill and could not take his lessons, the melamed received full payment (ib. 335, 1).
The melamed was not allowed to punish his pupils too severely; and he had to teach both in the daytime and during part of the night (Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh De'ah, 245, 10-11). He might not leave his pupils alone, nor neglect his duties; and he was required to be pious and to understand his vocation (ib. 245, 17). Only a married man might be a melamed (ib. 245, 20-21). In addition to these regulations, many others concerning the melamed are given in Yoreh De'ah (l.c. and 246), as well as in Hoshen Mishpat. (l.c.), but some of them are not observed at present.
The salary for a melamed was low, more often than not. Many melameds lived a very poor life.
by a Jew living in a village, and one who teaches the child in the house of its parents, and the melamed in a town, who teaches in his own home, which serves at the same time as a schoolroom (see cheder
).
A distinction is likewise drawn between the "melamed dardeki" and the "melamed gemara." The former would teach children of both genders to read and write Hebrew, and also a chapter or two of each weekly lesson from the Pentateuch, and he generally has one or more assistants (in German "behelfer"). The gemara melamed, on the other hand, teaches Bible and Talmud to the boys, and, when they are older, the ShulHan 'Aruk as well.
and Poland
, the word "melamed" is synonymous with respected and "rav." Among the Karaites, the term denotes, like "rav
" among the Rabbinites, "teacher" and "master," and is regarded as a title of honor. Consequently there are among the Karaites many learned men who are called by the title "ha-melammed ha-gadol" (the great master), or merely "ha-melammed" (the master; comp. Pinsker
, "Liḳḳute Ḳadmoniyyot", Index; Gottlober, "Biḳḳoret le-Toledot ha-Ḳara'im", pp. 195, 207, Wilna, 1865).
Melamed (surname)
Melamed is a Hebrew surname. It translates to "teacher" from the Hebrew language and came into different languages in different spellings.Some variants of the spelling should not be confused with "Malamute" or "Malemute".Those with the surname include:...
Melamed, Melammed is a term which in Biblical times denoted a religious teacher
Teacher
A teacher or schoolteacher is a person who provides education for pupils and students . The role of teacher is often formal and ongoing, carried out at a school or other place of formal education. In many countries, a person who wishes to become a teacher must first obtain specified professional...
or instructor in general (e.g., in Ps. cxix. 99 and Prov. v. 13), but which in the Talmudic period was applied especially to a teacher of children, and was almost invariably followed by the word "tinokot" (children; B. B. 21a). The Aramean
Aramaic language
Aramaic is a group of languages belonging to the Afroasiatic language phylum. The name of the language is based on the name of Aram, an ancient region in central Syria. Within this family, Aramaic belongs to the Semitic family, and more specifically, is a part of the Northwest Semitic subfamily,...
equivalent was "makre dardeke" (ib.).
The melamed was appointed by the community, and there were special regulations determining how many children he might teach, as well as rules governing the choice of applicants for the office and the dismissal of a melamed (ib.). These regulations were extended and augmented in the post-Talmudic period.
Regulations
Besides the teachers appointed by the community, there were others who were privately engaged by the parents of children; hence it became necessary to define accurately the mutual rights and duties of the melamed and of the parents.While giving instruction, the melamed was not allowed to do any other work (Shulchan Aruch
Shulchan Aruch
The Shulchan Aruch also known as the Code of Jewish Law, is the most authoritative legal code of Judaism. It was authored in Safed, Israel, by Yosef Karo in 1563 and published in Venice two years later...
, Choshen Hamishpat, 333, 5). If he was ill, and therefore unable to teach for a time, as much was deducted from his wages as the lessons for that time would have cost (ib.); but if, on the other hand, the pupil was ill and could not take his lessons, the melamed received full payment (ib. 335, 1).
The melamed was not allowed to punish his pupils too severely; and he had to teach both in the daytime and during part of the night (Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh De'ah, 245, 10-11). He might not leave his pupils alone, nor neglect his duties; and he was required to be pious and to understand his vocation (ib. 245, 17). Only a married man might be a melamed (ib. 245, 20-21). In addition to these regulations, many others concerning the melamed are given in Yoreh De'ah (l.c. and 246), as well as in Hoshen Mishpat. (l.c.), but some of them are not observed at present.
The salary for a melamed was low, more often than not. Many melameds lived a very poor life.
Types of tutors
A distinction was made between the village melamed, who was engaged as a private tutorTutor
A tutor is a person employed in the education of others, either individually or in groups. To tutor is to perform the functions of a tutor.-Teaching assistance:...
by a Jew living in a village, and one who teaches the child in the house of its parents, and the melamed in a town, who teaches in his own home, which serves at the same time as a schoolroom (see cheder
Cheder
A Cheder is a traditional elementary school teaching the basics of Judaism and the Hebrew language.-History:...
).
A distinction is likewise drawn between the "melamed dardeki" and the "melamed gemara." The former would teach children of both genders to read and write Hebrew, and also a chapter or two of each weekly lesson from the Pentateuch, and he generally has one or more assistants (in German "behelfer"). The gemara melamed, on the other hand, teaches Bible and Talmud to the boys, and, when they are older, the ShulHan 'Aruk as well.
Use of the term
In RussiaRussia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
and Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
, the word "melamed" is synonymous with respected and "rav." Among the Karaites, the term denotes, like "rav
Rav
Rav is the Hebrew word for rabbi. For a more nuanced discussion see semicha. The term is also frequently used by Orthodox Jews to refer to one's own rabbi....
" among the Rabbinites, "teacher" and "master," and is regarded as a title of honor. Consequently there are among the Karaites many learned men who are called by the title "ha-melammed ha-gadol" (the great master), or merely "ha-melammed" (the master; comp. Pinsker
Pinsker
Pinsker is a surname and may refer to:* Leon Pinsker* Simchah Pinsker, Polish Hebrew scholar and archeologist...
, "Liḳḳute Ḳadmoniyyot", Index; Gottlober, "Biḳḳoret le-Toledot ha-Ḳara'im", pp. 195, 207, Wilna, 1865).
Jewish Encyclopedia bibliography
- Isaac LamprontiIsaac LamprontiIsaac Lampronti was an Italian rabbi and physician, best known as author of the rabbinic encyclopedia Paħad Yitzħak....
, Paḥad Yiẓḥaḳ, s.v., in addition to the authorities cited in the article