Marta, the Daughter of Boethus

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Desperation in a Time of Famine

TALMUD

The story of Marta bat Baitos illustrates the severity of the famine in Jerusalem, even affecting the wealthy. The Talmudic tractate Gittin includes narratives about the destruction of the Temple and the hardships faced during that time.

With regard to this famine it is related that Marta bat Baitos was one of the wealthy women of Jerusalem. She sent out her agent and said to him: Go bring me fine flour [semida]. By the time he went, the fine flour was already sold. He came and said to her: There is no fine flour, but there is ordinary flour. She said to him: Go then and bring me ordinary flour. By the time he went, the ordinary flour was also sold…

Gittin 56a:11

The Power Behind the High Priest

REFERENCE

Marta, the daughter of Boethus, used her wealth and influence to secure the position of High Priest for her husband, despite his lack of priestly lineage. Gershom Bader's early 20th-century work delves into the political and financial machinations of Marta, highlighting the complexities of power and influence during the late Second Temple period.

Mention should also be made of Joshua ben Gamala who was elected High Priest several years before the destruction of the temple. This office he obtained through bribe in spite of the fact that he was not even descended from priests and that he married a widow. Martha, the daughter of Boetus, married Joshua and in order to obtain the office of High Priest for him she sent a bag full of gold to king Agrippa the second.

The Jewish Spiritual Heroes, Volume I; The Creators of the Mishna, Rabbi Chanina, Deputy of the High Priest, and His Contemporaries 21

High Priesthood Scandal

MIDRASH

The appointment of High Priests during the Second Temple period was often influenced by wealth and corruption. Ein Yaakov, a compilation of Talmudic stories and parables, recounts how Marta, the daughter of Boethus, used her wealth to secure the High Priesthood for Joshua b. Gamla.

GEMARA: It is quite right that they should say to him, "Perhaps thou hast forgotten." "But that they should say to him: "Perhaps thou hast not studied," how can an ignorant man be made a High-priest? Have we not learned in a Baraitha: (Lev. 21, 10) And the priest that is highest of his brethren; i.e., he must be highest among his brethren in personal beauty, in physical strength, in wealth and in wisdom. Others say: "Whence do we know that if he is not rich, his brethren, the priests, must make him rich? Read the text, That is highest of his brethren; i.e…

Ein Yaakov (Glick Edition), Yoma 1:15

Curses and Provisions

TALMUD

The story reveals the tension between a woman's expectations and the Sages' provisions, leading to her cursing them. The Jerusalem Talmud, compiled in the Land of Israel around the 4th-5th centuries CE, discusses customs and legal considerations regarding women's consumption of wine and other provisions.

She has no claim to wine since poor Jewish women do not drink wine. Do rich women drink? Did we not state: It happened that the Sages assigned to Martha bat Boethos two se‘ah of wine every day. How can the court assign wine? Rebbi Ḥiyya bar Ada said, because of “Whoring, wine, and cider will destroy the mind.” But did we not state: ”If she was nursing, one reduces the amount of her work and increases her food”? Rebbi Joshua ben Levi said wine, for it increases the milk. Rebbi Ḥizqiah, Rebbi Abbahu in the name of Rebbi Joḥanan: Also they assigned it for cooking…

Jerusalem Talmud Ketubot 5:11:3

The High Priest's Marriage

TALMUD

The High Priest's marriage had strict legal and procedural requirements, reflecting the high standards of purity and conduct expected of him. The Jerusalem Talmud discusses the conditions under which a High Priest may marry, including the notable case of Joshua ben Gamla and Martha bat Boetos.

MISHNAH: The High Priest shall not marry a widow, whether a widow from betrothal or a widow from marriage. He shall not marry an adult; Rebbi Eleazar and Rebbi Simeon enable the adult. He shall not marry one injured by a piece of wood. If he gave qiddushin and afterwards was elected High Priest, he shall marry her; it happened that Joshua ben Gamla had given qiddushin to Martha bat Boetos when the king appointed him as High Priest and he married her. If a woman was waiting for her Cohen levir when he was elected High Priest, even though he “bespoke” her…

Jerusalem Talmud Yevamot 6:4:1

Wealth and Widowhood

TALMUD

A wealthy woman will spend more money over time than a poor woman, reflecting her higher standard of living and greater financial resources. The Gemara in tractate Ketubot discusses the financial provisions for widows, comparing the spending habits of wealthy and poor women over a twenty-five-year period.

GEMARA: The mishna stated that according to Rabbi Meir, over a period of twenty-five years a woman will spend a sum equal to her marriage contract from the resources of the orphans. Abaye said to Rav Yosef: Is it true that the poorest woman among the Jewish people, whose marriage contract is of minimal value, will not spend this amount until twenty-five years have passed, and Marta bat Baitos, who was very wealthy and whose marriage contract was worth a huge sum…

Ketubot 104a:12-13

Talmudic Figuresדמויות מהתלמוד

Rabbi Abba

Rabbi Abba b. R. Hiyya [b. Abba]

Rabbi Avin (Son of Ravin)

Sheetsדפי מקורות

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