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July 28, 2000/25 Tammuz 5760, Vol. 52, No.46
Gladiator became major Torah scholar
Tell Me Why
ELIZABETH APPLEBAUM
Special to Jewish News
Q: I just saw the new film "Gladiator," and that got me wondering: were there any Jewish gladiators?
A: Yes. During the Roman occupation, gladiatorial contests were held in Israel. Very few people volunteered to be gladiators. Their ranks were drawn from slaves, prisoners of war and criminals condemned to death. As the Roman appetite for gladiatorial spectacles increased, fighters were drawn from offenders convicted of minor crimes. Debtors who could not satisfy their creditors sometimes sold themselves into slavery and fought as gladiators.
Most of the men forced into the gladiatorial life were unhappy. Although suicide was common, many, if not most, of the fighters ended up dead in the arena anyway. Some of the successful gladiators who actually enjoyed their careers were psychopathic killers. There were Jews among them, and the Talmud records that many of them renounced Judaism and delighted in the resulting anguish of the Jewish communities.
Probably the most famous Jewish gladiator was Shimon ben Lakish, also known as Resh Lakish. He lived in the Land of Israel in the 3rd century C.E. He sold himself as a gladiator because he had no other way to make a living. After a chance meeting with the renowned Rabbi Jochanan, Resh Lakish became a devout Jew and a brilliant student of the Torah. He developed into a major Torah scholar and was highly respected. His legal opinions and decisions are quoted in the Talmud and other rabbinic literature.
Q: Did Lucille Ball really hire a famed Jewish make-up artist to help her prepare for her court appearance during divorce proceedings from Desi Arnaz?
A: Only in Hollywood, my friend. It's true.
Ball was, like many stars of the 1940s and 1950s, a longtime fan of Hal King, first leading makeup artist, then "cosmetic beautifier" and finally "director of beauty" at Max Factor's Hollywood salon. Ball and King temporarily ended their partnership, then reunited when Ball was heading for divorce court. After that, she became his No. 1 client and King was replaced by Robert Salvatore at the Max Factor salon.
Q: I notice that President Clinton received the Charlemagne Award during his recent visit to Europe. Did Charlemagne have anything to do with Jews?
A: The historical record shows that Charlemagne (742-814), king of the Franks and first emperor of what later came to known as the Holy Roman Empire, probably had little to do with the Jews of his realm. Among the few Jews whom we know of whose paths crossed with Charlemagne, were his physician, named Ferragut, and an interpreter, Isaac, who was part of a delegation Charlemagne sent to the Caliph Harun al Rashid.
As ruler of a vast group of territories, Charlemagne tried to impose unity through Christianity, so his relations with the Jews were influenced by the theological policies of his administration. His royal court included a special Christian official to administer the laws affecting the Jews. These laws restricted business dealings by Jews and put Jews at a legal disadvantage in disputes with Christians.
Because of his military successes, his position as the first ruler of a Christian empire in the west and his physical presence (he was said to stand almost 7 feet tall), Charlemagne, almost before his death was made a legendary figure. Like so many others, the Jews had their own stories of Charlemagne.
Send your general-interest questions about Jewish life, history and religion to Elizabeth Applebaum, Tell Me Why, 14420 Vernon, Oak Park, MI 48237. Include your name and address.
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