Eleazar Ben Azariah 

Hello from the land of A-I where I have been making loads of fun output in 2026 to liven up my own vintage articles and books.

The infographic and the video overview and slide deck below  were generated directly  by NotebookLM from my book.

I wrote this at Brown as my doctoral dissertation directed by Professor Jacob Neusner.

This collection of rabbinic texts analyzes the legal, theological, and biographical traditions of R. Eleazar ben Azariah, a prominent scholar from the Yavnean period. Through excerpts from the Mishnah, Tosefta, and Midrashim, the documents examine his debates with contemporaries like R. Aqiva and R. Ishmael on diverse subjects such as liturgy, tithing, and purity laws. A significant portion of the material details his brief but controversial tenure as Patriarch, highlighting his reported wealth and priestly lineage. The texts further explore his unique exegetical methods, focusing on his interpretations of scripture regarding human suffering, atonement, and the merit of ancestors. Ultimately, these sources attempt to reconstruct Eleazar’s historical identity while acknowledging that much of his life remains filtered through the specific agendas of later editors. Consistent themes include his opposition to certain Aqivan teachings and his commitment to practical wisdom in communal life.