Derekh Eretz Rabbah

Derekh Eretz Rabbah (Hebrew: דרך ארץ רבה) is one of the minor tractates (מסכתות קטנות) of the Talmud. In the editions of the latter the tractate Derek Ereẓ consists of three divisions:

This division is correct in that there are really three different works, but the designations "Rabbah" and "Zuṭa" are misleading, since the divisions so designated are not longer and shorter divisions of one work, but are, in spite of their relationship, independent of each other. The ancient authorities, who have different designations for this treatise, know nothing of the division into "Rabbah" and "Zuṭa"; the Halakot Gedolot (ed. A. Hildesheimer, p. 647) even includes a large part of the Derek Ereẓ Zuṭa under the title "Rabbah."

According to the usual division, Derek Ereẓ R. consists of 11 sections ("peraḳim"). It begins with a halakic section on forbidden marriages ("arayot"), to which are appended some ethical maxims on marriage. The second section consists of two entirely different parts, the first of which contains reflections on 24 classes of people—12 bad and 12 good—with an appropriate Bible verse for each class; the second enumerates the sins that bring about eclipses of the sun and moon, as well as other misfortunes, the whole ending with some mystic remarks concerning God and the 390 heavens.

The section "Ben Azzai," as the ancients called the third pereḳ, contains some moral reflections on the origin and destiny of man. Sections iv. and v., each beginning with the word "Le'olam" (Forever), contain rules of conduct for sages and their disciples, the respective rules being illustrated by Biblical events and occurrences of the time of the Tannaim. Sections vi. and vii., which seem to have been originally one section, illustrate, by means of several stories, the correctness of the rule of conduct, never, in society or at table, to act differently from others that are present. Sections viii. and ix. also treat of rules of conduct during eating and drinking, especially in society; and sections vi. and viii. begin with the same word "Ha-niknas." Section x., on correct behavior in the bath, also begins with the same word, showing that all these sections, although they differ in content, were composed after one pattern. The last section begins with the enumeration of different things that are dangerous to life, and continues with the enumeration of actions and customs that are very dangerous to the soul.

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