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Mishnah Chagigah

Mishnah

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Chapter 2

One may not expound the topic of forbidden sexual relations before three or more individuals; nor may one expound the act of Creation and the secrets of the beginning of the world before two or more individuals; nor may one expound by oneself the Design of the Divine Chariot, a mystical teaching with regard to the ways God conducts the world, unless he is wise and understands most matters on his own.⁠ The mishna continues in the same vein: Whoever looks at four matters, it would have been better for him had he never entered the world: Anyone who reflects upon what is above the firmament and what is below the earth, what was before Creation, and what will be after the end of the world. And anyone who has no concern for the honor of his Maker, who inquires into and deals with matters not permitted to him, deserves to have never come to the world.

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Texts in conversation

Compare Jesus Ben Sira, Sirach 3:21 and Mishnah Chagigah 2:1

Deuterocanon · Rabbinic

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Summary

Sirach discourages theological speculation, urging focus on the Torah. Rabbinic tradition in Mishnah Chagigah echoes this and limits discussion about texts that are difficult to interpret and invite speculation about hidden aspects of God and creation.

Passages

Jesus Ben Sira, Sirach 3:21

Deuterocanon · Ben Sira, Ecclesiasticus
20 For the power of the Lord is great,
and he is glorified by those who are lowly. 21 Don’t seek things that are too hard for you,
and don’t investigate things that are beyond your ability. 22 Think about the things that have been commanded to you,
for you have no need of the things that are secret. 23 Don’t be overly busy in tasks that are beyond you,
for more things are shown to you than people can understand. 24 For the conceit of many has led them astray.
Bad ideas have led their judgment astray.
195–175 BCE (scholarly estimate) Read in Jesus Ben Sira, Sirach

Mishnah Chagigah 2:1

Rabbinic · Mishnah
One may not expound the topic of forbidden sexual relations before three or more individuals; nor may one expound the act of Creation and the secrets of the beginning of the world before two or more individuals; nor may one expound by oneself the Design of the Divine Chariot, a mystical teaching with regard to the ways God conducts the world, unless he is wise and understands most matters on his own. The mishna continues in the same vein: Whoever looks at four matters, it would have been better for him had he never entered the world: Anyone who reflects upon what is above the firmament and what is below the earth, what was before Creation, and what will be after the end of the world. And anyone who has no concern for the honor of his Maker, who inquires into and deals with matters not permitted to him, deserves to have never come to the world.
190–230 CE (scholarly estimate) Read in Mishnah Chagigah

References

"... While it is not stated in so many words, the writer [of Sirach] wants his readers to understand that the knowledge which they have already is an adequate guide for life, and there is no need to look for answers which are not readily available. One can presume that what is referred to here is the Law which man has in his possession as the source of all knowledge. This was a warning which was taken up at a later period by the rabbis and applied to those who would occupy themselves on matters of a mystical kind. Indeed, similar reserve is quite apparent in the mind of the author of the second part of Mishnah Hagigah 2:1, which lays down guidelines for the investigation of certain passages in Scripture. These provided the basis for speculations on the nature of God and the world which he has created. In fact the author goes much further than Ben Sirach and indicates that any one who occupied himself in such matters was in danger of imperiling his life ..."
Christopher Rowland, The Open Heaven: A Study of Apocalyptic in Judaism and Early Christianity (London: SPCK, 1982), 75.

References are not endorsements of their contents. Read each reference in full to understand its author's intentions in using these texts.

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Jesus Ben Sira, Sirach 3:21 and Mishnah Chagigah 2:1

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