Aggadah, Folly, and Conduct: R’ Yehoshua ben Ḥanania’s Responses to the Alexandrians’ Questions (Niddah 70b-71a)
This sugya presents intellectual exchanges between the “people of Alexandria”1 and R' Yehoshua ben Ḥanania, framed as twelve questions that they posed to him. The baraita divides these questions into four categories: three were matters of wisdom (ḥokhma), three matters of aggada, three matters of ignorance (borut), and three matters of proper conduct (derekh eretz).
The three aggadic questions all stem from biblical contradictions. First, they asked how to reconcile Ezekiel’s declaration that God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked (Ezek. 18:32) with the statement that God desired to kill the sinful sons of Eli (I Sam. 2:25). R' Yehoshua resolves the tension: in cases where sinners repent, God does not desire their death; but where they refuse repentance, He does.
A second contradiction is between Deuteronomy’s claim that God “shows no favor” (Deut. 10:17) and the priestly blessing that “God shall show favor to you” (Num. 6:26). R' Yehoshua distinguishes between the period before judgment has been decreed, when God may show favor, and after judgment, when He does not.
Finally, they asked about Zion: Psalms proclaims God’s choice of Jerusalem (Ps. 132:13), while Jeremiah describes it as a source of anger since its foundation (Jer. 32:31). Here, R' Yehoshua situates the turning point in Solomon’s marriage to Pharaoh’s daughter—before that union, God chose Zion; afterward, His wrath extended even to the city.
The so-called “matters of ignorance” address curious halakhic hypotheticals. Does Lot’s wife, turned into a pillar of salt, impart corpse impurity? R' Yehoshua dismisses the idea: a corpse imparts impurity, salt does not. What about the Shunammite’s son, who was raised from the dead by Elisha—does he impart impurity? Only while dead, says R' Yehoshua; once restored to life, he is no different than anyone else. And with respect to the future resurrection: will the resurrected dead need purification with the ashes of the red heifer? R' Yehoshua demurs, saying the halakha will be clarified when they return—perhaps by Moses himself.
Finally, the Alexandrians asked three questions of derekh eretz, practical guidance for life. How does one become wise? R' Yehoshua recommends more study and less trade, though ultimately wisdom comes from God, as Proverbs 2:6 teaches. How does one become wealthy? Engage in honest trade, but also recognize that wealth is in God’s hands, as in Haggai 2:8. And how does one merit sons? Marry well, act modestly during intimacy, and pray, since children are a divine heritage (Ps. 127:3). The Talmud elaborates that the “reward of the womb” is granted when a man restrains himself so that his wife “emits seed” first (a biological detail linked to rabbinic understanding about conceiving sons).
Together, these twelve questions—half playful, half serious—illustrate how the rabbis (purportedly) engaged with outsiders, tested the coherence of Scripture, and distilled religious wisdom into practical guidance. They also reveal the enduring tension between human effort and divine gift: study, trade, and marriage may prepare the ground, but wisdom, wealth, and children ultimately belong to God.
“The people of Alexandria asked 12 matters of R' Yehoshua ben Ḥanania” (Niddah.69b, sections 17-18)
תנו רבנן:
שנים עשר דברים שאלו אנשי אלכסנדריא את רבי יהושע בן חיננא:
שלשה דברי חכמה,
שלשה דברי הגדה,
שלשה דברי בורות,
שלשה דברי דרך ארץ.
שלשה דברי חכמה:
[...]
§ A baraita states:
The people of Alexandria asked 12 matters of R' Yehoshua ben Ḥinnana.
3 of them were matters of wisdom (חכמה),
3 were matters of aggada,
3 were matters of ignorance (בורות),
3 were matters of behavior (דרך ארץ).
The Talmud lists the questions.
3 were matters of wisdom:
[...]
Outline
Intro
“The people of Alexandria asked 12 matters of R' Yehoshua ben Ḥanania” (Niddah.69b, sections 17-18)
The Passage - Aggadah, Folly, and Conduct: R’ Yehoshua ben Ḥanania’s Responses to the Alexandrians’ Questions (Niddah 70b-71a)
Three Matters of Aggada
#1 - Divine Desire for Death of (Wicked) Humans - Ezekiel 18:32 vs. I Samuel 2:25
One verse states that God does not desire death of (wicked) humans, while another states that He desired to kill the sons of Eli
R' Yehoshua resolves the contradiction: Ezekiel refers to sinners who repent; Samuel refers to those who do not repent
#2 - God Showing Favor - Deuteronomy 10:17 vs. Numbers 6:26
Deuteronomy states God shows no favor, while Numbers blesses Israel with God’s favor
R' Yehoshua explains: before a decree is issued, God shows favor; after the decree, He does not
#3 - God’s Choice of Zion - Psalms 132:13 vs. Jeremiah 32:31
Psalms affirms God chose Zion, while Jeremiah portrays Jerusalem as angering Him since its foundation
R' Yehoshua answers: before Solomon married Pharaoh’s daughter, God chose Zion; after that marriage, His anger extended to the city
Three Matters of Ignorance
#1 - Lot’s Wife (Genesis 19:26)
Does the pillar of salt impart corpse impurity?
R' Yehoshua: a corpse imparts impurity, salt does not
#2 - The Shunammite’s Son (II Kings 4:33–36)
Does a once-dead human impart impurity?
R' Yehoshua: only the corpse imparts impurity; once alive, he does not
#3 - Resurrected Dead
Will the Resurrected Dead require red heifer sprinkling?
R' Yehoshua: when they return, the halakha will be clarified—some say by Moses himself
Three Matters of Behavior
#1 - Becoming Wise
One should increase study and minimize trade
Yet since some did so without success, prayer for divine wisdom is essential (Proverbs 2:6)
R' Ḥiyya - parable of a king who prepared a feast for his servants
#2 - Becoming Wealthy
One should trade faithfully
Yet since some did so without success, prayer is required, for wealth belongs to God (Haggai 2:8)
#3 - Having Male Children
One should marry a fitting woman and act modestly during sex
Still, since this does not always succeed, prayer is required, for sons are a divine gift (Psalms 127:3)
“Reward of the womb” refers to a man restraining himself so his wife emits seed first, meriting sons.
The Passage
Three Matters of Aggada
(See footnote.)2
שלשה דברי אגדה:
The Talmud details the three matters of aggada that the people of Alexandria asked R' Yehoshua.
#1 - Divine Desire for Death of (Wicked) Humans - Ezekiel 18:32 vs. I Samuel 2:25
One verse states that God does not desire death of (wicked) humans, while another states that He desired to kill the sons of Eli
כתוב אחד אומר
״כי לא אחפוץ במות המת״,
וכתוב אחד אומר
״כי חפץ ה׳ להמיתם״!
One verse states:
“For I have no desire (אחפוץ) in the death of him that dies, says YHWH God; but turn yourselves, and live” (Ezekiel 18:32).
And one verse states,
with regard to the sons of Eli the High Priest, who did not pay attention to the reproof of their father: “If one man sins against another, God shall judge him; but if a man sins against YHWH, who shall pray for him? But they did not listen to the voice of their father, because YHWH desired to kill them” (I Samuel 2:25).
R' Yehoshua resolves the contradiction: Ezekiel refers to sinners who repent; Samuel refers to those who do not repent
כאן
בעושין תשובה,
כאן
בשאין עושין תשובה.
R' Yehoshua replied to them:
Here, the verse in Ezekiel
is referring to a case where the sinners repent,
whereas there, the verse in Samuel
is speaking of a case where the sinners do not repent.
#2 - God Showing Favor - Deuteronomy 10:17 vs. Numbers 6:26
Deuteronomy states God shows no favor, while Numbers blesses Israel with God’s favor
כתוב אחד אומר:
״כי לא ישא פנים ולא יקח שוחד״,
וכתוב אחד אומר:
״ישא ה׳ פניו אליך״!
The people of Alexandria also asked the following:
One verse states:
“For YHWH your God, He is God of gods, and Lord of lords, the great God, the mighty, and the awful, Who shows no favor (ישא פנים) nor takes graft” (Deuteronomy 10:17),
and one verse states:
“YHWH shall show favor to you and give you peace” (Numbers 6:26).
How can this contradiction be resolved?
R' Yehoshua explains: before a decree is issued, God shows favor; after the decree, He does not
כאן
קודם גזר דין,
כאן
לאחר גזר דין.
R' Yehoshua replied to them:
Here, the verse in Numbers
is dealing with the time before one’s sentence (גזר דין) is issued, when God shows favor and forgives;
there, the verse in Deuteronomy
is referring to after the sentence has been issued, when He no longer forgives.
#3 - God’s Choice of Zion - Psalms 132:13 vs. Jeremiah 32:31
Psalms affirms God chose Zion, while Jeremiah portrays Jerusalem as angering Him since its foundation
כתוב אחד אומר
״כי בחר ה׳ בציון״,
וכתוב אחד אומר
״כי על אפי ועל חמתי היתה העיר הזאת
למן היום אשר בנו אותה עד היום הזה״!
The people of Alexandria further asked:
One verse states:
“For YHWH has chosen Zion; He has desired it for His dwelling place” (Psalms 132:13),
and one verse states:
“For this city has been to Me a provocation of My anger and of My fury
from the day that they built it until this day, so that I should remove it from before My face” (Jeremiah 32:31).
R' Yehoshua answers: before Solomon married Pharaoh’s daughter, God chose Zion; after that marriage, His anger extended to the city
כאן
קודם שנשא שלמה את בת פרעה,
כאן
לאחר שנשא שלמה את בת פרעה.
R' Yehoshua replied to them:
Here, the verse in Psalms
is referring to the time before Solomon married Pharaoh’s daughter (see I Kings 3:1),
whereas there, the verse in Jeremiah
is speaking of the time after Solomon married Pharaoh’s daughter.
Three Matters of Ignorance
שלשה דברי בורות:
The Talmud lists the three matters of ignorance (בורות) that the people of Alexandria asked R' Yehoshua.
#1 - Lot’s Wife (Genesis 19:26)
Does the pillar of salt impart corpse impurity?
אשתו של לוט --
מהו שתטמא?
What is the halakha with regard to the wife of Lot, who was turned into a pillar of salt as she fled from the city of Sodom (Genesis 19:26),
in terms of whether she transmits ritual impurity as a corpse?
R' Yehoshua: a corpse imparts impurity, salt does not
אמר להם:
מת
מטמא,
ואין נציב מלח
מטמא.
R' Yehoshua said to them:
A corpse
transmits ritual impurity,
but a pillar of salt, even if it was formerly a person,
does not impart ritual impurity.
#2 - The Shunammite’s Son (II Kings 4:33–36)
Does a once-dead human impart impurity?
בן שונמית --
מהו שיטמא?
The people of Alexandria also asked R' Yehoshua:
What is the halakha with regard to the son of the Shunammite woman, who died and was brought to life by Elisha (II Kings 4:33–36),
in terms of whether he transmits ritual impurity as a corpse?
R' Yehoshua: only the corpse imparts impurity; once alive, he does not
אמר להן:
מת
מטמא,
ואין חי
מטמא.
R' Yehoshua said to them:
A corpse
transmits ritual impurity,
but a living person
does not transmit ritual impurity, even if he had been dead temporarily.
#3 - Resurrected Dead
Will the Resurrected Dead require red heifer sprinkling?
מתים לעתיד לבא --
צריכין הזאה שלישי ושביעי
או אין צריכין?
The people of Alexandria also asked R' Yehoshua:
With regard to the dead who will be resurrected in the [messianic] future,
will they require sprinkling with ashes of the red heifer on the 3rd and 7th days, like one who is purified after coming into contact with a corpse,
or will they not require that sprinkling?
R' Yehoshua: when they return, the halakha will be clarified—some say by Moses himself
אמר להן:
לכשיחיו --
נחכם להן.
איכא דאמרי:
לכשיבא משה רבינו עמהם.
R' Yehoshua said to them:
When they come to life,
we will be clever for them and clarify the halakha.
There are those who say that R' Yehoshua said to them:
When Moses our teacher comes with them, he will tell us the correct halakha.
Three Matters of Behavior
(See footnote.)3
שלשה דברי דרך ארץ,
The people of Alexandria also asked R' Yehoshua three matters of behavior (דרך ארץ)
#1 - Becoming Wise
One should increase study and minimize trade
מה יעשה אדם ויחכם?
אמר להן:
ירבה בישיבה,
וימעט בסחורה.
What should a person do to become wise (יחכם)?
R' Yehoshua said to them:
He should increase his time spent sitting4 in the study house
and minimize his dealings in merchandise.
Yet since some did so without success, prayer for divine wisdom is essential (Proverbs 2:6)
אמרו:
הרבה עשו כן,
ולא הועיל להם!
אלא --
יבקשו רחמים ממי שהחכמה שלו,
שנאמר:
״כי ה׳ יתן חכמה
מפיו דעת ותבונה״.
The people of Alexandria said to R' Yehoshua:
Many people have done so,
and it did not help them to acquire wisdom.
R' Yehoshua responded: Rather,
they should pray for mercy to receive wisdom from the One to Whom wisdom belongs,
as it is stated:
“For YHWH gives wisdom;
out of His mouth comes knowledge and discernment” (Proverbs 2:6).
R' Ḥiyya - parable of a king who prepared a feast for his servants
תני רבי חייא:
משל למלך בשר ודם
שעשה סעודה לעבדיו,
ומשגר לאוהביו ממה שלפניו.
[...]
With regard to the subject of wisdom, R' Ḥiyya teaches
a parable of a flesh-and-blood king
who prepared a feast for his servants.
The servants eat the food placed before them, but in addition he sends some of the food that is before him to those he loves.
Similarly, God sends some of His wisdom to those He loves, as the verse states: “For YHWH gives wisdom.”
[...]
#2 - Becoming Wealthy
One should trade faithfully
מה יעשה אדם ויתעשר?
אמר להן:
ירבה בסחורה,
וישא ויתן באמונה.
The people of Alexandria asked: What should a person do to become wealthy?
R' Yehoshua said to them:
He should increase his time involved in merchandise
and conduct his business (ישא ויתן) faithfully.
Yet since some did so without success, prayer is required, for wealth belongs to God (Haggai 2:8)
אמרו לו:
הרבה עשו כן,
ולא הועילו!
אלא --
יבקש רחמים ממי שהעושר שלו,
שנאמר:
״לי הכסף
ולי הזהב״.
[...]
The people of Alexandria said to R' Yehoshua:
Many people have done so,
and it did not help them become rich.
R' Yehoshua replied: Rather,
they should pray for mercy to receive wisdom from the One to Whom wealth belongs,
as it is stated:
“Mine is the silver,
and Mine the gold, says YHWH of hosts” (Haggai 2:8).
[...]
#3 - Having Male Children
One should marry a fitting woman and act modestly during sex
מה יעשה אדם ויהיו לו בנים זכרים?
אמר להם:
ישא אשה ההוגנת לו,
ויקדש עצמו בשעת תשמיש.
The people of Alexandria further asked: What should a person do to have male children?
R' Yehoshua said to them:
He should marry a woman who is fit (הוגנת) for him
and sanctify himself by acting modestly at the time of sex (תשמיש)
Still, since this does not always succeed, prayer is required, for sons are a divine gift (Psalms 127:3)
אמרו:
הרבה עשו כן,
ולא הועילו!
אלא יבקש רחמים ממי שהבנים שלו,
שנאמר:
״הנה נחלת ה׳ בנים
שכר פרי הבטן״.
[...]
The people of Alexandria said to R' Yehoshua:
Many people have done so,
and it did not help them.
R' Yehoshua said: Rather,
they should pray to receive sons from the One to Whom sons belong,
as it is stated:
“Behold, children are a heritage of YHWH;
the fruit of the womb is a reward” (Psalms 127:3).
[...]
“Reward of the womb” refers to a man restraining himself so his wife emits seed first, meriting sons
מאי ״שכר פרי הבטן״?
אמר רבי חמא ברבי חנינא:
בשכר שמשהין עצמן בבטן,
כדי (שתזריע אשתו) [שיזריעו נשותיהן] תחילה —
נותן לו הקדוש ברוך הוא שכר פרי הבטן.
With regard to the verse from Psalms, the Talmud asks: What is the meaning of the phrase: “The fruit of the womb is a reward” (Psalms 127:3)?
What act is rewarded here?
R' Ḥama, son of R' Ḥanina, says:
In reward for men withholding their semen on the belly
in order to allow their wives to emit seed first,5
God gives him the reward of the “fruit of the womb” (פרי הבטן), i.e., sons.
אנשי אלכסנדריא.
Ed. Steinsaltz consistently translates and interprets this to mean “the rabbis of Alexandria”; but there’s no real indication of that. I therefore changed that throughout.
The idealized formula for the three passages in this unit (“aggada”) is as follows:
[Alexandrians’ query:]
כתוב אחד אומר
X
וכתוב אחד אומר
Y
One verse states:
X
And one verse states,
Y
[R' Yehoshua’s reply:]
כאן
A
כאן
[לא A]
Here, in verse X
is referring to a case where [A]
whereas here, in verse Y
is speaking of a case where [not A]
The idealized formula for the three passages in this unit (“behavior”) is as follows:
[Alexandrians’ initial query:]
מה יעשה אדם ו-[מידה]?
What should a person do and [X - Accomplishment - become wise/wealthy OR have male children]?
[R' Yehoshua’s intial reply:]
אמר להן:
A
B
R' Yehoshua said to them:
He should do the following actions
A
B
[Alexandrians’ follow-up response:]
אמרו:
הרבה עשו כן,
ולא הועיל להם!
They said to him:
Many people have done so (i.e. they did A and B),
and it did not work (הועיל) for them (to get X)
[R' Yehoshua’s response:]
אלא --
יבקשו רחמים ממי שה-[מידה] שלו,
שנאמר:
[V - verse]
Rather (in order to get X),
they should pray for mercy (רחמים) from the One to Whom [X] belongs (i.e. God),
as it is stated:
[V - verse]
Based on the classical biological understanding of women “emitting seed” first leads to male children.