Pereda

Palestinian amora of the second generation; probably a pupil of R. Ammi, to whom he addressed a halakic question (Men. 53a). Once, when his pupils announced the visit of R. Ezra b. Abtolemus (Eu[p]tolemus), adding that he was a descendant of Eleazar b. Azariah, Pereda answered: "What avails his noble descent? It is enough if he is a scholar, though his lineage is no detriment; but if he is of noble descent and yet no scholar, may the fire consume him" (Men. l.c.).

Pereda was extremely industrious, and exercised infinite patience with his pupils (Er. 54b). He attained a great age, and when his disciples asked him how he had deserved it, he answered that it was because he had always been the first to appear in the bet ha-midrash, and had never refused due respect to a priest (Meg. 27b-28b). His patience as a teacher was legendary.

None of Pereda's halakic teachings is extant, but the following haggadic interpretation by him of Ps. xvi. 2-3 has been preserved: "Israel said unto God, 'Count it to mine honor that I have made the world to know Thee'; but God answered: 'Not to thine honor is it, but to the glory of thy forefathers, through whom the world first knew Me'" (Men. 53a).

W. B. J. Z. L.