Yehuda ben Tema

Rabbi Jehuda ben Tema (name variants: R. Juda ben Tema ; also: topic ; Hebrew יהודה בן־תימא) was a Mishna teacher of the 2nd century, Tannait of the 4th generation.

Nothing more is known about his life, some see him as a contemporary of Akiba .

From him comes the saying that was later adopted in the Halacha and therefore became particularly well known:

"Be brave as the panther, nimble as the eagle, fast as the deer and strong as the lion - to carry out the will of your father in heaven".

Jehuda ben Tema is also the author of the well-known classification of the ages (of the man) in the sayings of the fathers (v. 25):

at the age of 5 starting Bible lessons (Torah),

with 10 Mishnah studies,

with 13 mandatory requirement ,

with 15 Talmud studies (Gemara),

at 18 marriage,

with 20 profession,

with 30 full force,

with 40 full insight,

with 50 advice,

at the age of 60,

with 70 old age,

at 80 old age / reaching the highest goal,

stooped at 90,

ready to die at 100 ("as if he had already died, gone and vanished from the world")

Literature (selection)

• Article JUDA ben TEMA , in: Jüdisches Lexikon , Berlin 1927, Vol. III