Joshua Ben Karha (Hebrew: יהושע בן קרחה, Yehoshua ben Karcha (or ben Korcha), was a Jewish Tanna sage of the fourth generation.

Biography

He was a colleague of Rabbi Meir and Shimon ben Gamliel II, and a disciple of Rabbi Akiva.

Some believe that he was the son of Rabbi Akiva, who is referred to in the Talmud as the "kere'ah," the 'bald-headed one'.^[1] However, others disagree.^[2] He never mentions Akiva in his teachings, and would have done so had Akiva been his father.^[3]

Joshua was bald; and once in a dispute with a heretic who taunted him on this score, he refuted his opponent with remarkable readiness of wit.^[4]

His affection for his people is shown by the indignation with which he rebuked Eleazar b. Simeon (who had delivered the Jewish criminals over to the Romans): "You vinegar son of wine [= "degenerate scion of a noble father"], how long will you give the people of our God unto death?".^[5]

He lived to a great age; and when he blessed Judah haNasi he added the wish that Judah might live half as long as himself.^[6]

Teachings

The Mishnah cites few of Ben Karha's halakhic commentaries in his name, and the few ones that are recorded, are either in context with him^{[clarification needed]} or in conjunction with another Tannaitic sage. Thus, in another reference, the Talmud cites Karha's practice as performed on the authority of Eleazar ben Azariah,^[7] and in an additional reference, on the authority of R. Yochanan ben Nuri.^[8] Similarly, he gave his halakhic ruling along with R. Jose ben Halafta, in the matter of the construction of Jericho.^[9]

In comparison with the few halachic commentaries, many aggadah commentaries are recorded in his name.