‘There is no concern of prohibition against their trade’: A responsum by Rashbatz on the trade in monkeys practiced by Algerian Jews in the middle ages

Abraham O Shemesh

doi:10.4102/hts.v74i1.4768

Abstract

The current study deals with the responsum of R. Shimon ben Zemah Duran (Rashbatz, Algeria, 15th century), a Jewish halakhic adjudicator, on the trade in monkeys practiced by Algerian Jews in the middle ages. The basis of the discussion concerning the monkey trade is an ancient prohibition of the Mishna’s sages against trading in non-kosher animals. The current study clarifies the halakhic, historical and zoological circumstances underlying the missive sent to Rashbatz. In fact, R. Shimon ben Zemah Duran permitted trading in monkeys. He bases his ruling on ancient sources in rabbinical literature and states that this is not a new issue in the economic life of Algerian Jews and that his family also dealt in the monkey trade.

Highlights

Hunting and trade in animals for an array of purposes, such as for consumption, entertainment and sport, have been practiced by humankind from time immemorial
Rashbatz permitted trading in monkeys. He bases his ruling on ancient sources in rabbinical literature and states that this is not a new issue in the economic life of Algerian Jews and that his family dealt in the monkey trade
The responsum reveals a less familiar aspect that pertains to the role of the 15th century Algerian Jews in the monkey trade

Summary

Introduction

Hunting and trade in animals for an array of purposes, such as for consumption, entertainment and sport, have been practiced by humankind from time immemorial. Jewish sources record the trade in animals in several narrative and legal contexts. The practice of keeping monkeys in private homes was documented in classical literature (Morris & Morris 1966; Pliny the Elder 1940:VIII, 80, 216, 151). Rabbinical literature indicates that this was part of Jewish reality and that it existed not merely as a theoretical issue, for example, the Talmudic tale of a monkey who copulated with a woman ‘naturally and unnaturally’ (Jerusalem Talmud, Megila 4:1, 75a). Reported cases include that of a monkey who created a bowl by carving a block of clay (Jerusalem Talmud, Betsa 1:3, 70b) or a monkey who dyed wool (Babylonian Talmud, Baba Kama 101a)

Objectives

Conclusion