חגיגה יט

When a community near Prague was looking for a new רב, a wealthy and powerful boor, who considered himself a תלמיד חכם, sought to be appointed to the position. The man was summoned by רב יחזקאל לנדא, who straightforwardly asked him “Do you think it’s proper that an עם הארץ should be appointed רב?”  “Me an עם הארץ?” the man replied. “Why many of the important members of the קהל will testify that I’m a תלמיד חכם.”  The נודע ביהודה responded: “The גמרא itself testifies that you are an עם הארץ.”  Stunned, the man asked “Which גמרא?”  “The רב answered: “Every גמרא in ש״ס from ברכות to נדה.”

05/10/2021