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Why does the Gemara (גמרא) praise Yehoshua Ben Gamla so highly, saying Torah (תורה) would have been forgotten without him? The shiur examines his educational reforms that established universal Torah education. His system ensured Torah knowledge wouldn't remain limited to families who could afford private tutors.
The shiur opens with a fascinating statement from Bava Basra that praises Yehoshua Ben Gamla, declaring that "Torah (תורה) would have been forgotten from Israel" had it not been for him. This presents an intriguing question: what was so revolutionary about his contribution that it merited such extraordinary praise from Chazal? Rabbi Zweig explores the historical context of Torah education in ancient times, when learning was primarily a family-based system. Wealthy families could afford private tutors for their children, while poorer families often lacked access to proper Torah education. This created a dangerous situation where Torah knowledge was concentrated among the affluent, leaving vast segments of the Jewish population without adequate learning opportunities.
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Bava Basra
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