TARPHÔN, RABBÎ. - A Tannaite of the third generation, also mentioned by St. Jerome (In Is., 8, 11 ff.; PL 24, 122), who calls him Telphon (ed. Vallarsi). He was of priestly lineage and, according to rabbinic tradition, is said to have seen the Temple destroyed in A.D. 70. His identification with Trypho, against whom St. Justin wrote his Dialogue, is problematic.
T. belonged to the school of Šammaj, but showed a marked tendency toward a lenient interpretation of legislative texts. He is greatly praised for his affection toward his parents. T. is cited 49 times in the Mišnāh and frequently also in other writings. In Pirqé 'Abhōth (II, 20 ff.; ed. Goldschmidt, VII, p. 1157), fine maxims of his are reported on the necessity of studying the Law. In the debate between practice and theory, T. pronounced in favour of the former.
(photo Ruit)
TARQUINIA and CIVITAVECCHIA, DIOCESE of - Aerial view of the Etruscan necropolis - Tarquinia.