Because the question of the legitimacy of alms from a harlot's hire was a live issue in eastern Christian circles in the fourth century, it is not implausible that when the rabbinical editors of these stories in the fourth century out in the mouth of Jesus a midrash in which he permitted the giving of alms on the part of a prostitute, they were rendering not a first-century, but a fourth-century issue. One could also suggest, in addition, however, that Abba Poemen's forbearance and confidence in repentance was more typical of his affect and character than indicative of particular "halakhic" views. Like the warring brothers that will make peace "because they are brothers!" Nevertheless, the question, at least, of the legitimacy of a pro- stitute's almsgiving was in the air at the time. For another example of this topos. see Harlots of the Desert, in which Maria the harlot asks her uncle Abraham "I have this small amount of gold and these clothes, what do you want me to do with them?" And Abraham said, "Leave it all, Maria, for it came from evil!" In narrating Rabbi Eli'ezer's evident attraction to this idea, the story effectively represents the Rabbi' s own willingness to learn Torah from Christians ~ & then their horrified panic at this willingness. It should be noted that in the Palestinian midrash version of the text, the parallel is even slightly closer, since there it is the building of public baths and toilets for the poor that is at issue, not neceaarily for the Temple, & Rabbi Eli'ezer sees the point of the Christian's argument and "enjoys" it. Moreover, in rabbinic literature itself, Rabbi Eli'ezer does permit the gift of a prostitute's wages for holy purposes other than actual use in the Temple, so the notion that he might be represented as following some sectarian halakha becomes very conceivable. Die parallelen zijn eindeloos & overal: Romeinen gebruikten Tempelgeld voor publieke waterleidingen & wij belasten misdaad op allerlei "walletjes", wassen zwart, grijs & bruin geld wit, gedogen allerlei voor- & achterdeurtjes, goudenhanddrukkers, moderne slavernij, kindermisbruik & onderwerelden.
Als kortsluiting zou je haast zeggen: wat begint met het gedwongen afschaffen van hoofddoekjes eindigt met het dwangmatig massaal verwijderen van alles wat 'eronder' zit? Eerst de boeken verketteren en dan steeds meer onaangepasten, terroristen, volksvreemde elementen, dragers van vreemde hoofddeksels ...