ABSTRACT
Differences between Babylonian and Palestinian rabbis on the subject of genealogical purity further support our description of their differing relationships with non-rabbis.1 Babylonian rabbinic consciousness of genealogical superiority helps to explain their tendency to distance themselves from non-rabbis. The sources depict Babylonian rabbis (1) publicizing the identity of Jewish families they claim to be of inferior or tainted genealogy, and (2) using genealogy as a weapon against prominent non-rabbinic Jews.
