View source for Eliezer Ben Dama

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Sage
! Position and Halakhic Rationale
! Halakhic Status as Reflected in the Text
|-
| R. Eliezer ben Dama
| Leniency (Interpreting Pandera as "The Lion of Judah"): R. Eliezer ben Dama's belief that the cure was permitted is best explained by the interpretation that '''Pandera''' (Greek for Panther/Lion) refers to a '''righteous figure of the Davidic line''' (Lion of the Tribe of Judah). Under this interpretation, the healing would not be an act of [[Minnuth]] (Heresy), allowing the law of saving a life ([[Pikuach Nefesh]]) to apply. He was prepared to bring Halakhic proof for this lenient reading.
| His argument for permission was tragically cut short by his death. Since he did not successfully prove his case, his position did not become the final, authorized [[Halakhah]].
|-
| Rabbi Yishmael
| Prohibition (Interpreting Pandera as a Heretical Figure): R. Yishmael strictly ruled, "You are not allowed, ben Dama." His immediate prohibition reflects the view that, regardless of the name's potential noble origin, the '''public's association''' of the name with the heretical [[Talui]] had already rendered its use a dangerous breach of the "fences of the Sages." To preserve the community's spiritual integrity from [[Minnuth]], the name could not be used, even to save a life.
| '''This Halakhic ruling prevailed.''' R. Yishmael confirmed that the law prohibiting [[Minnuth]] is one of the few that overrides [[Pikuach Nefesh]] , thereby making the action of accepting the cure strictly forbidden.
|}
In the end, the ruling of the Sages was that the Bei Abedan Noahides of Simon Clopas were not heretical for using the name of a different Ben Pandira.