The remark of Yonoson ben Harkinos to Rabbi Akiva (shepherd of cattle) seems to be onoas devarim. The Gemarah does not make a statement about this. Is this a proper way for "wise men" to speak ?
Mordechai, Detroit USA
The Mahartz Chiyus explains the intent of Yonasan Ben Hurkinos. He was taking issue with the fact that Rebbi Akiva had ruled that there should be a leap year when he was outside of Eretz Yisrael (see Berachos 63a). The Pirkei d'Rebbi Eliezer states that even if there are Talmidei Chachamim outside of Eretz Yisrael and "shepherds of cattle" in Eretz Yisrael, the ability to rule that there should be a leap year is in the hands of the shepherds. Yonasan Ben Hurkinos was therefore hinting a rebuke to Rebbi Akiva, that he had not yet become a "shepherd of cattle" in Eretz Yisrael, and it was therefore incorrect that he had made a leap year from Chutz l'Aretz.
All the best,
Yaakov Montrose