10 Facts About Rabbi Judah the Prince
Discovering Rabbi Judah the Prince: Leader of the Sanhedrin, the compiler of the Mishnah, and a wealthy man who lived modestly.
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Rabbi Judah the Prince | Tomb of Rabbi Judah the Prince #VALUE!
The yahrtzeit of Rabbi Judah the Prince is on Monday evening through Tuesday at sunset, the 15th of Kislev. In 2020, that marked 1,803 years since the passing of Rabbi Judah the Prince, the leader of the Sanhedrin, editor of the Mishnah, a Tanna of the fifth generation, a descendant of Hillel the Elder, and the final sage of the Tannaim period.
Here are 10 Facts About Rabbi Judah the Prince,
1. Known as "Rabbi the Holy," Rabbi Judah was called "Nasi" in the Land of Israel and "Rabbi" in Babylon.
2. According to our sages, Rabbi Judah was born between 135 and 137 CE, during the Hadrianic persecutions, shortly after the Bar Kokhba rebellion.
3. In his youth, he studied under Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai (author of the Zohar) and his father, Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel. He became the leader of the Sanhedrin at age thirty.
4. Rabbi Judah was fluent in several languages, including Aramaic, Hebrew, Greek, Latin, and Syriac. He preferred Greek, the language of the scholars, and resisted the common Syrian tongue spoken by the masses. At home, he insisted on speaking the holy tongue, Hebrew. It's said that his maid was so proficient in Hebrew that scholars learned the meanings of words from her they hadn't known from the Torah and scriptures.
Rabbi Hertzel Hoder shares a brief video about Rabbi Judah the Prince. Watch:
5. Rabbi Judah's most significant achievement was the compilation and finalization of the Oral Torah—the Mishnah. He organized it into topics known as orders ("Seder"), creating the six orders of the Mishnah: Zeraim, Moed, Nashim, Nezikin, Kodashim, and Taharot.
6. Known for both his piety and wealth, the Talmud notes "Torah and greatness in one place." He supported yeshivot and was generous in charity. During his time, his estate expanded with lands in the Jezreel Valley, Golan, and possibly the Jordan Valley, where the expensive balsam fruit was cultivated for perfumes and medicines. His estate also grew olives, wines, and spices, along with linen for weaving and fish for trade. Despite his wealth and public splendor, he lived a modest and even ascetic personal life.
7. Aside from his excellent relations with the Roman authorities, Rabbi Judah had a celebrated friendship with Emperor Antoninus. The roots of this friendship date back to their mothers, who were close friends. Legend has it both gave birth simultaneously—one to Judah, the other to Antoninus. At the time, a Roman decree forbid Jewish circumcision. Despite this, Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel secretly circumcised his son. When reported to the emperor, the emperor summoned them. As they traveled, they met Antoninus's parents, who offered to swap their babies temporarily. The emperor inspected the child, found him uncircumcised, and, assuming the report was false, punished the informant. This incident, aided by Antoninus's mother, effectively saved baby Judah's life.
Rabbi Yitzchak Betzri visits the graves of our ancestors, sharing insights and stories—this time, about Rabbi Judah the Prince. Watch:
8. The closeness between Judah and Antoninus was marked not only by frequent discussions on faith, law, and governance but also by a secretive tunnel connecting their homes. Eventually, Antoninus converted to Judaism and was circumcised. Rabbi Judah spent the last 17 years of his life in Tzippori, where he suffered from a severe illness and died in 224 CE.
9. In his will, Rabbi Judah instructed his sons on future conduct: "Respect your mother. Keep the candle burning in its place. Let the table be set in its place. Keep the bed made in its place. Yosef HaCohen and Shimon HaEfrati served me in life, and they should serve me in death."
10. At the time of his passing, Rabbi Judah lifted his ten fingers towards the heavens and proclaimed: "Master of the Universe, it is known to you that I toiled in Torah with all ten fingers and did not benefit from this world even with my little finger. May it be Your will that there be peace in my resting place." Rabbi Judah the Prince was buried in Beit Shearim in the Jezreel Valley.
Rabbi Aaron Levy explores why Rabbi Judah the Prince edited the Mishnah. Watch:
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