The Legacy of Shimon HaTzadik: 10 Noteworthy Facts and a Special Prayer

1. Shimon HaTzadik was the last of the Men of the Great Assembly, serving as High Priest for forty years and leading the people during the generation after Ezra.

2. According to tradition, Shimon HaTzadik served at the end of the Persian period and the beginning of Greek rule in the land. With the change of regime, the 'Great Assembly' was dissolved, and the Sanhedrin, led by the High Priest, was established. Shimon HaTzadik is considered the last of the Men of the Great Assembly.

3. In the Ethics of the Fathers, it's mentioned in his name: "Shimon HaTzadik was one of the last of the Great Assembly. He used to say: The world stands on three things: Torah, the service of God, and acts of kindness."

4. During his forty-year tenure as High Priest, the lottery for the goats on Yom Kippur always came up in the right hand, the red thread would turn white, and the western lamp of the menorah would continuously burn, and the altar's fire would increase (Yoma 39a).

5. In the Talmud (Menachot 109b), it is told that in the year he passed away, he told his students: "This year I will die." They asked him, "How do you know?" He replied, "Every Yom Kippur, an old man dressed in white would accompany me, enter with me, and exit with me. This year, he entered with me but did not exit with me." Indeed, after Sukkot, he fell ill for seven days and passed away on 29 Tishrei.

6. The Talmud recounts an event where Shimon HaTzadik saved the Jewish people from destruction. When the Samaritans falsely accused the Jews of rebellion against Alexander the Great, seeking permission to destroy the Temple in Jerusalem, Alexander marched toward Jerusalem. Shimon HaTzadik went out to meet him. The Talmud describes: "The day when the Samaritans sought permission from Alexander the Great to destroy our Holy House... Shimon HaTzadik dressed in priestly garments, with the leaders of Israel, and torches in their hands, went out to meet him. As dawn broke, Alexander saw them and asked, 'Who are these?' They told him, 'Jews who rebelled against you.' However, when Alexander recognized Shimon HaTzadik, he descended from his chariot and bowed before him, explaining that it was the image of this man he saw winning battles for him. He then gave permission to deal with the Samaritans as they saw fit.

Rabbi Moshe Keinan highlights unique traits of Shimon HaTzadik's character:

7. In a Midrash by Rabbi David the Prince, it is told that Alexander sought for a statue of himself to be placed in the Temple. Shimon HaTzadik explained that according to the Torah, it is forbidden to make images. Instead, he promised that every child born to a priest that year would be named Alexander. This is the origin of the name Alexander among Jews.

8. According to tradition, Shimon HaTzadik is buried in Jerusalem near the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood. The first known account confirming this tradition was given in 4935 (1175 CE) by Rabbi Yaakov the Messenger. He wrote that the tomb belonged to a local Arab who charged visiting fees until Rabbi Abraham Ashkenazi acquired the land from the Arab owners in 5636 (1876 CE).

9. The tomb of Shimon HaTzadik has been regarded with reverence and holiness by the Jews of Jerusalem. A perpetual lamp was lit inside the cave, and weddings of Jerusalemites unable to marry in the city were held in the courtyard. When travel to Meron was difficult or impossible, celebrations and *chalakah* rituals were held in the courtyard during Lag BaOmer, in honor of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai.

10. A special prayer to be recited at the tomb of Shimon HaTzadik:

"Master of the Universe, God of Hosts, who dwells between the cherubim, I have come today to pray and prostrate at the tomb of Shimon HaTzadik, the High Priest, who served before You truthfully and wholeheartedly. Therefore, I offer my supplication before You, that just as You heard the prayer of Shimon HaTzadik as he prayed for Your people Israel in the Holy of Holies, so too, in Your abundant mercy, hear my prayer and supplication that I am offering here at his grave...".

Rabbi Yitzhak Batzri visits the tomb of Shimon HaTzadik, describing his era and the lesser and greater Sanhedrin. Watch: