Yohanan ben Zakkai

Yohanan ben Zakkai (Yochanan ben Zakai) was one of the tannaim (תנאים), an important Jewish sage in the era of the Second Temple, and a primary contributor to the core text of rabbinic Judaism, the Mishnah.

During the siege of Jerusalem in the Great Jewish Revolt he snuck out of the city in a coffin to negotiate with Vespasian, whom he predicted would become Emperor. He was granted three wishes and through one he re-established the Sanhedrin and founded a new center of Jewish law in Jamnia (Yavneh/Jabneh) after the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70.

After the destruction of the temple of Jerusalem and its sacrifical alters he led the Council of Jamnia (A.D. 70 - 90), from which Rabbinic Judaism emerged. Under his leaderhsip the council replaced animal sacrifice (in hebrew called קרבן korban) with prayer, a practice that continues in today's worship services. However, Yohanan Ben Zakai was not the only Rabbi from that time period. Other Rabbis that contributed to the Mishnah include Ben Heyhei among others.

The Mishnah offers no information on his birth or family. He was the youngest pupil of Hillel. Later in life he spent time in the Galilee. He is recorded as living until the age of 120 years.

He is quoted in the Midrash Avot D'Rabbi Nathan 31b as saying "If you are holding a sapling in your hand and someone tells you, 'Come quickly, the messiah is here!' first finish planting the tree and then go great the Messiah"

External links

• "Jewish Encyclopedia on 'JOHANAN B. ZAKKAI'"
• "'Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakkai' from the Israel Guide"
• "Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakkai"
• "Yochanan Zakai on the facebook"