Tanna

Rabban Yochanan ben Zakkai

רבן יוחנן בן זכאי

The youngest talmid of Hillel, who was carried out of besieged Yerushalayim in a coffin and rebuilt the house of Torah at Yavneh.

YahrzeitNot recorded

Lifetime1st century CE (lived 120 years; led the Jewish people after the Churban of 70 CE)

KeverTeveriaKever of Rabban Yochanan ben Zakkai (traditional site, in the compound of the Rambam's kever), Eretz Yisroel

Biography

Early Life

Rabban Yochanan ben Zakkai zy"a lived in the last generation of the Second Beis HaMikdash, and he carried the Torah of that generation safely across its destruction. His father's name was Zakkai. Nothing else is known of his family, his birthplace or the year he was born.

Chazal divide his long life of one hundred and twenty years into three equal parts. For forty years he was in business and earned his living. For forty years he learned Torah. For his last forty years he taught Torah and led the Jewish people.

He received the Torah from Hillel and Shammai, the great pair of the generation. Hillel HaZaken had eighty talmidim. Thirty of them were worthy that the Shechinah should rest on them as it did on Moshe Rabbeinu, and thirty were worthy that the sun should stand still for them as it did for Yehoshua. The greatest of them all was Yonasan ben Uziel, and the youngest was Yochanan ben Zakkai.

Even the youngest of Hillel's talmidim left nothing untouched. Chazal list what he mastered: Tanach, Mishnah, Gemara, halachos and aggados, the fine points of the Torah and of the Sofrim, the calculation of the calendar, and the language of the ministering angels. He knew the great matter, the secrets of the Divine Chariot, and the small matter, the kind of discussions that Abaye and Rava would one day hold in Bavel. While still a student sitting before his teachers, he once questioned witnesses so sharply that the court adopted his line of questioning.

Teacher in the Galilee and in Yerushalayim

For eighteen years Rabban Yochanan lived in Arav, a village in the Galilee near Tzippori. In all that time, only two questions of halacha were brought to him. It pained him deeply. Galil, Galil, he cried, you hate the Torah.

Among those who came to learn Torah before him was a talmid of rare greatness, Rebbi Chanina ben Dosa. When Rabban Yochanan's son fell ill, it was Chanina he asked to daven, and his son recovered. The teacher explained without any jealousy that his talmid was like a servant who may come before the king at any hour, while he himself was like a minister who enters only on matters of state.

In Yerushalayim he would sit in the shadow of the Heichal and teach the crowds all day long. His personal conduct was itself a lesson. He never spoke idle words. He never walked four amos without Torah and without tefillin. No one ever came to the beis medrash before him, and no one ever found him sitting idle. He opened the door for his talmidim himself, and he never left anyone behind in the beis medrash when he went out.

He was also known for his warmth to every person. No one ever greeted him first, not even a non-Jew in the marketplace, because he always greeted them before they could greet him.

He raised five great talmidim and described each one: Rebbi Eliezer ben Hurkanos, a plastered cistern that loses not a drop; Rebbi Yehoshua ben Chananya, happy is the mother who bore him; Rebbi Yosei HaKohen, a chassid; Rebbi Shimon ben Nesanel, one who fears sin; and Rebbi Elazar ben Arach, a spring that grows ever stronger.

Saving the Torah at Yavneh

In his last years in Yerushalayim, the Roman general Vespasian laid siege to the city. Inside, the biryonim (zealots) refused every chance of peace and burned the stores of food, and the people began to starve. Rabban Yochanan pleaded with the men of Yerushalayim for days to give the Romans the token of surrender they asked for, but they would not listen.

With the help of his nephew Abba Sikkara, the leader of the zealots, he was carried out of the city by his talmidim Rebbi Eliezer and Rebbi Yehoshua, hidden in a coffin. He came before Vespasian and asked for three things: Yavneh and its sages, the family of Rabban Gamliel, and doctors to heal Rebbi Tzadok, who had fasted for forty years that the city should not be destroyed.

When the news came that Yerushalayim had fallen and the Beis HaMikdash was burning, Rabban Yochanan tore his clothes. His talmidim tore theirs, and they wept and mourned.

Then he began to rebuild. At Yavneh, where the Sanhedrin now sat, he enacted takanos (ordinances) so that the Jewish people could live as a people of Torah without the Beis HaMikdash. When Rosh Hashanah fell on Shabbos, he had the shofar blown in Yavneh as it had once been blown in the Mikdash. He ordained that the lulav be taken all seven days of Sukkos everywhere, in memory of the Mikdash. Chazal count nine such takanos in his name. He also led a court at Beror Chayil, near Yavneh, and Chazal teach that a Jew seeking justice should follow Rabban Yochanan ben Zakkai there.

His Enduring Legacy

Rabban Yochanan knew personal sorrow as well. When a son of his, learned in Torah, passed away, his talmidim came one by one to comfort him, and it was Rebbi Elazar ben Arach whose words finally brought him consolation.

When he himself fell ill at the end of his life, his talmidim came to visit and found him weeping. They called him the lamp of Israel and the mighty hammer. He told them that he was about to stand before the King of kings, with two paths before him, and he did not know on which he would be led. He blessed them that their fear of Heaven should be as great as their fear of other people. In his last moments he asked them to prepare a chair for Chizkiyahu, King of Yehuda, who had come to accompany him.

The day of his passing was not recorded, and so there is no fixed yahrzeit. Tradition places his kever in Teveria, in the same compound as the kever of the Rambam, and Jews have come there to daven for many centuries.

Every Jew who learns Torah today stands on what Rabban Yochanan saved. When the Beis HaMikdash fell, he understood that the Jewish people would live on through their sages, their beis medrash and their mitzvos, and he gave his last strength to building Yavneh. Jews still turn to him as the leader who showed that even in the darkest hour, a single wise and faithful person can preserve the Torah for all the generations to come.

Stories

Carried Out in a Coffin

With Yerushalayim starving under siege, Rabban Yochanan had his talmidim carry him out in a coffin so that he could ask the Roman general for Yavneh and its sages.

It is told that while the Romans besieged Yerushalayim, the zealots inside the city burned the stores of food, and the people began to die of hunger. Rabban Yochanan ben Zakkai secretly summoned his nephew Abba Sikkara, the head of the zealots. How long will you go on, he asked, killing everyone with hunger? Abba Sikkara answered that if he said a word, his own men would kill him.

Then show me a way to leave the city, said Rabban Yochanan. Perhaps there can be some small salvation.

Abba Sikkara told him to pretend to be ill and then let it be known that he had died. His talmidim Rebbi Eliezer and Rebbi Yehoshua carried him in a coffin, one at the head and one at the feet. At the gate the guards wanted to pierce the body to be sure. Abba Sikkara stopped them: The Romans will say that they stabbed their own teacher.

Outside the walls Rabban Yochanan came before Vespasian and greeted him as king. Vespasian protested that he was no king, but while they spoke, a messenger arrived from Rome: the emperor had died, and the nobles of Rome meant to make Vespasian emperor in his place. Ask something of me, Vespasian said, and I will give it to you.

Rabban Yochanan did not ask for everything, fearing he would receive nothing. He asked for Yavneh and its sages, for the family of Rabban Gamliel, and for doctors to heal Rebbi Tzadok. Those modest requests became the seed from which the whole Torah of the coming generations grew.

Source: Gemara, Gittin 56a–56b (Talmud Bavli); English: The William Davidson Talmud (Koren–Steinsaltz translation), Gittin 56a–b. Parallel in Avos d'Rebbi Nosson 4 (English: A. Cohen, The Minor Tractates of the Talmud, Soncino, 1965).

Practical lessonAsk for what can be saved

When something you care about is falling apart, a family tension, a project or a habit you are losing, do not let all-or-nothing thinking freeze you. Ask yourself Rabban Yochanan's question: What small thing can I save today? Write down one modest, realistic step, such as one calm conversation or one learning seder kept, and do it this week. Small salvations, protected faithfully, can rebuild a great deal.

The Trust Returned Whole

When Rabban Yochanan's son passed away, four talmidim tried to comfort him and failed, until Rebbi Elazar ben Arach found the words that consoled him.

It is told that when the son of Rabban Yochanan ben Zakkai passed away, his talmidim came in to comfort him.

Rebbi Eliezer came first and asked permission to speak. Adam HaRishon lost a son, he said, and he accepted comfort. You too should accept comfort. Rabban Yochanan answered: Is my own grief not enough, that you remind me of Adam's grief as well? Rebbi Yehoshua spoke of Iyov, who lost all his children in one day and was comforted. Rebbi Yosei spoke of Aharon, who lost two sons in one day and was silent. Rebbi Shimon spoke of Dovid HaMelech. To each one Rabban Yochanan gave the same reply: Must you add their grief to mine?

Then Rebbi Elazar ben Arach approached. When Rabban Yochanan saw him coming, he told his attendant to take his clothes and follow him to the bathhouse, for this was a man of great distinction, and he would not receive him as he was.

Rebbi Elazar told him a parable. A king entrusted a precious object to one of his servants. Every day the servant worried and wept: When will I be free of this trust, safe and whole? Rebbi, said Rebbi Elazar, you had a son who learned Torah, Neviim and Kesuvim, Mishnah, halachos and aggados, and he left this world without sin. You should be comforted that you have returned your trust whole.

Rabban Yochanan said: Elazar my son, you have comforted me as people can comfort.

Source: Avos d'Rebbi Nosson 14 (English: A. Cohen, The Minor Tractates of the Talmud, Soncino, 1965).

Practical lessonComfort with their story, not yours

Next time you visit someone who is grieving or hurting, resist the urge to tell them about others who suffered more. Instead, speak about the person they lost or the good in their own life: a quality you admired, a kindness you remember. Say it simply, then listen. Like Rebbi Elazar, you may find that the most comforting words are the ones that honor what was precious to them.

Two Paths Before Me

At the end of his life, the great leader wept before his talmidim, and blessed them that their fear of Heaven should equal their fear of people.

It is told that when Rabban Yochanan ben Zakkai fell ill, his talmidim came to visit him. As soon as he saw them, he began to weep.

They were astonished. Light of Israel, they said, the right-hand pillar, the mighty hammer, why are you weeping?

He answered them: If I were being brought before a king of flesh and blood, who is here today and in the grave tomorrow, whose anger does not last forever and who can be appeased with words or even bribed with money, I would still weep. Now I am being brought before the King of kings, the Holy One, blessed is He, who lives forever and cannot be appeased with words or bribed. And there are two paths before me, one to Gan Eden and one to Gehinnom, and I do not know on which they will lead me. Should I not weep?

Rebbi, they said, bless us.

May it be His will, he said, that your fear of Heaven be like your fear of flesh and blood.

Is that all? they asked.

If only it were so, he answered. When a person does wrong, he says to himself: I hope no one sees me.

In his last moments he told them to carry the vessels out of the house so that they would not become tamei, and to prepare a chair for Chizkiyahu, King of Yehuda, who was coming to accompany him.

Source: Gemara, Berachos 28b (Talmud Bavli); English: The William Davidson Talmud (Koren–Steinsaltz translation), Berachos 28b.

Practical lessonNotice who you hide from

This week, catch one moment when you think, I hope nobody notices. It might be a shortcut, a harsh word or something you would rather no one saw. Pause there and remind yourself that Hashem sees and cares. Then choose the action you would choose if a person you respect were watching. Doing this once a day trains exactly the fear of Heaven that Rabban Yochanan wished for his talmidim.

Teachings

For This You Were Created

Rabban Yochanan ben Zakkai used to say: If you have learned much Torah, do not hold it as a credit to yourself, for this is what you were created for. These words come from the man who mastered more Torah than almost anyone in his generation. He does not belittle learning; he raises it so high that it can no longer be a reason for pride. No one takes credit for simply being what he was made to be, and a Jew was made to learn Torah. Learning becomes an honor instead of a favor we do for Hashem. And because there is always more to learn, a person who sees Torah as his purpose never feels that he has finished.

Pirkei Avos 2:8; see also Avos d'Rebbi Nosson 14

Practical lessonTurn pride into thanks

The next time you finish something in learning, a perek, a sugya or a week of shiurim, notice any feeling of I did a lot. Instead, say a short thank-you to Hashem in your own words for giving you the time and the mind to learn. Then set your next small goal right away. Treating learning as your purpose, not your achievement, keeps it growing.

A Good Heart

Rabban Yochanan once sent his five great talmidim out to find the good path a person should cling to. Rebbi Eliezer said a good eye, generosity. Rebbi Yehoshua said a good friend. Rebbi Yosei said a good neighbor. Rebbi Shimon said seeing the outcome of one's actions. Rebbi Elazar ben Arach said a good heart. Rabban Yochanan chose Rebbi Elazar's answer, because all the others are included in it. When he asked for the evil path to avoid, the answers were the opposites, and again he chose an evil heart. A good eye, a loyal friendship and careful foresight are all branches of one root. If the heart is good, toward Hashem and toward people, the rest will follow.

Pirkei Avos 2:9; see also Avos d'Rebbi Nosson 14

Practical lessonWork on the root

Pick one person you find difficult and, for one week, work on your heart toward them rather than on your behavior alone. Each morning, think of one good quality they have and wish them well in your own words. You may find that kinder words and greater patience follow on their own. That is the power of the good heart Rabban Yochanan chose above everything else.

Kindness in Place of Korbanos

Once Rabban Yochanan was leaving Yerushalayim with his talmid Rebbi Yehoshua, and they saw the Beis HaMikdash in ruins. Woe to us, cried Rebbi Yehoshua, that the place where Israel's sins were atoned for lies destroyed. Rabban Yochanan answered: My son, do not grieve. We have another atonement that is equal to it: gemilus chasadim, acts of kindness, as the navi says, "I desire kindness and not sacrifice." With these words he gave the Jewish people a way forward. The Mizbe'ach was gone, but every Jew could still bring Hashem an offering. Chazal describe such kindness right there: helping a bride rejoice, accompanying the dead, giving to the poor and davening sincerely. These build a sanctuary of kindness that no enemy can burn.

Avos d'Rebbi Nosson 4 (on Hoshea 6:6)

Practical lessonBring an offering of kindness

Think of one act of chesed as your korban this week and give it full attention. Visit someone who is ill, help a family preparing a simcha, or quietly give tzedakah to a person in need. Before you do it, say in your heart: Hashem, let this be in place of a korban. Doing one deliberate kindness this way turns an ordinary good deed into avodah.

Family & talmidim

Teachers: Hillel HaZaken, Shammai HaZaken

Talmidim: Rebbi Eliezer ben Hurkanos, Rebbi Yehoshua ben Chananya, Rebbi Yosei HaKohen, Rebbi Shimon ben Nesanel, Rebbi Elazar ben Arach, Rebbi Chanina ben Dosa

Children: Names not recorded; a son learned in Torah passed away in his father's lifetime

Historical sources