Tomb of Yochanan Hasandlar in Meron

Rabbi Yochanan Hasandlar (200-300) (רבי יוחנן הסנדלר) was one of the main students of Rabbi Akiva and a contemporary of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai. He is one of the Tannaim whose teachings are quoted in the Mishnah. His name, "Hasandlar", could either refer to the fact that he earned his living as a sandal maker, or that he was a native of Alexandria.^[1]

Rabbi Yochanan was a great-grandson of Rabbi Gamaliel the Elder; he also purportedly traced his ancestry back to King David.^[2] Rashi, the great medieval commentator, was a 33rd-generation descendant of Rabbi Yochanan.

He is well-known for his saying in the Mishnah of Pirkei Avoth (4:14): "Every assembly that is for the sake of Heaven will survive; but if it is not for the sake of Heaven, it will not survive."

He died on the 29th day of the Hebrew month of Tammuz (the same yahrzeit as that of Rashi), and was buried 200 meters from the tomb of Shimon bar Yochai in Meron, Israel.

[edit] See also

• Rabbi Akiva
• Tannaim

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Photo of Rabbi Yochanan's grave in Meron