Yochanan ben Zakai ( c. 30 BCE - 90 CE) was one of the tannaim, 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 Yavne after the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 CE. It is said that before his escape from Jerusalem, he prayed in a place which later on became known as the Rabban Yochanan ben Zakai Synagogue.

After the destruction of the temple of Jerusalem and its sacrificial altars he led the Council of Yavne (70-90 CE), from which Rabbinic Judaism emerged. Under his leadership the council replaced animal sacrifice (korban) with prayer, a practice that continues in today's worship services.

The Mishnah offers no information on his birth or family. Later in life he spent time in the Galilee. He is recorded as living until the age of 120 years, of which the first 40 were spent as a businessman, the second 40 in study (he was the youngest pupil of Hillel), and the last 40 in teaching and leadership. He was buried in the city of Tiberias near where Maimonides would be buried 11 centuries later.

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 greet the Messiah."

A moshav in central Israel, Ben Zakai, is named after him.

External links

• JOHANAN B. ZACCAI Jewish Encyclopedia
• Rabbi Yochanan ben Zaccai Israel Guide
• "Rabbi Yochanan ben Zaccai" Orthodox Union

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