Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel

Date of Passing: 25-Sivan. Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel served as the fourth Nassi (in the fourth generation after Hillel) from the family of Hillel...

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Breslev Israel staff

Posted on 17.04.23

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Rabban Shimon Ben Gamliel
 
(25 Sivan, 115 CE) Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel served as the fourth Nassi [president] (in the fourth generation after Hillel) from the family of Hillel. He was the Nassi of Sanhedrin in the generation of the destruction of the second Holy Temple and was was the first of the Ten Martys killed.
 
Very few of the teachings of Raban Gamliel have been recorded in his name; many have been recorded in the name of the school of Hillel.
He said: "All my days I have been raised among the sages and I have found nothing better for the body than silence; not study but practice is the chief thing; he who is profuse of words causes sin (Avot 1:17).
 
During the celebrations of Simchat Beit HaShoava ("Festival of the Water Drawing") on the holiday of Sukkot, R' Shimon Ben Gamliel "would juggle eight burning torches and not one of them fell to the ground, and when he prostrated himself he placed his finger on the ground, bowed, kissed the ground, and immediately stood upright' (Tosefta Sukkot 4:4 ; Sukkot 53a).

When there was a large increase in the price for certain birds that were used as sacrifices for women after childbirth, R' Shimon Ben Gamliel swore that he would not go to sleep that night until the price was reduced (Misnah Keritot 1:7).

R' Shimon had two sons and one daughter by the name of Imma-Shalom who married Rabbi Eliezer Ben Horkenus (R' Akiva's teacher) (Bava Metzia 59).

Rabbi Shimon was one of the ten martyrs killed by the Romans. When he and Rabbi Yishmael were taken out to be killed, Rabbi Yishmael fell at the feet of the executioner and begged, "I am a Kohen Gadol, the son of Kohanim Gedolim; kill me first so that I will not see the death of my fellow." Rabbi Shimon pleaded, "I am a Nassi, the son of a Nassi; kill me first so that I will not see the death of my fellow." The executioner cast lots, and Rabbi Shimon to be killed first. The executioner immediately decapitated him. Rabbi Yishmael hugged Rabbi Shimon's head, placed his eyes against Rabbi Shimon's eyes and his mouth against Rabbi Shimon's mouth. In a loud voice he cried out, "You holy lips; you never spoke anything but secrets of the Torah. How can you be made to lick the dust?"

 
When Rabbi Akiva and Rabbi Yehudah ben Bava (or Betairah) heard about Rabbi Shimon and Rabbi Yishmael's death, they arose, put on sackcloth, tore their garments in mourning and said, "If there was any good in the world, it was in Rabbi Shimon and Rabbi Yishmael's merit. Now, great misfortunes will befall the world."

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