For anyone who studies Mishnah ! Today is: Monday, Kislev 15, 5774 · November 18, 2013 Today in Jewish History • Passing of Rabbi Judah the Prince (188 CE) Rabbi Judah the Prince -- also known as Rabbeinu Hakadosh (our holy master), or simply as Rabbi -- was elected nasi -- spiritual and civil head of the Jewish community at large -- after the death of his father, Rabbi Simeon ben Gamliel. Foreseeing that due to the tribulations of the Exile which the Jewish nation was about to endure it was likely that many of the sacred laws would be forgotten, Rabbi Judah decided to gather, record, edit, and organize the statements of the earlier sages, setting the Oral Law down in writing for very the first time, in the form of the Mishnah. He passed away around 188 CE; some say it was around 219 CE. Although he was extremely wealthy and on friendly terms with the Emperor Antoninus, in his dying hour he lifted both his hands to Heaven, swearing that he had not benefited from his wealth even with his little finger. Instead he had labored in the study of Torah with all his strength. On the day that Rabbi Judah died, a heavenly voice went forth and announced: Whosoever has been present at the death of Rabbi is destined to enjoy the life of the World to Come. The Talmud (Ketubot 103a) relates that even after his passing, for a time, Rabbi Judah would still visit his home every Friday evening at dusk. Wearing Shabbat clothes, he would recite the Kiddush, and thereby discharge his family members from their obligation to hear Kiddush.
Posted on: Mon, 18 Nov 2013 06:32:50 +0000
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