(fl. lst cent.)
Palestinian tanna. He was the leading sage at the end of the Second Temple period and in the years following the destruction of the Temple. During the rebellion against Rome (66-70), he was among the peace party in Jerusalem. According to legend, he was carried out of the city in a coffin, approached Vespasian, and predicted his accession to the imperial throne. As a reward, he was allowed to continue his teaching. He founded an academy at Jabneh, which became the seat of the Sanhedrin after the fall of Jerusalem.
Dictionary of Jewish Biography. Dan Cohn-Sherbok.