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Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, often referred to simply as
Rashbi (an acronym taken from the initials Rabbi Shimon
bar Yochai), was one of the great Tannaitic sages who lived during
the era of Roman persecution (2nd century CE). He was one of the
foremost students of Rabbi Akiva, who had said to him, "It is enough that I and
your Creator know of your powers." Rabbi Shimon was one of the teachers of Rabbi
Yehuda HaNassi, the revered compiler of the six orders of the Mishna.
Rabbi Shimon was well-versed in miracles, and was
therefore sent by the leaders of the Jewish people to Rome to attempt have the
ban on Jewish observance officially lifted by the emperor (Antoninus Pius). The
Talmud relates that the daughter of the emperor was possessed by a demon, which
Rabbi Shimon exorcised. Subsequently, the ban was abrogated. However, around the
year 3909 (149 CE) Rabbi Shimon himself was forced to flee from the Roman
authorities. An acquaintance of his had privately praised the Romans for
initiating and organizing aspects of commercial and social life in Israel. Rabbi
Shimon countered that they had done so merely out of self-interest. Word of this
discussion reached the Roman authorities, who declared that Rabbi Shimon be put
to death. He and his son Rabbi Elazar fled, hiding in a cave for thirteen years,
where they studied Torah day and night. Miraculously, they were sustained by the
fruit of a carob tree and water from a spring until the emperor died and their
sentence was annulled.  | | " Rabbi Shimon is mentioned in every chapter in the Talmud" | | |
During his stay in the cave, Rabbi Shimon apparently
wrote the main body of the Zohar, described as "the First
Mishna." One of his foremost disciples, Rabbi Aba, recorded the bulk of his
teachings, as mentioned in the Zohar itself. Many of his teachings
were passed on orally to his close associates and disciples, called the
chevraya, and to their disciples, and they committed some of his teachings
to writing, probably over a period of several generations. Among the chevraya
were Rabbi Shimon's son, R. Elazar; his scribe R. Aba; R. Yehuda; R. Yossi
ben Yaakov; R. Yitzchak; R. Chizkiya; R. Chiya; R. Yossi; and R. Yaakov bar Idi.
Although Rabbi Shimon is best known as the author of
the Zohar, he also holds an important place in the revealed
aspects of Torah, the Talmud and associated works. Even when the halachic
ruling is not according to his opinion, the Talmud declares, "[The opinion of]
Rabbi Shimon can be relied upon in a predicament."
Moreover, Rabbi Shimon's views were so well known by
the Sages that when the Talmud attributes a statement to Rabbi Shimon without
identifying which Rabbi Shimon is being referred to, it always refers to Rabbi
Shimon bar Yochai. Unless explicitly stated otherwise, Rabbi Shimon is the
author of all statements in Sifri (a Midrash on Halacha), and the
author of Mechilta d'Rashbi. Furthermore, Rabbi Shimon has the unique
distinction of being mentioned in every chapter in the Talmud.
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