View source for Simeon ben Gamliel

{{short description|1st century CE rabbi and nasi}}
{{For|his grandson|Simeon ben Gamaliel II}}

{{Infobox rabbi
| honorific-prefix = Rabban
| name = Simeon ben Gamliel I
| native-name = שמעון בן גמליאל הראשון
| native-name-lang = he
| image = Simeon ben Gamliel by Ben-Zion.jpg
| caption = Simeon ben Gamliel I, artwork by Ben-Zion
| birth_date = c. 10 BCE
| birth_place = [[Jerusalem]], [[Judea]], [[Roman Empire]]
| death_date = c. 70 CE (aged 80)
| death_place = [[Jerusalem]], Judea, Roman Empire
| death_cause = Execution by Romans
| resting_place = [[Kafr Kanna]], Galilee (traditional)
| occupation = [[Nasi (Hebrew title)|Nasi]], [[Tannaim|Tanna]]
| spouse = 
| children = [[Gamaliel II|Rabban Gamliel of Yavneh]], [[Imma Shalom]]
| parents = [[Gamaliel the Elder]] (father)
| dynasty = [[Hillel the Elder|House of Hillel]]
| predecessor = [[Gamaliel the Elder]]
| successor = [[Yohanan ben Zakkai]]
| religion = Judaism
| era = [[Second Temple period]]
| works = [[Pirkei Avot]], [[Mishnah]]
| notable_ideas = Decrees on bird offerings, participation in the [[Simchat Beit HaShoeva]]
| known_for = Leader during the [[First Jewish–Roman War]], martyrdom, last Nasi before the destruction of the Second Temple
}}

'''Simeon ben Gamliel (I)''' ({{Langx|he|שמעון בן גמליאל}} or רשב"ג הראשון; c. 10 BCE – 70 CE) was a ''[[Tannaim|Tanna]]'' (sage) and leader of the [[Jew]]ish people. He served as [[Nasi (Hebrew title)|nasi]] of the [[Sanhedrin|Great Sanhedrin]] at Jerusalem during the outbreak of the [[First Jewish–Roman War]], succeeding his father in the same office after his father's death in 50 CE and just before the [[Siege of Jerusalem (70 AD)|destruction of the Second Temple]].

==Family==
Rabban Shimon was the great-grandson of [[Hillel the Elder]]. He succeeded his father, Rabban Gamliel the Elder, as the Nasi (President) of the [[Sanhedrin]].

His son was [[Gamaliel II|Rabban Gamliel of Yavneh]]. His daughter, [[Imma Shalom]], married Rabbi [[Eliezer ben Hurcanus]], one of the greatest students of [[Yohanan ben Zakkai|Rabban Yochanan ben Zakkai]] (Babylonian Talmud, [[Bava Metzia]] 59b).

His name, ''Shimon'', was the same as that of his grandfather, [[Shimon ben Hillel]], and his grandson, [[Simeon ben Gamaliel II|Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel]] (the second). In rabbinic literature, he is referred to as "Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel the Elder" or "Rashbag the Martyr" to distinguish him from his grandson. However, at times he appears simply as "Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel," which creates confusion in distinguishing him from his grandson.

==Life==
Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel was born in [[Jerusalem during the Second Temple period]].<ref>{{Cite book |title=The Life of Joseph |author=Josephus |chapter=38}}</ref> He was appointed as [[Nasi (Hebrew title)|Nasi]] about 18 years before the [[destruction of the Second Temple]] and was the last Nasi during the Temple era. The [[Talmud]] (Babylonian Talmud, Shabbat 15a) quotes a [[Baraita]]: {{quote|''Hillel, [[Shimon ben Hillel|Shimon]], [[Gamaliel|Gamliel]], and '''Shimon''' (this is Rashbag the Elder) held the position of Nasi in the presence of the Temple for 100 years.''}}

During his time, the [[Sanhedrin]] was located in [[Jerusalem]], but not in its traditional place, the [[Chamber of Hewn Stone]], rather in the first exile of the Sanhedrin – shops on the [[Temple Mount]], where the Sanhedrin had moved during the days of his father.

[[Josephus]] describes him in his [[autobiography]]: {{Blockquote|text=''"A man of noble lineage from the [[Pharisees]]... He was a wise and intelligent man, and with his wisdom, he could resolve complicated matters."''<ref>{{Cite book |title=The Life of Joseph |author=Josephus |chapter=38}}</ref>}}

===During the Great Revolt===
During his presidency, the [[First Jewish–Roman War|Great Revolt]] against the Romans took place. Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel was part of the moderate camp, alongside Rabban [[Yohanan ben Zakkai|Yochanan ben Zakkai]], and was close to the moderate revolutionary government that was established at the beginning of the revolt. According to Josephus, Rabban Shimon supported the revolt, despite being in the moderate camp: {{Blockquote|text=''"The distinguished men among the people, Gurion ben Joseph and '''Shimon ben Gamliel''', gathered the people for an assembly, implored them to hasten vengeance upon the enemies of freedom, and to cleanse the Temple of bloodshed."''<ref>{{Cite book |title=The Jewish War |author=Josephus |volume=4 |at=chapter 3, section 9}}</ref>}}

Josephus writes praise for Shimon, but immediately afterward, he recounts that Shimon sought his removal from the position of military governor of [[Galilee]], appointed by the revolutionary government. According to Josephus, he and Shimon had disagreements. Shimon was a friend of [[John of Gischala]], Josephus’ rival, and Shimon agreed to John’s request to persuade the high priests [[Ananus ben Ananus]] and [[Joshua ben Gamla]] and others to dismiss Josephus. However, Ananus decided not to rush without evidence.<ref>{{Cite book |title=The Life of Joseph |author=Josephus |chapter=38}}</ref> Josephus claims that Shimon did not give up on his efforts and accuses him of a conspiracy: Shimon instructed John's brother to send gifts to Ananus and his faction to change their minds, and they decided to send envoys to Galilee to dismiss Josephus without the government’s knowledge.<ref>{{Cite book |title=The Life of Joseph |author=Josephus |chapter=39}}</ref> According to Josephus, this action caused great anger in Jerusalem toward Shimon and Ananus.<ref>{{Cite book |title=The Life of Joseph |author=Josephus |chapter=60}}</ref> The moderate revolutionary government did not last long and was overthrown by the [[Zealots]].

Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel was killed during the revolt, as mentioned in the writings of the Geonim: {{Blockquote|text=''"Rabban Gamliel the Elder, and his son Rabban Shimon who was killed during the destruction of the Second Temple, and Rabban Yochanan ben Zakkai, all served as Nasi."''<ref>{{Cite book |title=Second Letter of Rav Sherira Gaon |author=Rav Sherira Gaon |editor=Lewin |page=125–126}}</ref>}}

==His execution==
According to tradition, [[Shmuel HaKatan]] prophesied Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel's death at the time of his own passing, saying: {{Blockquote|text=''"Shimon and Yishmael will be killed by the sword, and their companions will be killed by other means, while the rest of the people will be plundered, and great afflictions will come upon the world."'' (Babylonian Talmud, Sotah 48b).}} In translation, as explained by [[Rashi]], this refers to Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel and [[Rabbi Ishmael|Rabbi Yishmael ben Elisha]] the [[Kohen Gadol]] being killed by the sword, with their fellow rabbis executed by other methods, and great calamities befalling the Jewish people.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sotah 48b |url=https://www.sefaria.org/Sotah.48b |website=Sefaria}}</ref>

Rabban Shimon is counted among the [[Ten Martyrs]] who were executed by the Romans. According to tradition, he was executed along with Rabbi Yishmael ben Elisha on the 25th of [[Sivan]], as recorded in the [[Arba'ah Turim]] (Orach Chaim, Siman 580).<ref>{{Cite book |title=Arba'ah Turim, Orach Chaim 580 |author=Jacob ben Asher |url=https://www.sefaria.org/Arba'ah_Turim,_Orach_Chaim.580 |website=Sefaria}}</ref>

Rabbi Aharon Hyman suggests that Rabban Shimon may have been executed by the [[Zealots]] due to his opposition to their radical methods, though this view lacks direct support from [[Hazal|rabbinic sources]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel the Elder |url=http://www.hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=43958&pgnum=330 |author=Rabbi Aharon Hyman |publisher=Toldot Tannaim VeAmoraim |year=1910 |access-date=2024-10-10}}</ref>

In the [[Minor Tractates]], it is recorded in Tractate Semachot (Chapter 8) that before their execution, one of them began to weep. His companion asked, {{Blockquote|text=''"Why do you weep? After all, you are but two steps away from the portion of the righteous." The weeping man replied, "I weep because we are being executed like [[idolaters]], [[Shabbat]] desecrators, and [[murderers]]." His companion then asked, "Rabbi, perhaps you were once eating or sleeping when a woman came to inquire about her [[niddah]] status, and you told her to wait until you were finished? For the Torah says: 'Do not afflict any widow or orphan, and if you afflict them... I will kill you by the sword.'"''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Semachot 8:8 |url=https://www.sefaria.org/Semachot.8.8 |website=Sefaria}}</ref>}}

In an earlier source, a similar story is recounted: {{Blockquote|text=''“When Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel and Rabbi Yishmael were taken to be executed, Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel reflected and said, 'Woe to us, for we are being executed like Shabbat desecrators, idolaters, [[adulterers]], and [[murderers]]…'. They pleaded with the executioner, with one saying, 'I am a [[Kohen]], son of a Kohen Gadol. Kill me first so that I do not witness the death of my friend.' The other replied, 'I am a Nasi, son of a Nasi. Kill me first so that I do not witness the death of my friend.' The executioner cast lots, and the lot fell on Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel. Immediately, he took the sword and severed his head. Rabbi Yishmael took his head, placed it in his lap, and wept, crying: 'Holy mouth, faithful mouth, holy mouth, faithful mouth, the mouth that produced wonderful words of Torah and precious jewels, who has buried you in the dust? Who has filled your tongue with ashes? On you the verse is fulfilled: "Awake, O sword, against My shepherd, and against the man that is close to Me" (Zechariah 13:7).''<ref>{{Cite book |title=Avot de-Rabbi Natan, Version A, Chapter 38:3 |author=Avot de-Rabbi Natan}}</ref>}}

The news of their deaths reached [[Rabbi Akiva]] and Rabbi Yehuda ben Beteira, who tore their garments and lamented: {{Blockquote|text=''"Our brothers, Israel, if there were any good left for the world, it would have been received by Rabban Shimon and Rabbi Yishmael. Now, it is evident before the One Who spoke and the world came into being that great calamities are destined to befall the world, and therefore these righteous men were taken from the world so that they would not witness the coming disasters."''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Semachot 8:8 |url=https://www.sefaria.org/Semachot.8.8 |website=Sefaria}}</ref>}}

The Romans did not permit his son, [[Gamaliel II|Rabban Gamliel of Yavneh]], to inherit his position and sought to kill him as well. [[Yohanan ben Zakkai|Rabban Yochanan ben Zakkai]] requested mercy on his behalf, and they agreed. After the execution of Rabban Shimon, Rabban Yochanan ben Zakkai assumed the role of Nasi for a few years, during which he enacted several decrees to uplift the people after the destruction of the Temple, moving the center of Jewish scholarship from [[Jerusalem]] to [[Yavneh]]. He later passed the position on to Rabban Shimon's son, Rabban Gamliel of Yavneh.

==Famous deeds and practices==
Only a few teachings are attributed to Rabban Shimon, but part of his Torah is quoted as the teachings of the "[[House of Hillel]]".

=== His Teachings in Pirkei Avot ===
The following teaching in [[Pirkei Avot]] is attributed to Rabban Shimon:
{{Blockquote|text=''"Shimon his son said: All my days I have grown up among the wise, and I have found nothing better for the body than silence. Study is not the most important thing, but action. And whoever increases words brings sin."'' (Pirkei Avot 1:16 or 17 in some editions).}}

This identification comes from the [[Tosafot Yom Tov]]'s commentary on this Mishnah, which emphasizes that this refers to the son of [[Gamaliel|Rabban Gamliel the Elder]], as opposed to [[Simeon ben Gamaliel II|Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel]] the second.

=== Joy of the Festival ===
Rabban Shimon's participation in the [[Simchat Beit HaShoeva]] held in the [[Temple]] during [[Sukkot]] is well known. The Talmud states:
{{quote|''"It was said about Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel that when he rejoiced at the Simchat Beit Ha Shoeva, he would take eight torches of fire and juggle them, tossing one and catching another, and they did not touch one another. And when he bowed, he would plant his two thumbs into the ground, bend over, kiss the ground, and straighten up, and no creature could perform this feat as he did."''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sukkah 53a |url=https://www.sefaria.org/Sukkah.53a |website=Sefaria}}</ref>}}

=== Lowering the Price of Bird Offerings ===
One of Rabban Shimon's most famous actions was his decree regarding the prices of bird offerings. A "ken" (bird offering) consists of a pair of [[turtledove]]s or young pigeons, which were required as a sacrifice for a woman after childbirth, for a [[leper]], and in other circumstances.

The [[Mishnah]] (Keritot 1:7) recounts: {{quote|''"It once happened that the price of bird offerings in [[Jerusalem]] rose to a [[Denarius|gold denar]]." The price was exorbitantly high for the time (equivalent to 25 silver denars). Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel proclaimed: "By this sanctuary! I will not go to bed tonight until they are sold for a silver denar." He entered the [[Beit Din]] and decreed: "A woman who has five certain births or five certain cases of [[Zavah]] (not in doubt), brings only one offering for one birth or one discharge, and she may then eat sacrifices (as she is considered ritually pure), and she is not required to bring the remaining offerings."''}}

This ruling was exceptional, as originally the woman would be obligated to bring offerings for all her births or discharges. However, Rabban Shimon leniently ruled in this case based on the principle of "It is time to act for the Lord, they have made void Thy law" (Psalms 119:126), to prevent those obligated to bring offerings from abstaining due to the high prices.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mishnah Keritot 1:7 |url=https://www.sefaria.org/Mishnah_Keritot.1.7 |website=Sefaria}}</ref>

The Mishnah concludes: "That day, the price of bird offerings dropped to a quarter of the original price," meaning they were reduced significantly, either to a quarter of a silver denar or to half of a silver denar, depending on the interpretation. This significant reduction in price made it affordable for the general population to bring their required sacrifices, thereby ensuring that individuals would fulfill their religious obligations without financial hardship.

==Tomb==
According to a later tradition, his tomb is located in [[Kafr Kanna]], in the [[Galilee]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Map of the Tomb of Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel |url=https://maps.google.com/?q=32.747124,35.332949 |website=Google Maps}}</ref> During the [[October 2000 riots]], the tomb was set on fire by Arab rioters.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Report of the Or Commission: Investigating the Events Between Security Forces and Israeli Citizens in October 2000 |url=https://elyon1.court.gov.il/heb/veadot/or/inside2.htm#_ftnref628}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{S-start}}
{{Succession box| before = [[Gamliel I]] | title = [[Nasi (Hebrew title)|Nasi]] | years = 50–70 | after = [[Johanan ben Zakkai]]}}
{{S-end}}

{{Tannaim}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Simeon ben Gamliel}}
[[Category:1st-century BCE Jews]]
[[Category:1st-century rabbis]]
[[Category:10s BC births]]
[[Category:70 deaths]]
[[Category:Jewish martyrs]]
[[Category:Mishnah rabbis]]
[[Category:People executed by the Roman Empire]]
[[Category:People of the First Jewish–Roman War]]
[[Category:Pirkei Avot rabbis]]
[[Category:Sanhedrin]]

[[Category:Year of birth uncertain]]


{{MEast-rabbi-stub}}