“Every assembly that is for the sake of Heaven endures; and that it is not for the sake of Heaven, not endured.”
— Pirkei Avot 4:14.

Johanan haSandlar (Yochanan “the Sandalero”): life, work and teachings

Identity and time

Johanan haSandlar (יוחנן הסנדלר) was a wise tanahita of the fourth generation (century II d. C.), a disciple featured Rabbi Akiva and contemporary Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai. The epithet ha-Sandlar is commonly understood as “shoemaker/sandalero”, although several sources state an alternative etymological: “the alexandrian”, that is to say, a native of Alexandria (Egypt).

Sources, formation, and teachers ' network

Various traditions presented him as a a descendant of the house of Gamaliel and, more legendary, with a lineage that goes back to David the king; such statements are traditionalnot verifiable historically. What a solid is its membership in the circle of Rabbi Akiva, who followed even in times of roman persecution. It is mentioned in connection with Egypt/Alexandria, and with the Galileewhere were operating several disciples of Akiva.

Historical context

Its activity runs in the years following the Bar Kochba revolt and during the persecutions hadriánicas against the teaching of the Torah, a period in which several scholars were executed or imprisoned. In this framework, the tanaím reorganized the transmission of the Oral Law and set criteria calendrical and halájicos at great personal risk.

“The study that does not lead to action is like a shoe without a sole.”

Episodes biographical significant

• Query to Akiva in jail: During the persecutions, Johanan, disguised as a peddler, would have managed to make Akiva a question halitzá using a dialogue on key. The story underlines his loyalty to the teacher and the underground of the study at that time.
• Valley of Rimmon, and year embolismal: Participated with other scholars in the collation of a year (instituting a leap year), episode in which he discussed with Rabbi Meír about the authenticity of a teaching attributed to Akiva. The scene concludes with a reconciliation, and it is called “true alejandrino” support text to their possible origin.
• Attempt to migrate to Nisibis: Next to Eleazar ben Shammua embarked on the path towards Nisibis (Mesopotamia) to join Yehuda ben Beteiraalthough desisted by a longing for the land of Israel.

Work and contributions halájicos

The opinions of Johanan haSandlar appear in the Mishnah and in the Tosefta, mainly in the areas of purity (Kelim), family law (Yevamot/Ketubot) practical issues and utensils. For example, in Mishnah Kelim 4:4 register your option on the classification of utensils (oven and boiler) in terms of susceptibility to impurity, a field technician key in the halachah of the time. Also Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel II transmits two halachot in your name.

Methodological features

• Faithfully to the tradition received: His dispute with Rabbi Meír shows insistence on attributions exact teaching to the teachers.
• Prudence in national decisions: Their presence in the collation of the calendar a place among those who took decisions institutional high-impact community.

Ethical teachings (Avot), and maximum famous

The sentence most widespread of Johanan haSandlar figure in Pirkei Avot 4:14:

“Every assembly that is for the sake of Heaven endures; and that it is not for the sake of Heaven, does not last.”
It is a rule of discretion community that evaluates intentions and cohesion institutional; his reception later became a guide for evaluating disputes and alliances.

Relationship with Egypt/Alexandria, and the epithet “ha-Sandlar”

The nickname may indicate craft (manufacturer of sandals), or, according to another line, name (“the alexandrian”). Both meanings are attested in the tradition; there is no conclusive evidence to rule out one of the two options, although several sources to explore the reading “alexandria”.

Death and place of burial (tradition)

Tradition assigns his death to the 29 Tammuz and tomb in Merona short distance from that of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai. These news come from the traditional literature and compendiums devotional; they do not constitute evidence of epigraphic modern. Useful as cultural memory, should be cited as tradition, not as an archaeological firm.

Importance in the chain of transmission

• Survivor and transmitter after the persecutions hadriánicas: it is counted among the disciples of Akiva that kept alive the Oral Law when the elite rabbinic was decimated.
• Authority advisory in decisions personal status (e.g., halitzá) and calendar (year embolismal).

“Not all debate is a dispute; only is santa the dispute in search of the truth.”

Traditions, genealogical and their critical evaluation

Secondary sources and repertoires indicate that it would be great-grandson of Gamaliel and that figures medieval like Rashi considered descendants yours in the 33.Th generation. Such chains are characteristic of the rabbinic literature and genealogical; it should be treated with caution due to their character hagiographical and by the lack of documentation continues.

Primary sources for study

• Mishnah/Kelim 4:4 (classification of utensils).
• Pirkei Avot 4:14 (maximum of ethics).
• Stories in the Midrash and Talmud: Genesis Rabbah 61:3; Ecclesiastes Rabbah 11:6; Yevamot 62b; also of passages in Tosefta Kelim. (References consolidated in synthesis encyclopedic modern).

“The Torah is held in the humility of the craftsman who works without pride and without pause.”

Synthesis

Johanan haSandlar embodies the profile tanaíta transition: at the same time a faithful disciple of Akiva and agent institutional in making sensitive (calendar, personal status), with technical interventions in halachah of purity and a ethical maxim that went beyond his work legalistic. His biography is patchy of traditions pious (lineages, burial, yahrzeit); the work of the character, it is important to distinguish historic core (text of Mishnah/Tosefta, stories midráshicos with anchor) of the additions of late.

“The truth cannot impose itself: it is revealed to those who seek with pure intent.”