Index of Rabbis

ZUGOT, PAIRS (515 BCE – 70 CE)

• Shimon HaTzaddik
• Antigonus of Socho
• Yose ben Yoezer
• Yose ben Yochanan
• Yehoshua ben Perachyah
• Nittai of Arbela
• Yehudah ben Tabbai
• Shimeon ben Shetach
• Shmaya and Avtalyon
• Menachem the Essene

TANNAIM, REPEATERS (10-220 CE)

Before the Destruction

• Hillel (110BCE – 10CE)
• Shammai (50BCE-30CE)
• R’ Gamliel the Elder – גמליאל הזקן
  Rabban Gamliel was the teacher of Shaul (Paul) of Tarsus

Generation of the Destruction

• R’ Shimon ben Gamliel (10BCE – 70 CE)
  Known as the Rashbag (רשב”ג)
• R’ Yochanan ben Zakkai (30BCE-90CE)
  Known as the Ribaz (ריב״ז)
• R’ Yehudah ben Bava

Between the Destruction of the Temple and Bar Kochva’s Revolt

• R’ Joshua ben Hannania (d. 131CE)
  Disciple of R’ Yochanan ben Zakkai. Leading Tanna after the destruction of the Temple. He was of Levitical descent, and served in the Temple as a member of the class of singers (Arachin 11b). He is the seventh most frequently mentioned Sage in the Mishnah.
• R’ Eliezer ben Hurcanus
• R’ Gamaliel of Yavne
• R’ Eleazar ben Arach

Generation of Bar Kokhba’s revolt (3rd generation of Tannaim)

• Rabbi Akiba
• Rabbi Tarfon
• Rabbi Ishmael ben Elisha
• Rabbi Eleazar ben Azariah
• Rabbi Yose HaGelili
• Elisha ben Abuyah (the “Other” or apostate)

After the revolt

• Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel of Yavne
• Rabbi Meir
• Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, who, according to traditional lore, wrote the Zohar
• Rabbi Yose ben Halafta
• Rabbi Yehuda ben Ilai

Compilers of the Mishnah

• Rabbi Yose
• Rabbi Yishmael
• Rabbi Shimon
• Rabbi Nathan
• Rabbi Hiyya
• Rabbi Judah HaNasi (known simply as Rabbi or Rebbi); compiled the Mishnah

AMORAIM, SPEAKERS (200 CE – 400 CE)

First generation (approx. 230–250 CE)

• Abba Arika (d. 247), known as Rav, last Tanna, first Amora. Disciple of Judah haNasi. Moved from Eretz Yisrael to Babylonia (219). Founder and Dean of the Yeshiva at Sura.
• Shmuel (d. 254), disciple of Judah haNasi’s students and others. Dean of the Yeshiva at Nehardea.
• Joshua ben Levi (early 3rd century), headed the school of Lod.
• Bar Kappara

Second generation (approx. 250–290 CE)

• Rav Huna (d. 297), disciple of Rav and Shmuel. Dean of the Yeshiva at Sura.
• Rav Yehudah (d. 299), disciple of Rav and Shmuel. Dean of the Yeshiva at Pumbedita.
• Adda bar Ahavah, (3rd and 4th centuries), disciple of Rav.
• Hillel, son of Gamaliel III (fl. early 3rd century), disciple and grandson of Judah haNasi, and younger brother of Judah II (Judah Nesiah).
• Judah II (fl. early 3rd century), disciple and grandson of Judah haNasi, and son and successor of Gamaliel III as Nasi. Sometimes called Rabbi Judah Nesi’ah, and occasionally Rebbi like his grandfather.
• Resh Lakish (d. late 3rd century), disciple of Judah haNasi, Rabbi Yannai and others, and colleague of Rabbi Yochanan.
• Rabbi Yochanan (d. 279 or 289), disciple of Judah haNasi and Rabbi Yannai. Dean of the Yeshiva at Tiberias. Primary author of the Jerusalem Talmud.
• Samuel ben Nahman
• Shila of Kefar Tamarta
• Isaac Nappaha

Third generation (approx. 290–320 CE)

• Rabbah (d. 320), disciple of Rav Huna and Rav Yehudah. Dean of the Yeshiva at Pumbedita.
• Rav Yosef (d. 323), disciple of Rav Huna and Rav Yehudah. Dean of the Yeshiva at Pumbedita.
• Rav Zeira (Palestine)
• Rav Chisda (d. 309), disciple of Rav, Shmuel, and Rav Huna. Dean of the Yeshiva at Sura.
• Simon (Shimeon) ben Pazzi
• Rav Sheshes
• Rav Nachman (d. 320), disciple of Rav, Shmuel, and Rabbah bar Avuha. Did not head his own yeshiva, but was a regular participant in the discussions at the Yeshivot of Sura and Mahuza.
• Rabbi Abbahu (d. early 4th century), disciple of Rabbi Yochanan. Dean of the Yeshiva in Caesarea.
• Hamnuna — Several rabbis in the Talmud bore this name, the most well-known being a disciple of Shmuel (fl. late 3rd century).
• Judah III (d. early 4th century), disciple of Rabbi Johanan bar Nappaha. Son and successor of Gamaliel IV as NASI, and grandson of Judah II.
• Rabbi Ammi
• Rabbi Assi
• Hanina ben Pappa
• Rabbah bar Rav Huna
• Rami bar Hama

Fourth generation (approx. 320–350 CE)

• Abaye (d. 339), disciple of Rabbah, Rav Yosef, and Rav Nachman. Dean of the Yeshiva in Pumbedita.
• Rava (d. 352), disciple of Rabbah, Rav Yosef, and Rav Nachman, and possibly Rabbi Yochanan. Dean of the Yeshiva at Mahuza.
• Hillel II (fl. c. 360). Creator of the present-day Hebrew calendar. Son and successor as Nasi of Judah Nesiah, grandson of Gamaliel IV.
• Abba the Surgeon

Fifth generation (approx. 350–371 CE)

• Rav Nachman bar Yitzchak (d. 356), disciple of Abaye and Rava. Dean of the Yeshiva at Pumbedita.
• Rav Papa (d. 371 or 375), disciple of Abaye and Rava. Dean of the Yeshiva at Naresh.
• Rav Kahana, teacher of Rav Ashi
• Rav Hama
• Rav Huna berai d’Rav Yehoshua

Sixth generation (approx. 371–427 CE)

• Rav Ashi (d. 427), disciple of Rav Kahana. Dean of the Yeshiva in Mata Mehasia. Primary redactor of the Babylonian Talmud.
• Ravina I (d. 421), disciple of Abaye and Rava. Colleague of Rav Ashi in the Yeshiva at Mata Mehasia, where he assisted in the redaction of the Babylonian Talmud.

Seventh generation (approx. 425–460 CE)

• Mar bar Rav Ashi.

Eighth generation (approx. 460–500 CE)

• Ravina II (d. 475 or 500), disciple of Ravina I and Rav Ashi. Dean of the Yeshiva at Sura. Completed the redaction of the Babylonian Talmud.

SAVORAIM (500CE – 700CE)

GEONIM

• Achai Gaon (died c. 761)
• Amram Gaon (died 875)
• Dodai ben Nahman, gaon of the Talmudic academy at Pumbedita (761–764)
• Hai Gaon (939–1038)
• Saadia Gaon (882 or 892 – 942)
• Sherira Gaon (906–1006)
  • Chananel Ben Chushiel (Rabbeinu Chananel) (990–1053)
  • Nissim Gaon (990–1062) of Kairouan

Rishonim

• Abba Mari, (Minhat Kenaot), 13th century Provençal rabbi.
• Don Isaac Abravanel, (Abarbanel), 15th century philosopher and Torah commentator
• Israel Bruna, (Mahari Bruna), 15th century German Rabbi and Posek
• Abraham ibn Daud, (Sefer HaKabbalah), 12th century Spanish philosopher
• Abraham ibn Ezra, (Ibn Ezra), 12th century Spanish-North African Biblical commentator
• David Abudirham, said to be a student of the Baal Ha-Turim (but this is doubtful)
• Samuel ben Jacob Jam’a, 12th century North African rabbi and scholar
• Asher ben Jehiel, (Rosh), 13th century German-Spanish Talmudist
• David Kimhi, (RaDaK) 12th century French biblical commentator, philosopher, and grammarian
• Yaakov ben Moshe Levi Moelin, (Maharil), 14th century codifier of German minhag
• Obadiah ben Abraham of Bertinoro, (Bartenura), 15th century commentator on the Mishnah
• Bahya ibn Paquda, (Hovot ha-Levavot), 11th century Spanish philosopher and moralist
• Hasdai Crescas, (Or Hashem), 14th century Talmudist and philosopher
• Dunash ben Labrat, 10th century grammarian and poet
• Rabbenu Gershom, 11th century German Talmudist and legalist
• Gersonides, Levi ben Gershom, (Ralbag), 14th century French Talmudist and philosopher
• Eliezer ben Nathan, 12th century poet and pietist
• Hillel ben Eliakim, (Rabbeinu Hillel), 12th century Talmudist and disciple of Rashi
• Ibn Tibbon, a family of 12th and 13th century Spanish and French scholars, translators, and leaders
• Isaac Alfasi, (the Rif), 11th century North African and Spanish Talmudist and Halakhist; author of “Sefer Ha-halachoth”.
• Jacob ben Asher, (Baal ha-Turim ; Arbaah Turim), 14th century German-Spanish Halakhist
• Joseph Albo, (Sefer Ikkarim), 15th century Spain
• Joseph ibn Migash 12th century Spanish Talmudist and rosh yeshiva; teacher of Maimon, father of Maimonides
• Meir Abulafia, (Yad Ramah), 13th century Spanish Talmudist
• Maimonides, Moshe Ben Maimon, (Rambam), 12th century Spanish-North African Talmudist, philosopher, and law codifier
• Mordecai ben Hillel, (The Mordechai), 13th century German Halakhist
• Nahmanides, Moshe ben Nahman, (Ramban), 13th century Spanish and Holy Land mystic and Talmudist
• Nissim of Gerona, (RaN), 14th century Halakhist and Talmudist
• Rashi, (Solomon ben Yitzchak), 11th century Talmudist, the primary commentator of Talmud
• Elazar Rokeach, (Sefer HaRokeach), 12th century German rabbinic scholar
• Samuel ben Judah ibn Tibbon, 12th-13th century French Maimonidean philosopher and translator
• Tosafists, (Tosafot), 11th, 12th and 13th century Talmudic scholars in France and Germany
• Yehuda Halevi, (Kuzari), 12th century Spanish philosopher and poet devoted to Zion
• Menachem Meiri, (Meiri), 13th century Talmudist
• Yom Tov Asevilli, (Ritva), 13th century Talmudist
• Yitzhak Saggi Nehor, (Isaac the Blind), 12th-13th century Provençal Kabbalist
• Solomon ben Aderet, (Rashba), 13th century Talmudist
• Aharon HaLevi, (Ra’ah), 13th century Talmudist
• Zerachiah ha-Levi of Girona, (Baal Ha-Maor) 12th century Talmudist
• Meshullam ben Jacob, (Rabbeinu Meshullam Hagodol), 12th century Talmudist
• Joseph Caspi, 13th–14th century talmudist, grammarian, and philosopher

ACHARONIM

• Isaac Abendana (c. 1640–1710), Sephardic scholar in England
• Jacob Abendana (1630–1695), Sephardic rabbi in England
• Isaac Aboab da Fonseca (1605–1693), Dutch scholar and Kabbalist, first Rabbi in the Americas
• Yehudah Leib Alter (Sfas Emes) (1847–1905), Gerrer rebbe
• Bezalel Ashkenazi (Shitah Mekubetzet) (c. 1520 – c. 1592), Talmudist
• Chaim Joseph David Azulai (Chida) (1724–1806), scholar and traveler, pioneered history of rabbinic writings
• Yair Bacharach (Havvot Yair) (1639–1702), German Talmudist
• Naftali Zvi Yehuda Berlin (Netziv, HaEmek Davar) (1816–1893), head of Volozhin Yeshiva in Lithuania
• Josef Chaim of Baghdad (Ben Ish Chai) (1832–1909), Iraqi Halakhist, Posek, Kabbalist and communal leader
• Moses ben Jacob Cordovero (Ramak) (1522–1570), Holy Land Kabbalistic scholar
• Eliyahu Eliezer Dessler (Michtav Me’Eliyahu) (1892–1953), 20th century religious philosopher and ethicist
• Dovber of Mezeritch (Maggid) (b. c. 1700 or 1710 d. 1772), Eastern European mystic, primary disciple of the Baal Shem Tov
• Samuel Eidels (Maharsha) (1555–1631), Talmudist famous for his commentary on the Talmud
• Elijah ben Solomon (Gra, Vilna Gaon) (1720–1797), Lithuanian Talmudist and Kabbalist, leader of the Mitnagdim (opponents of Hasidic Judaism); Note: The Chazon Ish held him to be a Rishon
• Mordechai Eliyahu (1929–2010), Halakhist, Posek, and Sephardic Chief Rabbi of Israel (1983–1993)
• Jacob Emden (1697–1776), Danish/German scholar
• Baruch Epstein (Torah Temimah) (1860-1941), Lithuanian Torah commentator
• Moshe Mordechai Epstein (Levush Mordechai) (1866–1933), Talmudist and co-head of Slabodka Yeshiva
• Yechiel Michel Epstein (Aruch ha-Shulchan) (1829–1908), Halakhist and Posek
• Jonathan Eybeschutz (1690–1764), Dayan of Prague, accused of heresy
• Moshe Feinstein (Igrot Moshe) (1895–1986), Russian-American Halakhist, Posek, and Talmudist
• Nosson Tzvi Finkel (Alter/Sabba of Slabodka) (1849–1927), founder of Slabodka Yeshiva, Lithuania; disciples opened major yeshivas in US and Israel
• Kalonymus Haberkasten, 16th century Polish rabbi, Rosh Yeshiva of many early Acharonim
• Hillel ben Naphtali Zevi (Bet Hillel) (1615–1690), Lithuanian scholar
• Samson Raphael Hirsch (1808–1888), German rabbi, founder of the Torah im Derech Eretz movement
• Yitzchok Hutner (Pachad Yitzchok) (1906–1980), European-born American and Israeli Rosh Yeshiva
• Moshe Isserles (Rema) (1520–1572), Polish halakhic authority and Posek, author of HaMapah component of the Shulkhan Arukh
• Avrohom Yeshaya Karelitz (Chazon Ish) (1878–1953), Belarusian-born, leading halakhic authority and leader of Haredi Judaism in Israel
• Yisrael Meir Kagan (Chofetz Chaim) (1838–1933), Polish Halakhist, Posek, and moralist
• Yosef Karo (the Mechaber) (1488–1575), Spanish and Land of Israel legal codifier of the Shulkhan Arukh code of Torah Law
• Abraham Isaac Kook (1865–1935), philosopher and mystic, first Ashkenazi chief rabbi of Palestine
• Judah Loew ben Bezalel (Maharal) (1520–1609), Prague mystic and Talmudist
• Isaac Luria (Ari) (1534–1572), Cairo and Holy Land mystic, founder of Lurianic Kabbalah
• Solomon Luria (Maharshal) (1510–1573), Posek and Talmudist
• Avigdor Nebenzahl (born 1935), former chief Rabbi of the Old City of Jerusalem, and teacher at Yeshivat Hakotel
• Shmuel Wosner (“Shevet Halevi”) (born 1913), Posek, Yeshivat Chachmei Lublin
• Moshe Chaim Luzzatto (Ramchal) (1707–1746), Italian philosopher, mystic, and moralist
• Meir Leib ben Yechiel Michel (Malbim) (1809–1879), Russian preacher and scholar
• Meir Simcha of Dvinsk (Ohr Sameiach, Meshech Chochmah) (1843–1926), Lithuanian-Latvian Talmudist and communal leader
• Menasseh Ben Israel (1604–1657), Portuguese/Dutch Kabbalist, diplomat and publisher
• Obadiah ben Abraham of Bertinoro, (Bartenura) (c. 1445 – c. 1515), commentator on the Mishnah
• Avraham Aharon Price (1900–1994) of Toronto, Canada, scholar, writer, educator, and community leader
• Chaim Rabinowitz (1856–1931), Rosh Yeshivah in Telz, Lithuania
• Yisrael Lipkin Salanter (1810–1883), Lithuanian ethicist and moralist
• David HaLevi Segal (Taz) (c. 1586–1667), Halakhist, major commentator on the Shulkhan Aruch
• Sforno, 15th, 16th, and 17th-century family of Italian Torah scholars and philosophers
• Obadiah ben Jacob Sforno (Sforno) (c. 1475 – 1550), Italian scholar and rationalist
• Shalom Sharabi (1720–1777), Yemenite Sage, Kabbalist and founder of the Beit El Yeshiva, Jerusalem
• Menachem Mendel Schneerson (1902–1994), seventh Rebbe of Chabad Lubavitch
• Moses Sofer (Chatam Sofer) (1762–1839), Hungarian rabbi
• Chaim HaLevi Soloveitchik (“Reb Chaim Brisker”) (1853–1918), Rosh Yeshivah in Volozhyn
• Joseph B. Soloveitchik (c. 1903-1993), Prolific Talmudist, Scholar, Modern Orthodox Philosopher and member of the Brisker Dynasty which originated in the Brisker Yeshivot in Europe
• Chaim Vital (1543–1620), Kabbalist and primary disciple of Rabbi Isaac Luria
• Ovadia Yosef (1920–2013), Iraqi-born Halakhist, Posek and Sephardic Chief Rabbi of Israel (1973–1983)
• Yisroel ben Eliezer (Baal Shem Tov) (died 1760), considered to be the founder of Hasidic Judaism
• David ben Solomon ibn Abi Zimra (Radbaz) (c. 1479 or c. 1487 – 1573), 15th/16th century Halakhist, Posek and Chief Rabbi of Egypt
• Moses S. Margolies (Ramaz) (1851–1936)
• Yehuda Ayash (1700–1760), head of the Beit Din and the Rav of Algiers, stood at the helm of the Yeshiva Keneset Yisrael, and wrote Mateh Yehuda, Beit Yehuda, Lechem Yehuda and more
• Aharon Moshiach Katzenelebogen (died 1816), of Belz
• Meir Yehuda Leibush ben Yechiel Michel, the Malbim (1809–1879)
• Eliyahu Hamoui (died 1911), one of the great Kabbalists of Aram Tzova, Head of the Beit Din, author of Peh Eliyahu
• Yaakov Dovid ben Ze’ev Wilovsky (Ridbaz) (1845–1913), of Slutzk, Chicago and Tzfat (1845–1913),
• Yitzchak Cohen of Djerba, Tunisia (died 1918)
• Yitzchak Meir of Kopycznitz (died 1931 or 1935), the Kopycznitzer Rebbe
• Ezriel Yehuda Lebowitz, the Viener Rav (died 1991)
• Shmuel Halevi Shechter (1915–1999)
• Yom Tov Lipman Helprin, author of Kedushat Yom Tov
• Dovid Matisyahu Rabinowitz (died 1997), the Biala Rebbe in Bnei Brak
• Menachem Mendel of Premishlan (died 1777)
• Chakham Yosef Hayim (died 1909) “Ben Ish Chai” is known for his parables and his Halacha book for Sephardim.