Moses received the Torah at Sinai and transmitted it to Joshua, Joshua to the elders, and the elders to the prophets, and the prophets to the Men of the Great Assembly. They said three things: Be patient in [the administration of] justice, raise many disciples and make a fence round the Torah. Avoth begins by tracing the transmission of Torah and contains three sayings by the Men of the Great Assembly.

Hakhameinu Zikhronam Livrakha (our sages of blessed memory) .’’Our Sages, may their memory be blessed’’, refers to all Jewish sages in their Generation. When asking about who they were specifically, we call them “Chazal.” This is an acronym for “Chachamim Zichronam Levracham.” This means, “Rabbis of blessed memory.”

Index of Sages

Zugot - Pairs - זּוּגוֹת

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 (120 - 40 BCE)
Pharisee and Nasi of the Sanhedrin during the reign of Alexander Jannaeus
Shmaya and Avtalyon
Menachem the Essene*

Tannaim - Repeaters - תנאים

10 - 220 CE

Before the Destruction

Hillel (110 BCE - 10CE)
Shammai (50 BCE - 30CE)
R’ Gamliel the Elder - גמליאל הזקן

Generation of the Destruction

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

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

R’ Yehoshua 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 HaG’lili
Elisha ben Abuyah

After the revolt

Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel of Yavneh
Rabbi Meir
Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai
Known as Rashbi, Traditional author of 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 Yehudah HaNasi
Known as Rabbi or Rebbi, compiler the Mishnah

Amoraim - Speakers - אמוראים

200 CE - 400 CE

First generation (approx. 230–250 CE)

Abba Arika (d. 247)
Known as Rav, the last Tanna, first Amora. Disciple of R’ Yehudah haNasi.
Moved from Eretz Yisrael to Babylonia (219). Founder and Rosh Yeshiva at Sura.
Shmuel (d. 254)
Disciple of R’ Yehudah haNasi’s students and others. Rosh Yeshiva at Nehardea.
Yehoshua 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. Rosh Yeshiva at Sura.
Rav Yehudah (d. 299)
Disciple of Rav and Shmuel. Rosh Yeshiva at Pumbedita.
R’ Adda bar Ahavah (3rd and 4th centuries)
Disciple of Rav
R’ Hillel, son of Gamaliel III (Early 3rd century)
Disciple and grandson of R’ Yehudah Judah haNasi, and younger brother of Yehudah II (Yehudah Nesiah).
R’ Yehudah II (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 (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. Rosh Yeshiva at Tiberias. Primary author of the Jerusalem Talmud.
R’ Samuel ben Nahman
R’ Shila of Kefar Tamarta
R’ Isaac Nappaha

Third generation (approx. 290–320 CE)

Rabbah (d. 320)
Disciple of Rav Huna and Rav Yehudah. Rosh Yeshiva at Pumbedita.
Rav Yosef (d. 323)
Disciple of Rav Huna and Rav Yehudah. Rosh Yeshiva at Pumbedita.
Rav Zeira
Rav Chisda (d. 309)
Disciple of Rav, Shmuel, and Rav Huna. Rosh Yeshiva at Sura.
R’ 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. Rosh Yeshiva in Caesarea.
R’ Hamnuna
Several rabbis in the Talmud bore this name, the most well-known being a disciple of Shmuel (late 3rd century).
R’ Yehudah III (d. early 4th century)
Disciple of Rabbi Yochanan bar Nappaha. Son and successor of Gamaliel IV as Nasi, and grandson of Yehudah II.
Rabbi Ammi
Rabbi Assi
Hanina ben Pappa
Rabbah bar Rav Huna
Rami bar Hama

Fourth generation (approx. 320–350 CE)

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

R’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 - The Reasoners - סבוראים

500 CE - 700 CE

First Generation

Rabbah Yose
Head of the Pumbedita Yeshiva
R’ Ahai Samuel b. Abbahu
Rav Rahumi III

Second Generation

R’ Simuna
Head of the Pumbedita Yeshiva
R’ Ahai Samuel b. Abbahu
Rav Rahumi III

Third Generation

Rabbai of Rov
Head of the Pumbedita Yeshiva

Geonim - The Geniuses - גאונים

8th Century (701 - 800 CE)

R’ Achai Gaon (died c. 761)
R’ Dodai ben Nahman (761–764)
Gaon of the Talmudic academy at Pumbedita

9th Century (801 - 900 CE)

R’ Amram Gaon (died 875)
R’ Saadia Gaon (882 or 892 – 942)

10th Century (901 - 1000 CE)

R’ Sherira Gaon (906–1006)
R’ Chananel Ben Chushiel (990–1053)
Known as Rabbeinu Chananel
R’Nissim Gaon of Kairouan (990–1062)
R’Hai Gaon (939–1038)

Rishonim - The First Ones - ראשוני

10th Century (901 CE - 1000 CE)

Dunash HaLevi ben Labrat (920-990)
10th century grammarian and poet

11th Century (1001 CE - 1100 CE)

R’ Moshe Ibn Ezra (1055-1060 CE)
R’ Bachya ibn Paquda
11th century Spanish philosopher
Rabbenu Gershom
11th century German Talmudist and legalist
R’ Yitzhak ben Yaakov Alfasi
Known as the Rif, or the Alfasi, 11th century North African and
Spanish Talmudist and Halakhist; author of ’’Sefer Ha-halachoth’’.
R’ Moshe HaDarshan
11th century, Rosh Yeshiva of Narbonne
R’ Solomon ben Yitzchak Known as Rashi, 11th century Talmudist,
the primary commentator of Talmud

12th Century (1101 CE - 1200 CE)

R’ Abraham ibn Daud
(Sefer HaKabbalah), 12th century Spanish philosopher
R’ Abraham ibn Ezra (1089-1167)
Known as the Ibn Ezra, 12th century Spanish-North African Biblical commentator
Samuel ben Jacob Jam’a, 12th century North African rabbi and scholar
R’ David Kimchi
Known as the RaDaK, 12th century French biblical commentator, philosopher, and grammarian
Eliezer ben Nathan
12th century poet and pietist
R’ Hillel ben Eliakim
Known as Rabbeinu Hillel, 12th century Talmudist and disciple of Rashi
R’ Joseph ibn Migash
12th century Spanish Talmudist and rosh yeshiva; teacher of Maimon, father of Maimonides
R’ Moshe Ben Maimon
Known as the Rambam, Maimonides, 12th century Spanish-North African
Talmudist, philosopher, and law codifier
R’ Elazar Rokeach
(Sefer HaRokeach), 12th century German rabbinic scholar
R’ Samuel ben Judah ibn Tibbon
12th-13th century French Maimonidean philosopher and translator
R’ Yehuda Halevi
(Kuzari), 12th century Spanish philosopher and poet devoted to Zion
R’ Yitzhak Saggi Nehor
(Isaac the Blind), 12th-13th century Provençal Kabbalist
R’ Zerachiah ha-Levi of Girona
(Baal Ha-Maor) 12th century Talmudist
R’ Meshullam ben Jacob
(Rabbeinu Meshullam Hagodol), 12th century Talmudist

13th Century (1201 CE - 1300)

R’ Abba Mari
(Minhat Kenaot), 13th century Provençal rabbi.
R’ Asher ben Jehiel
(Rosh), 13th century German-Spanish Talmudist
R’ Meir Abulafia
(Yad Ramah), 13th century Spanish Talmudist
R’ Mordecai ben Hillel
The Mordechai, 13th century German Halakhist
R’ Moshe ben Nachman
Known as the Ramban, Maimonides, 13th century Spanish and Holy Land mystic and Talmudist
R’ Menachem Meiri
(Meiri), 13th century Talmudist
R’ Yom Tov Asevilli
Known as the Ritva, 13th century Talmudist
R’ Solomon ben Aderet
Known as the Rashba, 13th century Talmudist
R’ Aharon HaLevi
(Ra’ah) 13th century Talmudist
R’ Yosef Caspi
13th–14th century talmudist, grammarian, and philosopher

14th Century (1301 CE - 1400)

R’ Hasdai Crescas
(Or Hashem), 14th century Talmudist and philosopher
R’ Yaakov ben Moshe Levi Moelin
Known as the Maharil, 14th century codifier of German minhag
minhag R’ Levi ben Gershom (1288-1344)
Known as the Ralbag, Gershonides, 14th century French Talmudist
and philosopher. He was the only astronomer before modern times to correctly
estimate stellar distances.
R’ Jacob ben Asher
(Baal ha-Turim ; Arbaah Turim), 14th century German-Spanish Halakhist
R’ Nissim of Gerona
The RaN, 14th century Halakhist and Talmudist

15th Century (1401 CE - 1500 CE)

R’ Don Yitzchak Abravanel
15th century philosopher and Torah commentator
R’ Israel Bruna
Known as the Mahari Bruna, 15th century German Rabbi and Posek
R’ Obadiah ben Abraham of Bertinoro, (Bartenura)
15th century commentator on the Mishnah
R’ Yosef Albo
(Sefer Ikkarim) 15th century Spain

Acharonim - The Last Ones - אחרונים

15th Century (1401 CE - 1500 CE)

R’ Obadiah ben Abraham of Bertinoro (c. 1445 – c. 1515) Commentator on the Mishnah

16th Century (1501 CE - 1600 CE)

R’ Yosef ben Ephraim Karo (1488–1575)
The Mechaber , Spanish and Land of Israel legal codifier of the Shulkhan Arukh code of Torah Law
R’ Shlomo HaLevi Alkabetz (1500-1580)
Author of Lecha Dodi
R’ Moshe Alshich (1508-1593)
Known as the Alshich HaKadosh, Lived in Safed
R’ David ben Solomon ibn Abi Zimra (c. 1479 or c. 1487 – 1573)
Known as the Radbaz, 15th/16th century Halakhist, Posek and Chief Rabbi of Egypt
Azariah de Rossi (1513-1578)
Author of Me’ir Einayim
R’ Yeshayahu Horowitz (1565-1630)
Known as the Shelah HaKadosh, Author of Shnei Luchot HaBrit
R’ Bezalel Ashkenazi (c. 1520 – c. 1592)
Shitah Mekubetzet, Talmudist
R’ Kalonymus Haberkasten
16th century Polish rabbi
R’ Ovadiah ben Yaakov Sforno (c. 1475 – 1550)
Known as the Sforno, Italian scholar and rationalist
R’ Yitzchak Luria (1534–1572)
Known as the Ari HaKadosh. Cairo and Holy Land mystic, founder of Lurianic Kabbalah
R’ Hayyim Vital (1542-1620)
Disciple of R’ Yitzchak Luria
R’ Eliyahu de Vidas (1518-1592)
Disciple of R’ Moshe Kordevero, Author of Reshit Chokhmah
R’ Samuel Eidels (1555–1631)
Known as the Maharsha, Talmudist famous for his commentary on the Talmud
R’ Moshe Isserles (1520–1572)
Known as the Rema, Polish halakhic authority and Posek,
author of HaMapah component of the Shulkhan Arukh
R’ Yehudah Loew ben Bezalel (1520–1609)
Known as the Maharal of Prague, Gur Aryeh, Prague mystic and Talmudist
R’ Solomon Luria (1510–1573)
Known as the Maharshal, Posek and Talmudist
R’ Moshe ben Yaakov Kordovero (1522–1570)
Known as the Ramak. Author of Tomer Devorah.

17th Century (1601 CE - 1700)

R’ Isaac Aboab da Fonseca (1605–1693)
Dutch scholar and Kabbalist, first Rabbi in the Americas
R’ Menasseh Ben Israel (1604–1657)
Portuguese/Dutch Kabbalist, diplomat and publisher
R’ Jacob Abendana (1630–1695)
Sephardic rabbi in England
R’ Isaac Abendana (c. 1640–1710)
Sephardic scholar in England
R’ Dovber of Mezeritch (b. c. 1700 or 1710 d. 1772)
Known as the Maggid of Mezeritch, Eastern European mystic,
primary disciple of the Baal Shem Tov
R’ Jonathan Eybeschutz (1690–1764)
Dayan of Prague, accused of Shabbatean heresy,
had a controversy with the Yaavetz, R’ Yaakov Emden
R’ David HaLevi Segal (c. 1586–1667)
Known as the Taz. Halakhist, major commentator on the Shulkhan Aruch
R’ Hillel ben Naphtali Zevi (1615–1690)
(Bet Hillel), Lithuanian scholar

18th Century (1701 CE - 1800 CE)

R’ 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
Elijah ben Solomon (1720–1797)
Known as the Gra, Vilna Gaon, Lithuanian Talmudist and Kabbalist,
leader of the Mitnagdim (opponents of Hasidic Judaism);
Note: The Chazon Ish held him to be a Rishon
R’ Shalom Sharabi (1720–1777)
Known as the Rashash, Yemenite Sage,
Kabbalist and founder of the Beit El Yeshiva, Jerusalem
R’ Menachem Mendel of Premishlan (died 1777)
R’ Moshe Chaim Luzzatto (1707–1746)
Known as the Ramchal, Italian philosopher, mystic, and moralist
R’ Moses Sofer (1762–1839)
Known as the Chatam Sofer, Hungarian rabbi
R’ Yisroel ben Eliezer (died 1760)
Known as the Baal Shem Tov, considered to be the founder of Hasidic Judaism
R’ Eliyahu Hamoui (died 1911)
One of the great Kabbalists of Aram Tzova, Head of the Beit Din, author of Peh Eliyahu
R’ Yaakov Dovid ben Ze’ev Wilovsky (1845–1913)
Known (Ridbaz) , of Slutzk, Chicago and Tzfat (1845–1913)
Rebbe Nachman of Breslov (1772-1810)
Great-grandson of the Baal Shem tov, Founder of Breslov Hasidim

19th Century (1801 CE - 1900 CE)

R’ Naftali Zvi Yehuda Berlin (1816–1893)
Netziv, HaEmek Davar, Head of Volozhin Yeshiva in Lithuania
R’ Aharon Moshiach Katzenelebogen (died 1816), of Belz
R’ Yosef Chaim of Baghdad (1832–1909)
Known as the Ben Ish Chai, Iraqi Halakhist, Posek,
Kabbalist and communal leader
R’ Yehudah Leib Alter (1847–1905)
The Sfas Emes, Gerrer rebbe
R’ Yechiel Michel Epstein (1829–1908)
(Aruch ha-Shulchan), Halakhist and Posek
R’ Chaim Rabinowitz (1856–1931)
Rosh Yeshivah in Telz, Lithuania
R’ Yisrael Lipkin Salanter (1810–1883)
Lithuanian ethicist and moralist
R’ Samson Raphael Hirsch (1808–1888)
German rabbi, founder of the Torah im Derech Eretz movement
R’ Meir Leib ben Yechiel Michel (1809–1879)
(Malbim), Russian preacher and scholar
R’ Chaim HaLevi Soloveitchik (1853–1918)
(’’Reb Chaim Brisker’’) , Rosh Yeshivah in Volozhyn
R’ Yitzchak Meir of Kopycznitz (died 1931 or 1935)
The Kopycznitzer Rebbe

20th Century (1901 CE - 2000 CE)

R’ Moses S. Margolies (1851–1936)
The Ramaz
R’ Yitzchak Cohen (died 1918)
of Djerba, Tunisia
R’ Eliyahu Eliezer Dessler (1892–1953)
(Michtav Me’Eliyahu), 20th century religious philosopher and ethicist
R’ Meir Simcha of Dvinsk (1843–1926)
(Ohr Sameiach, Meshech Chochmah), Lithuanian-Latvian Talmudist and communal leader
R’ Yitzchok Hutner (1906–1980)
(Pachad Yitzchok), European-born American and Israeli Rosh Yeshiva
R’ Mordechai Eliyahu (1929–2010)
Halakhist, Posek, and Sephardic Chief Rabbi of Israel (1983–1993)
R’ Abraham Isaac Kook (1865–1935)
Philosopher and mystic, first Ashkenazi chief rabbi of Palestine
R’ Baruch Epstein (1860-1941)
(Torah Temimah) , Lithuanian Torah commentator
R’ Moshe Mordechai Epstein (1866–1933)
(Levush Mordechai), Talmudist and co-head of Slabodka Yeshiva
R’ Moshe Feinstein (1895–1986)
(Igrot Moshe), Russian-American Halakhist, Posek, and Talmudist
R’ Nosson Tzvi Finkel (1849–1927)
(Alter/Sabba of Slabodka), founder of Slabodka Yeshiva,
Lithuania; disciples opened major yeshivas in US and Israel
R’ Avrohom Yeshaya Karelitz (1878–1953)
The Chazon Ish, Belarusian-born, leading halakhic authority and
leader of Haredi Judaism in Israel
R’ Yisrael Meir Kagan
Known as the Chofetz Chaim (1838–1933), Polish Halakhist, Posek, and moralist
R’ Avraham Aharon Price (1900–1994)
Of Toronto, Canada, scholar, writer, educator, and community leader
R’ Ezriel Yehuda Lebowitz (died 1991)
the Viener Rav
R’ Yosef 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
R’ Menachem Mendel Schneerson (1902–1994)
Seventh Rebbe of Chabad Lubavitch
R’ Dovid Matisyahu Rabinowitz (died 1997)
The Biala Rebbe in Bnei Brak
R’ Shmuel Halevi Shechter (1915–1999)

21st Century (2001 - Current)

R’ Avigdor Nebenzahl (born 1935)
Former chief Rabbi of the Old City of Jerusalem, and teacher at Yeshivat Hakotel
R’ Shmuel Wosner (born 1913)
(’’Shevet Halevi’’), Posek, Yeshivat Chachmei Lublin
R’ Ovadia Yosef (1920–2013)
Iraqi-born Halakhist, Posek and Sephardic Chief Rabbi of Israel (1973–1983)
R’ Yitzchak Ginsburg (1944 - Current)
American rabbi affiliated with the Chabad movement, founder of the Gal Einai Institute.