Rav Yosef

Third generation of Amoraim. The unnamed Rav Yosef written in the Gemara without his father’s name is Rav Yosef bar Chiya, the colleague and disputant of Rabbah bar Nachmani. A distinguished student of Rav Yehuda bar Yechezkel, he was "sagi nahor" (blind) not from birth, but it was said in a Midrash that he blinded himself because he could not bear to look beyond his four cubits [Rabbenu Nissim on Kiddushin 31a]. Rav Yosef and Rav Sheshet were "sagi nahor," and they were proficient in Mishnah because they would memorize Mishnayot by heart. Rav Yosef was appointed Rosh Yeshiva after Rabbah, and Rava and Abaye studied Torah from Rav Yosef.

His Sayings

Rav Yosef said: Although the spiritual state will be low before the Messiah comes, I want to be in the time when the Messiah comes. And why? Rav Yosef was a symbol of humility, and all his thoughts were on the glory of the Divine Presence, the days of the Messiah, and the uplifting of the world to high spiritual levels. [Sanhedrin 98b] Who is considered an Epicurean? Rav Yosef said: Such as those who say: What good have the sages done for us in the study of Torah! Behold, for their own benefit they read in the Torah, and for their own benefit they repeat! And those who say this do not know that the world endures through the merit of those who study Torah!

His Greatness

Rav Yochanan said: Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel and the Rabbanan dispute who is the greater sage, "Sinai" or "Uprooter of Mountains"! One held: "Sinai" is preferable, because his Mishnah is organized for him as it was given at Sinai, such as: Rabbi Eliezer ben Hurcanus, who was called: "A plastered cistern that loses not a drop." And one held: "Uprooter of Mountains" is preferable because he is sharp and subtle in Torah, such as: Rabbi Elazar ben Arach, who was called: "An ever-flowing spring," sharp and keen. Rav Yosef was called "Sinai," and Rabbah was called "Uprooter of Mountains." They sent to inquire in the Land of Israel: Which of them should preferably be appointed Rosh Yeshiva! Rav Yosef or Rabbah? They sent back to them: "Sinai" is preferable, because everyone needs to buy wheat to make bread, and Rav Yosef is the owner of the wheat, for he knows by heart Mishnayot and Baraitot, which are the sources of Halakha. Therefore, everyone needs him. Nevertheless, Rav Yosef did not accept the position, and Rabbah was appointed Rosh Yeshiva for 22 years. Rav Yosef was appointed after him for two and a half years, and all the time Rabbah was Rosh Yeshiva, Rav Yosef did not act with authority or honor for himself. [Horayot 14a]

Love of Torah

Rav Yosef fasted 40 fasts so that Torah should not cease from his offspring! From heaven, the verse was proclaimed to him: "My words shall not depart from your mouth" [Isaiah 59:21]. He fasted another 40 fasts, and it was proclaimed to him from heaven: "They shall not depart from your mouth, nor from the mouth of your offspring." He sat in fast for another 40 fasts, and it was proclaimed to him from heaven: "They shall not depart from your mouth, nor from the mouth of your offspring, nor from the mouth of your offspring's offspring." Rav Yosef said: From now on, I do not need to fast and pray for future generations, because the Torah seeks out its rightful dwelling place. [Bava Metzia 85b]