Rabbi Ishmael

Second Generation of Tanna'im. The unqualified 'Rabbi Ishmael' mentioned in Tannaitic sources refers to Rabbi Ishmael ben Elisha (it appears this does not refer to Rabbi Ishmael ben Elisha the High Priest, one of the Ten Martyrs). Rabbi Ishmael was a colleague and disputant of Rabbi Akiva, and he taught Torah to Rabbi Meir.

His Greatness and the Greatness of His Sons

The Sages taught: When Rabbi Ishmael’s sons passed away, four elders came to console him: Rabbi Tarfon, Rabbi Yose the Galilean, Rabbi Elazar ben Azariah, and Rabbi Akiva. Rabbi Tarfon said to the Sages: Know that Rabbi Ishmael is a great sage and also an expert in Aggadah; therefore, let none of you interrupt the words of his colleague. Rabbi Akiva said: I will speak last. Rabbi Ishmael began, in the manner of mourners who speak first, and said about himself: His iniquities were many, his sorrows accumulated, he troubled his teachers a first and a second time to come and console him. As it were, Rabbi Ishmael said of himself that he troubled the Sages to come, and they consoled him with their discourses on the greatness of his sons. [מועד קטן כח:]

His Greatness

An incident occurred where Rabbi Ishmael's mother came before the Sages and complained about her son, Rabbi Ishmael! She said to the Sages: Rebuke my son Rabbi Ishmael for he does not treat me with honor! The Sages asked in astonishment: Is it possible that Rabbi Ishmael does not treat his parents with honor? The Sages asked her: And how did the incident occur? She replied to the Sages: When he returns from the house of study, I want to wash his feet and drink the water with which he washed his feet, but he does not allow me to do so! The Sages said to Rabbi Ishmael: Since this is your mother's desire, it is also her honor; therefore, you must allow her to do as she wishes. [פאה ירושלמי]

His Sayings

Rabbi Ishmael said: Whoever wishes to become wise, meaning: to acquire wisdom and knowledge and to sharpen his intellect! Should engage in monetary laws, for there is no subject in the Torah greater than them, because they contain a multitude of Halakhot and rational arguments, and they are like a wellspring of intellectual distinctions and judgment. His intention is: it is easier to distinguish and recognize between good and evil; it is easy to know and understand things. But in monetary laws, it concerns the money of two Jews, where one must distinguish to whom the money belongs and to whom it does not belong; this is a degree of wisdom that requires bringing hidden matters to light. He further said: Whoever wishes to engage in monetary laws, let him go and serve Shimon ben Nannas and learn from him, for he was expert in monetary laws. [ב"ב קעה:] Rabbi Ishmael says: Be swift to a superior, meaning: before a great, old man who sits at the head of the Yeshiva, be diligent to do his work and serve before him. And at ease with a junior, meaning: before a young man, you do not need to trouble yourself so much but stand before him with ease and composure. And receive all people with joy, meaning: face every person with joy. [אבות פ"ג מי"ב]

Practical Halakha

An incident occurred involving a man who vowed not to benefit from his sister's daughter because he did not wish to marry her, as she was unattractive. They brought her into Rabbi Ishmael's house and beautified her. Rabbi Ishmael asked the one who made the vow: My son, did you vow against this beautiful woman? The vow-maker replied: This is not the same woman! Rabbi Ishmael released him from his vow, and he married her. At that moment, Rabbi Ishmael wept and said: All daughters of Israel are graceful and beautiful, but poverty causes them disfigurement. And when Rabbi Ishmael passed away to his eternal home, the daughters of Israel lamented and said: We weep for Rabbi Ishmael, as it is said concerning King Saul: “Daughters of Israel, weep over Saul” [שמואל ב, א, כד]. [נדרים סו.]