Rabbi Yose bar Hanina

First Generation of Amoraim. One of the greatest disciples of Rabbi Yochanan, whose statements and halachot fill the Bavli and Yerushalmi Talmuds. Rabbi Yose bar Hanina was a judge who delved into the depths of a legal matter [ב"ק לט:]. He led a large yeshiva and had many students.

His Ordination by His Rebbe

Rabbi Shimon bar Elyakim was diligent, anticipating, and pursuing Rabbi Yose bar Hanina, so that their Rebbe, Rabbi Yochanan, would ordain him as “Rabbi,” but the matter was not succeeding!

One day, Rabbi Shimon bar Elyakim and Rabbi Yose bar Hanina were sitting before Rabbi Yochanan.

Rabbi Yochanan said to his disciples: “Is there anyone among you who knows whether the halacha follows Rabbi Yehoshua ben Karha or the Sages regarding testimony?” Rabbi Shimon bar Elyakim said to Rabbi Yochanan: “Rabbi Yose bar Hanina knows this law!” Rabbi Yochanan said to Rabbi Shimon bar Elyakim: “Let my beloved speak!”

Rabbi Shimon bar Elyakim said to Rabbi Yochanan: “Perhaps my master should ordain him first!” And Rabbi Yochanan ordained him. When Rabbi Zeira heard this story, he said: “We learn from this, once a great man is ordained, he is ordained.” [סנהדרין ל:]

His Greatness

Rabbi Zeira said: “Last night (yesterday evening), Rabbi Yose bar Hanina appeared to me in a dream.”

“I asked him: ‘With whom do you sit in the heavenly academy?’ He told me: ‘With Rabbi Yochanan.’”

“I asked him: ‘And Rabbi Yochanan, with whom does he sit?’”

“He told me: ‘With Rabbi Yannai.’ I asked him: ‘And Rabbi Yannai, with whom?’ And he told me: ‘With Rabbi Hanina.’”

“I asked him: ‘And Rabbi Hanina, with whom?’ He told me: ‘With Rabbi Hiyya.’”

“I asked him: ‘Is Rabbi Yochanan not worthy of sitting with Rabbi Hiyya?’”

“He replied to me: ‘In a place of sparks and torches of fire, how can Rabbi Yochanan, who is called ‘Bar Nafha,’ enter there?!’ (Some say he was called ‘Bar Nafha’ because his father was a smith – and others say it was his nickname referring to his beauty, using a euphemism).” [ב"מ פה:]