Avi’s Awesome Authorities

Shemaiah and Avtalyon

Together Shemaiah and Avtalyon make up the fourth pair of the zugot, receiving their tradition from Judah b. Tabbai and Simeon b. Shetaḥ. Both Shemiah and Avtalyon are said to have been descendants of proselytes (Git. 57b; Sanh. 96b). Avtalyon and Shemaiah were called "the two great men of their generation" (Pes. 66a), and "great sages and interpreters" (ibid., 70b), and the people held them in even higher esteem than the high priest (Yoma 71b). There the Kohen Gadol came out of the temple on Yom Kippur after performing the service and all the people were following him home in a display of immense respect. However, as soon as they saw Shemaya and Avtalyon they abandoned the Kohen Gadol to follow them. In the earliest dispute recorded in the Talmud, concerning the laying of hands on the head of a festal sacrifice , Avtalyon's views coincided with those of the nesi'im who preceded him that it "may not be performed" (Ḥag. 2:2). They were also teachers of Hillel, teaching him things such as that the paschal sacrifice is offered even on the Sabbath (Pes. 66a). Avtalyon's decisions are also quoted in Eduyyot (1:3; 5:6). They are highly regarded and held a sought after level of knowledge which makes them beyond deserving of any honor given towards them. ל”צז . -

Avi Becker (’24)

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