Yochanan ben Zakkai

Rabban Yochanan ben Zakkai lived through the catastrophe that ended the Second Temple period and transformed Jewish life forever. Born in the early first century CE, he was among the last students of the great sage Hillel and became one of the leading teachers in Jerusalem. The Talmud describes him as a master of all forms of learning, Scripture, Mishnah, Talmud, laws and lore, even mathematics and astronomy. When the Great Revolt against Rome began in 66 CE, Yochanan opposed the zealots who believed they could defeat the Roman Empire by force. As the siege of Jerusalem tightened and famine spread, he made his fateful decision. According to tradition, his students smuggled him out of the city in a coffin, the zealots permitted only the dead to leave, and brought him before the Roman general Vespasian.

Yochanan b. Zakkai is best known as a religious leader. Foundational rabbinic leader who secured Torah study after the Temple’s destruction and refocused Jewish life around learning

Yochanan b. Zakkai lived 1st century CE, born in 1 and died in 100, during the classical period.

Yes, free. Anyone can ask Yochanan b. Zakkai, and a first question needs no account. Every answer is a Simulation in character, grounded in Yochanan b. Zakkai’s real life, work and era. A good first question is: "How do I rebuild something meaningful after a devastating loss?"