JUDAH the HOLY. — Also called Tannai (v. TAMMÙZ), and known as J. the Prince (Jēhūdhāh han-Nāsī), b. ca. 135, d. 210 A.D. He laid the foundations for the redaction of the Mišnāh. He was considered the Master par excellence, and was therefore called Rabbi. Among his teachers were R. Šim'ōn ben Jōhā'ī, R. 'El'āzār ben Šāmmūa', R. Ja'āqōbh ben Qoršaj. His most distinguished disciple and collaborator was R. Hūjā'. As patriarch he became head of the school and president of the tribunal.
Originally resident in Beth Še'arim in Galilee, but since the determination of the new moons was tied to residence in Judea, he moved first to Tiberias, and then, for reasons of health, to Sepphoris. Under his guidance, the tannaitic material was collected, drawing on the earlier compilation by R. Mē'īr, which in turn was based on materials gathered by R. 'Aqībā' (v.). The norms not included in J.'s Mišnāh entered into the Tōsephā' (v.). The Mišnāh also contains several norms established by J. himself.
Though humble (he said: « I have learned much from my teachers, more from my companions, and still more from my disciples »), J. was uncompromising toward the ignorant and heretics, yet even in this regard his innate goodness often prevailed. J. sought to maintain good relations with the Romans.