Eleazar ben Azariah

R. Eleazar ben Azariah ( Eleazar b. Azariah ) was a highly respected Jewish scholar of antiquity, flourished about the year 100 AD and belonged to the so-called second generation of the Tannaim.

He was of priestly descent (which can be recycled by some to Ezra ) from plush, rich house and of great learning, so that you him as a young man - he was said to be only 18 years old - instead of Gamaliel II, the leader of the rabbinic movement made in Yavneh ( in their tradition, however, he is only a marginal figure, after reconciliation with Gamliel both initiated the teaching in common).

Special knowledge he possessed in the field of the Haggadah. His Halachot were marked by gentleness and understanding, particularly known was his directed against the death penalty (stoning ) saying that "a court that even once verhänge the death penalty in 70 years, a murderous court" was ( Makkot I, 10 ).

Various sayings of colleagues with Eleazar bear witness to its high reputation even beyond death. Thus it states: " Since the death of Eleazar the crown of wisdom is gone " ( Babyl. Sota 49b ).