JUDAH HANASI

(fl. c.2nd-3rd cent)

   Palestinian communal leader, son of Simeon ben Gamaliel II. He lived most of his life in Galilee, first at Bet Shearim and then at Sepphoris. He was known as 'Rabbenu ha-Kadosh' (our holy teacher), and is referred to in rabbinic literature as 'Rabbi'. He served as the political and religious head of the Jewish community in Palestine. His major contri-bution was to the redaction of the Mishnah.