person · P0138

Rabbi Shimon ben Netanel רבי שמעון בן נתנאל

One of the five principal students of Rabban Yochanan ben Zakkai, characterized by his master as "one who fears sin" (yerei chet). His maxim in Avot: be meticulous in the reading of Shema and in prayer; when you pray, do not make your prayer a fixed routine but a plea for compassion before the Omnipresent; and do not be wicked in your own eyes.

I. Who

Hebrew
רבי שמעון בן נתנאל
Also known as
Shimon ben Netanel, Simeon ben Nathanel
Era
tannaim
Generation
T2
Received the mesorah from
Rabban Yochanan ben Zakkai
Teachers
Rabban Yochanan ben Zakkai
Colleagues
Rabbi Elazar ben Arach, Rabbi Yose HaKohen

II. When

Traditional
c. 3800–3870 AM
Academic
c. 40–110 CE
Lifespan (traditional)
≈70 years
Precision
approximate

V. How do we know

ClaimEvidenceConfidenceSources
Counted among the five students of Rabban Yochanan ben Zakkai, who characterized him as "one who fears sin" (yerei chet). rabbinic ★★★★★
Taught: "Be meticulous in the reading of Shema and in prayer; and when you pray, do not make your prayer fixed (keva), but mercy and supplication before the Omnipresent; and do not be wicked in your own eyes." rabbinic ★★★★★
Was a kohen who married the granddaughter (daughter of the daughter) of Rabban Gamliel HaZaken, who stipulated that she would not be required to prepare taharot with him.
The Tosefta says "his daughter's daughter" (bat bito) — the research input's "daughter" was corrected at ingest. Chapter numbering varies by edition; the Sefaria link targets the chapter.
rabbinic ★★★★☆
Traditional placement c. 3800–3870 AM (c. 40–110 CE), as a member of the circle of Rabban Yochanan ben Zakkai's students spanning the destruction of the Temple.
Schematic traditional dating.
tradition reconstruction ★☆☆☆☆