Shamaya and Avtalyon

Descended from converts, Shamaya and Avtalyon safeguarded the study of Torah and the preservation of Jewish law during the turbulent succession of Queen Shlomtzion and into the reign of Herod. Though generally uninvolved in politics, Shamaya urged his colleagues to be unafraid of Herod and to treat him impartially in court.

Sources

§ It was taught in the mishna: The people escort the High Priest to his house. And he would make a feast for his loved ones. The Sages taught in a baraita: There was an incident involving one High Priest who exited the Holy Temple and everyone followed him. When they saw Shemaya and Avtalyon, the heads of the Sanhedrin, walking along, in deference to them they left the High Priest by himself and walked after Shemaya and Avtalyon. Eventually, Shemaya and Avtalyon came to take leave of the High Priest before returning to their homes…

Yoma 71b:2-3

Sobre Shemayah: Presidente do Sanhedrin no quarto par, junto com Avtalyon (mencionado na próxima mishná), que atuou na primeira metade do século antes da era comum. Ambos eram considerados "os grandes da geração… sábios grandes e grandes pregadores" (Bavli, Pesachim 70b), mas apenas uma pequena parte do ensinamento de Shemayah foi preservada na literatura chazal. Alguns acreditam que "Sameias", mencionado por Joseph ben Matityahu (Antiguidades dos Judeus 15:3) como um dos sábios nos dias de Herodes – ao lado de um homem chamado "Polião" – é Shemayah (e ao lado dele: Avtalyon)…

A New Israeli Commentary on Pirkei Avot 1:10:7-10

Sobre Abtalião Parceiro de Shemayah na liderança do quarto par entre os pares, cuja atuação ocorreu na primeira metade do século primeiro antes da contagem comum. Veja nas Mishnaiot anteriores detalhes sobre esses dois sábios. Abtalião era o Av Beit Din [Pai da Corte], e pouca de sua Torá foi preservada na literatura Chazal. De acordo com uma tradição medieval, Abtalião, junto com Shemayah, está enterrado na aldeia de Gush Chalav, na Galileia. Em 1987, foi fundado por um grupo de imigrantes da Argentina, no cume de Yodfat, um assentamento com vista para o Vale de Beit Netofa, chamado "Avtalyon"…

A New Israeli Commentary on Pirkei Avot 1:11:7-8

SHEMAIAH AND ABTALION succeeded Judah b. Tabbai and Simeon b. Shetach to leadership in Jewish life. Shemaiah became Nasi of the Sanhedrin and Abtalion occupied the post of head of the court. Of their descent it is told that they were children or grandchildren of proselytes. But despite the fact that the position of the descendants of proselytes, even to the tenth generation, was not very favorable, they achieved the highest honors which Jews of that time could hope to attain…

The Jewish Spiritual Heroes, Volume I; The Creators of the Mishna, Shemaiah and Abtalion

The Gemara adds that some of Haman’s descendants studied Torah in Bnei Brak, and some of Sisera’s descendants taught children Torah in Jerusalem, and some of Sennacherib’s descendants taught Torah in public. Who are they? They are Shemaya and Avtalyon, the teachers of Hillel the Elder.

Gittin 57b:7