Rabbi Chutzpis HameTurgeman
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| Part of Zissil Projects: | |
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| Hebrew: | |
| רבי חוצפית המתורגמן | |
| Meaning: | |
| Rabbi Chutzpis the Elucidator | |
| Spelling: | |
| Chutzpit, Chutzpis, Hutzpit, Hutzpis, Hameturgimun | |
| Kever: | |
| Under Tzfat | |
| Description: | |
| Third generation Tana, elucidator of Rabban Gamliel and one of the Ten Martyrs. |
Rabbi Chutzpit HameTurgeman was a third generation Tana and the personal elucidator of the Nasi Rabban Gamliel, repeating out-loud his discourses. At age 130 Rabbi Chutzpit HameTurgeman was executed as part of the Hadrianic decrees and was considered one of the Ten Martyrs.
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Tana
Rabbi Chutzpis HameTurgeman was a third generation Tana and friends with Rabbi Yehoshua and Rabbi Eliezer. So great was Rabbi Chutzpis, that he was compared to Yonasan Ben Uziel.
Translator
Rabbi Chutzpis HameTurgeman was fluent in many languages. He served as the personal elucidator of the Nasi Rabban Gamliel. During his discourses Rabban Gamliel would speak in a low voice and Rabbi Chutzpis would repeat the teachings out loud so the entire Bais Medrash could hear. He had a very beautiful voice and when Rabbi Chutzpis HameTurgeman himself would give a sermon it was was widely attended by people just coming to hear him speak.
Amongst Asara Harugei Malchus
Rabbi Chutzpit HameTurgeman lived to 130 never loosing his handsome appearance despite his advanced age. When the Hadrianic decrees broke out Rabbi Chutzpit HameTurgeman hid in Tzipori along with Rabbi Yeshvav haSofer.
Eventually he was caught and brought before Hadrien who sentenced him to be executed. Rabbi Chutzpis HameTurgeman asked that his execution be delayed one day, as the next day was his birthday. When asked by the emperor what difference that made to him, Rabbi Chutzpit responded that it would allow him to recite the Shema another two times, at night and day. Enraged that he still clung on to his beliefs, Hadrien blasphemised against Hashem and then ordered Rabbi Chutzpis HameTurgeman stoned to death.
As part of the execution his tongue was torn out of his mouth. Elisha ben Avuyah saw the tongue of Rabbi Chutzpis HameTurgeman laying in the dust and could not fathom how such a holy mouth that uttered gems would now lay in the dust. This was one of the factors that caused him to go bad.
Kever Rabbi Chutzpit HameTurgeman
Rabbi Chutzpis HameTurgeman is buried underneath Tzfat, in the woods towards the right side under the ancient cemetery, just above Nachal Sechvi on its way towards Nachal Amud. Kever Chutzpit HameTurgeman is first mentioned by Rabbi Chaim Vital who describes its relative location and then notes that it is positioned in an old Stone quarry, where rocks were carved out for building. Later travel dairies of other earlier visitors also describe the location, some stating that he is buried on the bottom of the ancient well found in that area.
Although everyone agrees on the approximate location, there are two version of the Tzion, both within a few dozen meters of each other. Originally a Tzion and a surrounding building were built by the Vaad LiHatzolas Kivrei HaKadmonim in what they estimated to be the general area. Later Yisroel Meir Gabbai and his organization Ohali Tzadikim came and built a second Tzion, right near the ancient well in, summit he estimates was origional a stone quarry, thereby combining the testimonials of Rabbi Chaim Vital with the other early visitors.
Also buried near Rebbe Chutzpit is Yehoyada Hakohen and in relative proximity, Rabbi Natan HaBavli and Gabbai's version of kever Adino Haetzni.
More Photos
- Kever Rebbe Chutzpis HameTurgeman Photo Gallery
