Rabbi Elazar HaModai
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| Hebrew: | |
|---|---|
| רבי אלעזר המודעי | |
| Spelling: | |
| Elazer, Elazar, Eleazer, Hamodayi | |
| Other Names: | |
| Eleazar from Modiim, | |
| Meaning of Name: | |
| G-D helped, G-D help | |
| Description: | |
| Third generation Tana who's merit protected Beitar from being captured until his death. |
Rabbi Elazar Hamodai was a third generation Tana originally from Modiim. He was the Uncle of Bar Kochva, leader of the great Beitar revolt. During the revolt his merit and prayers saved the city from being overtaken by the Romans until he was killed by his nephew. Rabbi Elazar HaModai is buried in the village of Navarna in Northern Israel. His hillulah is on the 9th of Av.
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Bar Kochva Revolt
Around 50 years after the destruction of the Second Temple the Bar Kochva revolt broke out, headed by Shimon ben Kuziva a nephew of Rabbi Elazar HaModai.
Protecting Betar
For three and a half year Hadrian YM"S laid siege on the city of Beitar in attempt to crush the Bar Kochva revolt. Each day Rebbe Eleazar HaModai sat in sakcloth and ashes and pleaded to G-D that he should not judge the city on that day. His prayers were effective and Hadrian was unable to capture the city.
Passing
About to give up the siege out of desperation, Hadrian was approached by a Kirite who reviled to him the secret of Rabbi Elazar HaModai's prayers and offered to solve this issue for him. After sneeking into Betar through the city's sewerage system, the Kirite went to the Beis Medrash where Rabbi Elazar HaModai was praying.
Tana
Rabbi Eleazar Hamodai is quoted only once in the Mishna, in Maseches Avos.
Teachings
Kever Rabbi Elazar Hamodai
Rabbi Elazar Hamodai is buried in the village of Navarna in bettween Dalton and Amuka. Years after his passing, the Amorah Rabbi Yackov of Navarna was also buried in his burial cave.
Hillulah of Rabbi Elazar Hamodai
The hillulah of Rabbi Elazar Hamodai is on the 9th of Av. This was the day that Beitar fell to the Romans legions due to his passing.
- Kever Elazar Hamodai Photo Gallery
