Eliezer ben Hyrcanus, Rabbi

Eliezer ben Hyrcanus, Rabbi: (a) (Circa 45-117 CE) Mishnaic sage, studied under Rabbi Johanan ben Zakkai, who compared his memory to a “cemented pit, which loses not one drop of water.” Married the daughter of the Nassi, Rabbi Simeon ben Gamaliel I, established an academy in Lod, and authored the Midrashic work, Pirkei D'Rabbi Eliezer. Teacher of Rabbi Akiba. Was embroiled in a halachic dispute with the sages of his generation, and was excommunicated when he refused to accept the majority opinion. (b) A common Jewish first name.