ge to Jerusalem, and on several
occasions urged the nation, and in particular his nephew, ben Betiach,
the leader of the Zealots, to surrender the city. "Why do you desire
to destroy the city, and give up the Temple to the flames?" said he to
the leaders of the revolution. But his well meant admonitions were
disregarded by the "war party." When he saw the end approaching, and
recognized that all was lost, he determined to leave the doomed city.
He counselled with his foremost disciples, Eliezer ben Hyrkanos,
Joshua ben Chananja and others. It was decided that Rabbi Jochanan
should leave the city, go to the Roman general, and plead for those
people who had no share in the rebellion. But to depart from the city
was extremely dangerous, as the Zealots kept up a constant watch and
slew all who attempted to leave. Rabbi Jochanan, therefore, caused a
rumor to be spread of his sudden sickness and later of his death.
Having been placed in a coffin he was carried to the city gates, at
the hour of sunset, by his pupils Eliezer and Joshua. When the funeral
procession approached, it was stopped at the gate within.

"Whose body do you carry here?" asked the Hebrew guard.

"We are carrying the crown of Israel, the body of our master, Rabbi
Jochanan ben Zakkai," they answered in tears.

The captain of the guards was affected.

"Open the gates, men, and let them pass," the captain ordered.

"Are you sure, captain, that Rabbi Jochanan ben Zakkai is dead?"
exclaimed one of the soldiers. "Maybe they are taking away a living
traitor. I will make sure that he is dead."

He raised his dagger to strike at the shrouded form of the Rabbi.

"Hold, soldier!" cried the captain; "to dishonor the body of the saint
would be a sin for which all Israel would have to atone. Open the
gates and let them pass in peace."

The fanatic reluctantly desisted; the gate was opened and the
procession passed through.

Vespasian received the fugitive in a friendly manner, the more since,
like Josephus, Jochanan prophesied imperial honors for the general.
Asked to name the favor he desired, Rabbi Jochanan, instead of seeking
personal gain, requested permission to establish a school at Jabneh
(or, as the place is sometimes called, Jamnia), where he could
continue to give his lectures to his disciples. The request was
granted, and thereupon Jochanan settled with his disciples in Jabneh,
there to await the issue of events.

What could Vespasian have thought