(c.100-c.160 CE). Tanna in Erets Israel of the fourth generation; one of the last students of R. Akiva; called simply "R. Yosé" throughout talmudic literature. His statements are quoted over 300 times in the Mishnah and in various baraitot. Like his colleague, R. Judah Bar Ilai, he played a leading role in the reestablished Sanhedrin and was a teacher of R. Judah Ha-Nasi. The latter always showed great respect for Yosé ben Ḥalafta's opinion when arriving at a legal decision, and in halakhic disputes Yosé's view prevails over those of Judah bar Ilai and R. Meir. He earned his livelihood as a tanner of hides in Sepphoris, where he established a law court and a rabbinical academy. His five sons were all noted scholars.
A chronological work ascribed to Yosé ben Ḥalafta is the Baraita entitled Seder Olam Rabbah, which records dates from the period of Creation down to the author's own time. This compilation is of importance for Second Temple history, since it describes events of that era not mentioned elsewhere (see Historiography). R. Yosé evidently took part in religious debates with Christians and pagans who challenged the fundamentals of Judaism. In the theological sphere, his dictum that "the Holy One is the Place [ha-Makom] of the world, but the world is not His place" (Midr. Ps. 90:1), was meant to emphasize God's transcendence. He originated the rule that no one may be condemned to death unless two witnesses had previously warned him against committing the offense (Mak. 1.9; Sanh. 56b).
