Tannaim - The generations of the Tannaim, Compilers of the Mishnah

Early sages and teachers of Judaism (mainly AD 10–220) who were instrumental in the emerging rabbinic movement by their study of the Jewish Law (Torah) and formulation of the nucleus of the Mishnah and midrashim. Followers of Hillel and Shammai are often considered the first Tannaim.

Periods of development of the Halakha
Zugot Tannaim Amoraim Savoraim Geonim Rishonim Acharonim

Tannaim (תנאים) is the plural term for the Rabbinic sages whose views are recorded in the Mishnah, from approx. (The singular form of the word is tanna.) The period of the Tannaim (also referred to as the Mishnaic period) came after the period of the Zugot ("pairs"), and before the period of the Amoraim; The spiritual center of Judaism at that time was Jerusalem, but after the destruction of the city and the Second Temple, Rabbi Yohanan ben Zakkai and his students founded a new religious center in Yavne. After this period, though, the "House of Hillel" and the "House of Shammai" represent two distinct perspectives on Jewish law, and disagreements between the two "houses" are found throughout the Mishnah.

Hillel Hazaken (the elder) (Rabban) Shimon, son of Hillel (nothing about him is known) Rabban Gamliel Hazaken (the Elder) Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel Rabban Yochanan ben Zakkai Rabban Gamliel of Yavne Rabbi Elazar ben Azaria, who was Nasi for a short time after Rabban Gamliel (above) was removed from his position for a short time Rabban Shimon, son of Rabban Gamliel of Yavne Rabbi Yehuda Ha-Nasi known simply as "Rabbi"; compiled the Mishnah

Their titles

Rabban was a higher title than Rabbi, given to the Nasi starting with Rabban Gamliel Hazaken. The title was confined to the descendants of Hillel, the sole exception being Rabban Yochanan ben Zakkai, the leader of the Jews in Jerusalem during the siege of Jerusalem, who tried to save the future of the Jewish people by pleading with Vespasian. Rabbi Elazar ben Azaria, who was also Nasi, is not given this title, perhaps because he only held the position of Nasi for a short while and it eventually reverted to the descendants of Hillel. Prior to Rabban Gamliel Hazaken, no titles were used before someone's name; as the Talmud says, Gadol MiRabban Shmo (greater then the title Rabban is his own name). For this reason Hillel has no title before his name: his name in itself is his title, just as Moses and Abraham have no titles before their names. Examples are Avraham Avinu (Abraham our father), Moshe Rabbeinu (Moses our teacher), Aharon Hakohen (Aaron the Kohen), Yosef Hatzaddik (Joseph the righteous), David Hamelech (David the King), Shimshon Hagibbor (Samson the strong), Ezra Hasofer (Ezra the scribe) and Rabban Gamliel de'Yavne (of Yavne).) Starting with Rabbi (that is Rabbi Yehuda Ha-Nasi), not even the Nasi is given the title Rabban, but instead, Rabbi is given the lofty title Rabbeinu Hakadosh (our holy teacher and master).

The generations of the Tannaim

Before the destruction of the Second Temple

Hillel the Elder Shammai Rabban Gamliel Hazaken (the Elder) Elisha Ben Abuyah

The generation of the destruction

Rabban Shimon, son of Rabban Gamliel Hazaken (the Elder) Rabban Yohanan ben Zakkai

Between the destruction of the Temple to the revolt of Bar Kokhba

Rabbi Yehoshua son of Hannania Rabbi Eliezer ben Hyrcanus Rabban Gamliel of Yavne Rabbi Eleazar son of Arakh

The generation of the revolt of Bar Kokhba's revolt

Rabbi Akiva Rabbi Tarfon Rabbi Ishmael son of Elisha Rabbi Elazar ben Azaria Rabbi Yosei the Galilean

After the revolt

Rabban Shimon, son of Rabban Gamliel of Yavne Rabbi Meir Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, said to have written the Zohar Rabbi Yosei ben Halafta Rabbi Yehuda bar Ilai

Compilers of the Mishnah

Rabbi Yosei Rabbi Yishmael Rabbi Shimon Rabbi Nathan Rabbi Chiyah Rabbi Yehuda Ha-Nasi (known simply as Rabbi);