Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai's Hidden Cave

Rabbi Shimon was among those who strongly opposed the rule of the Romans in the land of Israel. In the Talmud, it is told that once three of the great sages were sitting together, Rabbi Yehuda, son of Rabbi Eli, Rabbi Yossi, son of Rabbi Halaphta, and Rabbi Shimon, son of Yohai. Present with them was Rabbi Shimon's student. His name was Rabbi Yehuda ben [music] Geram. The sages discussed the actions of the Romans and the development of the land by them. Rabbi Yehuda praised some of their [music] deeds. Rabbi Yossi remained silent and did not respond, while Rabbi Shimon spoke out forcefully [music] and said that everything the Romans did, they did only for their own benefit. Rabbi Yehuda ben Geram heard these words and went to tell [music] his relatives. Eventually, the matter reached the authorities and they issued a decree against Rabbi [music] Shimon. From that point on, Rabbi Shimon's life changed completely. After the authorities learned about the things Rabbi Shimon had said, he and his son were forced to hide. Rabbi Shimon hid with his son, Rabbi Eleazar, at first in the study hall, and his wife would bring them water and food. [music] And when the decree became more severe, Rabbi Shimon feared that the Romans might capture his wife, torture her, and force her to reveal where they were hiding. Therefore, they fled [music] to a cave and hid there for 12 years.