Rabbi Yishmael b. Elisha

R. Yishmael (b. Elisha) was the head of an academy and intellectual rival of R. Akiva at a time of harsh Roman persecution. His teachings had an important impact on Jewish law and thought. Perhaps most famous among his teachings are his [thirteen exegetical principles], recited daily by many. The tannaitic midrashic works of the Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael and Sifrei Bamidbar are products of his school.