Rabbi Eliezer ben Hyrkanos

Rabbi Eliezer ben Hyrkanos was among Rabban Yochanan ben Zakkai's most prominent pupils. He was raised in a wealthy home but gave up a life of abundance, choosing to dedicate himself to Torah learning. His rabbi said that he was like a "cemented pit that loses not one drop of water." , He said of himself, "I never said a word [of Torah] that I did not learn from my rabbi" and insisted on the truth of Torah as he saw it even when the majority of his colleagues disagreed. , When Rabbi Eliezer took ill... (he) raised his two arms and placed them on his heart, and he said: Woe to you, my two arms, as they are like two Torah scrolls that are now being rolled up and will never be opened again. I have learned much Torah, and I have taught much Torah. I have learned much Torah, but I have not received from my teacher's wisdom even like a dog lapping from the sea. I have taught much Torah, but my students have not received from me even like the paintbrush from the paint tube. , (Sanhedrin 68), רבי אליעזר בן הורקנוס , (Hebrew text not transcribed)