Grave

Azariah HaKohen

Tanna

Tanna Rabbi Azariah HaKohen Burial place - Israel, Alma Rabbi Azariah was a wealthy and respected Kohen who lived at the end of the Second Temple period. He was a direct descendant of Ezra HaSofer, in the 9th generation. During the Great Revolt and the subsequent destruction of the Temple, Rabbi Azariah moved his family from central Israel to the Galilee. His son, Rabbi Elazar, later became Nasi when Rabban Gamliel was temporarily removed from office. Rabbi Azariah had a brother, Shimon, whom he supported financially, which allowed him to devote all his time to Torah study. In recognition of this arrangement, this Tanna is mentioned in the Mishnah as "Rabbi Shimon, brother of Azariah." Rabbi Dosa ben Harkinas, one of the eldest of the generation, called him a "friend" who was very well versed in Torah. The Resting Place of Rabbi Azariah Rabbi Azariah is buried in Alma, right next to the resting place of his son, Rabbi Elazar. Although the location of his grave was described in the diaries of early pilgrims to the Kivrei Tzadikim as being in the immediate vicinity of his son's grave, in recent times it remained unmarked. Israel Meir Gabbai and his organization, Ohalei Tzadikim, in an effort to mark all the "lost" graves, went further and built a mound of stones painted blue, marking it as a Tzion. This step led to the construction of an actual Tzion a few meters away in 2012. The person who built the Tzion claimed to have discovered some kind of tomb at the site while laying the foundation. May the merit of the Tzadik protect our people! (http://www.zissil.com/topics/Rabbi-Azariah)