Rabbi Joshua ben Levi studied under
Bar Kappara, whom he often quoted. But Joshua considered his greatest indebtedness to Rabbi Judah ben Pedaiah, from whom he learned many legal rulings. Another of his teachers was
Pinchas ben Yair, whose piety and sincerity must have exerted a powerful influence upon the character of Joshua. Joshua himself had a gentle disposition. He was known for his modesty and piety, and whenever he instituted public fasting and prayer, it was said that his appeals were answered. His love of peace prevented him from making any attacks against the theology of the minim (heretics). He was tolerant, though they often annoyed him. And he forbore cursing one of them, pronouncing rather , "God's mercies extend over all His creatures". His love of justice and his concern that the innocent might suffer on account of the guilty led him to speak against the custom then prevailing of removing from office a reader who, by omitting certain benedictions, had aroused the suspicion of heresy. Joshua devoted much of his time to furthering the public welfare. His wealth, and his alliance to the patriarchal family through the marriage of his son Joseph, must have added to his authority. He was recognized as a representative of the Land of Israel Jewry, for he was found in company with his friend Rabbi Hanina interceding on behalf of his people before the proconsul in
Caesarea, who accorded Joshua and his colleague much honor and respect. On another occasion, when Lod was besieged because a political fugitive had found refuge there, Joshua saved the city and its inhabitants by surrendering the refugee. Ula bar Koshev, wanted by the Roman authorities, hid in Lod. The authorities besieged the city and threatened to destroy it if Ula Bar Koshev was not extradited. Ribal persuaded him to turn himself in. Although Ribal acted following the halakha on this issue, he was punished by no longer meriting the revelation of
Elijah. After fasting several times, Eliyahu appeared to him again and said: "And to traditions shall I be revealed?"] Joshua also journeyed to
Rome, but his mission is unknown. Although Rabbi Joshua was connected through family ties with the patriarchal house, and always manifested his high esteem for its members, it is mainly due to him that the friendship between the southern schools and the patriarchal house diminished. Joshua was the first to
ordain his pupils in all cases where ordination was requisite, thus assuming a power that hitherto had lain in the hands of the head of the
Sanhedrin alone. His son and student Joseph, also a notable
amora, married the daughter of
Judah haNasi.
In legend Joshua ben Levi was a favorite hero in legend. He was often made to be Elijah's companion in the latter's wanderings on earth. See, for example,
The Messiah at the Gates of Rome. He also had legendary dealings with the
Angel of Death. While yet alive, he was permitted to visit
paradise and the netherworld and he sent a description of what he saw there to Rabban
Gamaliel through the submissive Angel of Death. Many of the legends relating to Joshua have been collected in separate small works entitled "Ma'aseh deRabbi Yehoshua ben Levi" and "Massekhet Gan Eden veGehinnom."
Gravesite The site of his grave is unknown, but Mitch Pilcer of
Tzipori claims to have found Rabbi Joshua ben Levi's gravesite while constructing his property there. The grave may be that of another man by the same name. ==Teachings==