Rabbi Yehuda ben Bava was a third generation Tana and a friend of Rabbi Akiva. He sacrificed his life at age 70 to ordain five of his students and continue the Smicha tradition. Rabbi Yehuda ben Baba is considered one of the Asara Hargay Malchus.

Kever Rabbi Yehuda ben Bava Rabbi Yehuda ben Bava is buried in the arab occupied city of Shfar'am.;

Smicha Following the Bar Kochva revolt, the Hedrianic Roman government issued many cruel, ruthless decrees against the Jews. Realizing the continuity of the Jewish Nation was depended on the chain of Smicha, they decreed that any individual that ordains or is ordained will be executed and the entire city that housed the ceremony will be demolished. Despite the grave danger, Rabbi Yehuda ben Bava then age 70, went ahead and ordained the leading elders of the forthcoming generation; Rabbi Yehuda bar Ilai, Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, Rabbi Meir, Rabbi Yossi ben Chalafta, Rabbi Elazar ben Shamua and possibly Rabbi Nichemya.;Chasid Whenever the Talmud relates a story about an anonymous 'Chasid' it is either referring to Rabbi Yehuda ben Bava or Rabbi Yehuda bar Ilai.;