“On the 9th of Teves, Shimon Hakalfus -who helped save the Jewish people- died and the Sages established it as a day of fasting.”
[[Rabbeinu Tam|R. Jacob Tam]] expressed his belief that '''Simon CaIaphas''', the first Patriarch of Jerusalem, "was a devout and learned Jew, who dedicated his life to guiding [[Notzrim|Heretics]] along the proper path. R. Tam further maintained that Simon was the author of the Nishmat prayer recited on Sabbaths and Festivals. ([[Machzor Vitry]], edited by S.Hurwitz, 1923, p.285 note 5 and p. 362 note 5. CF. [[Julius Eisenstein|J. Eisenstein]]'s articles on Simon CaIaphas in [[Otzar Israel]] and [[Otzar Midrashim]]<ref>"page 34 of the Wipf and Stock Publisher's edition of New York Orthodox Rabbi [[Harvey Falk]]'s book "Jesus the Pharisee: A new look at the Jewishness of Jesus" (copyright 1985 Paulist Press)</ref> a Midrash brought in Otzer HaMidrashim p. 557 [1920, by Rav Y.D. Eizanshtein] Beis Hamidrash vol. 5/60 and vol. 6 [1860; Likkut of old Midrashim].)
The [http://lemidrash.free.fr/JudaismeChristianisme/index_toledoth.html Teliya] also praises Simon as a greatly learned and pious man dedicated to saving Israelites from [[Minuth|heresy]] and guiding gentile followers of displacement theology into Noahism. The Teliya also recalls Simon in Antioch and his elevated throne.