:"[[Rabbeinu Tam|R. Jacob Tam]] also expressed his belief that '''Peter (Simon Caiaphas)''', the first Pope, was a devout and learned Jew, who dedicated his life to guiding [http://godfearers.com/index.php/Notzrim Christians] along the proper path. R. Tam further maintained that Peter was the author of the Nishmat prayer recited on Sabbaths and Festivals, as well as a prayer for Yom Kippur ([[Mahzor 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]]). It may also be noted that [[Judah ben Samuel of Regensburg|R. Judah He-Hasid]], leader of the twelfth century Hasidei Ashkenaz in Germany, also referred to Peter as a Pious man ("zaddik"; [[Sefer Hasidim]], no. 191)."<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>
The Toledoth Y.S.W also praises Peter as a greatly learned and pious man dedicated to saving Israelites from apostasy.