His commitment to Jewish learning was an inspiration to all.
For many years, the community was a center of higher Jewish learning, based around the yeshiva.
"All of a sudden, there's a huge hunger for Jewish learning," he said.
In the 6th century Tiberias was still the seat of Jewish religious learning.
Babylon, not Jerusalem, was the first city of Jewish learning and culture in those years.
Contributions may be made to institutions of Jewish learning.
Himself a scholar, he extended his protection to Jewish learning.
During the 2nd century, rabbinical literature mentions it as an important center of Jewish learning.
"I can't say that this will ever be a center of Jewish learning again," he said.
The meeting was notable for its seriousness about Jewish learning and tradition.