I was just curious about any background on who R. Alexandri is (mentioned on this daf). I heard it's possible that it is Alexander the Great who converted. Any truth to this?
Morris Shalom, Brooklyn, USA
No. Alexander the Great lived hundreds of years before Rebbi Alexandri, during the time of Shimon ha'Tzadik (beginning of the Second Temple Era). However, there were people who called their children Alexander due to his benevolence to the Jews and his special relationship with Shimon ha'Tzadik (see Yoma 69a). It is therefore possible that Rebbi Alexander had an ancestor called Alexander whom he was named after, and this was because his ancestor was named for Alexander the Great (see also Biur Hagra O.C. 139:3 quoting Josephus that many Kohanim named their children Alexander after Alexander the Great).
All the best,
Yaakov Montrose