Honi Ha-M'agel

Honi Ha-M'agel

Honi Ha-Ma'agel (חוני המעגל Khoni, Choni, or Ḥoni, HaMa'agel), (lit. Honi the Circle-Drawer) (1st century BC) was a Jewish scholar prior to the age of the tannaim, the scholars from whose teachings the Mishnah was derived.

During the 1st century BC, a variety of religious movements and splinter groups developed amongst the Jews in Judea. A number of individuals claimed to be miracle workers in the tradition of Elijah and Elisha, the ancient Jewish prophets. The Talmud provides some examples of such Jewish miracle workers, one of whom is Honi ha-Ma'agel, who was famous for his ability to successfully pray for rain.