Rabbi Tarfon was a Tannah from the second generation of Tannaim (the Mishna sages). He was a student of Shamai and taught and learned together with Rabbi Akiva.
Rabbi Tarfon came from a wealthy family of Cohanim. As a child he’d seen the Temple while it was still intact and active. Rabbi Tarfon used his money for good deeds and charity. Once, when Rabbi Akiva asked if he would like to invest his money in profitable properties, Rabbi Tarfon gave him 4,000 golden coins.
Rabbi Akiva gave out the entire sum to poor Torah scholars. Some time later, Rabbi Tarfon wanted to see the property that was bought on his behalf and Rabbi Akiva took him to the Beit Midrash and recited the Psalms until he reached the verse, “He gave money to the poor, his righteousness will stand on his behalf forever.”
Rabbi Akiva explained that this is the everlasting property in which he invested Rabbi Tarfon’s money. When Rabbi Tarfon heard this, he kissed Rabbi Akiva on his head and announced, “You are my Rabbi in wisdom and my leader in derech eretz (good behavior).”
Rabbi Tarfon was known to be extremely careful with regards to honoring his mother. Once when his mother was taking a walk, her shoe tore and she was unable to continue walking. Rabbi Tarfon immediately placed his hand under her foot and kept it there until
she reached her bed.
Rabbi Tarfon is buried in Kadita.