Rabbi Yochanan the Shoemaker was a Tannah from the 4th generation of Tannaim (the Mishna sages).
Rabbi Yochanan was born in Alexandria, Egypt and was one of Rabbi Akiva’s greatest students.
At the time that Rabbi Akiva was held in prison, the sages needed an answer to a question that they had, from Rabbi Akiva. Rabbi Yochanan dressed up as a peddler and walked outside the prison, announcing the items he was selling. He cleverly hid the question in between his words and Rabbi Akiva, who heard him through the window, answered him using a hint.
Rabbi Yochannan remained in Israel despite the harsh decrees and persecution of the Romans against the Jews. He used to say that the Mitzvah of living in the land of Israel is equivalent to all the Mitzvot of the Torah.
Rabbi Yochannan the Shoemaker is buried in Meron.