Rabbi Yehuda Bar-Ilaei was a Tannah from the forth generation of Tannaim (the Mishna sages).
Rabbi Yehuda was known for his righteousness and piety. He was a great Torah scholar, whose halachic rulings are mentioned throughout the entire Shas, more than any other Tannah.
Rabbi Yehuda lived in great poverty, yet he appeared to be a strong and healthy man and was extremely handsome. When questioned about this he used to answer that “A man’s wisdom lightens up his face.”
Rabbi Yehuda would make his living by carrying heavy barrels on his way to learn; he didn’t want to make his living through his Torah learning and used to say, “Worthy is the job that gives respect to one who does it.”
Rabbi Yehuda Bar Ila’ei is buried on the way to Tsfat.