The Rashbi's Greatness (he wrote the Zohar)

Because of the tremendously great level of Rashbi, relative to all the other Tanaaim [sages of the Mishnaic period]; he was distinct and removed from them, in a way which is beyond comparison to them.
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The Rebbe Maharash stated; that the incomparable distinction, between the rest of the Tanaaim, relative to Rashbi, was on the order of the distinction, between created beings, relative to their Creator.

(The Zohar eventually led to Chassidus being revealed.)