The Zohar was first publicized by Moses de León (c. 1240 – 1305 CE), who claimed it was a Tannaitic work recording the teachings of Simeon ben Yochai[b] (c. 100 CE). This claim is universally rejected by modern scholars, most of whom believe de León, also an infamous forger of Geonic material, wrote the book himself between 1280 and 1286.
My mistake, got my religious texts mixed up. My point still stands and this site provides a clear and interesting breakdown of the differing opinions of the time.
The quote you found is from The Zohar, not the Talmud.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zohar
My mistake, got my religious texts mixed up. My point still stands and this site provides a clear and interesting breakdown of the differing opinions of the time.