Rabbi Simlai (Hebrew: רבי שמלאי) was a talmudic rabbi who lived in Israel in the 3rd century (second generation of amoraim).

He was born in either Lod[1] or Babylonia.[2] He later moved to the Galilee, where he served as an aide to Rabbi Yannai.[3] He studied in Tzippori under Rabbi Yochanan[4] and Hanina bar Hama.[5] He then studied under Rabbi Judah II, the grandson of Judah haNasi. He attempted in vain to induce Judah II to abrogate the prohibition against using bread prepared by pagans.[6] Late in life he moved to Babylonia.[7]

He was a famous aggadist, and the calculation of 613 Mitzvot is attributed to him.[8] According to the Jewish tradition, he frequently debated the Christians.[9]

References

  1. ^ Pesachim 62b
  2. ^ Pesachim 5:3
  3. ^ Bava Batra 111a
  4. ^ Yerushalmi Pesachim 5:3
  5. ^ Yerushalmi Peah 8:8
  6. ^ Avodah Zarah 37a
  7. ^ Avodah Zarah 36; Yerushalmi Shabbat 1:4
  8. ^ Abrahams, Israel (1907). Judaism (pdf). London: Archibald Constable & co. ltd. p. 28.
  9. ^ Genesis Rabbah 8:9; Yerushalmi Brachot 9:1
Categories