Avimi

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AVIMI

AVIMI (second half of the third century c.e.), Babylonian amora. He was the teacher of R. *Ḥisda who declared: "Many times I have been vanquished by Avimi," referring to a halakhah which Avimi had taught him (Ar. 22a). However, when Avimi forgot the tractate Menaḥot, he went to the bet midrash of R. Ḥisda his pupil, to be reminded. Avimi took the trouble to go to him personally, rather than sending for him, believing that in this way he would the better succeed in his purpose. This was in keeping with the statement, "I have toiled and achieved," meaning that he had gone out of his way and this had proved worthwhile (Men. 7a, and Rashi, ibid.). R. Ḥisda transmitted many halakhot in the name of Avimi (Suk. 16b; Ket. 71b, 100b; et al.), and also the aggadah that after the First Temple was built, the Tent of Meeting was stored away beneath the crypts of the Temple (Sot. 9a).

bibliography:

Hyman, Toledot, 87–88.

[Zvi Kaplan]

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