Idi Bar Avin
IDI BAR AVIN
IDI BAR AVIN (first half of fourth century c.e.). Babylonian amora. Idi and his brother Ḥiyya were the sons of *Avin the Carpenter (Ha-Nagar) who was promised learned sons as a reward for his piety (Shab. 23b). Idi was a pupil of Ḥisda (Pes. 101b) in whose name he transmits many sayings. He was known as one of the great scholars of Babylon of his time, especially in the days of Abbaye and Rava (with the former of whom he had halakhic discussions; bm 35b). There is evidence in the Babylonian Talmud that he had a marked influence on the establishing of the talmudic halakhah of his time. The name of the locality (Hinẓivi) in which he established his yeshivah is otherwise unknown. Joel *Sirkes suggests it may be a mistake for *Shekanzib, a well-known center of learning on the eastern bank of the Tigris. Among his outstanding pupils were Papa and Huna b. Joshua (Pes. 35a). His sons, Sheshet and Joshua, were also amora'im. It is of interest that during his time it was customary to set aside the priestly portions, and since Idi's wife was of a priestly family, he was permitted to benefit from these gifts (Ḥul. 132a).
bibliography:
Hyman, Toledot, 140f.; Ḥ. Albeck, Mavo la-Talmudim (1969), 357.