Simlai
Encyclopedia
Rabbi Simlai was a talmud
ic sage from Palestine
in the early 3rd century. The calculation of 613 Mitzvot
is attributed to him. He was a student of Rabbi Judah I, the grandson of the author of the Mishnah
. A famous Haggadist, Simlai endeavored to induce Judah II
to abrogate the prohibition against using bread prepared by pagans. One of the earliest polemic
ists against Christianity, he engaged Origen
in a debate on the Trinity
.
Talmud
The Talmud is a central text of mainstream Judaism. It takes the form of a record of rabbinic discussions pertaining to Jewish law, ethics, philosophy, customs and history....
ic sage from Palestine
Palestine
Palestine is a conventional name, among others, used to describe the geographic region between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River, and various adjoining lands....
in the early 3rd century. The calculation of 613 Mitzvot
613 mitzvot
The 613 commandments is a numbering of the statements and principles of law, ethics, and spiritual practice contained in the Torah or Five Books of Moses...
is attributed to him. He was a student of Rabbi Judah I, the grandson of the author of the Mishnah
Mishnah
The Mishnah or Mishna is the first major written redaction of the Jewish oral traditions called the "Oral Torah". It is also the first major work of Rabbinic Judaism. It was redacted c...
. A famous Haggadist, Simlai endeavored to induce Judah II
Judah II
Judah II or Nesi'ah I was a famous Jewish sage who lived in Tiberias in the Land of Israel, in the middle of the third century CE. He is mentioned in the classical works of Judaism's oral law, the Mishnah and Talmud....
to abrogate the prohibition against using bread prepared by pagans. One of the earliest polemic
Polemic
A polemic is a variety of arguments or controversies made against one opinion, doctrine, or person. Other variations of argument are debate and discussion...
ists against Christianity, he engaged Origen
Origen
Origen , or Origen Adamantius, 184/5–253/4, was an early Christian Alexandrian scholar and theologian, and one of the most distinguished writers of the early Church. As early as the fourth century, his orthodoxy was suspect, in part because he believed in the pre-existence of souls...
in a debate on the Trinity
Trinity
The Christian doctrine of the Trinity defines God as three divine persons : the Father, the Son , and the Holy Spirit. The three persons are distinct yet coexist in unity, and are co-equal, co-eternal and consubstantial . Put another way, the three persons of the Trinity are of one being...
.