Hiyya b. Ashi
Encyclopedia
Hiyya b. Ashi was a second and third generation Amora sage of Babylon
. In his youth he studied under Abba Arika
, and served as his janitor.
In his service of Abba Arika
he learned a lot of Halakha
ic laws, which he transmitted to future generations. He stated for example that on Shabbat
he would wash Abba Arika
's clothes that were made of leather. From this statement, the Sages of Chazal
concluded that the law of Melabain (Scouring/Laundering) on Shabbat does not apply on leather materials. He also stated that when he used to wake Abba Arika from his sleep, he would wash his hands, recite Birkat HaTorah, and only then would teach the lesson set. Hence, one should make a Birkat HaTorah also on the Talmud
, and not only on the Bible
. Later, R. Hiyya b. Ashi said, Abba Arike would wear the Tefillin
, and then recite the Shema, and it is from that statement that the sages of Chazal
have concluded that one should put on Tefillin before the Shema, even if it is already time for the Shema.
Most of R. Hiyya b. Ashi's statements are made in the name of his teacher Abba Arika, and on rare occasions in the name of Samuel of Nehardea
.At times his own rulings are cited as well, and sometimes he disputes his teacher Abba Arika.
He was a colleague of Rav Huna
and had debated him over rulings of their common Rabbi-teacher, Abba Arika.
Babylon
Babylon was an Akkadian city-state of ancient Mesopotamia, the remains of which are found in present-day Al Hillah, Babil Province, Iraq, about 85 kilometers south of Baghdad...
. In his youth he studied under Abba Arika
Abba Arika
Abba Arika was a Jewish Talmudist who lived in Babylonia, known as an amora of the 3rd century who established at Sura the systematic study of the rabbinic traditions, which, using the Mishnah as text, led to the compilation of the Talmud...
, and served as his janitor.
In his service of Abba Arika
Abba Arika
Abba Arika was a Jewish Talmudist who lived in Babylonia, known as an amora of the 3rd century who established at Sura the systematic study of the rabbinic traditions, which, using the Mishnah as text, led to the compilation of the Talmud...
he learned a lot of Halakha
Halakha
Halakha — also transliterated Halocho , or Halacha — is the collective body of Jewish law, including biblical law and later talmudic and rabbinic law, as well as customs and traditions.Judaism classically draws no distinction in its laws between religious and ostensibly non-religious life; Jewish...
ic laws, which he transmitted to future generations. He stated for example that on Shabbat
Shabbat
Shabbat is the seventh day of the Jewish week and a day of rest in Judaism. Shabbat is observed from a few minutes before sunset on Friday evening until a few minutes after when one would expect to be able to see three stars in the sky on Saturday night. The exact times, therefore, differ from...
he would wash Abba Arika
Abba Arika
Abba Arika was a Jewish Talmudist who lived in Babylonia, known as an amora of the 3rd century who established at Sura the systematic study of the rabbinic traditions, which, using the Mishnah as text, led to the compilation of the Talmud...
's clothes that were made of leather. From this statement, the Sages of Chazal
Chazal
Chazal or Ḥazal is an acronym for the Hebrew "Ḥakhameinu Zikhronam Liv'rakha",...
concluded that the law of Melabain (Scouring/Laundering) on Shabbat does not apply on leather materials. He also stated that when he used to wake Abba Arika from his sleep, he would wash his hands, recite Birkat HaTorah, and only then would teach the lesson set. Hence, one should make a Birkat HaTorah also on the Talmud
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....
, and not only on the Bible
Hebrew Bible
The Hebrew Bible is a term used by biblical scholars outside of Judaism to refer to the Tanakh , a canonical collection of Jewish texts, and the common textual antecedent of the several canonical editions of the Christian Old Testament...
. Later, R. Hiyya b. Ashi said, Abba Arike would wear the Tefillin
Tefillin
Tefillin also called phylacteries are a set of small black leather boxes containing scrolls of parchment inscribed with verses from the Torah, which are worn by observant Jews during weekday morning prayers. Although "tefillin" is technically the plural form , it is loosely used as a singular as...
, and then recite the Shema, and it is from that statement that the sages of Chazal
Chazal
Chazal or Ḥazal is an acronym for the Hebrew "Ḥakhameinu Zikhronam Liv'rakha",...
have concluded that one should put on Tefillin before the Shema, even if it is already time for the Shema.
Most of R. Hiyya b. Ashi's statements are made in the name of his teacher Abba Arika, and on rare occasions in the name of Samuel of Nehardea
Samuel of Nehardea
Samuel of Nehardea or Samuel bar Abba was a Jewish Talmudist who lived in Babylonia, known as an Amora of the first generation; son of Abba bar Abba and head of the Yeshiva at Nehardea. He was a teacher of halakha, judge, physician, and astronomer. He was born about 165 at Nehardea, in Babylonia...
.At times his own rulings are cited as well, and sometimes he disputes his teacher Abba Arika.
He was a colleague of Rav Huna
Rav Huna
Rav Huna , a Kohen, was a Jewish Talmudist who lived in Babylonia, known as an amora of the second generation and head of the Academy of Sura; He was born about 216, died in 296-297 ).-Youth:...
and had debated him over rulings of their common Rabbi-teacher, Abba Arika.