See also R' Assi II
R' Ami, a prominent second- and third-generation Amora, was a pivotal leader in the Jewish community of Eretz Yisrael. He succeeded his esteemed teacher, R' Yochanan, as the head of the great academy in Tiberias, a position he ably held for over two decades, eventually moving the academy to Caesarea. His teachings and discussions are extensively quoted throughout both the Babylonian and Jerusalem Talmud, solidifying his enduring legacy.
Early Life and Distinguished Teachers
Born and raised in Babylonia, R' Ami was a Kohen. He may have initially studied in the yeshivah of Rav, where he first encountered Rav Huna, Rav's primary disciple. Years later, upon Rav Huna's burial in Eretz Yisrael, R' Ami and R' Assi II marveled at his greatness, acknowledging their inability to "raise our heads because of the superiority of Rav Huna!" (Moed Katan 25a).
R' Ami later journeyed to Eretz Yisrael, continuing his studies under luminaries such as R' Chanina, R' Oshaya I Rabbah, R' Yannai, and R' Yehoshua ben Levi. His primary teacher, however, was R' Yochanan. After the passing of R' Chanina and R' Oshaya, R' Ami and his lifelong friend, R' Assi II, joined R' Yochanan's academy in Tiberias, becoming his leading students. They frequently cited his teachings in the Talmud. R' Yochanan held them in such high regard that he allowed them to support him as he walked. In one instance, R' Yochanan saved them from serious injury when stairs gave way beneath them, demonstrating his remarkable strength (Kesubos 62a).
R' Ami's profound respect for R' Yochanan is evident in a Talmudic passage: "R' Ami and R' Assi II would lift up [bundles of Sabbath goods] and bring them in and lift up [bundles and take them out...]. They explained: 'If R' Yochanan were to visit us, would we not lift up bundles and carry them in and out in front of him? [We should do no less for the Sabbath!]" (Shabbos 119a). So deep was his distress at R' Yochanan's passing that R' Ami observed both the seven-day and thirty-day mourning periods, as if his own father had died (Moed Katan 25b).
R' Ami also learned from R' Yochanan's brother-in-law, Reish Lakish, and his student, R' Elazar ben Pedas, often citing their teachings. R' Ami and R' Assi II were particularly close to R' Elazar, even preparing his wedding canopy (Berachos 16a).
A Miraculous Rescue and Emulation of Kindness
An extraordinary incident highlights the dangers faced by Sages of that era and the unwavering courage of Reish Lakish. R' Ami was once captured by bloodthirsty bandits. Upon hearing this, one Sage despaired, declaring, "The dead person should be wrapped in his sheet!" (Yerushalmi Terumos 8:4). However, Reish Lakish, drawing perhaps on his past reputation as a chieftain of highwaymen before he embraced Torah (Bava Metzia 84a), bravely confronted the bandits. He declared, "Either I will kill [R' Ami's captors], or I will be killed [by them]!" Miraculously, he persuaded them to free R' Ami without a fight. Reish Lakish then directed the bandits to R' Yochanan for prayer, but R' Yochanan's curse swiftly befell them, and they all perished before reaching their town (Yerushalmi Terumos 8:4).
R' Ami never forgot Reish Lakish's self-sacrifice. Later, when a Jew was captured by bandits led by a "queen," R' Ami and another sage embarked on a perilous journey to secure his release. Though the queen scoffed at the idea of a miracle, an Arab merchant suddenly entered, announcing the death of her brother by a notorious criminal. In the ensuing chaos, the captured Jew escaped, a testament to R' Ami's unwavering faith and courage (Yerushalmi ibid.).
Lifelong Friendship with R' Assi II
R' Ami's closest colleague was his childhood friend, R' Assi II. Their bond was profound: they came to Eretz Yisrael together, studied under R' Yochanan together, and were ordained as Rabbis together. Their relationship was characterized by mutual respect; R' Ami once sought R' Assi II's halachic opinion (Bava Metzia 24b), while R' Assi II referred to R' Ami as his teacher (Gittin 54b). So intertwined were their teachings that R' Avira often quoted the same ruling "sometimes in the name of R' Ami and sometimes in the name of R' Assi II" (e.g., Berachos 20b). Interestingly, while the Talmud Bavli consistently mentions R' Ami before R' Assi II, the Talmud Yerushalmi reverses this order, signifying their equal greatness (Toldos Tannaim VaAmoraim, fn. 139).
Both R' Ami and R' Assi II were renowned for their piety and expertise as judges, often referred to as "the preeminent Kohanim of Eretz Yisrael" (Megillah 22a) and "the Judges of Eretz Yisrael" (Sanhedrin 17b). Their dedication to Torah study was such that they prayed between the pillars of their study hall rather than leaving for one of Tiberias's thirteen synagogues (Berachos 8a).
An anecdote illustrating their unique protection tells of a demon-haunted latrine in Tiberias that harmed even groups of people. Yet, R' Ami and R' Assi II entered it alone and unharmed, attributing their safety to a tradition from their teachers: "The tradition concerning the latrine is to be modest and silent" (Berachos 62a).
Colleagues and Students
R' Ami''s circle of colleagues included R' Chiya bar Abba, R' Yitzchak Nafcha, R' Abahu, R' Abba bar Mammal, Rav Beivoy II, R' Abba, R' Zeira, and R' Simone. He also enjoyed a close relationship with the Nasi, R' Yehudah Nesiah II, a younger student of R' Yochanan, who deferred to R' Ami in matters of Halacha, recognizing him as the supreme authority (Beitzah 27a, Taanis 14b).
R' Ami attracted many students, notably Rav Dimi (bar Yosef), R' Zerika, R' Yirmiyah, and R' Safra. His son, possibly named Rav Mesharshiya, also studied with R' Yirmiyah. A humorous anecdote recounts R' Ami waking his son for studies on Shabbos morning, only for his learned son to question the Rabbinically prohibited noise (Yerushalmi Beitzah 5:2).
Leadership and Influence
R' Ami succeeded R' Yochanan as Rosh yeshivah, a role R' Assi II humbly declined despite his equal greatness (Tanchuma, Parashas Mishpatim ยง2). R' Ami took on the responsibility of teaching R' Yochanan's students and strengthening the religious infrastructure of Eretz Yisrael, establishing Torah teachers and religious courts. He even sent instructions and rulings to Jewish communities abroad, as evidenced by a ruling prefaced: "From me, Ami bar Nassan, shall Torah go out to all of Israel" (Gittin 44a). Even prominent Babylonian Sages like Rav Nachman and his student Rava sought his halachic guidance (Gittin 63b). His reputation was so widespread that Ifra Hurmiz, the queen mother of King Shapur II of Persia, sent him a large sum for distribution to the poor (Bava Basra 10b).
Due to Roman persecution, R' Ami moved his yeshivah from Tiberias to Caesarea, invited by R' Abahu, who used his connections to protect the Sages. This marked the end of Tiberias's great academy as the home of the Sanhedrin.
Later Years and Passing
In his later years, R' Ami briefly visited Babylonia, conversing with leading Sages like Rav Nachman, Rav Chisda, and Rabbah. He returned to Eretz Yisrael, outliving R' Assi II and passing away at nearly ninety years old. R' Ami was the last Amora recognized as the head of all Sages in Eretz Yisrael, acknowledged even by Babylonian yeshivos after Rav Huna's death. He is buried beside his lifelong friend, R' Assi II, in Tiberias.