See also R' Ami
R' Assi II, a distinguished second- and third-generation Amora of Eretz Yisrael, was the close colleague and lifelong friend of R' Ami. His teachings and discussions are cited hundreds of times throughout the Talmud, often in conjunction with R' Ami. In the Jerusalem Talmud, he is also known as R' Yassa, R' Yosa, or R' Issi.
Early Life and Esteemed Teachers
R' Assi II was born in Babylonia and began his studies in the academy of Shmuel, possibly under Rav Yehudah, Shmuel's primary student. It was there that he also became acquainted with Rav Huna. Like R' Ami, R' Assi II marveled at Rav Huna's superiority upon his burial in Eretz Yisrael (Moed Katan 25a).
R' Assi II later traveled to Eretz Yisrael to continue his studies under prominent Sages such as R' Chanina, R' Yehoshua ben Levi, R' Mani I, and R' Yannai. His primary teacher was R' Yochanan, under whom he diligently studied and attended for the remainder of R' Yochanan's life. Dozens of R' Yochanan's teachings are cited by R' Assi II, and their debates form a significant part of the Talmud. R' Assi II also studied under Reish Lakish, R' Yochanan's brother-in-law, citing several of his teachings (Shabbos 45b, 63a, Bechoros 25b).
R' Yochanan held R' Assi II and R' Ami in great esteem, leaning on them as he walked and even saving them from serious injury (Kesubos 62a). A man once reported a dream to R' Yochanan where the sky was falling, and one of R' Yochanan's students held it up, signifying that the world endured in his merit. The man identified R' Assi II as that student (Yerushalmi Kilayim 9:3). R' Assi II uniquely merited personal instruction from R' Yochanan in the mystical secrets of the Torah known as Maaseh Merkavah (Chagigah 13a).
Devotion to Mother and a Humorous Anecdote
R' Assi II was deeply devoted to his elderly mother, even fashioning jewelry for her. However, when she became mentally unstable, he found it impossible to attend to her needs (Kiddushin 31b). He later arranged for someone else to care for her before traveling to Eretz Yisrael. When his mother decided to follow him, R' Assi II sought R' Yochanan's permission to leave Eretz Yisrael to meet her, a journey generally prohibited except under extraordinary circumstances (Rambam, Hil. Melachim 5:9, fn. 151). Though R' Yochanan was uncertain, he blessed R' Assi II to return in peace. Sadly, R' Assi II discovered she had died en route, and it was her coffin being brought for burial. He regretted his departure, saying, "If I had known, I would not have left [Eretz Yisrael]" (Kiddushin 31b).
An amusing, yet cautionary, tale from R' Assi II's arrival in Eretz Yisrael highlights the importance of not mocking others. Upon reaching Tiberias, R' Assi went for a haircut and then to bathe in the hot springs. A jokester smacked him on the neck, quipping about his "soft neck." Later, this same jokester, laughing at a highway robber being beaten, was mistakenly identified by the robber as an accomplice. Both were sentenced to die. As they were led to be hanged, the jokester saw R' Assi exiting the bathhouse and remarked, "The neck that was truly soft—my neck—has already been confined by this iron collar!" R' Assi II replied, "How unfortunate is your mazal! For is it not written (Isaiah 28:22): 'So now, do not mock, lest your restraints become stronger [upon your necks]?'" (Yerushalmi Berachos 2:8).
Wisdom and Scientific Inquiry
R' Assi II often engaged in natural science experiments to deepen his Torah knowledge. In one instance, he observed a raven's nest and eggs. He took the hatchlings, sealed them in a new pot for three days, and found them alive upon opening it. They had produced excrement, which in turn produced gnats, providing sustenance for the hatchlings. R' Assi II applied the verse, "Who prepares nourishment for the raven, when its young ones call out to God, helpless without food?" (Job 38:41), thus demonstrating the veracity of Scripture (Vayikra Rabbah 19:1).
His Aggadic teachings also touched upon the challenges of livelihood, famously stating, "Earning a livelihood is twice as hard as childbirth" (Bereishis Rabbah 20:9). He advised living within one's means for personal consumption but encouraged spending beyond one's means to honor one's wife and children, trusting in Divine repayment (Chullin 84b).
Colleagues and Students
Beyond his profound friendship with R' Ami, R' Assi II was also close to R' Elazar ben Pedas, R' Yochanan's greatest student. R' Assi II was once anxious about R' Yochanan's potential anger over his desire to leave Eretz Yisrael, but R' Elazar reassured him (Kiddushin 31b). R' Assi II held R' Elazar in such high esteem that he wished to teach him Maaseh Merkavah, though R' Elazar demurred (Chagigah 13a). R' Elazar, in turn, called R' Assi II the "miracle of the generation" (Chullin 103b). R' Elazar's son, R' Pedas, served as the spokesman (meturgeman) during R' Assi II's lectures, translating them into the vernacular for the audience (Yerushalmi Megillah 4:10, fn. 154).
Another close colleague was R' Chiya bar Abba, a fellow student of R' Yochanan. These three Sages were chosen by the Nasi, R' Yehudah Nesiah II, to visit various cities in Eretz Yisrael and establish teachers of Scripture and Mishnah (Yerushalmi Chagigah 1:7). Other colleagues included R' Abba bar Mammal, R' Abba bar Zavda, R' Yitzchak Nafcha, R' Abba, R' Abahu, R' Yose bar R' Chanina, R' Zeira I, R' Yaakov bar Idi, R' Chiya bar Avin, and Rav Shmuel bar Rav Yitzchak.
Among his many students were Rav Beivoy II, R' Berechyah (an Aggadic master), Rav Avira, and R' Yirmiyah. Like R' Ami, R' Assi II briefly returned to Babylonia, where he taught and conversed with leading Sages such as Rav Nachman, Rabbah, Rav Yosef, and Rav Nachman bar Yitzchak (Shabbos 125b, Eruvin 32b).
Passing and Legacy
R' Assi II passed away in Tiberias well before R' Ami. On his deathbed, he wept, explaining to his nephew that he feared accountability for not having been a greater leader (Tanchuma, Mishpatim §2). His impact was so profound that upon his death, trees in his town were miraculously uprooted, and the great fortress of Tiberias collapsed (Moed Katan 25b, Yerushalmi Avodah Zarah 3:1). His friend R' Chiya bar Abba mourned him as a relative (Yerushalmi Berachos 3:1).
Concerned that his teachings would be forgotten, the Sages convened after his passing, gathering all precepts taught in R' Assi II's name (Kiddushin 13a). R' Assi II is buried next to his lifelong friend, R' Ami, in Tiberias.