(3rd cent. CE).
Amora of the second generation. Born in Babylonia, R. Assi studied with R.
Samuel and R. huna and settled in Erets Israel at an early age, studying in the
academies of R.
oshaiah and R.
johanan in Caesaria and Tiberias, respectively. He was closely associated with R. Ammi. They studied at the same academies and are generally mentioned together in the Talmud as holding the same opinion. Both were called "dayyanim of Erets Israel" (
Sanh. 17b) and later "the important
kohanim of Erets Israel" (
Git. 59b;
Meg. 22a). One of Assi's sayings is: "A man should eat and drink benath his means, dress according to his means, and honor his wife and children beyond his means" (
Hul. 84b).
R. Assi had a low opinion of the Babylonian sages. When he was asked why they are better dressed that the sages of Erets Israel, he replied that it was because they were not scholars and thus would not be respected for their learning alone (Shab. 145b).
