Hiyya bar Ashi

Hiyya bar Ashi
רב חייא בר אשי
Personal
Born	Hiyya bar Ashi
Religion	Judaism
Era	Second and third generation of amoraim
Jewish leader
Teacher	Rav

Hiyya bar Ashi(orRav Hiyya bar Ashi;Hebrew:רב חייא בר אשי) was a second and third generationAmorasage ofBabylon.

Biography

In his youth he studied underRav,and served as his janitor. In his service of Rav he learned many laws, which he transmitted to future generations. For example, he stated that onShabbathe would wash Rav's leather clothes. From this statement,the sagesconcluded that thelaw of Melabain(Scouring/Laundering) on Shabbat does not apply on leather materials.He also stated that when he used to wake Rav from his sleep, he would wash his hands, reciteBirkat HaTorah,and only then would teach the lesson. Hence, one should make aBirkat HaTorahalso on theTalmud,and not only on theBible.Later, R. Hiyya bar Ashi said, Rav would put ontefillin,and then recite theshema;from this the sages concluded that one should put ontefillinbefore theshema,even if it is already time for theshema.

Most of R. Hiyya bar Ashi's statements are made in the name of his teacher Rav, and rarely in the name ofSamuel of Nehardea.At times his own rulings are cited as well,and sometimes he disputes his teacher Rav.

He was a colleague ofRav Hunaand had debated him over rulings of their common teacher, Rav.