Amemar () was a Babylonian rabbi of the fifth and sixth generation of amoraim. His name is a compound word formed from the personal name Ammi and the title Mar "master".
Biography Amemar was one of the leading sages of his generation. He reestablished the Nehardea Academy, and restored it to its original reputable position—it having been destroyed over a century before by OdaenathusBar Naẓar, Ketuvot 51b, Yerushalmi Terumot 8 46b; Grätz, 2d ed., iv., note 28—and was its rector for more than thirty years (390-422). In addition to that office, he was the president of the court at Nehardea and introduced several ritual changes.Rosh Hashana 31b, Sukkah 55a, Bava Batra 31a Later he moved to Māḥozē, where he also served as a religious judge.Sukkah 55a (end); Brachot 12a; Shevuot 30b, etc.
His teachers include Rava,Kiddushin 10a; Hullin 46b Rav Yosef bar Hiyya,Ketuvot 100a and Rav Nachman.Hullin 45b Later on he learned from students of Rava and Abaye, including Rav Zevid and Rav Pappa.
His students include the leading amoraim of the sixth generation, including Rav Ashi (who became Amemar's "Fellow Student") and Huna bar Nathan, the Exilarch.
The Talmud frequently records him together with his colleagues, Mar Zutra and Rav Ashi. On royal festivals, the three of them officially represented the Jews at the court of Yazdegerd I.Ketuvot 61a On one of these occasions, Huna bar Nathan was among the assembled dignitaries, and the king, happening to notice that Huna's girdle was disheveled, adjusted it, remarking, "It is written of you,Exodus 19:6 'You shall be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation,' and you must therefore wear the girdle as priests do." When Amemar heard of this, he said to Huna, "On you has been realized the prophetic promise,Isaiah 49:23 'Kings shall be your attendants'".Zevachim 19a
His mother's father was Rami bar Hama.Ketuvot 21b Amemar's erudition was continued in his son Mar, who often quoted him to Rav Ashi.Pesachim 74b; Sukkah 32b, 41b; Bava Metzia 68a; Bava Batra 174a A grandson of Amemar's died in his lifetime, and he tore his clothes when he found out. When Amemar's son, the bereaved father, arrived, Amemar tore again. He had torn while sitting, but when he remembered that halacha requires tearing to be done while standing, he stood up and tore a third time.Moed Kattan 20b In later generations, some of his descendants served as geonim in the yeshivas of Sura and Pumbedita.
According to the Talmud, he died after Rav Ashi and Amemar's son discussed Amemar's death in an innocent halachic context.Bava Metzia 68a
Teachings Many halachic discussions between him and Rav Ashi are recorded.Bava Metzia 68a; Berachot 12a; Beitzah 22a; Ketuvot 21b; Kiddushin 72b; Bava Kamma 79a; Hullin 53b, 58a
Some of his homiletic observations appear in the Babylonian Talmud.Sotah 9a; Bava Batra 45a
Quotes A wise man is preferable to a prophet.Bava Batra 12a
References