ASI BEN SIMAJ. - A Babylonian Amorite (v.) of the sixth generation, born in 352 and died in 427. He reopened the academy at Sura, of which he was head from 375 until his death. His activity was directed toward collecting and coordinating the Talmudic material accumulated by Babylonian rabbis over the course of two centuries. He enjoyed great prestige among his contemporaries for his learning. To him and his successor Rabinà (v. SABINA) is attributed the definitive redaction of the Babylonian Talmud.
Bibl.: H. L. Strack, Einleitung in Talmud und Midras, 5th ed., Munich 1921, p. 148.