ŠAMMAJ. – An eminent Jewish doctor who carried out his teaching between 20 B.C. and A.D. 25/30.
Hillèl (v.) and his rival. In contrast to Hillèl, Š. was regarded as rigorous. In disputes of a prescriptive nature between him and Hillèl, Š. is named first because he was older. The same difference of opinion is subsequently found in the two schools; although rigorous in his decisions, Š. too was gentle by nature.
BIBL.: H. L. Strack, Einleitung in Talmud und Midral, 2e ed., Monaco 1921, passim; J. Bonsirven, Le judaïsme palestinien, Parigi 1932, I and II, passim. Eugenio Zolli