Avi’s Awesome Authorities

Summachos ben Joseph was a Jewish Tanna sage of the fifth generation. Rabbi Meir is considered to have been his main teacher. After R. Meir died, and despite R. Yeudah ben Ilai's reluctance to teach R. Meir's students, Summachos joined R. Judah ben Ilai's class and debated halacha with him. He was absolutely brilliant (like all Tannaim). Summachos' brilliance was described as follows: “R. Abbahu stated in the name of R. Johanan: R. Meir had a disciple of the name of Summachos who said: "On every rule concerning a ritual uncleanness, there are forty-eight reasons in support of its uncleanness, and on every rule concerning a ritual cleanliness, forty-eight reasons in support of its cleanness.”

There is not much else known about him, for he only appeared in talmud five times, with only three of his own teachings.

- Avi Becker (’24)