Rabbi Simlai (Hebrew: רבי שמלאי) was a talmudic rabbi who lived in Israel in the 3rd century (second generation of amoraim).
He was born in either Lod[1] or Babylonia.[2] He later moved to the Galilee, where he served as an aide to Rabbi Yannai.[3] He studied in Tzippori under Rabbi Yochanan[4] and Hanina bar Hama.[5] He then studied under Rabbi Judah II, the grandson of Judah haNasi. He attempted in vain to induce Judah II to abrogate the prohibition against using bread prepared by pagans.[6] Late in life he moved to Babylonia.[7]
He was a famous aggadist, and the calculation of 613 Mitzvot is attributed to him.[8] According to the Jewish tradition, he frequently debated the Christians.[9]