Rav Shimon b. Abba studied under R. Chaninah b. Chamah and was admired by R. Yochanan as someone worthy of ordination. Though he moved to Damascus, R. Abahu convinced him to come back to Israel.
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Simeon bar Abba was in Damascus and smaller people than he were ordained but he was not ordained. Simeon bar Abba was an expert in everything concerning pearls but he did not have a loaf to eat. Rebbi Joḥanan quoted about him (Eccl. 9:11): “Also bread is not for Sages.” He said, anybody who does not know the good works of Abraham may know them through the good works of this man’s ancestors. Simeon bar Abba was in Damascus when Rebbi Abbahu sent him a letter and enclosed some of his grey hair: “For these gray…