The Talmudic-Era Sifre
The title "Sifre debe Rab" is used by R. Hananeel on Sheb. 37b, Alfasi on Pes. x., and Rashi on Hos. ii. 1; it occurs likewise in Mak. 9b, where, as Berliner says in his edition of Rashi, p. 372, בספרא is an error for בספרי; comp. Aruk, s.v. ארבע). In regard to the reference in Sanh. 86a concerning the Sifre of R. Simeon, see Mekilta de-Rabbi Shim'on; the question has likewise been raised whether, in view of the well-known close relation that existed between the school of R. Simeon and that of R. Ishmael (Yoma 59a; Zeb. 53b, 119b; Ḥul. 69b), the words וכלהו אליבא דר"ע apply to R. Simeon's Sifre in the same degree as to the other works mentioned in this Talmudic passage (Levy, Ueber Einige Fragmente aus der Mischnah des Abba Saul, p. 11, note 15).
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