Simlai

Rabbi Simlai was a talmudic sage from Palestine in the early 3rd century. The calculation of 613 Mitzvot is attributed to him.^[1] He was a student of Rabbi Judah I, the grandson of the author of the Mishnah. A famous Haggadist, Simlai endeavored to induce Judah II to abrogate the prohibition against using bread prepared by pagans. One of the earliest polemicists against Christianity, he engaged Origen in a debate on the Trinity.^[2]

References

1. ^ Abrahams, Israel (1907) (pdf). Judaism. London: Archibald Constable & co. ltd.. p. 28. http://books.google.com/books?q=Judaism+Israel+Abrahams&btnG=Search+Books&as_brr=0. 
2. ^ M'Clintock, John; James Strong (1895). Cyclopædia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature. VIII. New York (Franklin Square): Harper & Brothers. p. 347. http://books.google.com/books?lr=&q=Cyclop%C3%A6dia+Biblical+Theological+Ecclesiastical+Literature&btnG=Search+Books&as_brr=0.