רב דימי [סתם הוא] בר יוסף

Rav Dimi [he is simply] the son of Yosef and is not the son of Rav Yosef, for Rav Dimi precedes him. And perhaps he is a brother to Rabbi Yitzchak the son of Yosef, a student of Rabbi Yochanan. When Rav Dimi came, he said in the name of Rabbi Yochanan, and Abaye said to him, "Did Rabbi Yochanan say this?" And they called Rav Dimi "Karkapna," which Rashi explains as a distinguished person. And it seems to me that it refers to the head, like "Karkefetah" of tefillin, and similarly "Karkaflu" of Rabbi Yishmael. [And the Aruch explains that it means one with a skull.

And regarding what is written about the lineage of Abaye, they called Rav Dimi "Karkapna," the reason being that it is stated in Eruvin (22) that Rabbi Yitzchak the son of Yosef said in the name of Rabbi Yochanan that in the land of Israel, one is not liable for public domain. Rav Dimi sat and said this teaching. Abaye said to Rav Dimi, "What is the reason?" If you say... perhaps you are referring to ascents and descents, he said to him, "I saw Karkapna at your head between the pillars, for Rabbi Yochanan said this teaching." And likewise in Yevamot (78a), "I saw Karkapna at your head between the pillars, for Rabbi Yochanan said..." And the Tosafot wrote there, and there Rav Dimi said to Abaye, "I saw Karkapna, a great man, at your head." This refers to Rabbah, who is the teacher of Abaye, for Rabbah had gone to the land of Israel (there) to learn before Rabbi Yochanan, but we do not find that Abaye went to learn Torah there (and furthermore, Abaye did not see Rabbi Yochanan, Rashi explains).

However, his teacher Rabbah, a student of Rabbi Yochanan, was at that time in the study hall when Rabbi Yochanan said this teaching.

Thus, Rav Dimi called Abaye "Karkapna," and it is clear]. Rav Dimi said to Abaye, "God, my eyes have seen, and not from the mouth of Rav Yirmiyah [(I heard)] and Rabbi Yirmiyah from Rabbi Zeira, and Rabbi Zeira from Rabbi Chiya bar Ashi, and Rabbi Chiya bar Ashi from Rav, in the chapter of the barrel [(Kiddushin 135a)]. Rav Dimi sat and said, and Abaye challenged him regarding a nazir (Nazir 36a)]. In the chapter of the morning prayer, he was in the study hall of Rav Yosef, he and Rav Avya, [(there) because an error was presented before him].

When Rav Dimi came, he said, "Rabbi Akiva and Rabbi Yehuda Glushtara said" (there). When he ascended to Nehardea, he sent messages that what I said before you is an error in my hands; however, thus it is... Shabbat (63b). On Shabbat (136), the son of Rav Dimi the son of Yosef was mourning for a child who died within thirty days, for his months were completed.

And in the Ashrei, the daughter of Rav Dimi the son of Yitzchak. The reward is for his father-in-law (there)]. Rabbi Elazar said [in the second chapter of Sukkah and in the fifth chapter (Nedarim 53b) and in the chapter of one who dies (Kiddushin 150a)], Rabbi Ami said in the name of Rabbi Chanina in Keritut (25b), and Rabbi Ami and Rabbi Asi and Rav Bibi on Shabbat (74a) when Rav Dimi came, he said, "Zehiri said in the name of Rabbi Chanina" [on Shabbat (50a).

Rav Chiya, perhaps his brother. Rabbi Chama the son of Yosef. Rabbi Chanina on Shabbat (125b). Rav Yosef (above)].

When Rav Dimi came, he said in the name of Rabbi Yochanan [in Eruvin (87b, 101b) Rabbi Yonatan said. Rabbi Yanai there (75a) Menachot (26b)]. Rav Dimi said in the name of Rabbi Yitzchak the son of Abdimy in the name of Rabbi that when Rav Dimi ascended, he found Rabbi Yirmiyah who was sending to Rav Yosef. [Merimar in the name of Rav Dimi. Rav Mashi'ach in the name of Rav Dimi].

Rabbi Nachman said [in Bava Batra (121a)], Merimar asked Rav Nachman [in Chulin (12a)], and he came to adjudicate before Rav Nachman regarding the matter of his sister. [And it is not so, and the language of the Gemara in Bava Batra (151b) is that the sister of Rav Dimi came before Rav Nachman to request judgment against her brother Rav Dimi, and Rav Nachman sent to her that if she does not come, he will not judge her. There, when he came, he said, "Rav Nachman bar Cohen expounded."] Rav said. [Rabbi said in Zevachim (118b).

He came from the land of Israel before Ravin, Rashi explains Chulin (106a), Rav Rachumi sat before him. He said to him, "Shmuel, go check this woman" in Ketubot (61a). He said to him, "Shmuel, go check that woman" in Niddah (66a). From this, it appears that he was a student of Shmuel.

The Ari wrote that Hezekiah was reincarnated in Rav Dimi, and this is the explanation in the language of Rabbi Dimi there, "I have appointed the years of my life that Hezekiah should live those years later, Rav Dimi, for the reincarnated ones complete their years and their deeds that are lacking (Gittin)].