Rabbah bar Abuha (or Rabbah bar Avuha; Hebrew: רבה בר אבוה) was a Babylonian rabbi of the second generation of amoraim.
Biography
He was a student of Rav,[1] and resided at Nehardea of Babylonia. He was the teacher and father-in-law of Rav Nachman. After Nehardea had been destroyed by Papa ben Neser in 259, he moved to Shekunzib (Hinzebu), and then again moved to Shilhe, then to Mahuza,[2] where he settled along with Rav Nachman, and became a religious judge. There are allusions to a number of decisions and rulings made by him while at Mahuza.[3]
According to legend, Rabbah was a friend of the prophet Elijah,[7] who gave him leaves from paradise, so that he became rich.[8]
Teachings
Rabbah was not a prominent teacher; and he himself admitted that he was not thoroughly versed even in the four orders of the Mishnah, which were generally studied in the schools.[9] Some of his interpretations of various mishnaic passages have been preserved,[10] as well as confirmations of earlier halakhot[11] and halakhic decisions of his own.[12]
Quotes
The commandment to love one's neighbor[13] must be observed even in the execution of a criminal, since he should be granted as easy a death as possible.[14]
References
^Sanhedrin 63a; Shabbat 129b, 130b; Eruvin 75b, 85a, 86a; Gittin 62b; and many other passages
