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]

He was related to the house of the exilarchs^[4] and is even said to have been an exilarch himself.^[5] Sherira Gaon claimed to be a descendant of his, and of the Davidic line.^[6]

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]