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Ḥana (Huna) B. Bizna

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Ḥana B. Ḥanilai

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Babylonian scholar of the third and fourth centuries; judge at Pumbedita, (B. Ḳ. 12a). He especially cultivated the field of Haggadah, in which he became distinguished. R. Sheshet, who once attempted to criticize Ḥana's homiletic expositions, but was soon defeated, remarked, "I can not contend with Ḥana in the field of the Haggadah" (Suk. 52b). As a halakist Ḥana seems to have been an independent thinker. In spite of criticism he allowed himself to frequent pagan barber-shops in the suburbs of Nehardea ('Ab. Zarah 29a). To him belongs the credit of preserving from oblivion the name and teachings of Simon Ḥasida, a late tanna rarely mentioned by any other rabbi (Ber. 3b, 43b; Ket. 67b; Yeb. 60b; et al.).