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Rabbah B. Huna

The 1901 Jewish Encyclopedia

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Babylonian amora of the third generation; died in 322; son of R. Huna, the head of the Academy of Sura (Heilprin, "Seder ha-Dorot," 2:167b). He was a man of true piety (Shab. 31a, b) and genuine modesty (M. Ḳ. 28a; comp. Giṭ. 43a), and was urged by his father to attend R. Ḥisda's lectures diligently and to profit by his acumen. At first, however, Rabbah held aloof because matters were discussed which did not appeal to his earnest nature (Shab. 82a); but later he became closely associated with R. Ḥisda, and was appointed judge under him (ib. 10a); subsequently the two treated of haggadic subjects together (Pes. 110a, 117a; Soṭah 39a). After the death of R. Ḥisda, Rabbah became the head of the Academy of Sura, though he apparently held this position without the approval of the exilarch. His general relations with the exilarchate were by no means friendly, and he declared himself independent of its authority (Sanh. 5a).

A number of halakic and a few haggadic sentences of Rabbah b. Huna have been preserved: "He who is insolent must be considered a transgressor" (Ta'an. 7b). "When one falls into a rage he loses the respect of God" (Ned. 22b). "He who possesses learning [in the Torah], but is without the fear of God, is like unto a steward to whom have been given the keys of the inner storehouses but not the outer keys; he can not gain access to the storehouses" (Shab. 31a, b).