Rav, also known as Abba bar Eivo or Abba Aricha ("Abba the Tall"), is one of the most frequently cited Sages in the
Talmud. He is a key figure among the Amoraim, bridging the era of the
Tannaim and the Amoraim. His great esteem was testified to by the entire nation. Along with his younger colleague
Shmuel,
Rav is ranked as one of the most important contributors to the basis of the
Talmud.
Early Life, Teachers, and Studies
A native of Babylonia,
Rav studied under his uncle
R' Chiya and his sons when they traveled to
Eretz Israel. In
Eretz Israel, he became a disciple of
Rebbi (
R' Yehudah HaNasi), the redactor of the
Mishnah. It seems that
Rav was a great early
Amora because he is considered one who greatly received
Rebbi's teachings.
Rav may have even assisted
Rebbi in his monumental project.
Establishing the Sura Academy
Rav later returned to Babylonia, where he established the academy in Sura. This
yeshivah would last for over eight centuries, until the end of the Geonic era.
Rav was acknowledged as the leading sage in Babylonia.
Colleagues and Collaboration
Rav is prominently known for his close working relationship with his colleague
Shmuel. Together, they laid the foundation for what became the Babylonian
Talmud. While
Shmuel was younger, discussions often involved them. Sources also mention other colleagues of
Rav in Sura, including
Rav Huna and
Rav Chisda.
Thousands of Students
Rav taught thousands of students, whose teachings, rulings, and discussions are cited throughout the
Talmud. Sources explicitly mention many of his students. According to the sources, his students include:
Chiya bar Rav,
R' Abba,
R' Abba bar Mammal,
R' Abba bar Zavda,
R' Adda bar Masna,
R' Chiya bar Ashi,
R' Elazar ben Pedas,
R' Zeira I,
Rabbah bar Yirmiyah,
Rav Acha bar Adda,
Rav Acha Bardela,
Rav Assi I,
Rav Chanan bar Abba,
Rav Chananel,
Rav Gidel,
Rav Hamnuna I,
Rav Huna,
Rav Kahana II,
Rav Simi bar Chiya,
Rav Yehudah bar Yechezkel,
Shila bar Avina, and
Ze'iri II.
These students carried forward
Rav's teachings and contributed significantly to the development of
Jewish Law and tradition.
An Insightful Anecdote: Prayer for Rain
An interesting account highlighting
Rav's connection to the needs of his community relates to a severe drought. The citizens came before
Rav requesting that he pray for rain. He instructed them to remove evil people from their midst first. After they did so,
Rav prayed, but there was still no rain. He then declared that perhaps he himself caused it due to a sin, and confessed to being angry with a disciple who prayed too lengthily before him. Even after this, no rain fell, prompting
Rav to recite
Psalm 69:2 ("Save me, O God; for the waters are come in unto my soul"). At that very moment, rain began to fall with great force. This story appears to indicate the immense regard people had for
Rav and their belief in the power of his prayers.
Enduring Legacy
Rav died at a ripe old age (over ninety) and was buried in his hometown of Cafrei. His passing was deeply felt. Together with
Shmuel,
Rav's work laid the critical groundwork for the Babylonian
Talmud, ensuring his enduring influence on
Jewish Law and thought for generations.