Bevai bar Abaye
Bevai bar Abaye (Imperial Aramaic: ביבי בר אביי) was a Jewish Talmudist who lived in Babylonia, known as an amora of the fourth and fifth amoraic generations (fourth century CE).
| Rabbinical eras |
|---|
Biography
He was the son of the celebrated Abaye, and presiding judge in Pumbedita,[1] where his father had directed the Talmudic Academy. Some rabbinic chronologists[2] suggest his identity with Bebai II (Bevai bar Abin), which, however, is chronologically incorrect, the latter having been a fellow-pupil of Rav Yosef, whereas Bebai ben Abaye was a contemporary of Nahman ben Isaac, Kahana III,[3] Pappi, and Huna ben Joshua. As Abaye was a scion of the priestly house of Eli, which was doomed to premature death,[4] both Pappi and Huna ben Joshua frequently taunted Bebai with being descended from frail (short-lived) stock, and therefore with uttering frail, untenable arguments.[5]
Bebai bar Abaye seems to have led a contemplative life; and legend relates some curious stories about him.[6]
References
- Yevamot 75b; Ketuvot 85a.
- J. Schorr, Va'ad Hakhamim, 24b; Bacher, Ag. Pal. Amor. iii. 667, note 5
- Berakhot 6b; Eruvin 90a.
- I Samuel 2:33; see Rosh Hashana 18a
- Eruvin 25b; compare Dikdukei Soferim a.l.; Bava Metzia 109a; Bava Batra 137b, 151a; compare Jastrow, Dict. 794a, s.v. "Mammulaë".
- Hagigah 4b; Berakhot 6a and 8b; Eruvin 8a; Shabbat 3b, 4a; Hullin 43b; Keritot 3b; Zevachim 107a.
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Singer, Isidore; et al., eds. (1901–1906). "Bebai b. Abaye". The Jewish Encyclopedia. New York: Funk & Wagnalls.