Rav Hama

Talmudic Figures

Rav Hama was a disciple of Rav Chisda and lived at the same time as Abaye and Rava. He became the head of an academy and held discussions with King Shapur II of Persia.

Sources

§ The Gemara relates: Rav Ḥama would rent out dinars at a rate of one peshita, i.e., one-eighth of a dinar, per day for a dinar. He viewed this as rental of an item for use rather than as a loan. Ultimately, all of Rav Ḥama’s money was lost as divine punishment for violating the prohibition of interest (see 71a). The Gemara explains: He did this because he thought: In what way is it different from the rental of a hoe? He viewed the money as an item that can be rented for a fee…

Bava Metzia 69b:4

The Gemara relates: King Shapur, the monarch of Persia, once said to Rav Ḥama: From where in the Torah is there a hint to the mitzva of burial? What proof is there that the dead must be buried and not treated in some other manner? Rav Ḥama was silent and said nothing to him, as he could not find a suitable source. Rav Aḥa bar Ya’akov said: The world has been handed over to the foolish, as Rav Ḥama should have said to King Shapur that the mitzva of burial is derived from the verse: “But you shall bury him” (Deuteronomy 21:23).

Sanhedrin 46b:10

Rav Ḥama said: My tacit interest arrangement is certainly permitted. He would contract to sell merchandise in a location where its price was low while setting the price according to the more expensive rate in effect in a different location. Those who would purchase the merchandise from him would then take the merchandise to the other location to sell at the highest price, while Rav Ḥama would accept upon himself a certain measure of responsibility for the risks incurred during transport. This deal is considered a sales partnership, not interest…

Bava Metzia 65a:14-15

The expression: Our Rabbis that are in Babylonia, is referring to Rav and Shmuel. The expression: Our Rabbis that are in Eretz Yisrael, is referring to Rabbi Abba. The expression: The judges of the Diaspora, is a reference to the Sage Karna. The phrase: The judges of Eretz Yisrael, is a reference to Rabbi Ami and Rabbi Asi. The phrase: The judges of Pumbedita, is referring to Rav Pappa bar Shmuel, who was the head of the court there, and: The judges of Neharde’a…

Sanhedrin 17b:5

THIS RAV CHAMA OF NEHARDEA, who is usually called just Rav Chama, was fortunate enough to have been the student of Rav Chisda. It is possible that after Rav Chisda’s death he studied under Rava. It is not known, however, exactly where he had his academy, in Pumbeditha or in Nehardea. He was called “Rav Chama of Nehardea.” But it may be that he was named so simply because he was born there, although his academy was in Pumbeditha. We are certain only that he was the head of the academy for 21 years, from 356 to 377 C. E…

The Jewish Spiritual Heroes, Volume III; The Amoraim of Babylon and the Babylonian Talmud, Rav Chama of Nehardea

Livedתקופת פעילות

Amoraim - Fifth Generation

c.350 – c.375 CE

Teacherמורה

Sheetsדפי מקורות

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