Amora
This article is about a name for a religious scholar. For the comic book character, see Enchantress (Marvel Comics).Amora, plural
Amoraim (from the
Hebrew root
amar "to say" or "tell over"), were renowned
Jewish scholars who "said" or "told over" the teachings of the
Oral law, from about 200 to 500 CE in
Babylonia and the
Land of Israel. Their legal discussions and debates were eventually
codified in the
Gemara. The Amoraim followed the
Tannaim.
The first Babylonian Amoraim were
Abba Arika, respectfully referred to as
Rav, and his contemporary and frequent debate partner,
Samuel of Nehardea. Among the earliest Amoraim in Israel were
Johanan bar Nappaha and
Simeon ben Lakish. Traditionally, the Amoraic period is reckoned as seven or eight generations (depending on where one begins and ends). The last Amoraim are generally considered to be
Ravina I and
Rav Ashi, and
Ravina II, nephew of Ravina I, who codified the
Babylonian Talmud around 500 CE.
In the Talmud itself, the singular
amora generally refers to a lecturer's assistant: the lecturer would state his points briefly, and the
amora would then repeat them aloud for the public's benefit, adding translation and clarification where needed.
See also List of rabbis.*
Abaye (d.
339), disciple of
Rabbah,
Rav Yosef, and
Rav Nachman bar Yaakov. Dean of the
Yeshiva in
Pumbedita.
*
Abba Arika (d.
247, known as
Rav, last
Tanna, first
Amora. Disciple of
Judah ha-Nasi. Moved from Israel to Babylonia (
219). Founder and Dean of the
Yeshiva at
Sura.
*
Rabbi Abbahu (d. early
4th century), disciple of
Johanan bar Nappaha. Dean of the
Yeshiva in
Caesarea.
*
Rav Ashi (d.
427, disciple of
Abaye,
Rava, and
Rav Kahana. Dean of the
Yeshiva in
Mata Mehasia. Primary redactor of the
Babylonian Talmud.
*
Rav Chisda (d.
309), disciple of
Rav,
Shmuel, and
Rav Huna. Dean of the
Yeshiva at
Sura.
*
Eleazar Kalir (date unknown), liturgist and poet.
*
Hamnuna - Several rabbis in the Talmud bore this name, the most well-known being a disciple of
Shmuel (fl. late 3rd century).
*
Hillel, son of Gamaliel III (fl. early
3rd century), disciple and grandson of
Judah ha-Nasi, and younger brother of Judah II (Judah Nesiah).
*
Hillel II (fl. c.
360). Creator of the present-day
Hebrew calendar. Son and successor as
Nasi of Judah Nesiah, grandson of Gamaliel IV.
*
Rav Huna (d.
297), disciple of
Rav and
Shmuel. Dean of the
Yeshiva at
Sura.
*
Judah II (fl. early
3rd century), disciple and grandson of
Judah ha-Nasi, and son and successor of Gamaliel III as
Nasi. Sometimes called
Rabbi Judah Nesi'ah, and occasionally
Rebbi like his grandfather.
*
Judah III (d. early
4th century), disciple of
Johanan bar Nappaha. Son and successor of Gamaliel IV as
Nasi, and grandson of Judah II.
*
Rav Nachman bar Yaakov (d.
320), disciple of
Rav,
Shmuel, and
Rabbah bar Avuha. Did not head his own
Yeshiva, but was a regular participant in the discussions at the Yeshivot of
Sura and
Mahuza.
*
Rav Nachman bar Yitzchak (d.
356), disciple of
Abaye and
Rava. Dean of the
Yeshiva at
Pumbedita.
*
Rav Papa (d.
371 or
375), disciple of
Abaye and
Rava. Dean of the
Yeshiva at
Naresh.
*
Rabbah (d.
320, disciple of
Rav Huna and
Rav Yehudah. Dean of the
Yeshiva at
Pumbedita.
*
Rava (d.
352), disciple of
Rabbah,
Rav Yosef, and
Rav Nachman bar Yitzchak. Dean of the
Yeshiva at
Mahuza.
*
Ravina I (d.
421), disciple of
Abaye and
Rava. Colleague of
Rav Ashi in the
Yeshiva at
Mata Mehasia, where he assisted in the redaction of the
Babylonian Talmud.
*
Ravina II (d.
475 or
500), disciple of
Ravina I and
Rav Ashi. Dean of the
Yeshiva at
Sura. Completed the redaction of the Babylonian Talmud.
*
Resh Lakish (d. late
3rd century), disciple of
Rabbi Yannai and others, and colleague of
Rabbi Johanan.
*
Shmuel (Talmud) (d.
254), disciple of
Judah ha-Nasi and others. Dean of the
Yeshiva at
Pumbedita.
*
Rav Yehudah (d.
299), disciple of
Rav and
Shmuel. Dean of the
Yeshiva at
Pumbedita.
*
Rabbi Yochanan (d.
279 or
289), disciple of
Judah ha-Nasi and
Rabbi Yannai. Dean of the
Yeshiva at
Tiberias. Primary author of the
Jerusalem Talmud.
*
Rav Yosef (d.
323), disciple of
Rav Huna and
Rav Yehudah. Dean of the
Yeshiva at
Pumbedita.
*
Gemara in the Talmud Map â€" University of Calgary
