Raba Ben Joseph Ben Hama

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Raba Ben Joseph Ben Hama (c. 280-352) was a Babylonian rabbi or amora. He is closely associated in his studies with Abaye. The latter was head of the Academy at Pumbeditha.

Raba founded a new school at Mahuza, which eventually became, so long as Raba lived, the only academy in Babylonia. The development of Talmudic Law (or Halakhah) was much indebted to this rabbi, whose influence in all branches of Jewish learning was supreme.

His friendship with the Shapur II of Persia enabled Raba to secure a relaxation of the oppressive laws enacted against the Jews of Persia.

[edit] References

• This article incorporates text from the Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition, a publication now in the public domain.