Amora (Aramaic: אמורא; plural אמוראים, Amora'im; "those who say" or "those who 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. Aramaic is a Semitic language with PLEASE TAKE NOTE************ An oral law is a Code of conduct in use in a given Culture, Religion or community application by which a body of rules of human behaviour is transmitted Babylonia was an Amorite state in lower Mesopotamia (modern southern Iraq) with Babylon as its capital For other uses see Israel (disambiguation The Land of Israel ( Hebrew: אֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל Eretz Yisrael) is Their legal discussions and debates were eventually codified in the Gemara. In Law, codification is the process of collecting and restating the law of a Jurisdiction in certain areas usually by subject forming a Legal code. The Gemara (also transliterated Gemora or less commonly Gemorra) (from Aramaic גמרא gamar; literally " study" The Amoraim followed the Tannaim in the sequence of ancient Jewish scholars. word /š n/ and /t n/ --> Tannaim were direct transmitters of uncodified oral tradition; the Amoraim expounded upon and clarified the oral law after its initial codification.

The Amoraic Era

The first Babylonian Amoraim were Abba Arika, respectfully referred to as Rav, and his contemporary and frequent debate partner, Samuel of Nehardea. Abba Arika (175–247 ( Talmudic Aramaic: tmr אבא אריכא) (born Abba bar Aybo was a Jewish Talmudist who lived in Babylonia Samuel of Nehardea or Samuel bar Abba ( Hebrew: שמואל) was a Jewish Talmudist who lived in Babylonia, known as an Among the earliest Amoraim in Israel were Johanan bar Nappaha and Simeon ben Lakish. Rabbi Yochanan refers to several rabbis of the Talmud: (when "Rabbi Yochanan" is stated without qualification it refers to Rabbi Yochanan bar Nafcha Simeon ben Lakish (in Hebrew, Shimon ben Lakish; in Aramaic, Shimon bar Lakish or bar Lakisha) 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. Ravina I was a Jewish Talmudist and Rabbi who began the process of compiling the Talmud with Rav Ashi. Rav Ashi ( רב אשי) ("Rabbi Ashi" (352&ndash427 was a celebrated Jewish religious scholar a Babylonian amora, who reestablished Ravina II was a Jewish Talmudist and Rabbi who in 475 AD finished editing the Gemara portion of the ''Talmud Bavli'', completing the The Talmud ( Hebrew: he תַּלְמוּד is a record of Rabbinic discussions pertaining to Jewish law, ethics, customs and history

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.

Prominent Amoraim

The following is an abbreviated listing of the most prominent of the (hundreds of) amoraim mentioned in the Talmud. The Talmud ( Hebrew: he תַּלְמוּד is a record of Rabbinic discussions pertaining to Jewish law, ethics, customs and history More complete listings may be provided by some of the external links below. See also List of rabbis. This is a list of prominent Rabbis Rabbis are Judaism 's spiritual and religious leaders

First generation (approx. 230–250 CE)

• Abba Arika (d. Abba Arika (175–247 ( Talmudic Aramaic: tmr אבא אריכא) (born Abba bar Aybo was a Jewish Talmudist who lived in Babylonia 247, known as Rav, last Tanna, first Amora. Events By Place Roman Empire First of the Gothic invasions Philip the Arab marks the millennium of Rome by holding Disciple of Judah ha-Nasi. Moved from Israel to Babylonia (219). Events By Place Roman Empire Legions III ''Gallica'' and IV ''Scythica'' are disbanded by Elagabalus after their leaders Founder and Dean of the Yeshiva at Sura. Yeshiva or yeshivah (jəʃi'və ( Hebrew: ישיבה "sitting (n Sura was a city in the southern part of ancient Babylonia, located west of the Euphrates River.
• Shmuel (d. Samuel of Nehardea or Samuel bar Abba ( Hebrew: שמואל) was a Jewish Talmudist who lived in Babylonia, known as an 254), disciple of Judah ha-Nasi and others. Events May 12 — Pope Stephen I succeeds Pope Lucius I as the 23rd Pope. Dean of the Yeshiva at Pumbedita. Yeshiva or yeshivah (jəʃi'və ( Hebrew: ישיבה "sitting (n Pumbedita (sometimes Pumbeditha, Pumpedita, or Pumbedisa) was the name of a city in ancient Babylonia that was a major center of Talmud
• Joshua ben Levi (early 3rd century), headed the school of Lydda. Joshua ben Levi or Yehoshua ben Levi was an Amora (Rabbi of the Jewish Talmud) who lived in the Land of Israel, of the first half Lod (לוֹד اَلْلُدّْ al-Ludd; Greco-Latin Lydda) is a mixed Arab - Jewish city about 15 km southeast of Tel Aviv in
• Abba the Surgeon

Second generation (approx. Abba the Surgeon is a figure mentioned in the Talmud as an example of genuine Jewish Piety and benevolence ( Ta'anit, 21b et seq. 250–290 CE)

• Rav Huna (d. Rav Huna ( Hebrew: רב הונא) was a Jewish Talmudist who lived in Babylonia, known as an Amora of the second generation 297), disciple of Rav and Shmuel. Events By Place Roman Empire Galerius conquers Ctesiphon from the Persians however as part of the peace treaty it Abba Arika (175–247 ( Talmudic Aramaic: tmr אבא אריכא) (born Abba bar Aybo was a Jewish Talmudist who lived in Babylonia Samuel of Nehardea or Samuel bar Abba ( Hebrew: שמואל) was a Jewish Talmudist who lived in Babylonia, known as an Dean of the Yeshiva at Sura. Yeshiva or yeshivah (jəʃi'və ( Hebrew: ישיבה "sitting (n Sura was a city in the southern part of ancient Babylonia, located west of the Euphrates River.
• Rav Yehudah (d. Judah ben Ezekiel (220–299 ( Hebrew: יהודה בן יחזקאל) also known as Rav Yehuda, was a Babylonian Amora of the 2nd 299), disciple of Rav and Shmuel. Events By Place Roman Empire Galerius defeats the Sarmatians and the Carpians. Abba Arika (175–247 ( Talmudic Aramaic: tmr אבא אריכא) (born Abba bar Aybo was a Jewish Talmudist who lived in Babylonia Samuel of Nehardea or Samuel bar Abba ( Hebrew: שמואל) was a Jewish Talmudist who lived in Babylonia, known as an Dean of the Yeshiva at Pumbedita. Yeshiva or yeshivah (jəʃi'və ( Hebrew: ישיבה "sitting (n Pumbedita (sometimes Pumbeditha, Pumpedita, or Pumbedisa) was the name of a city in ancient Babylonia that was a major center of Talmud
• Adda bar Ahavah, (3d and 4th centuries), disciple of Rav. Adda bar Ahavah or Adda bar Ahabah is the name of two Jewish Rabbis and Talmudic scholars known as Amoraim who lived in Babylonia Abba Arika (175–247 ( Talmudic Aramaic: tmr אבא אריכא) (born Abba bar Aybo was a Jewish Talmudist who lived in Babylonia
• Hillel, son of Gamaliel III (fl. Hillel son of Gamaliel III, was a Jewish scholar in the 3rd century CE early 3rd century), disciple and grandson of Judah ha-Nasi, and younger brother of Judah II (Judah Nesiah). The 3rd century is the period from 201 to 300 in accordance with the Julian calendar in the Christian / Common Era.
• Judah II (fl. Judah II was a famous Jewish sage who lived in Tiberias in the Land of Israel, in the middle of the third century CE early 3rd century), disciple and grandson of Judah ha-Nasi, and son and successor of Gamaliel III as Nasi. The 3rd century is the period from 201 to 300 in accordance with the Julian calendar in the Christian / Common Era. For the Arab month by this name see Nasi (month. Also the Malay/Indonesian word for rice Sometimes called Rabbi Judah Nesi'ah, and occasionally Rebbi like his grandfather.
• Resh Lakish (d. Simeon ben Lakish (in Hebrew, Shimon ben Lakish; in Aramaic, Shimon bar Lakish or bar Lakisha) late 3rd century), disciple of Rabbi Yannai and others, and colleague of Rabbi Johanan. The 3rd century is the period from 201 to 300 in accordance with the Julian calendar in the Christian / Common Era. See Rabbi Yochanan (disambiguation for more rabbis by this name.
• Yochanan bar Nafcha (d. See Rabbi Yochanan (disambiguation for more rabbis by this name. 279 or 289), disciple of Judah ha-Nasi and Rabbi Yannai. Events By Place Roman Empire In the Balkans Probus defeats the Burgundians and the Vandals. Events By Place Roman Empire Constantius Chlorus marries Flavia Maximiana Theodora, stepdaughter of Maximian, after Dean of the Yeshiva at Tiberias. Yeshiva or yeshivah (jəʃi'və ( Hebrew: ישיבה "sitting (n Tiberias ( British English: /taɪˈbɪəriæs -əs/ American English: /taɪˈbɪriəs/ טְבֶרְיָה Tverya; طبرية Ṭabariyyah Primary author of the Jerusalem Talmud. The Jerusalem Talmud or Talmud Yerushalmi (תַּלְמוּד יְרוּשָׁלְמִי often the Yerushalmi for short is a collection
• Samuel ben Nahman
• Shila of Kefar Tamarta
• Isaac Nappaḥa

Third generation (approx. Samuel ben Nahman ( Hebrew: שמואל בן נחמן) or Samuel Nahmani was a Rabbi of the Jewish Talmud, known as an Shila of Kefar Tamarta ( Hebrew: שילא איש כפר תמרתא was a Jewish Talmudist an Amora of the 3rd century from the Land of 290–320 CE)

• Rabbah (d. Rabbah bar Nachmani ( Hebrew: רבה בר נחמני (c 270 -c 320, disciple of Rav Huna and Rav Yehudah. Events By Place Roman Empire Under Crispus, son of Constantine I, the Franks are defeated again assuring twenty years Rav Huna ( Hebrew: רב הונא) was a Jewish Talmudist who lived in Babylonia, known as an Amora of the second generation Judah ben Ezekiel (220–299 ( Hebrew: יהודה בן יחזקאל) also known as Rav Yehuda, was a Babylonian Amora of the 2nd Dean of the Yeshiva at Pumbedita. Yeshiva or yeshivah (jəʃi'və ( Hebrew: ישיבה "sitting (n Pumbedita (sometimes Pumbeditha, Pumpedita, or Pumbedisa) was the name of a city in ancient Babylonia that was a major center of Talmud
• Rav Yosef (d. 323), disciple of Rav Huna and Rav Yehudah. Events By Place Roman Empire Constantine I defeats the Sarmatians and claims the title of Sarmaticus Maximus. Rav Huna ( Hebrew: רב הונא) was a Jewish Talmudist who lived in Babylonia, known as an Amora of the second generation Judah ben Ezekiel (220–299 ( Hebrew: יהודה בן יחזקאל) also known as Rav Yehuda, was a Babylonian Amora of the 2nd Dean of the Yeshiva at Pumbedita. Yeshiva or yeshivah (jəʃi'və ( Hebrew: ישיבה "sitting (n Pumbedita (sometimes Pumbeditha, Pumpedita, or Pumbedisa) was the name of a city in ancient Babylonia that was a major center of Talmud
• Rav Ze'era (Palestine)
• Rav Chisda (d. Ze'era or Zeira ( Hebrew: רבי זירא was a Jewish Talmudist known as an Amora, who lived in the Land of Israel, of Rav Chisda ( Hebrew: רב חסדא) was a Jewish Talmudist who lived in Babylonia, known as an Amora of the third generation 309), disciple of Rav, Shmuel, and Rav Huna. For the car known as the 309 see Peugeot 309. Events By Place Roman Empire The Spanish provinces revolt from the Abba Arika (175–247 ( Talmudic Aramaic: tmr אבא אריכא) (born Abba bar Aybo was a Jewish Talmudist who lived in Babylonia Samuel of Nehardea or Samuel bar Abba ( Hebrew: שמואל) was a Jewish Talmudist who lived in Babylonia, known as an Rav Huna ( Hebrew: רב הונא) was a Jewish Talmudist who lived in Babylonia, known as an Amora of the second generation Dean of the Yeshiva at Sura. Yeshiva or yeshivah (jəʃi'və ( Hebrew: ישיבה "sitting (n Sura was a city in the southern part of ancient Babylonia, located west of the Euphrates River.
• Simon (Shimeon) b. Pazzi
• Rav Sheshes
• Rav Nachman bar Yaakov (d. You might be looking for Rebbe Nachman of Breslov. Rav Nachman bar Yaakov (died 320 (רב נחמן בר יעקב was a Jewish Talmudist 320), disciple of Rav, Shmuel, and Rabbah bar Avuha. Events By Place Roman Empire Under Crispus, son of Constantine I, the Franks are defeated again assuring twenty years Abba Arika (175–247 ( Talmudic Aramaic: tmr אבא אריכא) (born Abba bar Aybo was a Jewish Talmudist who lived in Babylonia Samuel of Nehardea or Samuel bar Abba ( Hebrew: שמואל) was a Jewish Talmudist who lived in Babylonia, known as an Did not head his own Yeshiva, but was a regular participant in the discussions at the Yeshivot of Sura and Mahuza. Yeshiva or yeshivah (jəʃi'və ( Hebrew: ישיבה "sitting (n Sura was a city in the southern part of ancient Babylonia, located west of the Euphrates River. Mahuza (in Hebrew and Aramaic sources particularly Jewish ones Maḥuza) is the name given to the Metropolis formed by Ctesiphon
• Rabbi Abbahu (d. Abbahu ( אבהו) was a Jewish Talmudist known as an Amora, who lived in the Land of Israel, of the 3rd amoraic generation (about 279-320 early 4th century), disciple of Johanan bar Nappaha. As a means of recording the passage of Time, the 4th century (per the Julian calendar and Anno Domini / Common era) was that Century Rabbi Yochanan refers to several rabbis of the Talmud: (when "Rabbi Yochanan" is stated without qualification it refers to Rabbi Yochanan bar Nafcha Dean of the Yeshiva in Caesarea. Yeshiva or yeshivah (jəʃi'və ( Hebrew: ישיבה "sitting (n Caesarea Maritima (Greek παράλιος Καισάρεια called Caesarea Palaestina from 133 CE onwards was a city and Harbor built by Herod the Great
• Hamnuna - Several rabbis in the Talmud bore this name, the most well-known being a disciple of Shmuel (fl. Samuel of Nehardea or Samuel bar Abba ( Hebrew: שמואל) was a Jewish Talmudist who lived in Babylonia, known as an late 3rd century).
• Judah III (d. Judah III ( Hebrew: יהודה נשיאה) held the office of Nasi of the ancient Jewish Sanhedrin between 290 and 320 CE early 4th century), disciple of Johanan bar Nappaha. As a means of recording the passage of Time, the 4th century (per the Julian calendar and Anno Domini / Common era) was that Century Rabbi Yochanan refers to several rabbis of the Talmud: (when "Rabbi Yochanan" is stated without qualification it refers to Rabbi Yochanan bar Nafcha Son and successor of Gamaliel IV as Nasi, and grandson of Judah II. For the Arab month by this name see Nasi (month. Also the Malay/Indonesian word for rice
• Rav Ammi
• Rav Assi
• Hanina ben Pappa
• Rabbah bar R'Huna
• Rami bar Hama

Fourth generation (approx. Ammi, Aimi, Immi ( Hebrew: רבי אמי) is the name of several Jewish Talmudists known as Amoraim, who lived Assi II ( Assa, Issi, Jesa, Josah, Jose, Hebrew: רבי אסי was a Jewish Talmudist known as an Hanina ben Pappa (חנינה בר פפא was a Jewish Talmudist known as an Amora living in the Land of Israel, Halakist, and 320–350 CE)

• Abaye (d. Abaye ( אביי) was a Rabbi of the Jewish Talmud who lived in Babylonia, known as an Amora; born about the close of the third century 339), disciple of Rabbah, Rav Yosef, and Rav Nachman bar Yaakov. Events By Topic Religion Athanasius is deposed as Patriarch of Alexandria. Rabbah bar Nachmani ( Hebrew: רבה בר נחמני (c 270 -c You might be looking for Rebbe Nachman of Breslov. Rav Nachman bar Yaakov (died 320 (רב נחמן בר יעקב was a Jewish Talmudist Dean of the Yeshiva in Pumbedita. Yeshiva or yeshivah (jəʃi'və ( Hebrew: ישיבה "sitting (n Pumbedita (sometimes Pumbeditha, Pumpedita, or Pumbedisa) was the name of a city in ancient Babylonia that was a major center of Talmud
• Rava (d. Rava (רבא was a Jewish Talmudist who lived in Babylonia, known as an Amora, born in 270 and one of the most often-cited Rabbis in the 352), disciple of Rabbah, Rav Yosef, and Rav Nachman bar Yaakov, and possibly Rabbi Yochanan. Events By Place Roman Empire The Alamanni and the Franks defeat the Roman army taking control of 40 towns between the Moselle Rabbah bar Nachmani ( Hebrew: רבה בר נחמני (c 270 -c See Rabbi Yochanan (disambiguation for more rabbis by this name. Dean of the Yeshiva at Mahuza. Yeshiva or yeshivah (jəʃi'və ( Hebrew: ישיבה "sitting (n Mahuza (in Hebrew and Aramaic sources particularly Jewish ones Maḥuza) is the name given to the Metropolis formed by Ctesiphon
• Hillel II (fl. Hillel II, ( Hebrew: הלל נשיאה Hillel the Nasi) also known simply as Hillel held the office of Nasi of the ancient Jewish c. 360). This article is about the year 360 For other uses see 360 (number. Creator of the present-day Hebrew calendar. The Hebrew calendar (הלוח העברי ha'luach ha'ivri) or Jewish calendar is a Lunisolar calendar used by Jews for predominantly religious Son and successor as Nasi of Judah Nesiah, grandson of Gamaliel IV. For the Arab month by this name see Nasi (month. Also the Malay/Indonesian word for rice

Fifth generation (approx. 350–371 CE)

• Rav Nachman bar Yitzchak (d. You might be looking for Nachman bar Huna or Nachman bar Yaakov. 356), disciple of Abaye and Rava. Events By Place Roman Empire February 8 — Roman authorities make an attempt to arrest Athanasius on the accusation of supporting Abaye ( אביי) was a Rabbi of the Jewish Talmud who lived in Babylonia, known as an Amora; born about the close of the third century Rava (רבא was a Jewish Talmudist who lived in Babylonia, known as an Amora, born in 270 and one of the most often-cited Rabbis in the Dean of the Yeshiva at Pumbedita. Yeshiva or yeshivah (jəʃi'və ( Hebrew: ישיבה "sitting (n Pumbedita (sometimes Pumbeditha, Pumpedita, or Pumbedisa) was the name of a city in ancient Babylonia that was a major center of Talmud
• Rav Papa (d. Rav Papa (רב פפא (died 375 was a Jewish Talmudist who lived in Babylonia. 371 or 375), disciple of Abaye and Rava. Events By Place Roman Empire The fortified cities of the Danube, with Sirmium at the forefront contribute to stop an invasion Events By Place Roman Empire Valentinian I leaves Trier to repress the rebellious Quadi in Slovakia. Abaye ( אביי) was a Rabbi of the Jewish Talmud who lived in Babylonia, known as an Amora; born about the close of the third century Rava (רבא was a Jewish Talmudist who lived in Babylonia, known as an Amora, born in 270 and one of the most often-cited Rabbis in the Dean of the Yeshiva at Naresh. Yeshiva or yeshivah (jəʃi'və ( Hebrew: ישיבה "sitting (n
• Rav Kahana, teacher of Rav Ashi
• Rav Hama
• Rav Huna berai d'Rav Yehoshua

Sixth generation (approx. 371–427 CE)

• Rav Ashi (d. Rav Ashi ( רב אשי) ("Rabbi Ashi" (352&ndash427 was a celebrated Jewish religious scholar a Babylonian amora, who reestablished 427, disciple of Abaye, Rava, and Rav Kahana. Events By Place Asia Pyongyang is declared the capital of Goguryeo by king Jangsu. Abaye ( אביי) was a Rabbi of the Jewish Talmud who lived in Babylonia, known as an Amora; born about the close of the third century Rava (רבא was a Jewish Talmudist who lived in Babylonia, known as an Amora, born in 270 and one of the most often-cited Rabbis in the Dean of the Yeshiva in Mata Mehasia. Yeshiva or yeshivah (jəʃi'və ( Hebrew: ישיבה "sitting (n Sura was a city in the southern part of ancient Babylonia, located west of the Euphrates River. Primary redactor of the Babylonian Talmud. The Talmud ( Hebrew: he תַּלְמוּד is a record of Rabbinic discussions pertaining to Jewish law, ethics, customs and history
• Ravina I (d. Ravina I was a Jewish Talmudist and Rabbi who began the process of compiling the Talmud with Rav Ashi. 421), disciple of Abaye and Rava. Events By Place Western Roman Empire February 8 — Constantius III becomes Co-Emperor of the Western Abaye ( אביי) was a Rabbi of the Jewish Talmud who lived in Babylonia, known as an Amora; born about the close of the third century Rava (רבא was a Jewish Talmudist who lived in Babylonia, known as an Amora, born in 270 and one of the most often-cited Rabbis in the Colleague of Rav Ashi in the Yeshiva at Mata Mehasia, where he assisted in the redaction of the Babylonian Talmud. Rav Ashi ( רב אשי) ("Rabbi Ashi" (352&ndash427 was a celebrated Jewish religious scholar a Babylonian amora, who reestablished Yeshiva or yeshivah (jəʃi'və ( Hebrew: ישיבה "sitting (n Sura was a city in the southern part of ancient Babylonia, located west of the Euphrates River. The Talmud ( Hebrew: he תַּלְמוּד is a record of Rabbinic discussions pertaining to Jewish law, ethics, customs and history

Seventh generation (approx. 425–460 CE)

• name
• name

Eighth generation (approx. 460–500 CE)

• Ravina II (d. Ravina II was a Jewish Talmudist and Rabbi who in 475 AD finished editing the Gemara portion of the ''Talmud Bavli'', completing the 475 or 500), disciple of Ravina I and Rav Ashi. Events By place Western Roman Empire 28 August — Flavius Orestes forces western Julius Nepos to flee and declares Events By Place Europe Possible date for the Battle of Mons Badonicus: Romano-British and Celts defeat an Anglo-Saxon Ravina I was a Jewish Talmudist and Rabbi who began the process of compiling the Talmud with Rav Ashi. Rav Ashi ( רב אשי) ("Rabbi Ashi" (352&ndash427 was a celebrated Jewish religious scholar a Babylonian amora, who reestablished Dean of the Yeshiva at Sura. Yeshiva or yeshivah (jəʃi'və ( Hebrew: ישיבה "sitting (n Sura was a city in the southern part of ancient Babylonia, located west of the Euphrates River. Completed the redaction of the Babylonian Talmud.

Other

The "Stammaim" is a term that has been coined by some modern scholars for the rabbis who submitted anonymous comments on the Talmud, some of whom contributed during the period of the Amoraim, but mostly made their contributions after the amoraic period. [1]

External links

• Gemara in the Talmud Map – University of Calgary
• Jewish Encyclopedia article for AMORA
• Biographies of the Amoraim