Rav Safra
Encyclopedia
Safra was a prominent Babylon
ian Amora of the fourth generation of the amoraic era. Safra studied under R. Abba, then went abroad with two colleagues, R. Kahana and R. Huna the son of R. Ika. He debated the Halakha
with Abaye
and Rava
, and was most probably a disciple of Rava, who would sometimes impose various tasks upon him.
He engaged in trading, and in his business would go in dangerous places. One of his business partners was Issur Giora (Issur the proselyte), father of R. Mari b. Rachel (b. samuel), and the son-in-law of Samuel of Nehardea
. On the other hand, he was known as a man who does not waste a moment, so much so that on that ground, Rava's Rabbinical court ruled that concerning the law of Tefisat habayit, which stipulates that income and expenses caused by one of the brothers during their "home occupancy" status of the house, belongs to each one equally. If one of the brothers invested in the assets, it is assumed that he probably did it for everybody, and the revenues will also belong to all brothers. Rav Safra had invested in his father's assets, and when his brother sued him before the Rava's court, Rava ruled that when a busy person like Rav Safra is investing in assets, it is clear that the investment is for himself only, since such a person who does not waste any moment of his time, does not have any time to invest for others.
Rav Safra was known for his honesty, and he is mentioned in the Midrash
as an example of someone that does not change the truth and keeps his word, even his thoughts. For example, it is storied that once he was approached by a prospective buyer who wanted to buy Safra's merchandise, but Safra was in the midst of reciting the Shema prayer, and thus could not reply. The buyer, interpreting Safra's refusal to interrupt his prayers as a sign of disapproval of the price offered, raised his bids. However, when Safra had completed his prayers, he insisted on taking the price first offered. Since he was quietly pleased with the price offered during his reciting, he would not raise the price, and thus concluded the buyer should pay the initial lower price.
Tractate Kiddushin depicts how he prepared to Shabbat
while especially being careful to honor it and prepare its cuisines by himself "R. Safra would singe the head [of an animal]" - by himself he singed the head of the animal for the Shabbat dinner.
Rav Safra was single most or all of his life.
Babylon
Babylon was an Akkadian city-state of ancient Mesopotamia, the remains of which are found in present-day Al Hillah, Babil Province, Iraq, about 85 kilometers south of Baghdad...
ian Amora of the fourth generation of the amoraic era. Safra studied under R. Abba, then went abroad with two colleagues, R. Kahana and R. Huna the son of R. Ika. He debated the Halakha
Halakha
Halakha — also transliterated Halocho , or Halacha — is the collective body of Jewish law, including biblical law and later talmudic and rabbinic law, as well as customs and traditions.Judaism classically draws no distinction in its laws between religious and ostensibly non-religious life; Jewish...
with Abaye
Abaye
Abaye was a rabbi of the Jewish Talmud who lived in Babylonia [בבל], known as an amora [אמורא] born about the close of the third century; died 339 . His father, Kaylil, was the brother of Rabbah bar Nachmani, a teacher at the Academy of Pumbedita. Abaye's real name was Nachmani, after his...
and Rava
Rava (amora)
For the third generation Amora sage of Babylon, with a similar name, see: Joseph b. Hama .Abba ben Joseph bar Ḥama, who is exclusively referred to in the Talmud by the name Rava , was a Jewish Talmudist who lived in Babylonia, known as an amora, born in 270. He is one of the most often-cited Rabbis...
, and was most probably a disciple of Rava, who would sometimes impose various tasks upon him.
He engaged in trading, and in his business would go in dangerous places. One of his business partners was Issur Giora (Issur the proselyte), father of R. Mari b. Rachel (b. samuel), and the son-in-law of Samuel of Nehardea
Samuel of Nehardea
Samuel of Nehardea or Samuel bar Abba was a Jewish Talmudist who lived in Babylonia, known as an Amora of the first generation; son of Abba bar Abba and head of the Yeshiva at Nehardea. He was a teacher of halakha, judge, physician, and astronomer. He was born about 165 at Nehardea, in Babylonia...
. On the other hand, he was known as a man who does not waste a moment, so much so that on that ground, Rava's Rabbinical court ruled that concerning the law of Tefisat habayit, which stipulates that income and expenses caused by one of the brothers during their "home occupancy" status of the house, belongs to each one equally. If one of the brothers invested in the assets, it is assumed that he probably did it for everybody, and the revenues will also belong to all brothers. Rav Safra had invested in his father's assets, and when his brother sued him before the Rava's court, Rava ruled that when a busy person like Rav Safra is investing in assets, it is clear that the investment is for himself only, since such a person who does not waste any moment of his time, does not have any time to invest for others.
Rav Safra was known for his honesty, and he is mentioned in the Midrash
Midrash
The Hebrew term Midrash is a homiletic method of biblical exegesis. The term also refers to the whole compilation of homiletic teachings on the Bible....
as an example of someone that does not change the truth and keeps his word, even his thoughts. For example, it is storied that once he was approached by a prospective buyer who wanted to buy Safra's merchandise, but Safra was in the midst of reciting the Shema prayer, and thus could not reply. The buyer, interpreting Safra's refusal to interrupt his prayers as a sign of disapproval of the price offered, raised his bids. However, when Safra had completed his prayers, he insisted on taking the price first offered. Since he was quietly pleased with the price offered during his reciting, he would not raise the price, and thus concluded the buyer should pay the initial lower price.
Tractate Kiddushin depicts how he prepared to Shabbat
Shabbat
Shabbat is the seventh day of the Jewish week and a day of rest in Judaism. Shabbat is observed from a few minutes before sunset on Friday evening until a few minutes after when one would expect to be able to see three stars in the sky on Saturday night. The exact times, therefore, differ from...
while especially being careful to honor it and prepare its cuisines by himself "R. Safra would singe the head [of an animal]" - by himself he singed the head of the animal for the Shabbat dinner.
Rav Safra was single most or all of his life.
External links
- SAFRA, Jewish Virtual LibraryJewish Virtual LibraryJewish Virtual Library is an online encyclopedia published by the American-Israeli Cooperative Enterprise . Established in 1993, it is a comprehensive website covering Israel, the Jewish people, and Jewish culture.-History:...
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