Rav Chisda

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Rav Chisda (Hebrew: חסדא) was a Babylonian amora of the third generation (died in 620 of the Seleucidan era ^[1] at the age of ninety-two ^[2]), mentioned frequently in the Talmud.

Contents 1 Youth 2 In the Talmudic Academy 3 His teachings 4 References and further reading 5 External links

[edit] Youth

Chisda descended from a priestly family ^[3]. He studied under Rav, who was his principal teacher; after the latter's death he attended the lectures of Rav Huna, his companion, and of the same age as himself. He and Huna were called "the Hasidim of Babylon" ^[4]; he was also among those called Tzadikim, who could bring down rain by their prayers ^[5]. At first he was so poor that he abstained from vegetables because they inreased the appetite ^[6], and when he walked in thorny places he raised his garments, saying: "The breaches in my legs will heal of themselves, but the breaches in my garments will not" ^[7]. Later, as a brewer, he became very wealthy ^[8]. At the age of sixteen he married the daughter of Hanan b. Raba ^[9], and together they had seven or more sons and two daughters. One of his pupils, Raba, became his son-in-law ^[10].

[edit] In the Talmudic Academy

Chisda was a great casuist ^[11], and his acute mind greatly enhanced the fame of Rav Huna's school at Sura. But his very acuteness indirectly caused a rupture between himself and Huna. The separation was brought about by a question from Chisda as to the obligations of a disciple toward a master to whom he is indispensable. Huna saw the point and said, "Chisda, I do not need thee; it is thou that needst me!" Forty years passed before they became reconciled ^[12]. Chisda nevertheless held Huna in great esteem, and although he had established a school, built at his own expense, at Mata Mehasya four years before Huna's death ^[13], he never published any decision during the lifetime of Huna ^[14]. Huna came to recognize Chisda's merit later, and recommended his son Rabbah to attend his lectures ^[15].

Rav Chisda presided over the Academy of Sura for ten years following the death of Rav Judah ^[16], or following the death of Huna, according to Abraham ibn Daud ^[17]. He always preserved great respect for the memory of Rav, whom he referred to as "our great teacher, may God aid him" ^[18]. Once, holding up the gifts which are given to the Kohen, he declared that he would give them to the man who could cite a hitherto unknown Halaka in the name of Rav ^[19].

[edit] His teachings

Chisda's halakot are frequent in the Babylonian Talmud, some being given on the authority of his pupils. His principal opponent was Sheshet. Besides deducing his halakot in a casuistic way, Chisda was peculiar in that he derived his halakot less from the Pentateuch than from other parts of the Bible.

Rav Chisda was also an authority in aggadah, and employed special assistants to lecture in that department ^[20]. Many ethical sentences by him have been preserved ^[21], mostly for students. The following two sentences may be cited: "Forbearance on the part of a father toward his child may be permitted, but not forbearance on the part of a master toward his disciple" ^[22]; "He who opposes his master is as though he opposed the Shekinah" ^[23]. It is said that the Angel of Death, not being able to approach Chisda because he never ceased from studying, cleft the trunk of a cedar-tree. Terrified by the noise, Chisda interrupted his studies, whereupon the angel took his soul ^[24].

[edit] References and further reading

Bacher, Ag. Bab. Amor. pp. 61 et seq.;

Heilprin, Seder Ha'Dorot Hebrew, ii.;

Weiss, Dor, iii. 184.S. M. Sel.

1. ^ = 308-309; Sherira Gaon, in Neubauer, "M. J. C." i. 30; in 300, according to Abraham ibn Daud, "Sefer ha-Kabbalah," in Neubauer, l.c. p. 58
2. ^ (M. K. 28a)
3. ^ (Ber. 44a)
4. ^ (Ta'an. 23b)
5. ^ (M. K. 28a)
6. ^ (Shab. 140b)
7. ^ (B. K. 91b)
8. ^ (Pes. 113a; M. K. 28a)
9. ^ (Kid. 29b)
10. ^ (Niddah 61b)
11. ^ ('Er. 67a)
12. ^ (B. M. 33a)
13. ^ (Sherira, l.c.)
14. ^ ('Er. 62b)
15. ^ (Shab. 82a)
16. ^ (298-299; Sherira, l.c.)
17. ^ (l.c.)
18. ^ (Suk. 33a, passim)
19. ^ (Shab. 10b)
20. ^ ('Er. 21b)
21. ^ (see especially Shab. 140b)
22. ^ (Kid. 32a)
23. ^ (Sanh. 110a)
24. ^ (Mak. 10a)

[edit] External links

• Biography of Rav Chisda, from Chabad.org

This article incorporates text from the 1901–1906 Jewish Encyclopedia, a publication now in the public domain.