Ulla (Talmudist)

Rabbinical Eras
Chazal Zugot Tannaim Amoraim Savoraim Geonim Rishonim Acharonim

Ulla or 'Ulla was a Jewish Talmudist and one of the leading Halakhic amoraim in the Land of Israel during the latter part of the third and in the beginning of the fourth centuries CE (the second and third amoraic generations).

In his youth he studied under R. Eleazar II. (Tos. to Ḥul. 34a, s.v. "Man Ḥabraya"); and he transmitted nine of his teacher's halakhic sayings, seven of which are contained in Bava Kamma 11, one in Eruvin 21b, and one in Ketubot (tractate) 74a. He was greatly respected for his learning; and during his visits to Babylonia he seems to have been invited frequently by the Resh Galuta to deliver halakic lectures (Ket. 65b; Ḳid. 31a; Shabbat (tractate) 157b). He traveled repeatedly to the Talmudic Academies in Babylonia; and on one of his journeys he was in danger of assassination by one of his companions, saving his life only by condoning the murder of another (Nedarim 22a). Ulla rendered important decisions regarding the benedictions and the calculation of the new moon, and was accustomed to promulgate his rulings in Babylonia when he went thither (Ber. 38b; R. H. 22b; Pes. 53b, 104b).

He was very strict in his interpretation of religious laws (Shab. 147a, 157b); and on one occasion, when he heard R. Huna use an expression which he did not approve, he retorted, "As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to human body eyes, so are the words of R. yHuna," applying to him the first half of Prov. x. 26 (Ḳid. 45b). Only in the presence of Rav Nachman did Ulla hesitate to pronounce his opinions, generally waiting until the former had departed (Giṭ. 11b, 12a); although he frequently sought Naḥman's company (Ket. 53a).

Of his contemporaries with whom he engaged in controversies may be mentioned, besides R. Naḥman, R. Abba (B. M. 11a), Abimi bar Papa, Ḥiyya bar Ammi (Ket. 53a), and R. Judah (Ḥul. 68b, 70a); but his personal friend, with whom he associated most frequently, was Rabbah bar Ḥana (Tosef., Ḥul. xxxiv. 1).

In addition to the sayings of his teacher Eleazar, Ulla transmitted those of R. Hoshaiah (Ḥul. 76a), Joshua ben Levi (ib. 122a), R. Johanan ('Er. 67b), Rab (Shab. 143b), and Simeon ben Laḳish (Ḥag. 8b), while his own sayings were transmitted by R. Aḥa bar Adda (B. M. 117b), Hamnuna (Shab. 10b), Ḥiyya bar Abba (Ḥag. 25b), Ḥiyya bar Ami (Ber. 8a), Raba bar Ḥinena (Men. 30b), R. Ḥisda (Ber. 38b), Judah bar Ammi (M. Ḳ. 5b), and Joshua bar Abba (ib. 5b).

Raba appears to have been his only son (Shab. 83b). Ulla died in Babylonia, before his teacher R. Eleazar; but his remains were taken to Palestine for burial (Ket. 111a).

References

This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Singer, Isidore; et al., eds. (1901–1906). "Ulla". Jewish Encyclopedia. New York: Funk & Wagnalls Company.

Amoraim

Amoraim of Eretz Israel

First Generation (until 250 CE):	Gamaliel III R. Hiyya Rabbi Yannai Hoshaiah Rabbah Epes the Southerner Joshua ben Levi Hanina bar Hama Levi ben Sisi Bar Kappara Jeremiah (I)

Second Generation (until 280 CE):	Judah II (Nesi'ah I) Johanan bar Nappaha Shimon ben Lakish Eleazar ben Pedat Isaac Nappaha Jose b. Hanina Rav Kahana II Jacob b. Idi Hezekiah Judah b. Hiyya Abba of Jaffa

Third Generation (until 310 CE):	Gamaliel IV Rabbi Ammi Rabbi Assi Abbahu Abin I Hiyya bar Abba Ulla Rav Zeira Rabbah bar bar Hana Rabbi Ilai II Rab 'Awira Hanina b. Papi Jose of Yokereth Jeremiah (II) Hoshaiah Hanina Abba bar Memel Tachlifa of the West Avdimi of Haifa

Fourth Generation (until 340 CE):	Hasa of Eshtemoa Judah III (Nesi'ah II) Jeremiah (III) Rabbi Aha Rabbi Berekiah Jose b. Zevida Rav Jonah Rabbi Hilkiah Zerika Isaac b. Eliashib

Fifth Generation (until 380 CE):	Hillel II Gamaliel V Jose ben Abin Rabbi Mana II

Sixth Generation (until 410 CE):	Judah IV (Nesi'ah III) Tanhuma bar Abba Hanina of Sepphoris Samuel b. Jose b. Boon

Amoraim of Babylon

First Generation (until 250 CE):	Abba Arika Samuel of Nehardea Mar Ukva Karna Rav Shela Rav Assi

Second Generation (until 280 CE):	Rav Huna Judah bar Ezekiel Rabbah b. Abuha Jeremiah b. Abba Rav Kahana II Rav Berona Hiyya b. Joseph Rav Giddel Hiyya b. Ashi Raba Bar Jeremiah (Abba) Adda bar Ahavah

Third Generation (until 310 CE):	Rav Nachman Sheshet Rav Chisda Rabbah bar Nahmani Rav Yosef b. Hiyya Raba bar Rav Huna Joseph b. Hama Ammi b. Abba Rav Shmuel bar Yehudah

Fourth Generation (until 340 CE):	Abaye Rava Rami bar Hama Aha b. Jacob Rav Safra Rav Kahana III Idi b. Abin Naggara Hiyya b. Abin Naggara Rav Shizbi Isaac b. Judah Rabbah b. Shela

Fifth Generation (until 380 CE):	Rav Nachman bar Yitzchak Rav Papa Huna ben Joshua Rav Zevid Rav Papi Amemar Mar Zutra Rav Mesharshiya

Sixth Generation (until 430 CE):	Ravina I Rami b. Abba Rav Ashi Huna ben Joshua Rav Kahana IV

Seventh Generation (until 465 CE):	Rav Yemar Mar bar Rav Ashi Rafram II Aha b. Raba Judah b. Meremar

Eighth Generation (until 500 CE):	Rabbah Tosafa'ah Ravina II Rabbah Jose

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