Rav Zevid

Rav Zevid (or Rav Zebid; Hebrew: רב זביד (השני)‎ (died 385 CE), read as Rav Zevid Ha-Sheni, lit. "Rav Zevid II") was an Amora of Babylon of the fourth and fifth generation of the Amora era.

For the Amora sage also of Babylon, and the same Amora generation, with a similar name, see: R. Zebid of Nehardea.

Biography

He was a disciple of Rava and a scholarly opponent of Rav Papa. According to the Iggeret Rav Sherira Gaon, he served as head of the academy of Pumbedita.[1]

He was a contemporary of Abaye, whose halakhot he transmitted, and of whom he was perhaps a pupil.[2] He also transmitted the halakhot of Rava and Rav Nachman.[3] but he particularly preferred the decisions of Abaye, and it is narrated[4] that his adherence to Abaye caused his death. When the people of the exilarch once questioned R. Hiyya Parwa'ah regarding a certain halakhah, he answered that Hezekiah and Bar Kappara had interpreted it, while R. Johanan had decided to the contrary, and that as the authorities thus stood two to one, the law would have to be interpreted according to the majority. Zebid said, however, "Do not listen to him, for Abaye decided according to R. Johanan"; whereupon the people of the exilarch forced Zebid to drink a cup of vinegar, which caused his death.

R. Ḥinena b. R. Iḳa is recorded as his opponent in halakhic decisions.[5] Zebid particularly explained to his pupils the baraitot of R. Hoshaiah or Oshaya.[6]

References

1. Sherira Gaon (1988). The Iggeres of Rav Sherira Gaon. Translated by Nosson Dovid Rabinowich. Jerusalem: Rabbi Jacob Joseph School Press - Ahavath Torah Institute Moznaim. p. 106. OCLC 923562173.
2. Berachot 46b; Sotah 32b; et passim
3. Bava Kamma 84a; Bava Metzia 17a
4. Avodah Zarah 38b
5. Meilah 19a
6. "bi-debe R. Osha'ya"; Avodah Zarah 6b, 56a; Bava Metzia 92b; et passim

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