Rabbi Helbo
Encyclopedia
Rabbi Helbo was an amora who flourished about the end of the 3rd century, and who is frequently mentioned in both Talmuds. It seems that Ḥelbo was at first in Babylon
, where he studied under Rav Huna
, the head of the Academy of Sura
, and that, like the other Babylonian amoraim, he was called "Rab" (Ned. 40a). Later he settled in Palestine
, where he was ordained rabbi.
He is mentioned as having spoken in the names of Abdima of Ḥaifa (Yer. Ber.
iv. 4) and of Ḥama b. 'Uḳba (Yer. Meg. ii. 3). In Palestine he consulted on halakic matters R. Isaac Nappaḥa (Giṭ. 60a) and R. Samuel b. Naḥmani (B. B.
123a).
. Among them may be quoted: "He who goes out of the synagogue must not take long steps "; "One should pay great attention to the Minḥah prayer"; "He who enjoys the banquet of a bridegroom without gladdening the latter commits a five-fold sin" (Ber.
6b); "He who sees a torn scroll of the Pentateuch must rend his garment in two places" (M. Ḳ. 26a). Ḥelbo also said, in the name of Ula
, that he who sees the ruined cities of Judah
must recite Isaiah
lxiv. 9-10. In Gen. R. xliii., in the name of R. Eleazar, Ḥelbo is mentioned as a traditionist with R. Berechiah and R. Ammi. A Ḥelbo b. Ḥilfa b. Samḳaï is also mentioned (Gen. R. li.), who may be identical with the subject of this topic. Yer. Ber. vii. 1 contains a reference to a R. Ḥelbo b. Ḥanan.
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...
, where he studied under Rav Huna
Rav Huna
Rav Huna , a Kohen, was a Jewish Talmudist who lived in Babylonia, known as an amora of the second generation and head of the Academy of Sura; He was born about 216, died in 296-297 ).-Youth:...
, the head of the Academy of Sura
Sura
A sura is a division of the Qur'an, often referred to as a chapter. The term chapter is sometimes avoided, as the suras are of unequal length; the shortest sura has only three ayat while the longest contains 286 ayat...
, and that, like the other Babylonian amoraim, he was called "Rab" (Ned. 40a). Later he settled in Palestine
Palestine
Palestine is a conventional name, among others, used to describe the geographic region between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River, and various adjoining lands....
, where he was ordained rabbi.
He is mentioned as having spoken in the names of Abdima of Ḥaifa (Yer. Ber.
Berakhot (Talmud)
Berachot is the first tractate of Seder Zeraim, a collection of the Mishnah that primarily deals with laws relating to plants and farming...
iv. 4) and of Ḥama b. 'Uḳba (Yer. Meg. ii. 3). In Palestine he consulted on halakic matters R. Isaac Nappaḥa (Giṭ. 60a) and R. Samuel b. Naḥmani (B. B.
Bava Batra
Bava Batra is the third of the three tractates in the Talmud in the order Nezikin; it deals with a person's responsibilities and rights as the owner of property. It is part of Judaism's oral law...
123a).
His Aggadah
Ḥelbo handed down a large number of haggadic sayings of Samuel b. Naḥmani. He is mentioned in the Talmud as a teacher of ethics, his sayings being delivered in the name of Rav HunaRav Huna
Rav Huna , a Kohen, was a Jewish Talmudist who lived in Babylonia, known as an amora of the second generation and head of the Academy of Sura; He was born about 216, died in 296-297 ).-Youth:...
. Among them may be quoted: "He who goes out of the synagogue must not take long steps "; "One should pay great attention to the Minḥah prayer"; "He who enjoys the banquet of a bridegroom without gladdening the latter commits a five-fold sin" (Ber.
Berakhot (Talmud)
Berachot is the first tractate of Seder Zeraim, a collection of the Mishnah that primarily deals with laws relating to plants and farming...
6b); "He who sees a torn scroll of the Pentateuch must rend his garment in two places" (M. Ḳ. 26a). Ḥelbo also said, in the name of Ula
Ula
The word ula may refer to:*Ula , an ancient Tongan dance*Ula , a genus of Hairy-eyed Craneflies*Ula , a type of pie*Ula , a Manchu tribe*Ula , professional softball player...
, that he who sees the ruined cities of Judah
Kingdom of Judah
The Kingdom of Judah was a Jewish state established in the Southern Levant during the Iron Age. It is often referred to as the "Southern Kingdom" to distinguish it from the northern Kingdom of Israel....
must recite Isaiah
Isaiah
Isaiah ; Greek: ', Ēsaïās ; "Yahu is salvation") was a prophet in the 8th-century BC Kingdom of Judah.Jews and Christians consider the Book of Isaiah a part of their Biblical canon; he is the first listed of the neviim akharonim, the later prophets. Many of the New Testament teachings of Jesus...
lxiv. 9-10. In Gen. R. xliii., in the name of R. Eleazar, Ḥelbo is mentioned as a traditionist with R. Berechiah and R. Ammi. A Ḥelbo b. Ḥilfa b. Samḳaï is also mentioned (Gen. R. li.), who may be identical with the subject of this topic. Yer. Ber. vii. 1 contains a reference to a R. Ḥelbo b. Ḥanan.
Jewish Encyclopedia bibliography
- Abraham ZacutoAbraham ZacutoAbraham Zacuto was a Sephardi Jewish astronomer, astrologer, mathematician and historian who served as Royal Astronomer in the 15th century to King John II of Portugal. The crater Zagut on the Moon is named after him....
, Yuhasin, ed. Filipowski; - Jehiel Heilprin, Seder ha-Dorot, ii.;
- W. Bacher, Ag. Pal. Amor. iii. 54-63.
External links
- Jewish Encyclopedia article for Helbo, by M. Seligsohn et al.