Rabbi Nahman bar Yitzhak

Fifth generation of Amoraim. He was the Rosh Yeshiva in Pumbedita after his master Rava passed away, and he lived a long life. [שבת קיט.]

The Honor of Shabbat

Rabbi Nahman bar Yitzhak would go in and out with Shabbat necessities on his shoulder, in order to demonstrate the importance of Shabbat. He said: “Even if Rabbi Ami and Rabbi Asi were to come to stay with me as guests, I would not do all this for them!” How much more so for the honor of Shabbat.

Fear of Heaven

Astrologers told his mother: “Your son will be a thief.” From then on, she did not allow him to be bareheaded and always told him to cover his head, so that he would have fear of Heaven and seriousness upon him. His mother also told him: “Always pray that the evil inclination will not dominate you.” Rabbi Nahman did not understand why his mother told him this all the time. One day, Rabbi Nahman was sitting under a palm tree and studying, and he did not notice that his cloak had fallen from his head! He looked up and saw a cluster of succulent dates, and his inclination grew strong over him. He climbed the tree and cut off the cluster with his teeth! Only then did he understand why his mother always told him: “Be careful with covering your head.” [שבת קנו:]