Rabbi Papa

Fourth generation of Amoraim, the unqualified Rabbi Papa mentioned in the Gemara is a student of Rava. He was wealthy [סוף הוריות] and Rava called him Sodani. Rashi explained: that he brewed beer, made arrack. [ברכות מד:] Rabbi Papa said: If I had not made beer, I would not have become rich. He was appointed head of the Yeshiva in the city of Nires, near Sura, after Rava and Abaye. [ברכות נז.] His colleagues: Rav Nahman bar Yitzhak, Rav Huna brei de-Rav Yehoshua, Rav Eina Saba, and Rav Yehuda. He fasted because he said 'hanni rabbanan', meaning: "these Sages," referring to not addressing the Sages with respectful language. [סנהדרין ק' רע"א]

His Wisdom

A demon served in Rabbi Papa's house. One day, the demon was sent to bring water from the river and was delayed. When he returned, they asked him, "Why were you delayed?" He told them: I waited until the water from which the harmful spirits had drunk passed, so that you would not drink from it and come to danger. Afterwards, the demon saw in Rabbi Papa's house that before the household members drank water, they would pour a little water onto the ground and then drink! He told Rabbi Papa: If I had known that you were accustomed to doing this, I would not have been delayed, because there is no need to fear harmful spirits after you have poured a little water. [חולין קה:]

His Greatness

When Rava departed to the world of eternity, his students: Rav Huna bar Manoa, Rav Shmuel bar Idi, and Rav Hiyya, went to a place called Wastaniel to study Torah before Rabbi Papa. Each time he stated a halakha (Jewish law) and his words did not seem correct to them, they would hint to each other that the words were not agreeable. Rabbi Papa's spirits were dampened, and in a dream that night, he was shown the verse: "And I cut off the three shepherds in one month!" [זכריה יא, ח], meaning: from Heaven they wanted to punish them because they shamed Rabbi Papa, as the Sages said: "Whoever disgraces a Torah scholar, there is no cure for his wound!" Rabbi Papa, not wanting them to be punished because of him, told them the next day: Go study with another Rabbi, so that you will not be punished because of me. [תענית ט:]

His Sayings

Rabbi Papa said: If the arrogant among Israel, meaning "your dross," are abolished, then the Persian sorcerers who torment Israel, who are "your tin," will be abolished, as it is written: "And I will purify away your dross as with lye, and remove all your tin." [ישעיה א, כה] If the wicked judges of Israel who judge unjustly, meaning "your judgments," are abolished, then the judges of the nations who also judge Israel unjustly, who are "your enemies," will be abolished, as it is written: "The Lord has taken away your judgments; He has turned aside your enemy." [צפניה ג, טו]