Rav Adda bar Manyumi

The Sixth Generation of Amoraim, disciple of Ravina.

The Judge of Nehardea

Wherever we learned: “They learn before the Sages,” the reference is to the Amora Levi bar Sisi, who studied Torah from Rabbi Judah the Prince.

And Hanan – and Shimon ben Zoma – wherever we learned “They judge before the Sages,” the reference is to Shimon ben Azzai, who did not reach old age and would sit on the ground and judge matters of halakha before the Sages. – And Hananiah ben Hakkinai – the Egyptian. Rav Nahman bar Yitzhak would teach thus: Wherever we learned “They judge before the Sages,” these are five, and they are: Shimon ben Azzai, Shimon ben Zoma, Shimon HaTimni, Hanan HaMitzri, and Hananiah ben Hakkinai. That is, Rav Nahman bar Yitzhak adds Shimon HaTimni.

Rabbi Abba. – “Our Rabbis in the Land of Israel.” Our Rabbis in Babylonia are Rav and Samuel, Rabbi Ammi and Rabbi Assi. – “The Judges of the Land of Israel.” “The Great Judge” is Karna. Rav Adda bar Manyumi – “The Judges of Nehardea.” Rav Pappa bar Samuel – “The Judges of Pumbedita.”

Rav Judah and Rav Eina. – “The Elders of Pumbedita.” Rav Huna and Rav Hisda – “The Elders of Sura.” Rabbah and Rav Yosef. – “The Amoraim of Pumbedita.” Ifa and Avimi, sons of Rahavah – “The Sharp Ones of Pumbedita.” Rav Huna. – “They said in the study house of Rav.” Rami bar Rabbi – “The Neharvla’im taught.” Rav Hama – “The Amoraim of Nehardea.” [סנהדרין יז:]

His Sayings

A needle found in the liver’s capillaries: Huna Mar b. Rav Idi declared the animal non-kosher (treifa), because he believed it caused a puncture, for it entered through the esophagus and reached the liver by puncturing the esophagus or intestines. Rav Adda bar Manyumi declared the animal kosher, because since the needle was found in the liver’s capillaries, we say, did it intend to enter there!

Rather, from the fact that it reached exactly the liver’s capillaries, we attribute it and say: it entered through the trachea, and the trachea that branches to the left of the lung is near the trachea of the liver, therefore we attribute it to have entered from the trachea’s capillaries to the liver trachea’s capillaries, and from there it ascended to the liver through the liver trachea and reached the liver’s capillary.

They came and asked Ravina what the halakha was! He told them, whoever declared it non-kosher is obligated to pay for the damage he caused, even if he must sell his cloak, because he declared it non-kosher improperly and they fed it to the dogs. [חולין מט.]

With Ravina

The Gemara wishes to support the words of Rabbi Anan who said: A Jew who is an apostate to idolatry, meaning this is a sin he is accustomed to, it is permissible to eat from his slaughter.

The proof is from what is written concerning Elijah the Prophet who hid from Ahab and Jezebel: “And the ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning, and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook,” [מלכים א, יז, ו] from this it is proven that Ahab’s kitchen was kosher even though he was an apostate to idolatry.

There is no proof from here! Because the Holy One, Blessed be He, explicitly permitted him to eat these foods, as it is written: “And I have commanded the ravens to feed you there.” [שם ד]

The Gemara asks: Who are the ravens? Ravina explains: Actual ravens.

Rav Adda bar Manyumi asked Ravina: Perhaps these were two men who were called ‘Orevim (ravens)! For is it not written: “And they killed Orev (raven) at Tzur Orev and they killed Ze’ev at Yekev Ze’ev”?! [שופטים ז, כה]”

Ravina responded in wonder: We found one person named Orev, but have you found a place where two people are called Orevim?!

The Gemara wonders: Perhaps they were named after their place, that they were from Tzur Orev, and therefore we find several people called Orevim after their place, and from where do you know that the verse is speaking of actual ravens?!

The Gemara refutes this and says: If it refers to two men, why were they called “Orevim (ravens)” when they should have been called “Orevaiyim (the two Orevs)”?!

Rather, it is proven that they were actual ravens, and they brought food to Elijah the Prophet from Ahab’s kitchen. [חולין ה.]