Rav Shizvi [the First]

Third Generation of Amoraim. A student of Rav Chisda, he stated Halakhot in his name. He ascended to the Land of Israel for a short period and received teachings from Rabbi Yochanan. During the days of Abaye and Rava, he was already among the greatest of his generation, engaging with them in Torah discussions. [חגיגה כד.] (Rav Shizvi the Second, a student of Rava, [ב"מ קיד:]) Rava said: To those who mock the words of Rav Shizvi! A great person like Rav Shizvi has spoken; do not mock him, for he surely said something appropriate, and surely that was his intention. [גיטין נה:] Rav Yeimar was his son. [ברכות נג:]

Due to the embellishment of kindling lights

Rav Huna said: A person accustomed to meticulously observing the kindling of Shabbat and Chanukah lights with olive oil – will have children who are Torah scholars, as it is stated: “For a mitzvah is a lamp, and Torah is light” [משלי ו, כג]. This teaches that through the lamp of the mitzvah of Shabbat and Chanukah, the light of Torah enters a person’s home. Rav Chisda was always accustomed to passing by the entrance of Rav Shizvi’s father’s house, and some say by the entrance of his father-in-law’s house, and he observed that he was accustomed to kindling lights with embellishment. Rav Chisda said: A great person will emerge from here! And Rav Shizvi emerged from them, and according to those who say it was his father-in-law, his son-in-law is considered as his son. [שבת כג:]

His greatness

Rabba bar Rav Huna sat in the courtyard of Rav’s study house and stated a Halakha in the name of Rabbi Yochanan: A dying person, meaning someone whose fortune has turned bad and is about to die, who said: “Write and give a maneh to so-and-so,” and died before they had time to write according to his words – they do not write and give, because there is a concern that he did not fully intend to transfer ownership except through a deed, and there is no deed after death. Rabbi Elazar ben Pedat said to his students: Be careful to act accordingly, for such is the Halakha. Rav Shizvi said: That is not how the incident happened! Rather, this statement was made by Rabbi Elazar, and Rabbi Yochanan said to his students: Be careful to act accordingly, for such is the Halakha. Rav Nachman bar Yitzchak said: It is reasonable to say as Rav Shizvi said, because if you say Rabbi Elazar said it, it is understandable why Rabbi Yochanan needed to testify about the words of Rabbi Elazar, who was his student, and needed to say that the Halakha follows his words. But if you say: Rabbi Yochanan said it, would Rabbi Elazar need to testify about what his teacher said?! Here is another proof for Rav Shizvi’s words that Rabbi Elazar stated the Halakha: Because Ravin sent in the name of Rabbi Abbahu: Know that Rabbi Elazar sent to the exile in Babylonia in the name of Rav: A dying person who said “Write and give a maneh to so-and-so” and died – they do not write and give, lest he did not intend to transfer ownership except through a deed, and there is no deed after death. It is explicit according to Rav Shizvi that Rabbi Elazar stated this saying, and Rabbi Yochanan testified that such is the Halakha according to his words. [ב"ב קלה:]

His Sayings

Rav Shizvi said in the name of Rabbi Elazar ben Azariah: What is the explanation of what is written: “The deceitful hunter does not roast his prey” [משלי יב, כז]? The simple meaning of the verse: The hunter burns the wingtips of birds so they cannot fly, but the deceitful person does not do so, because he wants to deceive buyers when they appear beautiful. But in the end, he loses from his deception because they fly away from him. The deceitful hunter will not live long or have an extended life – and we interpret, “יחרך” (yicharoch) as a notarikon: “יחיה ויאריך ימים” (yichyeh ve’ya’arich yamim – he will live and have an extended life). But this refers to someone who studies a lot to show his wisdom and deceive people, and in the end, he forgets his learning and his days are shortened. [ע"ז יט.] – This is in contrast to true learning, about which it is said: “For it is your life and the length of your days.” [דברים ל]