Rabina and Ronia

Ronia purchased a field adjacent to Rabina's field; that is to say, Ronia bought a field on the border of one of Rabina's fields. Rabina considered purchasing the field from him for the same price Ronia paid, based on the law of "bar metzra," thereby removing him. The intention is that the "law of bar metzra" stipulates that when a person owns land adjacent to another's land, and the latter wishes to sell his land, the neighbor has precedence over any other person. Even if it was sold to another, the neighbor is entitled to take it from the other. The basis of this law is learned from the verse: "And you shall do what is right and good in the eyes of the Lord" [דבריםו, יח]. Rashi explains: This is a compromise beyond the letter of the law, meaning that even if more is required of him than what is legally obligatory, he should act accordingly. Rabbi Safra, son of Rabbi Yiba, said to Rabina: Do what is right and good in His eyes, and do not remove him! For Ronia is a poor cobbler, and you know what people say: four zuzim the cobbler pays for the hide, and another four zuzim he pays to process the hides. If so, his profit is meager for the shoes he sells! Therefore, do good and what is right with him, and leave him the field for his livelihood. [ב"בה.]

His Family

Rabina betrothed his son to Rabbi Haviva's daughter, and Rabina recited the blessing of "Shehasimcha Bimeono" (Who has joy in His abode) from the time of the engagement. Rabina said about Rabbi Haviva's household, "I know them; they will not retract, and the wedding will take place." However, the matter did not proceed, and Rabbi Haviva's household retracted and did not give him the woman. [כתובותח.] However, in Niddah 60b, it implies that he did marry her. Mar bar Rabbi Ashi found Rabina anointing his daughter with unripe orlah olives for healing. Mar bar Rabbi Ashi said to him: It is stated that the Sages said – "one may heal with all forbidden items from which one derives benefit" only in a time of danger and for the preservation of life. But when there is no danger, and the healing involves deriving benefit, did they say it is permitted?! Rabina replied: My daughter suffered from a high fever and chills, therefore it is like a time of danger. And some say Rabina replied to him in wonder: Is what I did considered deriving benefit?! For there is no way to anoint with olives unless they have been cooked and their oil extracted in the olive press?! [נדה סו.] Rabina would greatly honor his daughter before her marriage by writing a large dowry sum and committing to give her more than was customary. The Sages said to Rabina: Let us make a kinyan (formal acquisition) on your commitment for such a sum! Rabina said to them: If I make a kinyan, I will not double the amount because I will be obligated to pay it all! And I only do this to increase my daughter's honor. [פסחים קד:] This implies that Rabina was a wealthy man.

His Passing

When Rabina passed away to his eternal home, the eulogizer opened by saying: "The palm trees bowed their heads over a righteous man who blossomed like a palm." And we must eulogize him nights and days because Rabina studied Torah nights and days. Rabina passed away five years before Rabbi Ashi; from this, we learn that he lived a long life, as he was older than Rabbi Ashi. ]מועד

קטן כה:[