Hamnuna III

Rav Hamnuna III, one of several ancient rabbis named Hamnuna, was a rabbi mentioned in the Talmud. He lived in Babylonia and belonged to the third generation of amoraim.Yehuda Leib Maimon, Yichusei Tannaim Veamoraim (Jerusalem, 1963), p.61-65

Biography

He was from the city of Harpania, but would pay taxes to Pum-Nahara.[https://www.sefaria.org.il/Yevamot.17a.6?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en Yevamot 17a] (on Sefaria)David Darshan, Shir hama’alot l’David = (Song of the steps) and, Ktav hitnaẓẓelut l’darshanim = (In defense of preachers) (Hebrew Union College Press, 1984), p.149

He was a student of Rav.Aharon Heimann, [https://www.hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=43956&pgnum=407 Toldot Tannaim Veamoraim] (London, 1910), 1:376 He was the leading student of Rav Yehudah, who greatly respected him.[https://www.sefaria.org.il/Shevuot.34a.22?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en Shevuot 34a] (on Sefaria) He also studied under Ulla[https://www.sefaria.org.il/Yevamot.17a.6?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en Yevamot 17a] (on Sefaria), etc. and Rav Chisda.Uri Zur, Studies in Tractate Eruvin of the Talmud Bavli: Structure, Language, Redaction, and Halakha (Academic Studies Press, 2019), p. 10, https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctv1zjg9c4

He was close friends with Rav Chisda. The two spent much time together,Shabbat 82a, 97a, 150a; Brachot 22b, 41b and Rav Chisda would enthusiastically praise Rav Hamnuna's scholarship.[https://www.sefaria.org.il/Kiddushin.29b.16?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en Kiddushin 29b] (on Sefaria); Brachot 41a

After Rav Chisda praised him to Rav Huna, the latter asked Rav Chisda to bring Rav Hamnuna to meet him. Rav Hamnuna showed up bareheaded, as he was unmarried and at the time only married men would cover their heads. Rav Huna told him not to return until he was married - as in his opinion men should get married promptly in order to avoid the risk of illicit sexual thoughts. After getting married, Rav Hamnuna returned to Rav Huna and became his leading student.Kiddushin 29b, Eruvin 63a

Rav Hamnuna's other friends included Rabbah and Rav Yosef.

He died close in time to Rabbah bar Rav Huna, and the two were brought to burial in the Land of Israel.[https://www.sefaria.org.il/Moed_Katan.25a.24?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en Moed Kattan 25a-b] (on Sefaria) Another tradition says he was buried in a place called Harta Deargiz;Rashi, Shabbat 19a it is possible that he was initially buried there and his remains later brought to Israel.

References

Category:Talmud rabbis of Babylonia

Category:Year of birth missing

Category:Year of death missing