Avina

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AVINA

AVINA (third–fourth century), amora. Avina was a Babylonian who later emigrated to Ereẓ Israel. In Babylon he studied under R. *Huna (Git. 66a) and transmitted halakhot in the names of R. Jeremiah b. Abba (Shab. 137b), R. *Ḥisda (Pes. 59a), and *Rav (tj, Ket. 13:4, 36a). He was friendly with Geniva, the opponent of the exilarch, Mar Ukva, and when Geniva was sentenced to death by the civil authorities, he gave instructions that 400 zuz from his estate should be given to Avina (Git. 65b). In Ereẓ Israel he became the colleague of R. Imi, R. Zeira, and R. *Jacob b. Aḥa, with whom he held halakhic discussions, and they transmitted his statements (tj, Shev. 4:2, 35a; Pes. 5:5, 32c). The Talmud also relates an argument between Avina and a sectarian (Sanh. 39a–b).

bibliography:

Hyman, Toledot, 97ff.

[Yitzhak Dov Gilat]