Mar Ukva

Mar Ukva
Mar Ukva
Born	Babylonia
Other names	Nathan de-zuzita
Occupation(s)	Exilarch, Rabbi, Av Beit Din
Known for	Amora of Babylon, first generation of the Amora era, righteousness and discreet charity
Notable work	Contributions to the Talmud, rulings on tzedakah and judicial conduct

Mar Ukva ^[1] (or Mar Ukba;^[2] other: Mar Ukva (I);^[1] also identified with Nathan de-zuzita)^[3] was an Amora of Babylon, of the first generation of the Amora era.

Biography

He served as an Exilarch during the days of Samuel of Nehardea, who was also his Rabbi, but at the same time, Samuel was subordinated to Mar Ukva in Ukva's capacity as "Av Beit Din" (chief of the rabbinical court) and its second-highest-ranking member. He resided at Kafri city, Babylonia, about 20 km south of Sura,^[4] where his rabbinical court was also located. He was very strict about refusing any action that could be interpret as a bribe to him by one of the parties in a case.^[5]

He was appointed exilarch after R. Huna Kamma died.^[6] Some say that he was Huna Kamma's son, but this is not explicit in the sources.^[7]

In the Talmud it is said that he was a righteous man and used to give tzedakah anonymously, in order not to shame the needy he handed the charity to.^[8] As a disciple of Samuel of Nehardea, he also had knowledge in medicine.^[9]

His greatest student was Rav Chisda, who quotes him often.^[10] Another student was Rav Zeira.^[11] The Talmud mentions the "sons of Mar Ukva" in several places,^[12] one son named Rav Natan is named,^[13] and one source names "Mari son of Mar Ukva"^[14] though Dikdukei Sofrim suggests that the correct text here is "Mari son of Mar said in the name of Mar Ukva" implying that Mari had a different father. When Mar Ukva died he left behind orphan children, and Samuel of Nehardea became their guardian.^[15]

Quotes

Whoever prays on Shabbat eve and says Vayechulu, two ministering angels accompany him and put their hands on his head and say to him: "Your sin has departed, your transgression is atoned."^[16]
Whoever speaks lashon hara, the Holy One (blessed be He) says "I and he cannot dwell in the world together".^[17]

External links

Genealogy of the House of David- Nathan Ukban I, 6th Exilarch

References

^ ^a ^b Mar Ukva | מר עוקבא, Sages of the Talmud
^ Brand, Ezra. "From Admonishment to Excommunication: The Talmudic Laws of Ostracism (Moed Katan 16a-b) - Pt.3". www.ezrabrand.com. Retrieved 2 May 2024.: "Cf. The Arabic name ʿUqba (= عقبة-עקבה ), popular in the early Muslim period (7th century) […]"
^ "Lovesick".
^ Adin Steinsaltz, Masechet Bava Metzia 6a-12b
^ Ketuvot 105b
^ Iggeret Rav Sherira Gaon
^ Aharon Heimann, Toldot Tannaim veAmoraim, under נתן דצוציתא and מר עוקבא; Gershom Harpens, Idan haTalmud p.99
^ Ketuvot 67b
^ Shabbat 140a
^ Brachot 10b; Eruvin 21b; etc.
^ Shabbat 108b
^ Bava Metziah 70a; Hullin 43b
^ Brachot 13b
^ Hullin 43b
^ Bava Metziah 70a
^ Shabbat 119b, quoting Isaiah 6:7
^ Arachin 15b