Ulla (

Hebrew Hebrew (; ''ʿÎbrit'') is a Northwest Semitic languages, Northwest Semitic language within the Afroasiatic languages, Afroasiatic language family. A regional dialect of the Canaanite languages, it was natively spoken by the Israelites and ...

: עוּלָּא) was a ''

halakhist ''Halakha'' ( ; , ), also transliterated as ''halacha'', ''halakhah'', and ''halocho'' ( ), is the collective body of Jewish religious laws that are derived from the Written and Oral Torah. ''Halakha'' is based on biblical commandments ('' mit ...

'' and '' Amora'' from the

Land of Israel The Land of Israel () is the traditional Jewish name for an area of the Southern Levant. Related biblical, religious and historical English terms include the Land of Canaan, the Promised Land, the Holy Land, and Palestine. The definition ...

during the late 3rd and early 4th centuries CE known for his frequent travels to and from the centers of

Jewish Jews (, , ), or the Jewish people, are an ethnoreligious group and nation, originating from the Israelites of History of ancient Israel and Judah, ancient Israel and Judah. They also traditionally adhere to Judaism. Jewish ethnicity, rel ...

learning in contemporary

Babylonia Babylonia (; , ) was an Ancient history, ancient Akkadian language, Akkadian-speaking state and cultural area based in the city of Babylon in central-southern Mesopotamia (present-day Iraq and parts of Kuwait, Syria and Iran). It emerged as a ...

Biography

In his youth, Ulla studied under Rabbi Eleazar II, transmitting nine of his teacher's ''halakhic'' sayings. He was greatly respected for his learning, and during his visits to

, he seems to have been frequently invited by the ''Resh Galuta'' to deliver ''halakhic'' lectures. He traveled repeatedly to the Talmudic academies in Babylonia; on one of his journeys, he was in danger of

assassination Assassination is the willful killing, by a sudden, secret, or planned attack, of a personespecially if prominent or important. It may be prompted by political, ideological, religious, financial, or military motives. Assassinations are orde ...

by one of his companions, saving his life only by condoning the murder of another. Ulla rendered important decisions regarding the benedictions and the calculation of the

new moon In astronomy, the new moon is the first lunar phase, when the Moon and Sun have the same ecliptic longitude. At this phase, the lunar disk is not visible to the naked eye, except when it is silhouetted against the Sun during a solar eclipse. ...

and was accustomed to promulgate his rulings in Babylonia during his visits. He was very strict in his interpretation of

religious law Religious law includes ethical and moral codes taught by religious traditions. Examples of religiously derived legal codes include Christian canon law (applicable within a wider theological conception in the church, but in modern times distin ...

. On one occasion, when he heard Rav Huna use an expression of which he did not approve, Ulla retorted, "As

vinegar Vinegar () is an aqueous solution of diluted acetic acid and trace compounds that may include flavorings. Vinegar typically contains from 5% to 18% acetic acid by volume. Usually, the acetic acid is produced by a double fermentation, converting ...

to the

teeth A tooth (: teeth) is a hard, calcified structure found in the jaws (or mouths) of many vertebrates and used to break down food. Some animals, particularly carnivores and omnivores, also use teeth to help with capturing or wounding prey, tear ...

, and as

smoke Smoke is an aerosol (a suspension of airborne particulates and gases) emitted when a material undergoes combustion or pyrolysis, together with the quantity of air that is entrained or otherwise mixed into the mass. It is commonly an unwante ...

eyes An eye is a sensory organ that allows an organism to perceive visual information. It detects light and converts it into electro-chemical impulses in neurons (neurones). It is part of an organism's visual system. In higher organisms, the ey ...

, so are the words of Rav Huna." Only in the presence of Rav Nachman did Ulla hesitate to pronounce his opinions, generally waiting until Nachman had departed; at the same time, he frequently sought out Nachman's company. Of his contemporaries with whom he engaged in controversies may be mentioned (besides Rav Nachman) Rabbi Abba, Abimi bar Papa, Hiyya bar Ammi, and Rabbi Judah. His close friend, with whom he associated most frequently, was Rabbah bar bar Hana. In addition to the sayings of his teacher Eleazar, Ulla transmitted those of Rav Hoshaiah, Joshua ben Levi, Rabbi Johanan, Rav, and Shimon ben Lakish. His own sayings were transmitted by Rav Aḥa bar Adda, Hamnuna, Hiyya bar Abba, Hiyya bar Ammi, Ravin bar Hinana, Rav Chisda, Judah bar Ammi, and Joshua bar Abba. Raba appears to have been his only son. Ulla died in Babylonia before his teacher Rabbi Eleazar; his remains were taken to Palestine for burial.

Quotes

* "Jerusalem is only redeemed by ''tzedakah''." * "Since the time of the Temple's destruction, the Holy One, blessed be He, has nothing in His world save only four cubits of ''

Halakha ''Halakha'' ( ; , ), also Romanization of Hebrew, transliterated as ''halacha'', ''halakhah'', and ''halocho'' ( ), is the collective body of Judaism, Jewish religious laws that are derived from the Torah, Written and Oral Torah. ''Halakha'' is ...

''! (i.e., the

Divine Presence Divine presence, presence of God, Inner God, or simply presence is a concept in religion, spirituality, and theology that deals with the ability of a deity to be "present" with human beings, sometimes associated with omnipresence. Conceptualiza ...

is found wherever Israel observes Jewish law)."Berakhot 8a
/ref>

References

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Ulla Talmud rabbis of Syria Palaestina 3rd-century births 4th-century deaths Place of birth unknown