[Avodah] FW: Savoraim

[Moshe Y. Gluck]

R' Josh Backon no longer posts to Avodah, but he wrote me the following:

[I no longer post on AVODAH but you may wish to quote me]


The 4-5 generations of the Savoraim started with Rabba 
bar Yosef, Rav Yosef [Generation 1]; Rab Achi bar Huna, Rav Tachlifa, 
Rav Simona, Rav Eina [Gen #2]; Rav Chanan m'Ishkiya, Rav Mari, Rav 
Chanina, Rav Chinena [Generation #3]; Rav Yitzchak [Gen. #4]; and 
Mar Rava, Mar Huna, Rav Shishna and Rav Busai [Generation #5] who 
edited parts of the Talmud (e.g. the first 3 daf of Kiddushin) ? 
This period lasted 187 years AFTER the period of Ravina and Rav Ashi. 

As the Meiri (Introduction to Pirkei Avot) indicated: up until the end 
of the period of the Savoraim (692 CE), the gemara was still studied 
only orally since it was not committed to script. 

The Geonic period started with Rav Chanina Gaon m'Nahar Pakud in the 
year 700 CE. And as we see in the Maggid Mishna (on Rambam Hilchot 
Chametz u'Matza 5:20) the Geonim were allowed to develop binding 
ordinances on all Israel. 


The following mefarshim indicated that certain sections of the text 
of the gemara were added by the Rabbanan Savorai: 

1) Iggeret R. Sherira Gaon mentions that the first section of the 1st perek 
in Kiddushin (up to "bakesef mina lan ?") was added by the Savoraim 

2) R. Sherira Gaon also mentions: the section in Sanhedrin 43a "R. Robai" 

3) Tosafot Zevachim 102b d"h "parich" quotes the Rashbam that anytime 
"R. Achai" is mentioned in the talmud it is referring to one of the 
Rabbana Savorai  (see also the Yam shel Shlomo on Bava Metzia 2 on 
'rabbanai') 

4) Rambam in his Peyrush haMishnayot to Zavim 4:6 mentions that a comment 
in the gemara in Niddah 4b on "maddaf" is an addition of the savoraim 

5) RASHI in Yoma 62b d"h  "umusafin" re: the 'tarbitza'  (also: Tosafot 
in Menachot 82b d"h "u'bitarbitza") 

6) RITVA Bava Metzia 3b on section from: "beyn l'raban" until "R. Chiya" 

7) See also RITVA Bava Metzia  15b and 19b  on some added lines from 
the late Savoraim (or even an early gaon [R. Yehudai Gaon 759 c.e. !] 

8) MEHARSHA Chiddushei Aggadot Taanit 25a: ("R. Chanina ben Dosa") is an 
addition of the savoraim 

Also see the Shitta Mekubetzet. 


KOL TUV

Josh

Dr. Josh Backon 


KT,
MYG