Samuel of Nehardea

Babylonian-Jewish scholar
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Also known as: Mar Samuel, Samuel Yarḥinaʾah
Quick Facts
Also called:
Samuel Yarḥinaʾah (the Astronomer), or Mar Samuel
Born:
c. 177, Nehardea, Babylonia
Died:
c. 257
Notable Works:
Bavli
Subjects Of Study:
Judaism

Samuel of Nehardea (born c. 177, Nehardea, Babylonia—died c. 257) was a Babylonian amora (scholar), head of the important Jewish academy at Nehardea. His teachings, along with those of Rav (Abba Arika, head of the academy at Sura), figure prominently in the Babylonian Talmud. What is known about Samuel’s life is a combination of speculation and legend. According to one tradition he may have been a disciple of the Palestinian scholar Judah ha-Nasi, one of the compilers of the Mishna. About Samuel’s accomplishments much is recorded: he was an astronomer, a physician, and an authority on civil law, and he ...(100 of 182 words)