Rabbi Zeira
Rabbi Zeira was a leading third generation Babylonian Amora that moved to Eretz Yisroel. He is mentioned hundreds of times throughout the two Talmuds and his teachings are quoted by many proceeding Amoraim. Originally called Rav Zeira in the Talmud Bavli, he became known as Rabbi Zeira after receiving Smicha. In the Talmud Yerushalmi he is called Rabbi Ze'era. He lived to a very old age.
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Bavel
Rabbi Zeira was born in Bavel. His father was a layman who worked as a tax collector but was known for his exceptional piety. Orphaned in his youth, Rabbi Zeira went to study Torah in the academies of Surah under Rav Huna and later in Pumpadisa under Rav Yehuda. He also studied under the other leading Babylonian Amoaraim of the time including Rav Chisda, Rav Nachman and Rav Hamnuna.
Purim Death
One year Rabbi Zeira celebrated the Purim feast with Rabbah. During the meal they both got intoxicated and Rabbah slaughtered Rebbe Zeira. Upon sobering the next day, Rabbah prayed and Rebbe Zeira was brought back to life. When Rabbah invited Rabbi Zeira to the Purim meal the following year, he refused saying that miracles do not occur every day.
Aliya
Yearning for Israel
Rabbi Zeira held of Eretz Yisroel in great esteem, saying that breathing its air makes an individual wiser and even the mundane conversations of its residents are Torah. He always had great interest in the teachings that originated in Eretz Yisroel that were given over by the 'Nichosi' Rabbis who would travel back and forth between Bavel and Eretz Yisroel to transmit the teachings. Rabbi Zeira had a great yearning to move there but was prevented by his teacher Rav Yehuda who held it was forbidden to immigrate to Eretz Yisroel since the prophet said that "in Bavel they will remain".
Fasting
Before undertaking the trip, Rabbi Zeira fasted 100 times in order to forget the Torah he had studied in Bavel that was steeped in controversy so he could absorb the pure Torah of Eretz Yisroel without any impediments. Later he fasted two more sets of 100 fasts. One to prevent the death of Rabbi Elazar ben Pedas in order to prevent the communal responsibility from falling on him and the second set to be saved from the fires of Gehinum.
Departure
Rabbi Zeira was forced to leave Bavel without biding farewell to his teacher Rav Yehuda.
Trip
Upon reaching the river on the border of Eretz Yisroel, Rabbi Zeira could no longer contain his excitement and jumped into the river instead of waiting for the ferry to cross. A by-standing Tziduki mocked him saying he was from an over rushed nation, citing Har Sanai as an example where the Jews committed to keep the Torah before hearing what it contained. Rabbi Zeira justified his rush saying that if such giants like Moshe and Aharon did not make it into Eretz Yisroel who said that he would merit.
Eretz Yisroel
In Eretz Yisroel, Rabbi Zeira selected in Tiberias studying under Rabbi Yochanan and Resh Lakish and later under their students Rav Chiya bar Abba, Rav Ami, Rav Asi and Rabbi Elazar ben Pidas. His main student was Rabbi Yermiya, himself a Babylonian immigrant. Rabbi Zeira liked Rabbi Yermiya, referring to him as "my son" and praising the great time and consistency he devoted to Torah study.
Tiberias Thugs
Rabbi Zeira would befriend the mobsters of Tiberias in effort to make them repent, an act that was frowned upon by the other Sages. After his passing, the mobsters became realized that Rabbi Zeira's prayers would no longer save them from the retribution of their sins. They became frightened of the consequences and repented.
Long Life
Rabbi Zeira lived a very long life which he credited to seven factors...
- Never having acted temperamental in his home.
- Never stepping in front of person greater then him.
- Never having contemplated Torah thoughts in impure locations.
- Never walking four cubits without donning Tefilin and thinking in Torah.
- Never having slept in the Beit Medresh, even a short nap.
- Never having been joyous at the fall of his friends.
- Never calling a friend by a derogatory nickname or impersonal family name.
Rabbi Zeira also had a policy of always refusing gifts saying "one who hates gifts, will live". When invited to home of the Resh Galusa he would make an exception since they felt honored by his presents he considered that a form of compensation for anything he received from them.
Passing
Upon his passing, Rabbi Zeira was eulogised;
- Babylonia (Land of Shinor) gave birth to him;
- Eretz Yisroel (Land of the Deer) had the pleasure of rearing him;
- 'Wo is me,' says Tiberias (Rekes),
- for she has lost her precious vessel"
Appearance and Personality
Rabbi Zeira was short and had dark skin for which he was mocked for during his life especially after resettling in Eretz Yisroel.
Babylonian
Rabbi Zeira also spoke with a Babylonian accent, something that immediately gave away his origin. Once a market vendor oust Rabbi Zera, telling him to get out of since his Babylonian ancestor were responsible for the destruction of the Temple. Rabbi Zeira was saddened by the insult since he did not understand the difference between Babylonian lineage and Eretz Yisroel lineage. After hearing in a sermon by Rabbi Shilo that the Temple would never had been destroyed if all the Jews had relocated to Eretz Yisroel during the times of Ezra, he accepted the lesson of the vendor.
Accuracy
Rabbi Zeira spent a lot of time investigating the accuracy of traditional statements handed down from the earlier generations of Sages, often interrogate the Rabbis of Eretz Yisroel about the accuracy of teachings that were handed down in their name. He greatly respected Rav Chiya bar Abba for the great accuracy with which he gave over his teachings. Rabbi Zeira only trusted the Briysos originating in the academy of Rabbi Chiya and Rabbi Oshia, considering all others inaugurate. Due to the accuracy of Rabbi Zeria the ascribed the verse "A man of integrity who will find" in reference to him.
Forgiving
Rabbi Zeira would not hold a grudge against those that wronged him and would even try to bring about opportunities where they could make up.
Short Man With Burnt Hips
Rabbi Zeira fasted 100 fasts in order to be spared from the fires of Gehinum. Each month he would test this by sitting in the middle of a flaming furnace while not getting burnt. Once the the Sages found out about this causing him to get burnt on his next attempt, from then on earning him the nickname 'short man with the burnt hips'.
Family
Little is known about the family of Rav Zeira other then his being orphaned during his youth and that he had a son named Ahava.
Teachings
- Do not promise a child something and then not give it since it will teach the child to lie.
- If the earlier generations had the status of 'angles' then we would be considered 'humans'. If they had the status of 'humans' then we would be considered 'donkeys'.
Kever Rabbi Zeira
Rabbi Zeira is buried in Arbel, North Israel.