His rabbinical education was acquired mainly at
Tiberias in the academy presided over by
Johanan bar Nappaha, with whom his relationship was almost that of a son. He frequently made pilgrimages to Tiberias even after he had become well known as
rector of the Caesarean academy. Abbahu was an authority on weights and measures. He encouraged the study of
Koine Greek by
Jews. He learned Greek to become useful to his people, then under the
Roman proconsuls, that language having become, to a considerable extent, the rival of
Hebrew even in prayer. In spite of the bitter protests of
Shimon bar Abba, he also taught his daughters Greek.
Ecclesiastes Rabbah 7:18 says: "'It is good that you grasp this,' this is Bible, 'and from that, too, do not withdraw your hand,' this is
Mishna; 'for one who fears God will fulfill them all,' like Rabbi Abbahu of Caesarea."
Rector in Caesarea Being wise, handsome, and wealthy, Abbahu became not only popular with his coreligionists, but also influential with the proconsular government. On one occasion, when his senior colleagues,
Hiyya bar Abba,
Rabbi Ammi, and
Rabbi Assi, had punished a certain woman, and feared the wrath of the proconsul, Abbahu was deputed to intercede for them. He had, however, anticipated the rabbis' request, and wrote to them that he had appeased the informers but not the accuser. The witty enigmatic letter describing this incident, preserved in the
Jerusalem Talmud, is in Hebrew. It even includes Hebrew translations of Greek proper names to avoid the danger of possible exposure should the letter have fallen into the hands of enemies and informers. After
semikha, he declined a teacher's position, recommending
Abba of Acre for the position, as he considered himself less worthy than Abba of Acre. He thereby illustrated his doctrine that it is a divine virtue to sympathise with a friend in his troubles as well as to partake of his joys. Later he assumed the office of rector in Caesarea, the former seat of the
early amora Hoshaiah Rabbah. He established himself at the "Insurrectionary Synagogue" ( from which some of the most prominent teachers of the next generation issued. In Caesarea. he originated several ritual rules, one of which (regulating the sounding of the
shofar) has since been universally adopted, and is referred to by
rishonim as "the Enactment of R. Abbahu". He did not confine his activity to Caesarea, but also visited and taught in many other Jewish towns. On these journeys, Abbahu gathered so many
halakhot that scholars turned to him for information on mooted questions. In the course of these travels he made a point of complying with all local enactments, even where such compliance laid him open to the charge of inconsistency. On the other hand, where circumstances required it, he did not spare even the noble classes. Where the rigorous exposition of laws created hardship for the
am ha'aretz, he did not scruple to modify the decisions of his colleagues for the benefit of the community. Abbahu was reportedly strict regarding halakha. According to
Hullin 6a, he ordered some
Samaritan wine, but subsequently heard that the Samaritans no longer strictly observed the
dietary laws. With the assistance of his colleagues (
Hiyya bar Abba, Rabbi Ammi, and Rabbi Assi), he investigated the report and, ascertaining it to be well-founded, ruled the Samaritans to be equivalent to
Gentiles for all ritual purposes.
Abbahu and Hiyya bar Abba Abbahu's chief characteristic seems to have been modesty. While lecturing in different towns, he met
Hiyya bar Abba, who was lecturing on intricate halakhic themes. As Abbahu delivered popular sermons, the people naturally crowded to hear him and deserted the halakhist. At this apparent slight, Hiyya displayed chagrin, and Abbahu hastened to comfort him by comparing himself to the peddler of glittering fineries that always attracted the eyes of the masses. He said to Hiyya that his teachings were like jewels and Abbahu was a common peddlar in comparison; that more people bought the cheap everyday items was no sign of honor. His principle of life he expressed in the maxim, "A person should always be among those who are pursued and not among the pursuers. One can prove that this is so, as none among birds are pursued more than doves and pigeons, as all predators hunt them, and from all birds the verse deemed them fit to be sacrificed on the
altar."
Later years Abbahu had two sons, Zeira and Hanina. Some writers ascribe to him a third son, Abimi. Abbahu sent Hanina to the academy at Tiberias, where he had studied, but the youth occupied himself with the
burial of the dead, and on hearing of this, the father sent him a reproachful message in this laconic style: "Is it because there are no graves in
Caesarea that I have sent you off to Tiberias? Study must precede practice". Abbahu left behind him several disciples, the most prominent among whom were the leaders of the fourth amoraic generation,
Rabbi Jonah and
Jose ben Halafta. The mourning was so great that it was said, "When Rabbi Abbahu passed away, the pillars of Caesarea, his city, ran with water as if they were shedding tears over him.". == Against the Christians ==