Ulla (Hebrew: עוּלָּא) was a halakhist and Amora from the Land of Israel during the late 3rd and early 4th centuries CE known for his frequent travels to and from the centers of Jewish learning in contemporary Babylonia.
Biography In his youth, Ulla studied under Rabbi Eleazar II,Tosafot to Hullin 34a, s.v. "Man Habraya" transmitting nine of his teacher's halakhic sayings.Seven of these appear in Bava Kamma 11, one in Eruvin 21b, and one in Ketuvot 74a He was greatly respected for his learning, and during his visits to Babylonia, he seems to have been frequently invited by the Resh Galuta to deliver halakhic lectures.Ketuvot 65b; Kiddushin 31a; Shabbat 157b He traveled repeatedly to the Talmudic academies in Babylonia; on one of his journeys, he was in danger of assassination by one of his companions, saving his life only by condoning the murder of another.Nedarim 22a Ulla rendered important decisions regarding the benedictions and the calculation of the new moon and was accustomed to promulgate his rulings in Babylonia during his visits.Berachot 38b; Rosh Hashana 22b; Pesachim 53b, 104b
He was very strict in his interpretation of religious law.Shabbat 147a, 157b On one occasion, when he heard Rav Huna use an expression of which he did not approve, Ulla retorted, "As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to eyes,Proverbs 10:26 so are the words of Rav Huna."Kiddushin 45b Only in the presence of Rav Nachman did Ulla hesitate to pronounce his opinions, generally waiting until Nachman had departed;Gittin 11b, 12a at the same time, he frequently sought out Nachman's company.Ketuvot 53a
Of his contemporaries with whom he engaged in controversies may be mentioned (besides Rav Nachman) Rabbi Abba,Bava Metziah 11a Abimi bar Papa, Hiyya bar Ammi,Ketuvot 53a and Rabbi Judah.Hullin 68b, 70a His close friend, with whom he associated most frequently, was Rabbah bar bar Hana.Tosafot, Hullin 34a
In addition to the sayings of his teacher Eleazar, Ulla transmitted those of Rav Hoshaiah,Hullin 76a Joshua ben Levi,Hullin 122a Rabbi Johanan,Eruvin 67b Rav,Shabbat 143b and Shimon ben Lakish.Hagigah 8b His own sayings were transmitted by Rav Aḥa bar Adda,Bava Metziah 117b Hamnuna,Shabbat 10b Hiyya bar Abba,Hagigah 25b Hiyya bar Ammi,Berachot 8a Ravin bar Hinana,Menachot 30b Rav Chisda,Berachot 38b Judah bar Ammi,Mo'ed Katan 5b and Joshua bar Abba.Mo'ed Katan 5b
Raba appears to have been his only son.Shabbat 83b Ulla died in Babylonia before his teacher Rabbi Eleazar; his remains were taken to Palestine for burial.Ketuvot 111a
Quotes "Jerusalem is only redeemed by tzedakah."Sanhedrin 98a "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! (i.e., the Divine Presence is found wherever Israel observes Jewish law)."Berakhot 8a
References