In quest of Babylonian Tannaitic traditions II:the case of Avuha de-Shmuel

This study re-examines the nature and origin of legal traditions ascribed to Avuha de-Shmuel, a Nehardean sage from the end of the Parthian period. His legal traditions were identified by scholars as representative of pre-Talmudic Babylonian halakhah. A systematic analysis of these traditions in the two Talmuds (about 50 traditions) demonstrates that the overwhelming majority of Avuha de-Shmuel's rulings, legal interpretations and customs reflect a Palestinian halakhic influence. The location of Palestinian parallels for Avuah de-Shmuel's halakhot allows for the reconstruction of his original halakhic position and its reasoning, which is especially important in light of the fact that most of his rulings are worded apodictically. The broad analysis of the halakhic basis of the rulings of individual amoraim can greatly contribute to a critical analysis of and commentary on the Babylonian Talmud.