Page "Abbahu" Paragraph 5

R. Abbahu's chief characteristic seems to have been modesty.

While lecturing in different towns, he met R. Ḥiyya b. Abba, who was lecturing on intricate halakic themes.

As Abbahu delivered popular sermons, the masses naturally crowded to hear him, and deserted the halakist.

At this apparent slight, R. Ḥiyya manifested chagrin, and R. Abbahu hastened to comfort him by comparing himself to the pedler of glittering fineries that always attracted the eyes of the masses, while his rival was a trader in precious stones, the virtues and values of which were appreciated only by the connoisseur.

This speech not having the desired effect, R. Abbahu showed special respect for his slighted colleague by following him for the remainder of that day.

" What ," said Abbahu, " is my modesty as compared with that of R. Abba of Acre ( Acco ), who does not even remonstrate with his interpreter for interpolating his own comments in the lecturer's expositions.

" When his wife reported to him that his interpreter's wife had boasted of her own husband's greatness, R. Abbahu simply said, " What difference does it make which of us is really the greater, so long as through both of us heaven is glorified?

" ( Sotah, 40a ).

His principle of life he expressed in the maxim,