Amram Ḥasida (The Pious)

A Babylonian amora of the third generation (fourth century), a contemporary of R. NaḦman (B. B. 151a). In addition to his scrupulousness in ritualistic observances (Suk. 11a), he owes his surname to his action at a moment of great temptation, when, to save himself from sin, he called for help by giving an alarm of fire. When his colleagues complained that he had exposed them to shame, he replied, "It is better that you be put to shame on my account in this world than that you be ashamed of me in the world to come." Legend adds that Amram conjured the tempter within him to depart; whereupon something like a pillar of fire came forth, and Amram, glorying in his victory, exclaimed, "Behold, thou art of fire, and I am of flesh, yet I am stronger than thou art" (Ḳid. 81a). His extreme piety made him the target of sport for members of the household of the exilarch; and their brutal treatment made him seriously ill; but Yalta, NaḦman's wife, herself a member of the exilarch's family, cured him (Giṭ. 67b).

S. M.