Hanan (Ḥanin), Abba

Tanna of the second century; younger contemporary of Simon of Shezur, Josiah, and Jonathan (Mek., Mishpaṭim, 8, 12, 20; Nazir 45a). Possibly he sat at the feet of Eliezer b. Hyrcanus, in whose name he transmits many halakic midrashim (seventeen in Sifre, Num. 4 [Ḥanin], 7, 11, 23, 35, 52, 68, 72 [Ḥanin], 107 [five times], 118, 126, 133, and 137; and elsewhere). Indeed, it may be said that Abba Hanan was simply Eliezer's mouthpiece. Only once (Sifre, Deut. 94) does he appear independent of Eliezer, and Bacher ("Ag. Tan." i. 131) represents him here as opposing his master (see Tosef., Sanh. xiv. 3); but a careful comparison of the sources proves that there is no antagonism. Eliezer's harsh verdict refers to minors who followed their elders in apostasy (), while his junior speaks of minors who were not guilty of the crime. Occasionally Abba Hanan appears to report also in the name of Eleazar (Mek., Mishpaṭim, 20), but the version is not authentic, and Weiss ("Introduction to the Mekilta," p. xxx.) proves it to be erroneous.

E. C. S. M.