Shela

Babylonian teacher of the latter part of the tannaitic and the beginning of the amoraic period; head of the school ("sidra") at Nehardea (Yoma 20a; Letter of Sherira Gaon, in Neubauer, "M. J. C." i. 28). When Abba Arika (Rab) visited Babylon, he once officiated as an expounder (amora) for R. Shela at his public lectures (Yoma l.c.). The school at Nehardea was named in honor of Shela; and its scholars were accordingly known as "Debe R. Shela."

With the exception of a mishnaic interpretation (Yoma 20a), none of Shela's teachings is known, although some of the sayings of his pupils, the Debe R. Shela, are mentioned in the Talmud (Pes. 39b; R. H. 23b; Giṭ. 52b; Ḳid. 43a).

Bibliography:

  * Weiss, Dor. iii. 746-747;
  * Halevy, Dorot ha-Rishonim, ii. 223-225;
  * Bacher, Ag. Bab. Amor. p. 35.



W. B. J. Z. L.