Abba bar Zabdai

Abba (Ba) bar Zabdai was a Palestinian amora who flourished in the third century. He studied in Mesopotamia, attending the lectures of Abba Arikha and Rav Huna, and subsequently settled at Tiberias, where he occupied a respected position by the side of Rabbi Ammi and Assi. Mention is made of his custom of saying his prayers in a loud voice (Jerusalem Talmud, Berachot iv.7a). Of his haggadic productions there exists, among others, a sermon for a public fast-day, on Lamentations iii.41 (Yer. Ta'anit, ii.65a), from which the following may be quoted:

Other quotes Though he may have sinned, he is still an Israelite!

The myrtle that stands amongst the reeds is still a myrtle.

Jewish Encyclopedia bibliography Bacher, Ag. Pal. Amor. iii.533, 535; Frankel, Mebo, pp. 66a, 67.