Rav Anan (Jewish Babylonian Aramaic: ) was a Babylonian rabbi of the third century (second generation of amoraim).
Biography He was a student of Samuel of Nehardea,Yebamot 83b, Ḳiddushin 39a and contemporary of Rav Huna and Mar Ukba II.Ketubot 69a
The book Tanna Devei Eliyahu is said to have been composed during visitations Anan received from the prophet Elijah.Ketubot 106a Anan was also very careful not judge any case where he might show the slightest favoritism to one side; it is said that once this conscientiousness inadvertently lead to a miscarriage of justice, and as a result Elijah ceased to visit Anan, until Anan fasted and begged for Eliyah to return.
Anan was prominent as a teacher of civil law and of ritual; and though Rav Nachman once criticized one of his arguments — remarking, "While attending Mar Samuel, you must have spent your time in playing at checkers" (or "chess," Iskundré)Kiddushin 21b — he highly respected him, and addressed him with the title of Mar ("Master").Ḥullin 56a Rav Huna, for his part, did not consider Anan his equal; and when the latter once addressed to him a message, headed, "To Huna, our colleague, greetings," he felt himself depreciated and replied in a manner that embarrassed Anan.Ketubot 69a
Anan rarely appears in the field of aggadah, and then only as the transmitter of teachings of his predecessors. But many of his teachings were probably incorporated with those of the students of the school that bore his name, Debei Rav Anan.Sukkah 49b; 'Erubin 54b In addition to the above, he is mentioned in many other places.Berakhot 30b; Shabbat 119a; Jerusalem Talmud Shabbat 3 5c (compare Babylonian Talmud Shabbat 37a); Eruvin 74b; Yebamot 97a; Jerusalem Talmud Yebamot 9 10b; Ketubot 79a; Giṭṭin 44b; Shevu'ot, 40b; Ḥullin 4b, 38a; etc.
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