A Babylonian amora of the second and third centuries, distinguished for piety, benevolence, and learning. He is known chiefly through his son Mar Samuel, principal of the Academy of Nehardea, and is nearly always referred to as "Samuel's father." Abba traveled to Palestine, where he entered into relations with R. Judah I., the patriarch, with whose pupil Levi bar Sisi he was on terms of intimate friendship. When Levi died Abba delivered the funeral oration and glorified the memory of his friend.