With regard to the same issue, Rav Huna said: An adult who rounds the head of a minor boy is liable to receive lashes, despite the fact that the child himself is not obligated to observe mitzvot. Rav Adda bar Ahava, who disputed this ruling, said to Rav Huna: And with regard to your sons, who shaves them and rounds the corners of their heads? After all, you maintain that an adult may not round the head of a minor.
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Rav Huna said to him: Ḥova my wife does it, as she is not prohibited from rounding their heads. Rav Adda bar Ahava exclaimed in anger: Ḥova should bury her sons if she acts in this manner. The Gemara reports: During the years that Rav Adda bar Ahava was alive, Rav Huna’s children did not survive. His children died due to the curse pronounced by Rav Adda.
§ Rav Yehuda says that Rav says: We in Babylonia have rendered ourselves like the residents of Eretz Yisrael with regard to the prohibition of the Sages against raising small domesticated animals. Rav Adda bar Ahava said to Rav Huna: What of your sheep and goats? How can you raise these animals in Babylonia? Rav Huna said to him: Ḥova, my wife, watches the animals to ensure that they do not graze on land belonging to others.
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Rav Adda bar Ahava cursed Rav Huna and said to him: May Ḥova bury her son! In all the years of Rav Adda bar Ahava, no children of Rav Huna from Ḥova survived, due to this curse.
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How are the two tellings same? Different?
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In Tractate Bava Komma, the sages are focusing on the laws of agriculture, specifically focusing on flocks and grazing. Prior to Hova’s story Rav Huna and Rav Ada bar Ahuva are again discussing halacha, but this time it is regarding agriculture and domesticated animals. In this case, they are looking at the prohibition against raising certain animals and the prohibition of allowing animals to graze in the others’ fields. Rav Ada bar Ahuva asks Rav Huna, if he raises such animals and where he allows them to graze. Rav Huna replies that Hova, his wife, is the one who is raising and watching the animals. Again, Rav Ada bar Ahuva seemingly curses Hova and her children.
Nif. - נֶחְבָּא to be hidden. Sabb. 60ᵃ היו נֶחְבָּאִין וכ׳ they hid in a cave.
Ithpa. - אִתְחַבֵּא,
Ithpe. - אִיחְבֵּי to hide one’s self; to be hidden, covered. Targ. Lam. I, 3. Targ. Y. Gen. VII, 19, sq. (ed. pr. = O. אתחפ׳).—Bekh. 43ᵇ דחַבְיָא מִיחְבֵּי (Rashi, ed. מִחְ׳) when the head is hidden (between the shoulders). B. Kam. 60ᵇ מִחְבֵּי חַבּוּיֵי וכ׳ he hides himself and walks (by the way-sides).
—Pl. חוֹבוֹת. Succ. 56ᵃ, v. רֶגֶל; a. e.—2) condemnation, doom.—Pl. as ab. Midr. Till. to Ps IV, 8 פותחין בח׳ begin with predictions of doom, opp. נחמות. [חוֹבָה Ch., v. חוֹבָא.]
What is the story trying to tell us?
Take a meaning of Hova and use that to reclaim how one can read Hova's story.
Two chevrutas (partners) Rav Huna and Rav Adda bar Ahava come to debate halachot. In the heat of the debate, Rav Adda bar Ahava recognizes the hypocrisy of Rav Huna’s stringent rulings. As Rav Huna piles on stringencies, Rav Adda bar Ahava is aware of the actions of Hova, Rav Huna’s wife, who cuts their children’s hair and who watches and raises the flocks. Yet this dutiful wife is seemingly unaware that her husband has halachically ruled against her actions. Hoping for Rav Huna to recognize his hypocrisy and acknowledge the work his wife does, Rav Adda bar Ahava asks his friend: Who cuts his son’s hair? Who raises and watches the flock? Rav Huna replies that it is Hova. Furthermore since it is Hova, his wife, a woman, she is not truly liable for punishment, despite his previous rulings.
Rav Adda bar Ahava incensed at Rav Huna’s deflection of responsibility exclaims, You (Rav Huna) are hiding behind your wife and ignoring your responsibility to your family. In secrecy you can hide no more! You shall not merit any more children until you take responsibility. Recognize the impact of your stringencies and your denial!
We are then told that until the day where Rav Huna’s rulings match his practices, can he, Rav Huna, merit to connect with his family and have children again.
Prompts:
When do we hide from our responsibilities?
How does that impact those around us?