A Pumbedita Quatrain

The Great and Powerful Library

The great Jewish Academy in Pumbedita flourished in the Middle East from about 250 A.D. until 1100A.D.
After the fall of Jerusalem and the dispersion of Jews throughout the world in 70 A.D., the centers in what used to be Babylon, Sura and Pumbedita, were the centers of scholarship and were the incubators of the Babylonian Talmud.
Pumbedita was founded by Judah ben Ezekiel (יהודה בן יחזקאל) who was also known as Rav Yehuda.


Fire, flame, and famine
will arise in Pumbedita,
once again to harrow
the fields of western kings.

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