'EFA or ḤEFA:
Rabbinic scholar of the fourth century. He was a native of Babylonia, who, although but few halakot and fewer haggadot are associated with his name, acquired considerable fame as belonging to "the ingenious scholars of Pumbedita" (Sanh. 17b; Men. 17a). His full name, which was "'Efa b. Raḥba," appears once in the Babylonian Talmud (Sanh. l.c.); but in Yerushalmi he is always cited as "Ḥefa," without patronymic or title.
Bibliography:
- Frankel, Mebo, p. 85a;
- Heilprin, Seder ha-Dorot, ii., s.v.
