Commentary for Berakhot 123:9
רבא מקמי דהוי רישא מקרקשא ליה בת רב חסדא אמגוזא בלקנא בתר דמלך עבדא ליה כוותא ומנחא ליה ידא ארישיה
Before Raba was appointed Principal [of the Seminary], the daughter of Rab Hisda used to rattle a nut in a flask for him; but afterwards when he ruled [over the Seminary] she made an aperture for him [in the wall] and placed her hand upon his head.
Abraham Cohen Footnotes to the English Translation of Masechet Berakhot
Raba's wife.
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Abraham Cohen Footnotes to the English Translation of Masechet Berakhot
When he went into the privy, to frighten away the evil spirits. Cf. Frazer, Folklore in the Old Testament, III. pp. 446 ff.
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Abraham Cohen Footnotes to the English Translation of Masechet Berakhot
As a more effective protection, because owing to his exalted position he was particularly liable to attack.
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