CAHANA. – Various Jewish doctors among the Amoraim (v.) bear this name, the Aramaic form of the Hebrew kōhēn (“priest”). It is difficult to determine in each case which Rabbi C. is meant.
The most important are: C. 'AMORĀ, of the first generation (he appears in the Palestinian Talmud without the title of rabh); R. C., of the second generation, a contemporary and friend of R. 'Āsī (v.), who reports many traditions in the name of Rab (Abba Areka) and sometimes of Semū'ēl. His stay in Palestine, where he attended the school of R. Jōbānān (v.), is remembered. Others bearing this name are: R. C. BEN R. HIJĀ BEN ABBA; R. C., teacher of Rab; finally the best known: C. BEN TAHLIFĀ, a celebrated haggadist and author of the Pēsiḡā (v.), born at Pum-Nahara (Babylonia) around 330, a disciple of Rab, who from 397 until his death (413) was PUMBÉDITA (v.).