Rava, whose name was Abba ben Yosef bar Chama, was one of the leaders of the fourth generation of Babylonian Amoraim. He was born around 280 in Mechoza on the Tigris, near Ctesiphon, the Persian capital. His father, Rav Yosef bar Chama, was a wealthy and distinguished scholar who provided for all his needs so that he could devote himself entirely to study.

His principal teacher was Rav Nachman; he also studied under Rav Yosef and under Rav Chisda, whose lectures he attended in Sura together with his companion Rami bar Chama. He later married Rav Chisda's daughter, the widow of Rami bar Chama. Rava related that he had asked Heaven for three things: the wisdom of Rav Huna and the wealth of Rav Chisda were granted to him, but not the humility of Rabbah bar Rav Huna.

His debates with Abaye, the "Havayot de-Abaye ve-Rava", are a summit of Talmudic dialectic, and he is one of the most frequently cited sages of the Talmud. In their hundreds of disputes, the halacha follows Rava in all but six cases. After the death of Rav Yosef, Abaye became head of the academy of Pumbedita and Rava opened his own school in Mechoza; after Abaye's death the academy moved to Mechoza, and Rava headed it for fourteen years until his passing.

He was wont to say: "The objective of wisdom is repentance and good deeds." He also taught that when a person is brought to judgment, he is asked: "Did you conduct business faithfully? Did you designate times for Torah study?", and that everything ultimately depends on the fear of G-d.

According to the Epistle of Rav Sherira Gaon, he died in 352. A tradition recorded by Rabbi Chaim Vital places his burial together with Abaye in a cave at Avnit (Yavnit) in the Upper Galilee; the exact identification of the cave remains disputed.