Usha (city)

Usha was a city in the Western part of Galilee. It is noteworthy because in the 2nd century (c. 135), the Sanhedrin, or rabbinic court, was moved from Yavne in Judea to Usha, and then from Usha back to Yavne, and a second time from Yavne to Usha.

The final settlement in Usha indicates the ultimate spiritual supremacy of Galilee over Judea, the latter having become depopulated after the Second Jewish Revolt. Usha was also important because some of the pupils of Rabbi Akiva resided there, including Judah ben Ilai, whose original home was in Usha.