Rav Yochanan Criticizing Babylon

It says in Sanhedrin Daf 24
מאי בבל א”ר יוחנן בלולה במקרא בלולה במשנה בלולה בתלמוד
This is very interesting that the statement is being made by R’ Yochanan. He was from the first generation of Amoroim in Eretz Yisrael (Someone not even from Bavel and far from the time when the Talmud was completed) and from his Beis Medresh came Talmud Yerushalmi? What shaychas does he have to make such a statement about Talmud Bavli (when certainly the same could be said about Talmud Yerushalmi). Although perhaps only a “historical” question it’s still a little interesting why the gemorah is quoted this b’shem R’ Yochanan. Perhaps the Rabbonim Shlit”a by the Kollel might have something to say on this. Thanks!

Answer:

An interesting question.

Perhaps it can be suggested that the statement was made specifically because the Talmudic academies of Babylon were not yet developed, and therefore Rav Yochanan saw it right to criticize them.

However, this is only one of many statements in the Talmud criticizing the Torah study of Babylon (“because you are from a dark place, your words are dark” and similar statements), so that it is clear that there was a general criticism of Babylonian study by the Amora’im of Eretz Yisrael.

Best wishes.