SG
Philosophy & Social Sciences

Sherira Gaon

Who

Sherira Gaon · Philosophy & Social Sciences

What

Talmudic scholar and historian; his 'Epistle' is the fundamental source for the history and chronology of rabbinic literature

When

c. 906, Pumbedita, Abbasid Caliphate (present-day Iraq) — c. 1006, Pumbedita

Where

Babylonia (present-day Iraq)

Biography

Sherira Gaon is recognized among Jewish contributors to Philosophy & Social Sciences — Talmudic scholar and historian; his 'Epistle' is the fundamental source for the history and chronology of rabbinic literature

How & why

Sherira Gaon was a leading Jewish Talmudic scholar who headed the academy of Pumbedita in Babylonia. His famous Epistle (Iggeret Rav Sherira Gaon), written in reply to the community of Kairouan, is the foundational source for the history and chronology of rabbinic literature, tracing how the Mishnah and Talmud were composed and transmitted. He was one of the last great Geonim of the Babylonian academies.

Sources & external links

Verify and go deeper with these external references.

Source: Jewish Encyclopedia

Contributions & Sources

Talmudic scholar and historian; his 'Epistle' is the fundamental source for the history and chronology of rabbinic literature

c. 906 CE

Source: Jewish Encyclopedia