Sherira ben Hanina

10th century gaon of the Academy of Pumbeditha

Sherira

Gaon

שרירא גאון

Title| Gaon of the Academy of Pumbeditha
Personal
Born|

Sherira bar Hanina

c. 906 CE
Died| c. 1006 CE
Religion| Judaism
Children| Hai Gaon
Parent| Hananiah ben Yehudai
Jewish leader
Predecessor| Nehemiah ben Kohen Tzedek
Successor| Hai Gaon
Position| Gaon
Yeshiva| Pumbedita Academy
Began| 968 CE
Ended| 998 CE
Main work| Iggeret Rav Sherira Gaon

Sherira bar Hanina (Hebrew: שרירא בר חנינא) more commonly known as Sherira Gaon (Hebrew: שרירא גאון; c. 906 – c. 1006) was the gaon of the Academy of Pumbeditha. He was one of the most prominent Geonim of his period, and the father of Hai Gaon, who succeeded him as Gaon. He wrote the Iggeret Rav Sherira Gaon ("[The] Epistle of Rav Sherira Gaon"), a comprehensive history of the composition of the Talmud.[1][2]

## Life

[edit]

Sherira was born circa 906 C.E., the descendant, both on his father's and his mother's side, of prominent families, several members of which had occupied the gaonate. His father was Hananiah ben R. Yehudai, also a gaon. Sherira claimed descent from Rabbah b. Abuha, who belonged to the family of the exilarch, thereby claiming descent from the Davidic line. Sherira stated that his genealogy could be traced back to the pre-Bostanaian branch of that family, which, he claimed, on account of the deterioration of the exilarchate had renounced its claims thereto, preferring instead the scholar's life.[3] The seal of his family was a lion, which was said to have been the emblem of the Judean kings.[2]

Sherira officiated first as chief judge. While in that office, he refused to recognize the election of Nehemiah ben Kohen Tzedek as gaon in 960. On Nehemiah's death in 968 C.E., Sherira was elected gaon of the Academy of Pumbedita, soon after which he appointed his son, Hai, chief judge in his stead.[4]

In 997, he and his son were maliciously denounced by enemies to the caliph al-Qadir, though the nature of the accusation is unknown. He and his son were imprisoned and deprived of their property, even of the necessaries of life. Though the incarceration was brief, Sherira was now in very bad health. Sherira resigned the gaonate in 998 C.E., appointing his son as his successor.[2] Sherira died soon after, circa 1006 C.E.[5] He was the alleged father in law of Elijah ben Menahem Ha-Zaken.[6]

## His responsa

[edit]

As director of the academy he sought to reach pupils both near and far, and many of his responsa have been preserved in the geonic collections and in the works containing the earlier decisions. His responsa are similar to the geonic responsa in general, a majority of them dealing with questions of religious practice, though some of them contain expositions and comments on passages of the Talmud and the Mishnah.

Indeed, his literary activity was confined to Talmudic and to related subjects. He was not greatly interested in Arabic literature, although he knew enough Arabic to be able to write in that language those of his decisions that were addressed to communities in Muslim countries. Generally he preferred to use Hebrew or Aramaic for that purpose.

Sherira was noted for the nobility and seriousness of his character. As a judge he endeavoured to arrive at the exact facts of a case and to render his decisions in strict conformity with the Law. In deciding practical questions he adopted the more rigorous view, following the letter of the Talmud with the purpose of upholding and emphasising its authority against the attacks of the Karaites. He frequently formulates in his responsa rules which are highly important for the correct interpretation of the Talmud. For instance, he declares that the term "mitzvah" designates in some passages a command that may not be broken with impunity, but in other passages denotes merely an admonition with which it would be commendable to comply, but which may be disregarded without fear of punishment.[7] He was also a part of the Rabbinic constitution of EIBLC

Sherira is thought by some to have been a student of kabbalistic mysticism; but when asked about the mystical works "Shi'ur Komah" and "Hekalot" and whether they represented ancient traditions (originating with R. Ishmael and R. Akiva), he replied in a responsum[8] that the passage in "Shi'ur Ḳomah" ascribing human organs to God embodies profound mysteries, but must not be taken literally. Sherira wrote a work on the Talmud, under the title "Megillat Setarim." In this work he seems to have discussed the importance of the aggadah;[9] but the portion of the work containing his opinions on this subject has been lost.

## His circular letter

[edit]

Main article: Iggeret of Rabbi Sherira Gaon

Sherira's seminal work for which he is most renowned is his Epistle, or Iggeret, written to Rabbi Jacob ben Nissim of Kairouan, and where he addressed the question of how the Talmud was formulated, and brings down a chronological list of the geonim who officiated in Babylonia during the period of the Exilarchs (Resh Galutha). This Iggeret is considered by many to be one of the classics in Jewish historiography.[10]

## See also

[edit]

* Geonim

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Trans. Nosson Dovid Rabinowich, The Iggeres of Rav Sherira Gaon (Jerusalem: Moznaim, 1988) OCLC 20044324, p. xx
2. ^ a b c Abraham ibn Daud, "Sefer ha-Ḳabbalah," in Adolf Neubauer, Medieval Jewish Chronicles (Oxford, 1887) ISBN 1-145-09335-3, i. 66-67
3. ^ Letter of Sherira Gaon, in Neubauer, l.c. i. 23, 33
4. ^ Sherira, l.c. i. 41
5. ^ Abraham ibn Daud, "Sefer ha-Ḳabbalah," in Adolf Neubauer, "Medieval Jewish Chronicles" (Oxford, 1887) ISBN 1-145-09335-3, i. 66-67, according to Weiss's emendation in "Dor," v. 174
6. ^ "ELIJAH BEN MENAHEM HA-ZAḲEN - JewishEncyclopedia.com". www.jewishencyclopedia.com. Retrieved 2020-09-12.
7. ^ "Teshubot Ge'one Mizraḥ u-Ma'arab," No. 141, in "Bet Talmud," iv. 351
8. ^ "Sha'are Teshubah," No. 122
9. ^ Aboab, introduction to "Menorat ha-Ma'or"
10. ^ Gaon, Sherira (1988). The Iggeres of Rav Sherira Gaon. Translated by Nosson Dovid Rabinowich. Jerusalem: Rabbi Jacob Joseph School Press - Ahavath Torah Institute Moznaim. p. Preface. OCLC 923562173.

This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Singer, Isidore; et al., eds. (1901–1906). "SHERIRA B. ḤANINA". The Jewish Encyclopedia. New York: Funk & Wagnalls.

* Brody, Robert, The Geonim of Babylonia and the Shaping of Medieval Jewish Culture, Yale University Press 1998, repr. 2012: ISBN 978-0300189322
* David J. E, “‘As it was Written in the Book of Adam’ The Chronology of the Halakhah and the Mythical Perception of History in the Late Pumbeditian Thought” Tarbitz, 74:2 (2006).(Heb.)

## External links

[edit]

* Lecture on Rav Sherira Gaon by Dr. Henry Abramson
* Lecture, Henry Abramson: Letter of Rav Sherira Gaon (First Person Accounts in Jewish History) on YouTube, Jan 2020.
* Iggeret Rav Sherira Gaon, Da'at Encyclopedia (in Hebrew)
* Chabad.org Rav Sherira Gaon

Preceded by

Nehemiah ben Kohen Tzedek

|  Gaon of the Pumbedita Academy
968–1006  | Succeeded by

Hai Gaon

|
|

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Geonim

Deans of Pumbedita Academy|

* Hanan of Iskiya
* Mari ben R. Dimi
* Rav Hana (Huna)
* Rav Rabbah (Rava, Ravah)
* Rav Bosai (Bostanai)
* Huna Mari ben Mar Joseph
* Hiyya of Meshan
* Rav Rabya (Moronai)
* Natronai ben Nehemiah
* Judah Gaon
* Joseph Gaon
* Samuel ben Mar Mari
* Natroi Kahana b. Emuna
* Abraham Kahana
* Dodai ben Nahman (Rav Dorai)
* Hananya ben Mesharsheya
* Malka ben Aha
* Rabba ben Dodai
* Rav Shinwai
* Haninai Kahana ben Abraham
* Haninai Kahana ben Abraham
* Huna ben ha-Levi ben Isaac
* Manasseh ben Joseph
* Isaiah ha-Levi ben Abba
* Joseph ben Shila
* Kahana ben Haninai Gaon
* Abumai Kahana ben Abraham
* Joseph ben Abba
* Abraham ben Sherira
* Joseph ben Mar Hiyya
* Isaac ben Hananiah
* Joseph ben Abba
* Paltoi ben Abaye
* Aha Kahana ben Mar Rav
* Menahem ben Joseph ben Hiyya
* Mattithiah ha-Kohen b. Ravrevay b. Hanina
* Abba ben Ammi
* Zemah ben Paltoi
* Hai ben David
* Kimoi ben Ahhai
* Mebasser Kahana ben Kimoi
* Kohen Tzedek Kahana ben Joseph
* Zemah ben Kafnai
* Hananiah ben Yehudai
* Aaron ibn Sargado
* Nehemiah ben Kohen Tzedek
* Sherira Gaon
* Hai Gaon
* Hezekiah Gaon

Deans of Sura Academy|

* Mar ben Huna
* Hanina (Hinenai)
* Rav Hunai (Huna)
* Rav Sheshna (Mesharsheya b. Tahlifa)
* Hanina of Nehar Pekkod (Hinenai)
* Hillai of Naresh
* Jacob of Nehar Pekod
* Rav Samuel
* Mari ha-Kohen of Nehar Pekod
* Achai Gaon
* Yehudai Gaon
* Ahhunai Kahana ben Papa
* Haninai Kahana ben Huna
* Mari ha-Levi ben Mesharsheya
* Bebai ha-Levi ben Abba of Nehar Pekod
* Hilai ben Mari
* Jacob ha-Kohen ben Mordecai
* Rav Abimai
* Zadok ben Ashi (Issac ben Jesse)
* Hilai ben Hananiah
* Kimoi ben Ashi
* Mesharsheya Kahana ben Jacob
* Kohen Tzedek ben Abimai
* Sar Shalom ben Boaz
* Natronai ben Hilai
* Amram Gaon
* Nahshon ben Zadok
* Zemah ben Hayyim
* Rav Malka
* Hai ben Nahshon
* Hilai ben Natronai ben Hilai
* Shalom ben Mishael
* Jacob ben Natronai
* Yom-Tob Kahana ben Jacob
* Saadia ben Joseph (Saadia Gaon)
* Joseph ben Jacob
* Zemah Tzedek ben Paltoi ben Issac
* Samuel ben Hofni
* Dosa ben Saadia
* Israel ha-Kohen ben Samuel ben Hofni
* Azariah ha-Kohen ben Israel

Later Babylonian Geonim|

* Isaac ben Moses ben Sukkari
* Eli ha-Levi
* Solomon (Gaon)
* Samuel ben Ali
* Zechariah ben Berakhel
* Eleazer ben Hillel ben Fahd
* Daniel ben Eleazer ben Hibat Allah
* Hibat Allah ben Abil Rabi
* Isaac ben al-Awani ha-Cohen
* Isaac ben Israel Ibn al-Shuwaykh
* Ali ben Zechariah
* Samuel ben Daniel ha-Cohen

Deans of Kairouan Academy|

* Jacob ben Nissim
* Chushiel ben Elchanan

Geonim in the Land of Israel|

* Pinhas ben Jacob ha-Cohen
* Jehoshaphat ben Josiah
* Semah ben Josiah
* Aaron ben Moses ben Meir
* Isaac (Gaon)
* Aaron ben Meir
* Abraham ben Aaron
* Aaron ha-Cohen (Gaon)
* Joseph ben Ezrun ha-Cohen
* Ezrun
* Samuel ben Joseph ha-Cohen
* Jose ben Samuel ha-Cohen
* Shemaya Gaon
* Josiah ben Aaron
* Solomon ben Joseph ha-Cohen
* Solomon ben Judah (Gaon)
* Daniel ben Azariah
* Elijah ben Solomon ha-Cohen
* Abiathar ben Elijah ha-Cohen
* Solomon ben Elijah ha-Cohen
* Masliah ben Solomon ha-Cohen
* Moses ben Netanel ha-Levi
* Abraham ben Mazhir
* Netanel ben Moses ha-Levi
* Sar Shalom ben Moses ha-Levi
* Ezra ben Abraham
* Sar Shalom ben Abraham
* Sadoq

Others|

* Mar Isaac of Firuz Shabur
* Achai Gaon
* Simeon Kayyara

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