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Samuel ben ḥofni Gaon and His Cultural World : Texts and Studies /

Sklare, David E.,

Samuel ben ḥofni Gaon and His Cultural World : Texts and Studies / Texts and Studies David E. Sklare. - 1 online resource. - Études sur le judaïsme médiéval ; 18 . - Études sur le judaïsme médiéval ; 18. .

Contains reconstruction of two works by Samuel ben Ḥofni Gaon in original Judeo-Arabic and English translation.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Preliminary Material / Preface / Symbols and Method used in Transcription and Translation / Bibliographical Abbreviations / Genealogical Table / Chapter One Samuel ben Ḥofni Gaon: His Life and Works / Chapter Two Samuel ben Ḥofni and Arabic Culture: An Intellectual Portrait / Chapter Three The Yeshivot in Baghdad: Decline and Temporary Restoration / Chapter Four Jewish Culture Outside the Yeshivot / Chapter Five Central Concepts and Issues: Reason, Obligation, Universalism and Tradition / Chapter Six Treatise on the Commandments : Introduction and Annotated Translation / Chapter Seven Ten Questions : Introduction and Annotated Translation / Bibliography / General Index / Index of Manuscripts / Index of Sources / David E. Sklare -- David E. Sklare -- David E. Sklare -- David E. Sklare -- David E. Sklare -- David E. Sklare -- David E. Sklare -- David E. Sklare -- David E. Sklare -- David E. Sklare -- David E. Sklare -- David E. Sklare -- David E. Sklare -- David E. Sklare -- David E. Sklare -- David E. Sklare.

Samuel ben ḥofni Gaon was head of the Yeshiva of Sura in Baghdad during the cultural renaissance which characterized the Buyid period. His writings reflect the impact of Arabic literature on Jewish intellectuals at this time. The first part of this volume presents the known details of his life and extensive writings and describes the dynamics of contemporary, tenth-century Jewish culture: the decline and temporary restoration of the yeshivot and the intellectual activity outside of them. Additionally, some of the basic concepts of his thought, strongly influenced by Mu'tazilite Kalām, are explained. The book provides the Judeo-Arabic text and annotated English translation of two of his works on legal theory, his Treatise on the Commandments and Ten Questions , reconstructed from manuscript fragments from the Cairo Geniza.

9789004494824 9789004103023

10.1163/9789004494824 DOI




Samuel ben Hophni, -1013.


Jewish scholars--Iraq--Babylonia--Biography.
Rabbis--Iraq--Babylonia--Biography.
Commandments (Judaism)
Jewish scholars--Biography.--Iraq--Babylonia
Jews--Intellectual life.--Iraq--Babylonia
Rabbis--Biography.--Iraq--Babylonia

BM755.S2436

296/.092 B