Achai Gaon
Rav Achai Gaon, also known as Acha from Shabcha (c. 750), was one of the most prominent figures of the early Geonic period. He was the first Jewish author to have his writing collected into a complete book after the completion of the Babylonian Talmud (c. 500). There is also a debate among early authorities as to whether the contributions of ‘Rav Achai’ in the Talmud are in fact the comments of Achai Gaon incorporated into the Talmud’s text by later scribes.
Rav Achai’s work, the Sheiltot (Questions), a legal commentary arranged according to the order of the Torah portions, was highly esteemed by later scholars. The early historian Avraham ben David (d. 1180) wrote: “All who came after him meticulously examined the work, and I have heard that until today not a single error was found in it.”
The title ‘Gaon’ was conferred to the leaders of the great Yeshivas of Babylonia (Medieval Iraq). After the Gaon of Pumbedita Yeshiva passed away, Achai was widely acknowledged as his natural successor. However, for unknown reasons the reigning exilarch (leader of Babylonian Jewry) appointed Achai's secretary to the position instead. Distressed at this injustice, Rav Achai relocated to Israel, where he remained for the rest of his life. Despite that he never officially held the position of Gaon, both traditional and modern references refer to him as Rav Achai Gaon due to his stature and enduring influence.
Further Reading
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