Samuel ben Ḥofni Gaon and his cultural world

Samuel ben Ḥofni Gaon and his cultural world

by David E. Sklare, David Eric Sklare, Samuel Ben Hophni

Book 18 of t.

1996
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About
Samuel ben Hofni 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 Kalam, 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.

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  1. 1

    How does Samuel ben Hofni Gaon’s ability to navigate and synthesize both traditional Jewish scholarship and the dominant Arabic culture of the Buyid period challenge how we balance our own heritage with outside influences today?

  2. 2

    In what ways does the historical struggle between the declining traditional yeshivot and the vibrant intellectual activity happening outside their walls mirror shifts we see in modern institutions of authority and education?

  3. 3

    Samuel ben Hofni Gaon was deeply influenced by Mu'tazilite Kalam (Islamic rational theology); how do you feel about religious thinkers adopting philosophical frameworks from entirely different traditions to explain their own faith?

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