Geonim of Babylonia and the Shaping of Medieval Jewish Culture

Epoch of Gaons (VI-XI cc.) occupies an important place in the history of Judaism. Gaon were heads of Talmudic academies in Babylonia. Over time they have achieved superiority over the more ancient Palestine Center, after which most of the Jewish community recognize their own religious and spiritual leaders.

Due to the multifaceted activities of the Gaon is the Babylonian version of Judaism, based on the Babylonian Talmud, was most prevalent in the new Jewish centers in North Africa and Europe. Monograph of Robert Brody describes the intellectual and social activities Gaon in a broad historical and cultural context.

Particular attention is paid to fight the Babylonian academies with a variety of competing institutions of power and spiritual authority - from competitors in an environment of Orthodox Judaism to sectarian and freethinkers who reject the rabbinic tradition in general. The author also traces the influence of Arab culture on the work of the Jewish intellectual elite.