Pumbedita Academy was a Jewish Yeshiva

Yeshiva

Yeshiva is a Jewish educational institution that focuses on the study of traditional religious texts, primarily the Talmud and Torah study. Study is usually done through daily shiurim and in study pairs called chavrutas...

 academy

Academy

An academy is an institution of higher learning, research, or honorary membership.The name traces back to Plato's school of philosophy, founded approximately 385 BC at Akademia, a sanctuary of Athena, the goddess of wisdom and skill, north of Athens, Greece. In the western world academia is the...

 in Babylon

Babylon

Babylon was an Akkadian city-state of ancient Mesopotamia, the remains of which are found in present-day Al Hillah, Babil Province, Iraq, about 85 kilometers south of Baghdad...

, during the era of the Jewish Amora

Amora

Amoraim , were renowned Jewish scholars who "said" or "told over" the teachings of the Oral law, from about 200 to 500 CE in Babylonia and the Land of Israel. Their legal discussions and debates were eventually codified in the Gemara...

 and Geonim

Geonim

Geonim were the presidents of the two great Babylonian, Talmudic Academies of Sura and Pumbedita, in the Abbasid Caliphate, and were the generally accepted spiritual leaders of the Jewish community world wide in the early medieval era, in contrast to the Resh Galuta who wielded secular authority...

 sages. The academy was founded at the beginning of the second generation of the Amora

Amora

Amoraim , were renowned Jewish scholars who "said" or "told over" the teachings of the Oral law, from about 200 to 500 CE in Babylonia and the Land of Israel. Their legal discussions and debates were eventually codified in the Gemara...

 era, by R. Judah ben Ezekiel

Judah ben Ezekiel

Judah ben Ezekiel , was a Babylonian amora of the 2nd generation. He was the most prominent disciple of Rav , in whose house he often stayed, and whose son Hiyya was his pupil...

, and was active as an influential and dominant Jewish academy for about 800 years, along with the Sura Academy

Sura Academy

Sura Academy was a Jewish Yeshiva Academy in Babylon, one of the two major Jewish academies, along with the Pumbedita Yeshiva Academy, from the beginning of the era of the Amora sages and up till the end of the era of the Geonim. The Yeshiva Academy was founded by the Amora Abba Arika , a disciple...

.

Pumbedita's Milestones

After Abba Arika

Abba Arika

Abba Arika was a Jewish Talmudist who lived in Babylonia, known as an amora of the 3rd century who established at Sura the systematic study of the rabbinic traditions, which, using the Mishnah as text, led to the compilation of the Talmud...

 ("Rav") and Samuel of Nehardea

Samuel of Nehardea

Samuel of Nehardea or Samuel bar Abba was a Jewish Talmudist who lived in Babylonia, known as an Amora of the first generation; son of Abba bar Abba and head of the Yeshiva at Nehardea. He was a teacher of halakha, judge, physician, and astronomer. He was born about 165 at Nehardea, in Babylonia...

 died, at the end of the 1st generation of the Amora

Amora

Amoraim , were renowned Jewish scholars who "said" or "told over" the teachings of the Oral law, from about 200 to 500 CE in Babylonia and the Land of Israel. Their legal discussions and debates were eventually codified in the Gemara...

im, along with the designation of Rav Huna

Rav Huna

Rav Huna , a Kohen, was a Jewish Talmudist who lived in Babylonia, known as an amora of the second generation and head of the Academy of Sura; He was born about 216, died in 296-297 ).-Youth:...

 as dean of the Yeshiva Academy of Sura, R. Judah ben Ezekiel went to Pumbedita

Pumbedita

Pumbedita was the name of a city in ancient Babylonia close to the modern-day city of Fallujah....

 city and had established a new Yeshiva

Yeshiva

Yeshiva is a Jewish educational institution that focuses on the study of traditional religious texts, primarily the Talmud and Torah study. Study is usually done through daily shiurim and in study pairs called chavrutas...

 there, the Pumbedita Yeshiva Academy, that was active for about 800 years, during the course of the Amora

Amora

Amoraim , were renowned Jewish scholars who "said" or "told over" the teachings of the Oral law, from about 200 to 500 CE in Babylonia and the Land of Israel. Their legal discussions and debates were eventually codified in the Gemara...

, Savora

Savora

A Savora is a term used in Jewish law and history to signify one among the leading rabbis living from the end of period of the Amoraim to the beginning of the Geonim...

, and Geonim

Geonim

Geonim were the presidents of the two great Babylonian, Talmudic Academies of Sura and Pumbedita, in the Abbasid Caliphate, and were the generally accepted spiritual leaders of the Jewish community world wide in the early medieval era, in contrast to the Resh Galuta who wielded secular authority...

 eras, and up until the days of Hai Gaon

Hai Gaon

Hai ben Sherira , was a medieval Jewish theologian, rabbi and scholar who served as Gaon of the Talmudic academy of Pumbedita during the early 11th century. He was born in 939 and died on March 28, 1038...

. The city of Pumbedita

Pumbedita

Pumbedita was the name of a city in ancient Babylonia close to the modern-day city of Fallujah....

 was previously settled by Jews for a long time before the academy's establishment, since the days of Second Temple of Jerusalem. Pumbedita city was situated on the Bedita river, that was a Stream of the Euphrates

Euphrates

The Euphrates is the longest and one of the most historically important rivers of Western Asia. Together with the Tigris, it is one of the two defining rivers of Mesopotamia...

 river, on the waterside (Pum = in Aramic "mouth" or "lips") of Bedita river, and thus it was named Pumbedita. The modern-day city of Fallujah

Fallujah

Fallujah is a city in the Iraqi province of Al Anbar, located roughly west of Baghdad on the Euphrates. Fallujah dates from Babylonian times and was host to important Jewish academies for many centuries....

 stands in its place.

At the time, the academies of Pumbedita and Sura

Sura (city)

Sura was a city in the southern part of ancient Babylonia, located west of the Euphrates River. It was well-known for its agricultural produce, which included grapes, wheat, and barley...

 became the most influential and dominant Yeshiva

Yeshiva

Yeshiva is a Jewish educational institution that focuses on the study of traditional religious texts, primarily the Talmud and Torah study. Study is usually done through daily shiurim and in study pairs called chavrutas...

s of the Jewish communities' world, and all Torah

Torah

Torah- A scroll containing the first five books of the BibleThe Torah , is name given by Jews to the first five books of the bible—Genesis , Exodus , Leviticus , Numbers and Deuteronomy Torah- A scroll containing the first five books of the BibleThe Torah , is name given by Jews to the first five...

 decrees and other religious rulings were issued from these Yeshivas to all the Jewish diaspora

Jewish diaspora

The Jewish diaspora is the English term used to describe the Galut גלות , or 'exile', of the Jews from the region of the Kingdom of Judah and Roman Iudaea and later emigration from wider Eretz Israel....

. The Pumbedita academy served as a field of growth to the greatest Jewish sages for generations to come, among them: Rabbah bar Nahmani

Rabbah bar Nahmani

Rabbah bar Nachmani was a Jewish Talmudist known as an amora, who lived in Babylonia, known throughout the Talmud simply as Rabbah.Rabbah was born into a priestly family, and studied at both the academies in Sura and Pumbedita...

 ("Rabbah"), Rav Yosef b. Hiyya

Rav Yosef b. Hiyya

Rav Yosef b. Hiyya was a Jewish Amora sage of Babylon, of the third generation of the Amora era. He was a disciple of R. Judah ben Ezekiel, and R...

, Abaye

Abaye

Abaye was a rabbi of the Jewish Talmud who lived in Babylonia [בבל], known as an amora [אמורא] born about the close of the third century; died 339 . His father, Kaylil, was the brother of Rabbah bar Nachmani, a teacher at the Academy of Pumbedita. Abaye's real name was Nachmani, after his...

 and Amora

Amora

Amoraim , were renowned Jewish scholars who "said" or "told over" the teachings of the Oral law, from about 200 to 500 CE in Babylonia and the Land of Israel. Their legal discussions and debates were eventually codified in the Gemara...

 sage Rava

Rava (amora)

For the third generation Amora sage of Babylon, with a similar name, see: Joseph b. Hama .Abba ben Joseph bar Ḥama, who is exclusively referred to in the Talmud by the name Rava , was a Jewish Talmudist who lived in Babylonia, known as an amora, born in 270. He is one of the most often-cited Rabbis...

, Savora

Savora

A Savora is a term used in Jewish law and history to signify one among the leading rabbis living from the end of period of the Amoraim to the beginning of the Geonim...

 Rabbah Jose

Rabbah Jose

Rabbah Jose is accounted one of the last Amora sages of Babylon , and the Headman to the first Savora sages generation. He headed the Pumbedita Academy from the year 476 AD until he died in 514 AD...

 and Simuna

Simuna

R. Simuna was a Jewish Savora sage of the second generation of the Savora era. He headed the Pumbedita Yeshiva parallelly to Rav Ena running the Sura academy, and both committed the Talmud to writing...

, and Geonim

Geonim

Geonim were the presidents of the two great Babylonian, Talmudic Academies of Sura and Pumbedita, in the Abbasid Caliphate, and were the generally accepted spiritual leaders of the Jewish community world wide in the early medieval era, in contrast to the Resh Galuta who wielded secular authority...

 Rab Rabbah Gaon and Paltoi ben Abbaye Gaon, as well as Rav Sherira Gaon

Sherira Gaon

Rav Sherira Gaon was the head 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.Sherira was born in 906 and died in 1006. Rav Sherira Gaon (Hebrew: רב שרירא גאון or R. Sherira ben Ḥanina Gaon, Hebrew: רב...

 and his son Hai Gaon

Hai Gaon

Hai ben Sherira , was a medieval Jewish theologian, rabbi and scholar who served as Gaon of the Talmudic academy of Pumbedita during the early 11th century. He was born in 939 and died on March 28, 1038...

. The Yeshiva academy of Pumbedita was at its peak during the 3d and 4th generation of the Amora

Amora

Amoraim , were renowned Jewish scholars who "said" or "told over" the teachings of the Oral law, from about 200 to 500 CE in Babylonia and the Land of Israel. Their legal discussions and debates were eventually codified in the Gemara...

 sages era. During the days of the Amora

Amora

Amoraim , were renowned Jewish scholars who "said" or "told over" the teachings of the Oral law, from about 200 to 500 CE in Babylonia and the Land of Israel. Their legal discussions and debates were eventually codified in the Gemara...

 sage Rava

Rava (amora)

For the third generation Amora sage of Babylon, with a similar name, see: Joseph b. Hama .Abba ben Joseph bar Ḥama, who is exclusively referred to in the Talmud by the name Rava , was a Jewish Talmudist who lived in Babylonia, known as an amora, born in 270. He is one of the most often-cited Rabbis...

, the academy of Pumbedita was relocated to Mahuza (Hebrew: מחוזא), but after his death it was moved back to Pumbedita city.

Along with the sealing of the Talmud

Talmud

The Talmud is a central text of mainstream Judaism. It takes the form of a record of rabbinic discussions pertaining to Jewish law, ethics, philosophy, customs and history....

, by Ravina II

Ravina II

Ravina II was a Jewish Talmudist and rabbi, accounted as an Amora sage of the 8th generation of the Amora era. In 475 AD, he finished editing the Gemara portion of the Talmud Bavli, completing the work of his teacher Rav Ashi. He was also a nephew of Ravina I. He was a leader for 22 years....

 (at Sura

Sura (city)

Sura was a city in the southern part of ancient Babylonia, located west of the Euphrates River. It was well-known for its agricultural produce, which included grapes, wheat, and barley...

 city), the era of the Savora

Savora

A Savora is a term used in Jewish law and history to signify one among the leading rabbis living from the end of period of the Amoraim to the beginning of the Geonim...

 sages has began (years 499-589; ד'ר"ס - ד'שמ"ט Hebrew calendar

Hebrew calendar

The Hebrew calendar , or Jewish calendar, is a lunisolar calendar used today predominantly for Jewish religious observances. It determines the dates for Jewish holidays and the appropriate public reading of Torah portions, yahrzeits , and daily Psalm reading, among many ceremonial uses...

), in which most part of that period, proper studying on regular basis did not take place in Sura Academy

Sura Academy

Sura Academy was a Jewish Yeshiva Academy in Babylon, one of the two major Jewish academies, along with the Pumbedita Yeshiva Academy, from the beginning of the era of the Amora sages and up till the end of the era of the Geonim. The Yeshiva Academy was founded by the Amora Abba Arika , a disciple...

 (only in Pumbedeita), due to pogroms against the Jewish community in Sura. After the pogroms reached Pumbedeita as well, the heads of the Yeshiva had to move the Pumbedeita academy to Firuz Shapur (Hebrew: פירוז שבור) for a course of around 50 years, until it was reinaugurated by R. Hanan of Iskiya

Hanan of Iskiya

Hanan of Iskiya Hanan of Iskiya (Asikia)Hanan of Iskiya (Asikia)(Hebrew: (רב חנן מאישקיא (מאישקא or Alternative English spelling: Hanan of Iskia, or Hanan of Iskya, or Hanan of Ishqiya) was rector of the Talmudical academy at Pumbedita, 589-608....

 at Pumbedeita city in year 589 (ד'שמ"ט; Hebrew calendar

Hebrew calendar

The Hebrew calendar , or Jewish calendar, is a lunisolar calendar used today predominantly for Jewish religious observances. It determines the dates for Jewish holidays and the appropriate public reading of Torah portions, yahrzeits , and daily Psalm reading, among many ceremonial uses...

).

During the era of the Geonim

Geonim

Geonim were the presidents of the two great Babylonian, Talmudic Academies of Sura and Pumbedita, in the Abbasid Caliphate, and were the generally accepted spiritual leaders of the Jewish community world wide in the early medieval era, in contrast to the Resh Galuta who wielded secular authority...

, the two Talmudic academies were correspondingly active as well. One of Pumbedita

Pumbedita

Pumbedita was the name of a city in ancient Babylonia close to the modern-day city of Fallujah....

's Gaon

Geonim

Geonim were the presidents of the two great Babylonian, Talmudic Academies of Sura and Pumbedita, in the Abbasid Caliphate, and were the generally accepted spiritual leaders of the Jewish community world wide in the early medieval era, in contrast to the Resh Galuta who wielded secular authority...

's (a title for the deans of these academies during the Geonim

Geonim

Geonim were the presidents of the two great Babylonian, Talmudic Academies of Sura and Pumbedita, in the Abbasid Caliphate, and were the generally accepted spiritual leaders of the Jewish community world wide in the early medieval era, in contrast to the Resh Galuta who wielded secular authority...

 era), R. Hai ben R. David (approximately in years 898-890; ד'תר"נ- ד'תרנ"ח Hebrew calendar), moved the academy to Baghdad

Baghdad

Baghdad is the capital of Iraq, as well as the coterminous Baghdad Governorate. The population of Baghdad in 2011 is approximately 7,216,040...

, because during his period, the number of Jews making a living from agriculture grew smaller, and they were constantly moving to the big cities, mainly to Baghdad (apart from the phenomenon of the Jewish Emigration

Emigration

Emigration is the act of leaving one's country or region to settle in another. It is the same as immigration but from the perspective of the country of origin. Human movement before the establishment of political boundaries or within one state is termed migration. There are many reasons why people...

, settling out side of Babylonia

Babylonia

Babylonia was an ancient cultural region in central-southern Mesopotamia , with Babylon as its capital. Babylonia emerged as a major power when Hammurabi Babylonia was an ancient cultural region in central-southern Mesopotamia (present-day Iraq), with Babylon as its capital. Babylonia emerged as...

). However, the academy's name remained "Pumbedita academy", despite its relocation. The last blooming period for Pumbedita academy took place during the days of Rav Sherira Gaon

Sherira Gaon

Rav Sherira Gaon was the head 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.Sherira was born in 906 and died in 1006. Rav Sherira Gaon (Hebrew: רב שרירא גאון or R. Sherira ben Ḥanina Gaon, Hebrew: רב...

 and his son Hai Gaon

Hai Gaon

Hai ben Sherira , was a medieval Jewish theologian, rabbi and scholar who served as Gaon of the Talmudic academy of Pumbedita during the early 11th century. He was born in 939 and died on March 28, 1038...

, towards the end of the era of the Geonim

Geonim

Geonim were the presidents of the two great Babylonian, Talmudic Academies of Sura and Pumbedita, in the Abbasid Caliphate, and were the generally accepted spiritual leaders of the Jewish community world wide in the early medieval era, in contrast to the Resh Galuta who wielded secular authority...

 sages. Thousands of letters with Halachic issues attached were received at Pumbedita, addressed to the heads of the academy, and from all around the Jewish diaspora

Jewish diaspora

The Jewish diaspora is the English term used to describe the Galut גלות , or 'exile', of the Jews from the region of the Kingdom of Judah and Roman Iudaea and later emigration from wider Eretz Israel....

, and the Geonim

Geonim

Geonim were the presidents of the two great Babylonian, Talmudic Academies of Sura and Pumbedita, in the Abbasid Caliphate, and were the generally accepted spiritual leaders of the Jewish community world wide in the early medieval era, in contrast to the Resh Galuta who wielded secular authority...

 of the academy worked hard to respond to their questions. Along with R. Hai Gaon

Hai Gaon

Hai ben Sherira , was a medieval Jewish theologian, rabbi and scholar who served as Gaon of the Talmudic academy of Pumbedita during the early 11th century. He was born in 939 and died on March 28, 1038...

's death (approximately in year 1038; ד'תשצ"ח Hebrew calendar), the era of the Geonim has ended. Exilarch

Exilarch

Exilarch refers to the leaders of the Diaspora Jewish community in Babylon following the deportation of King Jeconiah and his court into Babylonian exile after the first fall of Jerusalem in 597 BCE and augmented after the further deportations following the destruction...

 Hezekiah ben David was appointed dean of the academy of Pumbedita, the only man to be simultaneously a Gaon and the Exilarch. However, 20 years after the latter event, Hezekiah ben David was executed in torture by the Muslem caliph

Caliph

The Caliph is the head of state in a Caliphate, and the title for the ruler of the Islamic Ummah, an Islamic community ruled by the Shari'ah. It is a transcribed version of the Arabic word   which means "successor" or "representative"...

, and the Pumbedita academy was closed.

Amora

Amora

Amoraim , were renowned Jewish scholars who "said" or "told over" the teachings of the Oral law, from about 200 to 500 CE in Babylonia and the Land of Israel. Their legal discussions and debates were eventually codified in the Gemara...

 era

• Judah ben Ezekiel
  Judah ben Ezekiel
  Judah ben Ezekiel , was a Babylonian amora of the 2nd generation. He was the most prominent disciple of Rav , in whose house he often stayed, and whose son Hiyya was his pupil...
  
  :
  • the 1st Rosh yeshiva
    Rosh yeshiva
    Rosh yeshiva, , , is the title given to the dean of a Talmudical academy . It is made up of the Hebrew words rosh — meaning head, and yeshiva — a school of religious Jewish education...
    
     (and a disciple of Abba Arika
    Abba Arika
    Abba Arika was a Jewish Talmudist who lived in Babylonia, known as an amora of the 3rd century who established at Sura the systematic study of the rabbinic traditions, which, using the Mishnah as text, led to the compilation of the Talmud...
    
     and Samuel of Nehardea
    Samuel of Nehardea
    Samuel of Nehardea or Samuel bar Abba was a Jewish Talmudist who lived in Babylonia, known as an Amora of the first generation; son of Abba bar Abba and head of the Yeshiva at Nehardea. He was a teacher of halakha, judge, physician, and astronomer. He was born about 165 at Nehardea, in Babylonia...
    
    )
• Huna b. Hiyya
• Rabbah bar Nahmani
  Rabbah bar Nahmani
  Rabbah bar Nachmani was a Jewish Talmudist known as an amora, who lived in Babylonia, known throughout the Talmud simply as Rabbah.Rabbah was born into a priestly family, and studied at both the academies in Sura and Pumbedita...
  
   ("Rabbah")
• Rav Yosef b. Hiyya
  Rav Yosef b. Hiyya
  Rav Yosef b. Hiyya was a Jewish Amora sage of Babylon, of the third generation of the Amora era. He was a disciple of R. Judah ben Ezekiel, and R...
  
  
• Rava
  Rava (amora)
  For the third generation Amora sage of Babylon, with a similar name, see: Joseph b. Hama .Abba ben Joseph bar Ḥama, who is exclusively referred to in the Talmud by the name Rava , was a Jewish Talmudist who lived in Babylonia, known as an amora, born in 270. He is one of the most often-cited Rabbis...
  
  :
  • After Abaye
    Abaye
    Abaye was a rabbi of the Jewish Talmud who lived in Babylonia [בבל], known as an amora [אמורא] born about the close of the third century; died 339 . His father, Kaylil, was the brother of Rabbah bar Nachmani, a teacher at the Academy of Pumbedita. Abaye's real name was Nachmani, after his...
    
    's death the academy was united under him and moved to Mahuza
• Rav Nachman bar Yitzchak
  Rav Nachman bar Yitzchak
  Rav Nachman bar Yitzchak or Rabh Naħman bar Yişħaq in actual Talmudic and Classical Hebrew was an amora who lived in Babylonia. He was a disciple of Abaye and Rava and the dean of the yeshiva at Pumbedita....
  
  
• Rav Kahana IV
  Rav Kahana IV
  Rav Kahana Was a Jewish Amora sage of Babylon, of the third and fourth generation of the Amora sages, and headed the Yeshiva of Pum-Nahara....
  
  
• Aha b. Raba
  Aha b. Raba
  R. Aha b. Raba was a Jewish Amora sage of Babylon, of the sixth and seventh generation of the Amora era. He was a disciple of Rav Ashi and headed the Yeshiva of Pumbedita....
  
  
• Rav Rahumi I
• Sama b. Rabba

Savora

Savora

A Savora is a term used in Jewish law and history to signify one among the leading rabbis living from the end of period of the Amoraim to the beginning of the Geonim...

 era

• Rabbah Jose
  Rabbah Jose
  Rabbah Jose is accounted one of the last Amora sages of Babylon , and the Headman to the first Savora sages generation. He headed the Pumbedita Academy from the year 476 AD until he died in 514 AD...
  
  
• R. Simuna
  Simuna
  R. Simuna was a Jewish Savora sage of the second generation of the Savora era. He headed the Pumbedita Yeshiva parallelly to Rav Ena running the Sura academy, and both committed the Talmud to writing...
  
  
• Rabbai of Rob
  Rabbai of Rob
  Rabbai of Rob was a Jewish Savora sage of the third generation of the Savora era. He headed the Pumbedita Yeshiva after R. Simuna died in 540 AD . He was a fellow-townsmen of Rob city, nearby Nehardea...
  
  :
  • The academy was relocated to Firuz Shapur, due to pogroms against Jews, and moved back to Pumbedita city after 50 years

Geonim

Geonim

Geonim were the presidents of the two great Babylonian, Talmudic Academies of Sura and Pumbedita, in the Abbasid Caliphate, and were the generally accepted spiritual leaders of the Jewish community world wide in the early medieval era, in contrast to the Resh Galuta who wielded secular authority...

 era

• Hanan of Iskiya
  Hanan of Iskiya
  Hanan of Iskiya Hanan of Iskiya (Asikia)Hanan of Iskiya (Asikia)(Hebrew: (רב חנן מאישקיא (מאישקא or Alternative English spelling: Hanan of Iskia, or Hanan of Iskya, or Hanan of Ishqiya) was rector of the Talmudical academy at Pumbedita, 589-608....
  
   - from 589
• Mari ben R. Dimi Sargo - around 591
• Rav Hana (Huna) - around 630
• Rav Rabbah (Rava, Ravah) - 651
• Rav Bosai (Bostanai) - around 660
• Huna Mari ben Mar R. Joseph - around 689
• Hiyya of Meshan - around 700
• Rav Rabya ben R. Abaye (Moronai) - around 710
• Natronai b. Mar Nehemiah
  Natronai ben Nehemiah
  Natronai ben Nehemiah was Gaon of Pumbedita from 719 to 730; son-in-law of the exilarch Ḥasdai I...
  
   (called Mar R. Yanka) - 719
• Judah Gaon - around 730
• Joseph Gaon ben Kitnai (called Mar Kitnai) - 739-748
• Samuel ben Mar R. Mari - 748-755
• Natroi Kahana b. Emuna (Natrunai, ha-Kohen) - around 755-761
• Abraham Kahana (ha-Kohen) - apparently 681
• Dodai ben R. Nahman
  Dodai ben Nahman
  Dodai ben Nahman was a Babylonian-Jewish scholar of the eighth century CE and gaon of the Talmudic academy at Pumbedita . Little is known of his life...
  
   (Rav Dorai) (brother of R. Yehudai, Gaon of Sura Academy
  Sura Academy
  Sura Academy was a Jewish Yeshiva Academy in Babylon, one of the two major Jewish academies, along with the Pumbedita Yeshiva Academy, from the beginning of the era of the Amora sages and up till the end of the era of the Geonim. The Yeshiva Academy was founded by the Amora Abba Arika , a disciple...
  
  ) - 761-767
• R. Hananya ben R. Mesharsheya - 767-771
• Malka ben R. Aha - 771-773
• Rabba ben R. Dodai (Abba) (ancestor of R. Sherira Gaon
  Sherira Gaon
  Rav Sherira Gaon was the head 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.Sherira was born in 906 and died in 1006. Rav Sherira Gaon (Hebrew: רב שרירא גאון or R. Sherira ben Ḥanina Gaon, Hebrew: רב...
  
  ) - 773-782
• Rav Shinwai (Shinui)- in 782
• Haninai Kahana ben Abraham (ha-Kohen) - 782-786
• Haninai Kahana ben Abraham (ha-Kohen) - 782-786
• Huna ben ha-Levi ben Isaac - 786-788
• Manasseh ben R. Joseph - 788-796
• Isaiah ha-Levi ben R. Abba - 796-798
• Joseph ben R. Shila of Shilhe - 798-804
• Kahana ben Haninai Gaon (ha-Kohen) - 804-810
• Abumai Kahana ben Abraham (Ikhomai, ha-Kohen) - 810-814
• Joseph ben R. Abba - 814-816
• Abraham ben R. Sherira - 816-828
• Joseph ben Mar R. Hiyya - 828-833
• Isaac ben R. Hananiah (Hunai, Hiyya) - 833-839
• Joseph ben R. Abba (R. Rabbi, Ravrevay) - 839-841
• Paltoi ben R. Abaye - 841-858
• Aha Kahana ben Mar Rav (ha-Kohen) - in 858
• Menahem ben R. Joseph ben Hiyya - 858-860
• Mattithiah ha-Kohen b. Ravrevay b. Hanina (R. Rabbi) - 860-869
• Abba ben R. Ammi ben Samuel (Rabba) - 869-872
• Zemah ben Paltoi Gaon - 872-889
• Hai ben R. David - 898-890

• • The academy was moved to Baghdad
    Baghdad
    Baghdad is the capital of Iraq, as well as the coterminous Baghdad Governorate. The population of Baghdad in 2011 is approximately 7,216,040...
    
    , because many Jews ceased making a living from agriculture, and moved to the big cities. The academy kept its original name, despite its relocation.
• Kimoi ben R. Ahhai Gaon (Qimoi, ha-Kohen, Ahi) - 896-905
• Mebasser Kahana ben R. Kimoi Gaon (ha-Kohen, Qimoi) - 905-917
• Kohen Tzedek Kahana ben R. Joseph (father of R. Nehemiah ben Kohen Tzedek
  Nehemiah ben Kohen Tzedek
  Nehemiah ben Kohen Tzedek was the head of the Academy of Pumbeditha from 960 to 968. Nehemiah was the son of Kohen Tzedek Kahana ben R. Joseph, who had been gaon....
  
  ) - 917-922
• R. Zemah ben R. Kafnai (Pappai) - 935-937
• Hananiah ben R. Yehudai Gaon (Judah) (father of R. Sherira Gaon
  Sherira Gaon
  Rav Sherira Gaon was the head 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.Sherira was born in 906 and died in 1006. Rav Sherira Gaon (Hebrew: רב שרירא גאון or R. Sherira ben Ḥanina Gaon, Hebrew: רב...
  
  ) - 937-943
• Aaron ben R. Joseph Ha-Kohen  (Aharon b. Sargado
  Aaron ibn Sargado
  Aaron ibn Sargado was a tenth century AD gaon in Pumbedita, Babylonia. He was a son of Joseph ha-Kohen....
  
  ) - 943-960
• Nehemiah ben Kohen Tzedek
  Nehemiah ben Kohen Tzedek
  Nehemiah ben Kohen Tzedek was the head of the Academy of Pumbeditha from 960 to 968. Nehemiah was the son of Kohen Tzedek Kahana ben R. Joseph, who had been gaon....
  
   - 960-968
• Sherira Gaon
  Sherira Gaon
  Rav Sherira Gaon was the head 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.Sherira was born in 906 and died in 1006. Rav Sherira Gaon (Hebrew: רב שרירא גאון or R. Sherira ben Ḥanina Gaon, Hebrew: רב...
  
   - 968-1006, Passed the torch to his son Hai Gaon
  Hai Gaon
  Hai ben Sherira , was a medieval Jewish theologian, rabbi and scholar who served as Gaon of the Talmudic academy of Pumbedita during the early 11th century. He was born in 939 and died on March 28, 1038...
  
  , while he was still a live. The Iggeret Rav Sherira Gaon ("[The] Epistle of Rav Sherira Gaon") is accounted as an important historian source, especially to Jewish history
  Jewish history
  Jewish history is the history of the Jews, their religion and culture, as it developed and interacted with other peoples, religions and cultures. Since Jewish history is over 4000 years long and includes hundreds of different populations, any treatment can only be provided in broad strokes...
  
  .
• Hai Gaon
  Hai Gaon
  Hai ben Sherira , was a medieval Jewish theologian, rabbi and scholar who served as Gaon of the Talmudic academy of Pumbedita during the early 11th century. He was born in 939 and died on March 28, 1038...
  
   ben R. Sherira - 1004, died in 1038. His death is consider the conclusion of the era of the Geonim
  Geonim
  Geonim were the presidents of the two great Babylonian, Talmudic Academies of Sura and Pumbedita, in the Abbasid Caliphate, and were the generally accepted spiritual leaders of the Jewish community world wide in the early medieval era, in contrast to the Resh Galuta who wielded secular authority...
  
   sages.
• Exilarch
  Exilarch
  Exilarch refers to the leaders of the Diaspora Jewish community in Babylon following the deportation of King Jeconiah and his court into Babylonian exile after the first fall of Jerusalem in 597 BCE and augmented after the further deportations following the destruction...
  
   Hezekiah ben David (Hezekiah Gaon
  Hezekiah Gaon
  Hezekiah Gaon was the last Gaon of the Talmudic academy in Pumbedita from 1038-40.Hezekiah was a member of the exilarchal family, son of David,who was son the of Zakkai,who was the son of Avraham, who was the son of Nathan, son of David a Rabbi, whose father was Hazub...
  
  ) - 1038-1040 - was killed by the Muslim
  Muslim
  A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
  
   caliph
  Caliph
  The Caliph is the head of state in a Caliphate, and the title for the ruler of the Islamic Ummah, an Islamic community ruled by the Shari'ah. It is a transcribed version of the Arabic word   which means "successor" or "representative"...
  
  .

See also

• Fallujah
  Fallujah
  Fallujah is a city in the Iraqi province of Al Anbar, located roughly west of Baghdad on the Euphrates. Fallujah dates from Babylonian times and was host to important Jewish academies for many centuries....
  
  
• Firuz Shapur
• Mahuza
• Nehardea
  Nehardea
  Nehardea or Nehardeah was a city of Babylonia, situated at or near the junction of the Euphrates with the Nahr Malka , one of the earliest centers of Babylonian Judaism. As the seat of the exilarch it traced its origin back to King Jehoiachin...
  
  
• Pum-Nahara Academy
  Pum-Nahara Academy
  Pum-Nahara Academy was a Jewish Yeshiva academy in Babylon, during the era of the Jewish Amora sages, in the town of Pum-Nahara, Babylonia, that was within the area of jurisdiction of Sura city, and was situated on the east bank of the "Sura" river, nearby the Sura river's estuary to the Tigris...
  
  
• Pumbedita
  Pumbedita
  Pumbedita was the name of a city in ancient Babylonia close to the modern-day city of Fallujah....
  
   (City)
• Sura Academy
  Sura Academy
  Sura Academy was a Jewish Yeshiva Academy in Babylon, one of the two major Jewish academies, along with the Pumbedita Yeshiva Academy, from the beginning of the era of the Amora sages and up till the end of the era of the Geonim. The Yeshiva Academy was founded by the Amora Abba Arika , a disciple...
  
  
• Sura (city)
  Sura (city)
  Sura was a city in the southern part of ancient Babylonia, located west of the Euphrates River. It was well-known for its agricultural produce, which included grapes, wheat, and barley...
  
  
• Talmudic Academies in Babylonia
  Talmudic Academies in Babylonia
  The Talmudic Academies in Babylonia, also known as the Geonic Academies, were the center for Jewish scholarship and the development of Jewish law in Mesopotamia from roughly 589 CE to 1038 CE...
  
  
• Talmudic Academies in the Land of Israel
  Talmudic Academies in the Land of Israel
  The Talmudic Academies in the Land of Israel were yeshivot that served as centers for Jewish scholarship and the development of Jewish law in the Levant and had a great and lasting impact on the development of world Jewry....
  
  

External links

• Pumbedita, Jewish Virtual Library
  Jewish Virtual Library
  Jewish Virtual Library is an online encyclopedia published by the American-Israeli Cooperative Enterprise . Established in 1993, it is a comprehensive website covering Israel, the Jewish people, and Jewish culture.-History:...
  
  ;Article