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Geonica ~ Rabbinic Literature ~ Subject Research Guide
Midrash Geonica

The geonim were the heads of two Talmud academies in Babylonia (in Sura and Pumbedita) from the late 500's until the early 11th century. It was their role to teach and interpret the Talmud and to formulate legal decisions based on the Talmud.

The Jewish Encyclopedia has a chart of the geonim at Sura and Pumbedita.

One of the best known was Saadia ben Joseph (also known as Saadia ha-Gaon) who was the Gaon of Sura from 928 until his death in 942. He was a prolific author whose works include:

  • Hebrew dictionary, called "Agron"
  • translation of the Bible into Arabic with commentary
  • Hebrew grammar
  • Halakhic works including responsa
  • a prayerbook
  • philosophical works

Finding texts in the catalog

Do a browse subject search under: geonim or geonic literature

For the Responsa (She'elot u-teshuvot) of the Geonim, do a browse subject search under: responsa to 1040

Finding texts on the shelf

Many of the works by or about the Geonim will be shelved in BM 501.5

Finding Talmud online

Bar Ilan Responsa Project
Includes the Hebrew texts of the Tanakh, Talmuds, early commentaries, and many responsa http://www.responsa.co.il/
More options are available to HUC students and faculty by accessing the Responsa Project through the Jewish Studies Portal

Seforim Online
Many older rabbinic works are available in PDF form on this site.
http://www.seforimonline.org/seforim.html

While the Library thinks that these sites are useful, their content is not under our control and may express views that are not shared by the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion.

If you have any further questions about finding information on this, or any other topic, ask your local HUC-JIR librarian or email us using the form on the campus library homepage.