Nehemiah ben Kohen Tzedek was the head (gaon) of the

Academy An academy ( Attic Greek: Ἀκαδήμεια; Koine Greek Ἀκαδημία) is an institution of secondary or tertiary higher learning (and generally also research or honorary membership). The name traces back to Plato's school of philosophy ...

of Pumbeditha from 960 to 968.NEHEMIAH BEN KOHEN ẒEDEḲ
jewishencyclopedia.com; Article Nehemiah was the son of Kohen Tzedek Kahana ben R. Joseph, who had been gaon. While his predecessor,

Aaron ibn Sargado Aaron ibn Sargado or Aaron ben R. Joseph ha-Kohen (Hebrew: אהרן הכהן בן יוסף - כלף סרג'דו) was a tenth-century AD gaon ( Jewish religious leader) in Pumbedita, Babylonia. He was a son of Joseph ha-Kohen. Biography Accordin ...

, was still in office, Nehemiah tried to have him removed; but the college insisted on retaining him, as he was in every respect superior to his opponent. After Sargado's death Nehemiah finally succeeded in seizing the office by a trick, although the majority of the college, headed by the ab bet din, R. Sherira, refused to recognize him, and he was supported by only a few members and some wealthy laymen. Nothing is known of his scholarly attainments or of his activity as gaon. Nehemah died in 968, and was succeeded as gaon by

Sherira Gaon Sherira bar Hanina (Hebrew: שרירא בר חנינא) more commonly known as Sherira Gaon (Hebrew: שרירא גאון; c. 906-c. 1006) was the gaon of the Academy of Pumbeditha. He was one of the most prominent Geonim of his period, and the ...

References

This article incorporates sections of th
Jewish Encyclopedia
entry on Nehemiah ben Kohen Tzedek.

References

See also