Quotes:Hai Gaon

Zirkoff, Boris

Hai Gaon (Hai ben Sherira). One of the most famous Geonim, son of Sherira, b. 939; d. March 28, 1038. Appointed vice-president of the Academy of Pumbeditha, while his father was still president. As a result of complaint presented to the Caliph of Baghdad, nature of which is not clear, Hai and father were arrested, their property confiscated. They were proved innocent and released. The father then transferred the Gaonate to his son, the latter administering it for 40 years, until his death, when the Babylonian Gaonate was abbrogated. Hai was considerably influenced by intellectual Judaism revived by Saadia, and therefore interested in Jewish and Arabian literature and philosophy; as Gaon, he pursued conservative course; was an outstanding author on Talmudic Law, and was concerned with Biblical research. His chief claim to recognition rests on his numerous responsa, in which he gives decisions affecting social and religious life of the Diaspora. He wrote in Arabic, and is held in high esteem in the Jewish world, as a lexicographer and grammarian; he also composed legal treatises, commentaries and liturgical prayers. His attitude to the Kabalah was conservative.

Source: Boris de Zirkoff, «H. P. Blavatsky Collected Writings», vol. 8, p. 439

Hai Gaon (Hai ben Sherira). Vide Vol. VIII, p. 439 for biographical data concerning this famous scholar.

Source: Boris de Zirkoff, «H. P. Blavatsky Collected Writings», vol. 9, p. 419