Abraham ben Mazhir
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Abū Ṭāhir Abraham ben Mazhir | |
|---|---|
אברהם בן מזהיר | |
| Title | Gaon |
| Personal life | |
| Died | c. 1160 |
| Children | Nissim, Ezra, Sar Shalom, Mazhir |
| Era | 12th century |
| Known for | Head of the remnant of the Palestinian Gaonate in Damascus |
| Religious life | |
| Religion | Judaism |
| Jewish leader | |
| Predecessor | Solomon ben Elijah ha-Cohen (assumed) |
| Successor | Ezra ben Abraham |
Abū Ṭāhir Abraham ben Mazhir (Hebrew: אברהם בן מזהיר, Arabic: ابو طاهر, died c. 1160) was head of the remnant of the Palestinian Gaonate in Damascus in the first half of the 12th century.
Little is known about Abraham's origins. His father Mazhir is styled in a letter from the Cairo Genizah as "Yesod haYeshiva", "the foundation of the Yeshiva".[1] In a different letter Abraham's family is referred to as "coming from the powerful family of Kohanim".[2] This reference seems to indicate that Abraham's family was somehow related to the family of Kohanim who ruled the Palestinian Gaonate before him. Mann, followed by others, suggests that Abraham was the son-in-law of Solomon ben Elijah ha-Cohen Gaon, who had ruled as Gaon in Damascus in the first quarter of the 12th century.[3]
It is unclear when Abraham started his position in the Gaonate. Some scholars believe he was already Gaon after the passing of the aforementioned Solomon ha-Cohen, while Masliah Gaon was head of the other division of the yeshiva in Fustat.[3] Amir Ashur has argued that Masliah's control extended over Damascus and Abraham was not an opposing Gaon.[4][5] Abraham is already mentioned as Gaon in a letter discussing the will of Masliah.[1][3][6]
Abraham was visited by Isaac ibn Ezra in 1142. Isaac composed a poem in Abraham's honor and compiled a manuscript of poems that he gifted to Abraham.[7][8] Abraham's interest in poetry is evident from this manuscript and the numerous other poems written for him.[9]