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Bebai ha-Levi ben Abba of Nehar Pekod

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Rav
Bebai ha-Levi ben Rav Abba
רב ביבוי הלוי בר אבא מנהר פקוד
Personal life
BornEarly 8th century
Died789
Era8th century
Known forGaon of Sura
Other namesRav Bibi (רב ביבי)
Religious life
ReligionJudaism
Senior posting
Based inSura, Babylonia
PredecessorMari ha-Levi ben R. Mesharsheya
SuccessorHilai ben Mari

Rav Bebai ha-Levi ben Rav Abba of Nehar Pekod (Hebrew: רב ביבוי הלוי בר אבא מנהר פקוד) also known as Rav Bibi (רב ביבי) was the Gaon of Sura from 778 up until his death in 789.

Biography

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Born in the early 8th century, in his early years Rav Bibi studied in Nehar Pekod, later moving to Pumbedita where he gained prominence in the community. He was elected to the Gaonate of Sura in 778, succeeding Mari ha-Levi ben R. Mesharsheya. During his tenure as Gaon, Rav Bibi implemented several halakic economic reforms which were in response to the growing decline of land ownership and agriculturalism amongst Babylonian Jewry.[1] Some have identified Rav Bibi as the author of Meat on Charcoals, but many others have discredited this.[2] Rav Bibi died in 789, and was succeeded as Gaon by Hilai ben Mari.

References

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  1. ^ Gershom Harpens (2004), The Talmudic Age. p. 248-249
  2. ^ Meat on coals, from the book The Early Sages of Ashkenaz, by Professor Avraham Grossman


Preceded by Gaon of the Sura Academy
778-789
Succeeded by