Abū ’l-‘Alā Israel ha-Kohen

Abū ’l-‘Alā Israel ha-Kohen was the son of Samuel ben Ḥofni Ga’on. Israel held a position of leadership in the Sura academy during his father’s tenure, but when Samuel died in 1013, he was apparently still too young to take over as gaon. He finally became gaon in 1018, a position that he held until his death in 1033, when he was succeeded by his son ‘Azariah. During his time as gaon, he was faced with several challenges from opponents. Several letters from Israel survive, as well as a book on the laws of prayer, Book of Prayer (Kitāb al-ṣalāt). This work was written for his financial supporter Abraham ibn ‘Aṭā’, who was the nagid in Qayrawān. From the little that survives, it is clear that Israel’s theology was highly influenced by the kalām (rationalist theology) thought that his father had embraced.