Natronay Ga’on

Natronay bar Hilay served as gaon of the Sura academy from 853 to 858, following in the footsteps of his father, Hilay (d. 797). Natronay was perhaps the most prolific geonic authority of his period, as hundreds of his responsa survive, though rarely in full. Natronay corresponded with Jews in three languages: Hebrew, Aramaic, and Arabic. His better-known responsa include a list of the one hundred blessings that should be recited each day, an attack on what he viewed as Ananite or proto-Karaite practices related to the Passover seder, and many responsa related to prayer. Natronay maintained ties with communities throughout the diaspora, particularly Jews in Lucena, in al-Andalus. During his tenure, Natronay competed with ‘Amram ben Sheshna (810–875), who seems to have established a rival academy, also named Sura.