"The First Sefer of the Geonim" – She’iltos d’Rav Achai Gaon, Venice 3406 – First Edition
She’iltos – halachic discussions arranged according to the parshiyos, including aggadic matters, attributed to Rabbeinu Achai Gaon. Printed in Venice, 3406 –
First Edition.
This is seemingly the first sefer composed in the era spanning from
the closing of the Talmud in the Savoraic period to the era of the Geonim, and is considered the earliest written work of the
Geonic era.
Some of the
Rishonim, such as the
Rashbam, maintained that the author was Rav Achai
mentioned in the Talmud. However, the accepted view today is that
the author was Rav Achai who lived in the Geonic period.
This sefer was cherished throughout Klal Yisroel and was the subject of significant commentaries, such as the
"Eimek She’eilah" by the Netziv of Volozhin, zt”l.
This copy contains important
marginal glosses, some of which appear to be supplements to the
original text, seemingly based on an alternate manuscript or edition.
