NEHEMIAH BEN KOHEN ẒEDEḲ:
Gaon of Pumbedita from 960 to 968. While his predecessor, Aaron b. Sargado, was still in office, Nehemiah tried to have him removed; but the college insisted on retaining him, as he was in every respect superior to his opponent. After Sargado's death Nehemiah finally succeeded in seizing the office by a trick, although the majority of the college, headed by the ab bet din, R. Sherira, refused to recognize him, and he was supported by only a few members and some wealthy laymen. Nothing is known of his scholarly attainments or of his activity as gaon.
Bibliography:
- Letter of Sherira Gaon, in Neubauer, M. J. C. p. 41;
- Weiss, Dor, iv. 163;
- Grätz, Gesch. 3d ed., v. 287.
