Achai Gaon

Achai Gaon, also known as Achai of Shabcha was an eighth-century Babylonian scholar and the author of the Sheiltot, the first known Jewish book published after the completion of the Talmud. The title “gaon” attached to his name is somewhat of a misnomer. Though he was widely regarded as fit to take on the position of gaon (president) of the talmudic academy in Pumbedita, he was slighted by the ruling exilarch, who held a personal grudge against Achai and selected Achai’s pupil instead. Achai emigrated to the land of Israel following this incident, where he lived for the remainder of his life.