Abiathar ben Elijah ha-Cohen

Abiathar ben Elijah ha-Cohen was a prominent figure in Palestinian Judaism, serving as the last Palestinian Gaon to hold the position in the land of Israel. Born around 1040, he succeeded his father, Rabbi Elijah, as Gaon in 1083. However, his tenure was marked by a significant challenge when he was deposed following a violent dispute with David ben Daniel, the Egyptian exilarch who sought to exert control over Palestinian Jewry.

Abiathar's experiences during this period are documented in the Megillat Abiathar, an account discovered in the Cairo Genizah. After fleeing to Syria in 1093, he eventually regained his position as Gaon following the downfall of David ben Daniel. Abiathar's life was further marked by a notable event during the Siege of Tripoli, where he was stranded but managed to secure safe passage to Damascus due to his esteemed status. As a writer, Abiathar authored the Megillat Evyatar in 1094, a historical work that explores the selection of Jewish leadership and the process of establishing the official calendar, leaving a lasting legacy in the realm of Jewish scholarship. He passed away around 1112, bringing an end to the era of Palestinian Gaons in the land of Israel.