Anan ben David
Anan ben David (Hebrew ענן בן דוד ; born before 760; died after 770) was a Jewish personality of the eighth century. He is considered to be one of the spiritual fathers of the Karaites (Karaites).
Life
Biographical information about himself is uncertain. His father was David ben Yehuda. Around 760 he or his brother were to become Exilarch in Babylon .
According to tradition, in 767 he was imprisoned and was sentenced to death. A Muslim fellow prisoner is said to have advised him to base his views only on the Torah and not to take into account the later oral specifications of the Talmud and the Mishnah . Both were released from prison.
His Sefer ha Mitzvoth appeared around 770 , in which he presented a very strict interpretation of the Jewish rules.
The date of his death is unknown. His sons Sha'ul and Josiah led the Karaites as nasi (political leader) and Rosh ha-Gola (exilarch).
Web links
- Anan ben David. In: Jewish Encyclopedia . Volume 1, 1901 online
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Anan ben David |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | ענן בן דוד (Hebrew) |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | Jewish theologian |
| DATE OF BIRTH | before 760 |
| DATE OF DEATH | after 770 |