Halakhic Texts

The Impact of the Geonim on the Middle Ages

Jewish communities in the West gain independence of the geonim, and inherit a rich tapestry of legal texts.

Halakhot Pesukot, Halakhot Gedolot

Major books of halakhot from the geonic period.

Sefer ha-She’iltot

The first halakhic code.

The Geonic Period

During this time Babylonia was the spiritual and political center of Diaspora Jewry, and Jewish communities looked to the Geonim for authoritative teachings on halachic matters.