Jewish History: The Great Rabbis: Rabbi Shmarya ben Elchanan:
Who was Rabbi Shmarya ben Elchanan?
R. Shmarya ben Elchanan lived in Egypt in the 10th century C.E. His
father R.Elchanan was chief rabbi of Fostat. R.Shmarya was sent to
Pumbedisa to study under R.Sherira Gaon. He was highly regarded, but
none of his works have survived. His date of birth is not known; he
died in 1011 C.E. According to a popular story, he and three other
rabbis were leaving Italy by ship, were captured by pirates, and were
sold as slaves -- R.Shmarya, in Alexandria.
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