ABSTRACT
Saadia Gaon, founder of Jewish religious philosophy in the Middle Ages, was a key figure in the survival of traditional Judaism at a time when its future was in doubt. Saadia transformed Jewish education at all levels by interpreting Judaism in light of contemporary philosophical trends in Islamic civilization and pioneering the modern scientific study and teaching of Judaism. Saadia’s authority and influence came from his immense intellect and mastery of virtually every area of study to which he applied himself. Born in Fayuum, Upper Egypt, Saadia was part of a community of Jews immersed in all forms of Jewish scholarship as well as Arabic civilization, which at the time was the most advanced in the world. Saadia’s anti-Karaite campaign began when he was still a young man in Egypt and continued during long periods of travel in Palestine, Syria and Babylonia.
