Page "Exilarch" Paragraph 42

After a short interregnum ' Ukba's nephew, David ben Zakkai, became exilarch ; but he had to contend for nearly two years with Kohen Zedek before he was finally confirmed in his power ( 921 ).

In consequence of Saadia's call to the gaonate of Sura and his controversy with David, the latter has become one of the best-known personages of Jewish history.

Saadia had David's brother Josiah ( Al-Hasan ) elected anti-exilarch in 930, but the latter was defeated and banished to Chorasan.

David ben Zakkai was the last exilarch to play an important part in history.

He died a few years before Saadia ; his son Judah died seven months afterward.