רב סעדיה גאון

Rav Saadia Gaon (Geonim – Gaonic period) is among the most frequently cited early authorities in the supplied library, appearing across commentary on Tanach, tefillah, and law. In the Torah commentaries (notably Ibn Ezra and Ramban), he is repeatedly invoked by name (“the Gaon Rav Saadia”) for matters of interpretation and language: he explains the meaning of melei’ah and dema as terms for produce of the field and oil (Exodus 22), argues that the law of “an eye for an eye” cannot be taken in its literal sense (Exodus 21), interprets the divine name Shaddai as denoting “sufficiency” (Exodus 6), and is cited for the view that certain verses about the plagues are Moses’ words to Pharaoh (Exodus 9). He is also recorded discussing the nature of the rainbow before the Flood, treating it as a sign rather than a new creation (Derashot HaRan).

In matters of law and liturgy he is cited in the Tur and related works: on the Passover Seder, where he permits one who wishes to drink a fifth cup to recite Hallel HaGadol over it (Orach Chaim 481), and in discussions surrounding blessings, prayer texts, and procedure. The passages portray him as a foundational authority whose rulings and interpretations later commentators weigh, accept, or dispute.