exilarch

[ eg-zuh-lahrk, ek-suh- ]

/ ˈɛg zəˌlɑrk, ˈɛk sə- /

one of a line of hereditary rulers of the Jewish community in Babylonia from about the 2nd century a.d. to the beginning of the 11th century.

Nearby words

First recorded in 1890–95; exile + -arch

Once a year, in the third week after the Feast of Tabernacles, a kind of court was held at the house of the Exilarch.
History of the Jews, Vol. III (of 6)|Heinrich Graetz
The Exilarch David then determined to fill up the vacancy and to restore the ancient school of Sora.
History of the Jews, Vol. III (of 6)|Heinrich Graetz
Nissi justly feared that Saadiah's inflexible spirit would be the cause of disputes and dissensions between him and the Exilarch.
History of the Jews, Vol. III (of 6)|Heinrich Graetz
They accepted the rabbi whom the Exilarch sent to them, and acted according to his directions.
History of the Jews, Vol. III (of 6)|Heinrich Graetz

The Jewish chief priest may be said to be the successor of the exilarch or resh galutha of the earlier period.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 3, Part 1, Slice 2|Various