Bostanai

Bostanai (Hebrew: בוסתנאי), also transliterated as Bustenai or Bustnay, was the first Exilarch (leader of the Jewish community of Mesopotamia) under Arab rule. He lived in the early-to-middle of the 7th century, and died about 660 CE. The name is Aramaized from the Persian bustan or bostan (Persian : بوستان‎), meaning "Garden". Bostanai is the only Dark Age Babylonian Exilarch of whom anything more than a footnote is known. He is frequently made the subject of Jewish legends.

According to the Maaseh Beth David, Bostanai was confirmed in his office as exilarch by the Caliph Ali, no earlier then 656 CE. The Caliph granted him the authority to appoint civil judges, and heads of the rabbinical academies at Sura, Pumbedita and Nehardea.