Rabbeinu Chananel

Rabbeinu Chananel - (965-1055) - R' Chananel ben Chushiel was a North African rabbi and talmudist, considered one of the first Rishonim; also studied under the last of the geonim. Served as rosh yeshiva in Kairouan and maintained a lively correspondence with the heads of the great yeshivot in Babylonia. His is the earliest comprehensive commentary on the Talmud.