Yahya's father, Solomon, in his first public act as gaon was to write a letter of lavish praise for the Karaite nasi Hezekiah ben David in which he repeatedly expresses the hope of returning from Egypt to Palestine with “an edict from the government, may God defend it, to strengthen my hand against instigators of quarrels,” that is, a rescript of appointment. Solomon was able not only to attain office but to remain in power for so long because of his ability to negotiate the Karaite alliance. He maneuvered with equal skill with respect to the politics of the Palestinian Rabbanites, the caliphal court, and Baghdad, maintaining a delicate balance of power with Pumbedita in particular. At times he complained that Hay (Hayya) Gaon was poaching his followers and soliciting donations that were rightfully his, but he nonetheless sent one of his sons, Yaḥyā, to study with the great master in Baghdad.