R. Hanoch eventually succeeded his father as rabbi and rosh yeshiva there, although for a time he faced opposition by Joseph ibn Abitur and by the latter's patron, Jacob ibn Jau, the lay leader of the Jewish community of the Caliphate of Cordoba.
Ibn Daud reports that relations between Hanoch and Hai ben Sherira were strained since the increasing stature of the Spanish yeshivot led to a lessening of their communities' financial contributions to the Talmudic academies in Babylonia.
However, Hai demonstrated his respect for Hanoch by honoring his excommunion of Joseph ibn Abitur and refusing the latter an audience.
R. Hanoch left no written works, although there are some extant responsa between him and Hai, as well as between him and the then-gaon in the Land of Israel, Samuel ben Hofni.
He died of injuries following a fall when the bimah in the Córdoba Synagogue collapsed on Simchat Torah.