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An Introduction to Karaite Judaism: History, Theology, Practice, and Culture
The first introduction to Karaite history, practice, thought, and custom in the English language. An ideal book for anyone interested in Karaite Judaism as a living religion, from the perspective of an insider.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published January 30, 2003
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July 28, 2011
Nice short book that is succinct and to the point. It give a good basic overview of Judaism in general and is a good book for someone just beginning to learn about Judaism. There are many similarities between Rabbinic Judaism and Karaite Judaism. The main difference though is that Karaites only believe in the five book of Moses, the Writings and prophets. The Rabbanites believe in the Mishna Torah and the Talmud. The karaites contend that these manmade works have both added to and taken away from the Torah, something which is forbidden. It has also allowed for the penetration of alien customs into the religion.
The first chapter covers Jewish basic like the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai, thee importance of the land of Israel andd how the Godd of Israel is the one and only God who cars for all creation and is not a capricious God like the other Gods were at the time. The name Karaite come from the word Miqra which meant reading our scripture hence theywere called scripture readers.
Chapter two delves into the history of various Karaite groups in Egypt, Turkey, Israel and America. It give a light sketch of their background and the how and why they arrived to where they lived. It should be noted that the Karaites of Europe hid or denied their connection to the Jewish people in Russia in order to escape both thee anti-semitism and the Holocaust. It worked all to welll with many Kaaraites of that area believing they were ethnic Turks as opposed to ethnic Jaws. Most Karaites are now in Israel.
Ana ben David is historically credited with beingthe first Karaite. Karaite was a term that was appied to any Jewish sect that differed from the prevailing rabbinic Judaism. In fact many Karaite scholars criticized Anan for being to simialir to the Rabbianites. Thee movement lateer solidified when the Rabbanite began attacking Karaite Judaism. The persecution caused th Karaitees to bind together and would be considered the birth pangs that made their movement very strong. Later on groups of them went to Jeruslem where in Jerusalem became the Karaite center. After the crusaders came and wiped everybody out thee new center became Istanbul.
The remaining chapter cover various ritual and holidays in the karaite calendar. Interesting to note is that thee New Year starts around Passover time, which according to other Niddle eastern religions was the traditional time of the new year. Their Rosh Hashanna is called Yom Terruah or day of shouting. Otheer rituals like wedding and daily prayer are different. Kaaitee prayer is very similair to Islamic prayer where in one starts in a stnding position kneels and then prostrates themselves. Rabbanite sit through most of the service and stand at the amidah. Judaism is also passed on via thee father not the mothe as is the case in Rabbinicc Judaism.There is also a strong emphsis on purity which make the nation of Israel Holy.
Over all a good book. Could use more illustration and could give more biographical information on famous Karaite sages and their impact on Judaism. But perhaps that is for another book
The first chapter covers Jewish basic like the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai, thee importance of the land of Israel andd how the Godd of Israel is the one and only God who cars for all creation and is not a capricious God like the other Gods were at the time. The name Karaite come from the word Miqra which meant reading our scripture hence theywere called scripture readers.
Chapter two delves into the history of various Karaite groups in Egypt, Turkey, Israel and America. It give a light sketch of their background and the how and why they arrived to where they lived. It should be noted that the Karaites of Europe hid or denied their connection to the Jewish people in Russia in order to escape both thee anti-semitism and the Holocaust. It worked all to welll with many Kaaraites of that area believing they were ethnic Turks as opposed to ethnic Jaws. Most Karaites are now in Israel.
Ana ben David is historically credited with beingthe first Karaite. Karaite was a term that was appied to any Jewish sect that differed from the prevailing rabbinic Judaism. In fact many Karaite scholars criticized Anan for being to simialir to the Rabbianites. Thee movement lateer solidified when the Rabbanite began attacking Karaite Judaism. The persecution caused th Karaitees to bind together and would be considered the birth pangs that made their movement very strong. Later on groups of them went to Jeruslem where in Jerusalem became the Karaite center. After the crusaders came and wiped everybody out thee new center became Istanbul.
The remaining chapter cover various ritual and holidays in the karaite calendar. Interesting to note is that thee New Year starts around Passover time, which according to other Niddle eastern religions was the traditional time of the new year. Their Rosh Hashanna is called Yom Terruah or day of shouting. Otheer rituals like wedding and daily prayer are different. Kaaitee prayer is very similair to Islamic prayer where in one starts in a stnding position kneels and then prostrates themselves. Rabbanite sit through most of the service and stand at the amidah. Judaism is also passed on via thee father not the mothe as is the case in Rabbinicc Judaism.There is also a strong emphsis on purity which make the nation of Israel Holy.
Over all a good book. Could use more illustration and could give more biographical information on famous Karaite sages and their impact on Judaism. But perhaps that is for another book
Displaying 1 of 1 review