Q & A with a Dwarven Mercenary: Karaite Judaism...

[guacamole]

I proposed to Yoshiah that we open a thread so that I could ask him some questions about the practice of Karaite Judaism. I suppose anyone else who follows Karaite Judaism could jump in as well, or anyone who is knowledgeable about it. So here goes:

Questions:

What are some of the main differences between Karaite Judaism and Rabbinic Judaism?




How do Jews from Karaite Judaism relate to Orthodox, Conservative, or reform Jews?



Are there any key leaders or proponents of Karaite Judaism that a well informed person should know about?




Where did Karaite Judaism originate? Is it connected with any particular areas of the world where it is practiced?



What are the main sources for Karaite belief and theology?



What's the coolest thing about Karaite Judaism?



Thanks,
Guac...

[Timothy Leary]

What are some of the main differences between Karaite Judaism and Rabbinic Judaism?

Basically it comes down to this: Methods of Interperetation, and the Oral Law. Whereas our Rabbinic Brethren use 4 methods of intereperetation, we rely on the peshat alone - the plain/simple meaning of a verse. We try to think of it this way : On immediately hearing such and such a verse in the Hebrew Bible, what would an Ancient Israelite thought of such and such a verse?


How do Jews from Karaite Judaism relate to Orthodox, Conservative, or reform Jews?

What do you mean? Like how we get along with them?


Are there any key leaders or proponents of Karaite Judaism that a well informed person should know about?

It can be argued that the most significant Karaite in Jewish history - and world history - is Aaron ben Moses ben Asher, who (along with his descendants) produced the manuscripts that are now known as the Masoretic Text - the basis of every Hebrew Bible (and by extension, almost every translation of the bible) in existence today.

Aaron ben Moses ben Asher was also the first to take Hebrew grammar seriously. He was the first systematic Hebrew grammarian. His Sefer Dikdukei ha-Te'amim (Grammar of the Vocalizations) was an original collection of grammatical rules and masoretic information. Grammatical principles were not at that time considered worthy of independent study. The value of this work is that the grammatical rules presented by Ben-Asher reveal the linguistic background of vocalization for the first time. He had a tremendous influence on the world of Biblical grammar and scholarship.

Today, the most notable Karaite is probably Hakham Nehemia Gordon, who - after the death of Hakham Mordechai Alfandri - now runs the Karaite Korner website - http://www.karaite-korner.org/ . He is a member of the UKJ council in Israel, and is an assistant to Proffessor Emmanuel Tov in a DSS project (I forgot the name of it). Had he not became a Karaite, he would have been the 32nd Rabbi in an unbroken chain of Rabbis.


Where did Karaite Judaism originate? Is it connected with any particular areas of the world where it is practiced?

1) I would say it originated in Mt. Sinai :smile:
But to be technical, the name "Karaite" wasn't used until... say 100 years or so before the person who some say founded Karaism was born. Some say that Anan ben David started Karaism, but at best this is not correct. Anan's sect (usually called the Ananites), rejected the Talmud, but retained Rabbinic Methods of interperetations. They were eventually assimilated into Karaism or Rabbinism.

2) Jerusalem and Israel. While the modern Zionist movement began in the last decades of the 1800's, Karaites have always been "Zionists". Some of the old Karaite sages dedicated many of their writings trying to convince Jews to return to Israel. When Karaite-Rabbinate relations were at their worst, Jerusalem was inhabited by Karaites only, IIRC. Before the crusades, there was an order of Karaites based in Jerusalem called the "Mourners of Zion".


What are the main sources for Karaite belief and theology?


The Hebrew Bible, sometimes known as the Old Testament.


What's the coolest thing about Karaite Judaism?

*shrugs*

[guacamole]

Peals and rep for answering my questions...thanks!

Basically it comes down to this: Methods of Interperetation, and the Oral Law. Whereas our Rabbinic Brethren use 4 methods of intereperetation, we rely on the peshat alone - the plain/simple meaning of a verse. We try to think of it this way : On immediately hearing such and such a verse in the Hebrew Bible, what would an Ancient Israelite thought of such and such a verse?

So does that mean that the oral traditions are not regarded as binding? How do Karaites relate to documents like the Talmud and the prophets?

What do you mean? Like how we get along with them?

Sure. Or do Karaites hold that other Jews are in error? Do other Jews hodl that Karaites are in error? Or are the differences less sectarian?



Other questions.

Do karaites have clergymen or women? What are they called if they are not "rabbis"?

What are Karaite beliefs on the afterlife?

How do Karaites feel God relates to man and man relates to God?


Do Karaite Jews and other Jews observe the same holidays and utilize the same religious calendars?

How strictly do Karaite Jews hold to things like eating Kosher foods and marrying non-Jews?

PS....come on....there's gotta be something really cool about being a karaite jew.

[Timothy Leary]

So does that mean that the oral traditions are not regarded as binding?

Correct.


How do Karaites relate to documents like the Talmud and the prophets?


The Talmud can be studied if one would like to, but it cannot be held to the level of Torah, just like any non-biblical work. If studying the Talmud helps you, I say go for it. Right now I'm studying through tractate Berachot and Rashi's commentary on Exodus.


Sure. Or do Karaites hold that other Jews are in error? Do other Jews hodl that Karaites are in error? Or are the differences less sectarian?

Yes and Sometimes. From the Orthodox, the Ultra-Orthodox and the Askkenazi usually can't stand us. The Sephardic usually think that we are in error, but we tend to get along with them very well.

From the non-Orthodox, the Reform have no qualms with us, and the Conservative don't know what to think of us.



Do karaites have clergymen or women? What are they called if they are not "rabbis"?

Our congregations don't require a specific leader, though they generally have one. Usually they are men, but they can be either male or female. A male would be called a "Hakham" (Wise Man), and a female would be called a "Hakhama" (Wise Woman). Some Sephardic Congregations call their leaders "Hakham" instead of "Rabbi".



What are Karaite beliefs on the afterlife?
http://www.ancient-paths.net/article-573--0-0.html


How do Karaites feel God relates to man and man relates to God?

Let me think about this one first.


Do Karaite Jews and other Jews observe the same holidays and utilize the same religious calendars?

I'll post this after Shabbat - it'll take a while to explain this one


How strictly do Karaite Jews hold to things like eating Kosher foods and marrying non-Jews?

Just as strict as the Orthodox, though we won't eat some of their "kosher" food because we believe it isn't kosher. More details after Shabbat.

[guacamole]

Duh! Sorry...it's friday night...I shoulda realized. Thanks for your time and I look forward to seeing the rest of your answers!

fwiw
guac.

[Timothy Leary]

Do Karaite Jews and other Jews observe the same holidays and utilize the same religious calendars?

Sorta.

The biggest difference between the Karaite Calender and the Rabbinical/Hillel II calender is that the Hillel II calender is based on predictions of the New Moons, whereas the Karaite calender is based on the actual new moon sightings. Nehemia Gordon releases reports of these sightings at:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/karaite_korner_news/

The next difference is actually 2 issues in one - The New Year

Karaite Jews celebrate the new year upon the observation of the Aviv (which happened about a month ago), whereas most other Jews celebrate the new year in fall, on the holiday generally known as "Rosh HaShannah". We, however, celebrate the holiday as "Yom Teruah". Instead going into huge details on this, I'll leave you with the following links:

A Karaite perspective on Yom Teruah ("Rosh HaShannah") (http://www.karaite-korner.org/yom_teruah.shtml)

A Karaite perspective on the Aviv (http://www.karaite-korner.org/abib.shtml)


How strictly do Karaite Jews hold to things like eating Kosher foods and marrying non-Jews?

Kosher Foods

Strict adherence to Kosher foods. However, there are some foods we will not eat that are marked as "Kosher", because they contain Chelev - forbidden fats.

For more information on these, there's an audio presentation on my site - "Biblical Kosher" by Nehemia Gordon - that covers the issue. I believe it's about an hour long. See the links below to get it.

Mp3 downloads @ Ancient-Paths.Net (http://www.ancient-paths.net/downloads-cat1.html) (Download "Biblical Kosher" parts one and two)

Direct Link - Streaming Audio of "Biblical Kosher", presented by Nehemia Gordon (http://www.ancient-paths.net/Audio/kosher.asf)

Intermarriage

Intermarriage would be forbidden unless they convert to Judaism.

[Timothy Leary]

Any other questions?

[guacamole]

Any other questions?

Whoa...not yet...I was away from my computer for the rest of the weekend so I have to catch up on all of this. Ancient Paths is a fascinating website. I hope to read up more on it today...

thanks so much
TGS

(Tasty Green Stuff)

[Timothy Leary]

Thanks!

There isn't much that shows the differences between Karaite practice and the practices of our Rabbinic Brethren. I plan to release a few of these in the future, but I don't want any of the articles to seem miso-rabbinic in any way.

[GrayPilgrim]

If you guys like I could move this to teh tennis court, that way you can maintain the format and prevent unwanted intrussion (such as this post)

[guacamole]

If you guys like I could move this to teh tennis court, that way you can maintain the format and prevent unwanted intrussion (such as this post)

I would imagine that anyone is welcome to jump in and ask questions with the understanding that this isn't a debate thread but strictly Q and A.

[Timothy Leary]

If you guys like I could move this to teh tennis court, that way you can maintain the format and prevent unwanted intrussion (such as this post)

Come on now, I know you want to ask a question ;)

[Timothy Leary]

No questions from anyone? Darn!