Category Archives: Jerusalem

The Aleppo Codex: Proof that Karaites are Awesome

Only part of my proof that Karaites are awesome.

Only part of my proof that Karaites are awesome.

My law school classmates know that I’m not one to throw around a highly-technical term like “proof” willy-nilly. And I certainly would never use a phrase like “beyond a reasonable doubt” without good reason.

So, when I say that the Aleppo Codex is “proof beyond a reasonable doubt” that Karaites are awesome, I mean it in the most legalistic way possible. But you don’t have to take my word for it. In fact, as a Karaite, I have to tell you not to rely on my opinion.

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Filed under Aleppo Codex, ben Asher, Books, Jerusalem

Breaking News: Karaites Help Sustain Rabbanite Yeshiva

A gift from friends. And an excellent read!

A gift from friends. And an excellent read!

Whenever heated Karaite-Rabbanite polemics pop up these days, my initial reaction is to roll my eyes and sigh,”It’s not the Middle Ages anymore.”

Although such diatribes were once commonplace – and A Blue Thread has discussed some of them – I really try not to get lost in the rhetoric of yesteryear.

In that regard, I love finding information that turns these historical notions of strife upside-down.

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Filed under Dr. Rustow, Jerusalem, Karaite Rabbanite Relations, Sukkot

Excommunication and the Halakhah of Marriage

The Rise of the Karaite SectWell, this is a serious bummer.

1000 years ago, the Karaite communities of Ramle and Jerusalem probably would have excommunicated my grandparents.

You see; my maternal grandmother and her sister married my maternal grandfather and his brother, respectively. Two brothers married two sisters (in separate marriages).

I always thought this was beautiful. But from at least the time of Anan and for several hundred years thereafter, the majority of Karaites forbade many types of marriage, including the marriage of two brothers to two sisters.*

And, according to a piece appearing online at the Jerusalem Post this past weekend, some of the Karaites of the 11th Century had no problem tormenting Karaites who violated this prohibition. (See A Problematic Marriage for 11th Century Karaites.)

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Filed under Jerusalem, Jeshua ben Judah, Karaite Press, Marriages, Ramle, Spain

Karaite Fact Card 4: This Year in Jerusalem

A friend of mine recently announced on Facebook that he was making aliyah. Someone commented that my friend was making all Karaites proud. This Karaite Fact Card discusses the early Zionist movement within the Karaite Jewish community.

Karaite Fact Card 4 (Front):  This Year in JerusalemKaraite Fact Card 4 (Back): This Year in Jerusalem

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Filed under Daniel al-Kumisi, Jerusalem, Karaite Fact Cards, Saul ben Mazliah, Zionism