Category Archives: Tomer Mangoubi

My Personal Heresies: Or Going Karaite All Over Again

The gift that keeps on giving.

A few years back, I met a young Jewish college student at the Jewish Federations of North America’s General Assembly. He was fascinated by the concept of Karaism. And although he has certain Karaite affinities, he proudly declares, “At no point did I consider myself a Karaite” and at no point did he consider becoming a Karaite.

Among the reasons he is interested in Karaism, is because, as he put it, once you accept that Karaism is an option, “then, everything is on the table.” I’ve thought about this statement from time time. And I realized, there is no point to being a Karaite if everything is not on the table.

So here are some views that I think are supported by the plain meaning of the text – but clearly would put me outside the normative bounds of Karaism (and Rabbanism).

Continue reading

10 Comments

Filed under Forbidden Marriages, Mikdash Me'at, Tomer Mangoubi

The Two Sundays of Shavuot: The 2018 Karaite Calendar Un-Crisis

“Sigh. Even when we’re right, we can’t even agree how to be right.” That was my initial reaction when confronted with the reality that this year well-meaning Karaites will be split regarding the date to celebrate Shavuot.

Since then, I realized that this is exactly what we need to unify the movement. Bear with me. . .

Continue reading

13 Comments

Filed under Nehemia Gordon, New Moon, Passover, Shavuot, Tomer Mangoubi