Search Results for: tefillin
Are the Historical Karaite Jewish Objections to Hanukkah Still Relevant Today?
In 1979, Hadassah Magazine visited the last remaining Karaite Jews of Cairo, Egypt. The magazine provides this tidbit regarding the shochet of the community, Farag Murad Yehuda Menashe: [H]e will read a Haggada based on biblical texts, free of all … Continue reading
Filed under Aharon ben Eliyahu, Hanukkah, Jacob ben Reuben, Mikdash Me'at, Purim
Why Rabbi Rosen at the algemeiner is (Mostly) Wrong about Karaite, Persian and Reform Jews
Every once in a while someone takes an unnecessary shot at Karaites and Karaism. Sometimes these shots actually cause collateral damage to the Rabbinic community. So, even though I hate to respond to modern polemics, Rabbi Jeremy Rosen at the … Continue reading
Karaites are Really Bad Literalists
Someone recently told me that he found the Karaite Jewish approach to halakha rather nonintellectual, because Karaites only follow what the Torah says and do not search for the deeper meaning. Oy! Karaites do not follow what the Torah “says;” … Continue reading
Not All Jews Can Observe Passover Free From Oppression
Those who follow the blog regularly know that I have tremendous respect for the Rabbinic tradition. (See here and here.) Heck, I have even professed my “support” for the Rabbanut. But, at some point, you just have to call a foul on the … Continue reading
My Neo-Karaite Confession
I’ve made several confessions on the blog. I’ve admitted that I lied to a rabbi. I’ve acknowledged that I support the Rabbanut. I’ve told you that shawarma is unbelievably good (even though it is almost never kosher). And now I’m … Continue reading
Filed under Daniel al-Kumisi, Neo-Karaite
Shofar so Good
I think the sound of the shofar is beautiful. I love what it has come to represent – Jews (even the least observant amongst us) gathering for the High Holidays. But I have actually never heard the sound of the … Continue reading
Filed under Holidays, Rosh Hashanah, Shofar, Yom Teruah
A Book Reflection: “Savior’s Day”
I love reading anything that raises the profile of Karaites, even when the work is fictional. So, I thought I’d offer some thoughts on Alan A. Winter’s Savior’s Day, a recently published novel that mentions Karaites quite prominently. Savior’s Day … Continue reading
Filed under Aleppo Codex, ben Asher, Books, What is Karaite Judaism, Yaqub al-Qirqisani
