August 28, 2018 · 6:00 am

Chronicling an ‘Error’ in the Karaite Siddur

Let’s look at this highlighted line.

I recently discovered something beautiful. There is an error in the traditional Karaite siddur. It may sound strange to call an error beautiful, but I really mean it. The Karaite community has gone to great lengths to preserve – what is in my opinion – the wrong side of a mostly obscure debate over a single letter in a word in the Book of Chronicles.

I only first understood that this debate even exists two months ago, as I was working on a learner’s edition of the erev shabbat prayer book for the American Karaite community.

You can also give me your opinion on what I should print in this new edition of the siddur, by voting in the reader poll.

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Filed under Abu al-Faraj Harun, Aleppo Codex, Leningrad Codex, Prayer

August 27, 2018 · 6:00 am

The Sayings of Moshe: A Revelation in Karaite Thought

James Walker (second from right) with Avi Yefet, Chief H’ Moshe Firrouz, and Hazzan Rotem Cohen (Left to Right)

The Karaite Jews of America recently published The Sayings of Moshe: Insights on Living by the Tanakh. This work is a collection of sermons and Divrei Torah by the late Rabbi Moshe ben Shabbetai Ratzon, an Egyptian-born Karaite Jew who was part of the 20th century exodus of Jews from Egypt.

Of note, Rabbi Moshe was not afraid to blaze his own path and differ with his Karaite co-religionists (to say nothing of the rabbinic mainstream). Rabbi Moshe’s fresh perspectives demonstrate that Karaite thought is alive and well. Today, I interview James Walker who translated The Sayings of Moshe (Hebrew title: Imerot Moshe).

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Filed under Books, James Walker, The Sayings of Moshe

July 19, 2018 · 3:04 am

Restoring the Crown of the Torah: H’ Aaron ben Elijah’s Keter Torah in the Works

My Copy of Keter Torah

Over the last few weeks, I have been corresponding with some of the leading professors in Karaitica to get a particular Arabic Karaite commentary translated into English. One of these professors explained to me how daunting the task is, and respectfully suggested that I work on H’ Aaron ben Elijah’s Keter Torah (meaning Crown of the Torah), which he described as “the authoritative [Karaite] commentary on the Torah.”

Indeed, the significance of this work cannot be understated: it helped inspire the name of the Keter Torah Karaite synagogue in Ashdod.

The Karaite Press, a project of the Karaite Jews of America, is currently working on an edition of Keter Torah. Today I show you what the project entails and – just in time to start the Torah’s reading of Parashat Devarim – you can get a draft of the commentary on that parasha.

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Filed under Aharon ben Eliyahu, Dr. Gabriel Wasserman, Keter Torah, Nehemia Gordon, The Karaite Press

June 14, 2018 · 6:00 am

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).

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

May 23, 2018 · 6:00 am

That Time I Cursed The Karaites in front of a High School Class

This may be (but hopefully is not) the only bookshelf in the world in which Karaites in Byzantium is next to Artscroll’s Chumash

Oy. Where to begin. Just over a month ago, I spoke at a Jewish high school about issues in Karaite Judaism – particularly as they implicate Shabbat and technology. Speaking with me was a conservative rabbi who happened to grow up at the same conservative synagogue that I did – though we did not know each other previously. This synagogue housed the KJA and our Shabbat prayers from 1984-1990.

After a quick introduction – curses started flying.

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Filed under Artscroll, Fire, Israel Maghribi, Shabbat, Shabbat Candles

April 17, 2018 · 6:00 am

The Open Karaite Initiative: Why the KJA Did It

Today, The Karaite Press (a project of the Karaite Jews of America) launches its Open Karaite Initiative. In short, this project will advance access to historical Karaite Jewish literature like never before. The KJA is planning to bring all of its Karaite literature online and make it available for free (with very few use restrictions). And as a show of good faith, The Karaite Press is releasing the fully typeset .pdf of The Palanquin on its site.  Did we already mention “for free”?

More details below.

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Filed under James Walker, Open Karaite Initiative, The Karaite Press, The Palanquin, The Sayings of Moshe

March 20, 2018 · 6:00 am

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. . .

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