Mesorah 5

In the eight century, a new movement arose on the scene of Jewish history. It was called Karaism. Its heyday was from the ninth to eleventh centuries, but it survives to this day, with some 40,000 adherents world wide. It is considered a heresy by traditional Jews, with some even declaring them to no longer be Jews. (This point had been debated since the 16th century, and is currently a "hot topic" in the Israeli Chief Rabbinate). The origins of Karaism are obscure. The founder of the movement was Anan Ben David. Traditional Jewish sources assert that he was in line to receive the position of "Resh Galuta", the Exilarch, who ruled over Babylonian Jewry for over fifteen hundred years, and was seen as the last remnant of the Davidic Kingdom. Anan was passed over for the position in favor of a relative, and rebelled against the entire system, including Talmud and rabbinic law. The Karaites themselves claim an ancient origin, shortly after the reign of Solomon. Historians grant that Anan was the founder, but question the details of the traditional story. They are divided as to whether, and to what extent, Karaism is somehow connected to the ancient Sadducees, or even the enigmatic Essenes. Although Karaites bear similarities to these groups, the essential doctrines diverge profoundly. There were many small anti-rabbinic groups in the Middle East at that time. Anan may have made an "umbrella group" to include all, or at least many, of these. The rise of Islam may have been an impetus, as the Muslim clerics, while recognizing Judaism as a monotheistic faith (People of the Book) nevertheless made claims that we had altered the text of the Torah in order to remove prophecies predicting Mohammad, and had rejected the "true teachings" in favor of the rabbis of the Talmud. Anan's motto was "don't believe ME, but rather search the Torah carefully". He taught that the Torah must NOT be interpreted literally, but we must endeavor to try to understand what the words must have meant in Biblical times. His methods did not make a more lenient Judaism. On the contrary. It was far stricter...but different. Strictures relating to Shabbat observance, the dietary laws, prohibited marriages, went much further than anything dreamed of in the Talmud. All children who have been weaned, must fast the entire day of Yom Kippur! Yet, the differences introduced by Anan and his followers were so divergent, as to not fulfill the requirements of the Torah as understood by the Oral Mesorah. Practices differed widely between Karaite groups. One tenth century Karaite leader quipped that it is impossible to find two Karaites agreeing on what is and isn't to be done. For example, some Karaites have the same rules as we do in regard to the forbidden grains on Passover. Others regard ANY fermented, or otherwise "risen" food as hametz, including wine vinegar, a non-grain dish with baking powder, and cheese. Their observances of menstrual restrictions are much more far reaching than ours, but they do not include immersion in a mikveh. Some Karaites maintain the same calendar as we do, although they observe Shavuot on a different date. Some have a different calendar altogether, meaning that we will be celebrating the same holidays, but not at the same time. Most Kararites regard the pronouncing of the Divine Name as blasphemous, just as we do. Others do pronounce the Name. Still others have no theoretical problem with pronouncing the Name, but, as we have no idea of the Name's proper vocalization, refrain from pronouncing it out of fear of mispronouncing it. Karaites do not celebrate Hanukkah, as it is post Biblical, although many Israeli Karaites celebrate it as a "national" holiday. Many of the classical Karaite sources reject the Talmud outright. Many accepted the Talmud, except where its understanding seems to contradict the literal meaning of Scripture. Although most Karaites claim to be 95% in line with our Mesorah, still there are no Tefillin, Mezzuzot (although some keep a metal plate inscribed with the Ten Commandments on their doors), no "four species" on Sukkot. Circumcision is practiced, but only by removing the foreskin, not the mucosa layer (pri'ah) required by the Oral Torah. Most practice patrilineal decent for determining Jewishness, and have a totally different definition of a "Mamzer", who is forbidden from marrying within the Jewish people. This has made intermarriage between them and rabbinite Jews problematic, to say the least.
These ideas and practices put the Karaites at odds with the main Jewish community. Needless to say the two groups could celebrate few things together, or even worship in the same synagogues.. Tolerance prevailed at some points in time and place. At others, there was bitter rivalry. More on that next time.