I think we're all Karaites on this bus
I thought cholent was just the Yiddish word for “leftovers.” I didn’t realize it was a religious fault line.
According to an article in JPost, the Shulchan Aruch instructs us to eat cholent on Shabbat lest we be taken for Karaites, who apparently spurn … cholent.
But my best takeaway was that Karaites reject the divinity of the oral law and, most interestingly, believe we should all read the Torah and decide for ourselves what it means. Karaites are apparently encouraged to “consult with as many people as possible where there is a question of uncertainty. One can take the advice of a hacham (an especially learned member of the community), but that advice is not binding and the hacham has to be able to prove his view from the Torah.”
Isn’t this what Jews mostly do anyway? When rabbis (to our stunned amazement) disagree on interpretation, don’t we just go with whom/whatever makes most sense to us?
The article quotes one learned Karaite as saying: “Rabbinic Judaism has taken the responsibility away from the individual and given it to the rabbis. But you can’t say on Judgment Day that the rabbi told me this or that – the responsibility is on the individual. Every person’s decisions are on his head and that’s why each person should read and try to understand the Torah.”
Isn’t this what all Jews are supposed to do? We all live, more than less, by the Karaite motto “search well in the scripture and do not rely on anyone else’s opinion.”
To me the Karaites are just another bunch of Jews proving Rabbi Friedheim’s adage, ‘There is only one kind of Judaism, Orthodox. There’s only one kind of Jew, Reform.”
“But my best takeaway was that Karaites reject the divinity of the oral law and, most interestingly, believe we should all read the Torah and decide for ourselves what it means.”
Interesting perspective. Very interesting. But is that the real divide?
As rabbinic Jews we claim the Oral Torah(mishna) is equally divine and most be observed. In addition we accept oral traditions that explicitly contradict the Torah as valid interpretations handed down by G-d to Moses at Sinai. Karaites would not agree with either of those positions.
The issue with cholent is it is eaten hot on the Shabbat afternoon; Karaites will not partake in anything warmed for Shabbat because all fire is strictly forbidden to burn during Shabbat. And no, rabbinically observant Jews are instructed to specifally not consult numerous sources, therefore we must choose what we ask and to whom we ask it very carefully.
My question was if Kaarites really accept all personal interpretations of Torah Law. It seems they have communal standards and interpretations.
wow. even Heinrich Heine, one of the least Jewy jews to ever jew, even *he* liked cholent. Man, those karaites are badasses. who knew. Next you’re gonna tell me they don’t eat blintzes. Kholile!!!!! gut yontef, by the way…
Where can I find the original source for Rabbi Friedheim’s quote? I think it’s great!
We choose, yes, but not on the basis of scripture. Karaites are bound to the verses, whether Jewschool readers are bound to many more variables than a text of questionable origin from before the Hellenistic period.
And, also, I don’t get the father’s pessemistic remark in the caption. Why not petition the government for Karaite schools? why not fund after school programs? why not do a million things people who have religious identities can and do?
YD– sort of.
there are two ways to ask a question.
1)asking for a psak. this is the most common, and once you’ve asked, you can’t shop around for a more convenient answer. good for when you really don’t know enough to decide, and aren’t gonna anytime soon.
2)asking for explanation/information. important to clarify that this is what you’re doing. And this isn’t binding, which makes sense, because you are in the process of learning enough to make an informed decision. It’s only when you are incapable/unwilling to make an informed decision that you have to stick to someone else’s opinion.
It sounds like the Kara’ites are more into the second, which I totally respect.
I also wonder if all Kara’ites would agree with the article. You know, two Jews, three opinions…
to emphasize your point against YD, Rebecca, any rabbi looking for a psak will ivariably consult numerous sources. I don’t know any book a respectable rabbi would consult that doesn’t list multiple opinions at least sometimes. Even the Rambam with his dictatorial stance towards people records disputes ever so often.
The injunction against asking and shopping around already seemed antiquated to the tosafists, who stated on numerous occasions that “now that we have books, the laws regarding rabbis apply to books”. (or something like that, I don’t have the exact quote)
Amit wrote:
“We choose, yes, but not on the basis of scripture. Karaites are bound to the verses, whether Jewschool readers are bound to many more variables than a text of questionable origin from before the Hellenistic period.”
A text “of questionable origin”??!! The Jewish Bible is the very foundation of Judaism regardless of the movement you affiliate with, be it Orthodox or otherwise. You sound like the quintessential Jewish heretic. Why not just ditch all of Judaism and be done with it? Have you apostasized to Christianity?
Speaking of questionable origins, I think you’d do well to wisen up about the Zoroastrian origins of most of the material included in the Babylonian Talmud. See http://orahsaddiqim.org/Resources/The_Influence_of_Zoroastrianism_on_Rabbanism.shtml .
Sorry, I know the truth hurts…