The Genesis of Karaitism and Jewish Scripturalism

Subject Areas : Judaism

Mitra Rezaee Gazerkhani ¹ (Department of Religions and Mysticism, Faculty of Humanities, Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch, Tehran, Iran)
tahereh hajebrahimi ² (Associate Professor, Department of Religions and Misyticism, Faculty of Law, Theology and Political Sciences of Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch of Tehran)

Received: 2019-02-27 Accepted : 2023-05-27 Published : 2023-02-20

Keywords: Keyword: "written Torah ", Scripturalism", "Karaite", "Anan ben David",

Abstract :

The article introduces the Karaite sect in Judaism, which emerged in response to the growth and final compilation of the oral tradition (Talmud) in the 8th century CE. The Karaites, under the leadership of Anan ibn David, believe only in the authority of the Bible and do not consider tradition or the oral Torah as valid sources. They adopted a literalist method for understanding the Bible and were more strict in religious practices compared to other Jewish sects. However, the Karaites' emphasis on individual freedom to interpret the Bible in the light of their own understanding led to a lack of cohesion and unity among them, resulting in various and sometimes conflicting thoughts within the sect. The article aims to examine the genesis of Karaitism and Jewish scripturalism, which played a significant role in the history of Judaism.

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