Many of the polemics appearing on
this blog have been strongly critical of certain Rabbinic concepts and
practices, namely the oral law. Also,
historically, Rabbanites were highly critical of the Karaite movement, and
brought in measures to ban or convert them.
However, it is worthwhile asking if
they can actually be friends or is adversity an unavoidable part of their
relationship?
Perhaps the problem lies in the
battles fought over the Temple in the time of the last serving Priests, the
Sadducees. Here, there was true enmity between the Sadducees and the Pharisees.
Later, the Karaite movement faced problems with the Rabbanites, and this
resulted in polemics, but also on occasion, some violence.
Today, the Jewish world, as far as
the religious practicing sectors, is dominated by the Rabbanites, who may also
be Reform or Conservative. The Karaites are more of an endangered species, and
do not pose a threat to anyone. There are thousands of yeshivot, but very few places of Karaite study. Also,
the Rabbanites of today consider the Karaites to be religiously practicing but
mistaken on one fundamental issue. The 2
groups are the only 2 Jewish denominations who accept the Divine status of the
Torah. Reform, and Conservative, which
are the largest in the USA, have simply
discarded this belief.
SO to address the problem –
ideologically, the Karaites are opponents to the unique concept of the oral law
of the rabbanites. This, is for the Orthodox, a heretical view, and one that is
scary, since it means loss of one’s investment in Olam Haba. So there is fear
an enmity between the 2.
On the other hand, there is a
potential for some kind of friendship.
In times of adversity, Jews should try to unite. There is much that the
Rabbinic world can offer to Karaite oriented Jews, be it community,
organisational, educational etc. And one
can get tired of fighting. The Karaites can contribute to Torah scholarship. Many Rabbinical commentaries are in fact
“Karaite” ie they focus on the meaning of the Torah verses. Of course, many others bring in Talmudic and
midrashic interpretations, and these are not always congruent with the Karaite
view.
A great Rabbi and his wife, Eitam
and Naama Henkin have been murdered by our enemies. Rabbi Henkin was a great Torah scholar, and
lover of Eretz Yisrael. As Karaites, we
mourn the righteous and innocent Jews who are murdered by terrorists, and our
sympathy goes out to their families.
