An Introduction to Karaite Judaism: History, Theology, Practice, and Culture [Hardcover]

Y. Yaron (Author), Joe Pessah (Author), Avraham Qanai (Author), Yosef El-Gamil (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 30, 2003

The first introduction to Karaite history, practice, thought, and custom in the English language. An ideal book for anyone interested in Karaite Judaism as a living religion, from the perspective of an insider.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Qirqisani Center (January 30, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0970077548
• ISBN-13: 978-0970077547
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,059,038 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A useful work on Karaite doctrine, May 20, 2003

By 

Leonard Fox (Charleston, SC USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: An Introduction to Karaite Judaism: History, Theology, Practice, and Culture (Hardcover)

This book fills a long-standing gap in Karaite studies. It is a very useful exposition of Karaite doctrine and practices, written by Karaites themselves. The reader, however, should be aware that the authors are Karaites from the Egyptian community and tradition, and therefore they do not have the background or linguistic ability to provide information on the customs of the Eastern European Karaites - specifically those of the Crimea, Lithuania, and Poland, whose books and journals were written in Karaim (a Turkic language), Russian, Lithuanian, and Polish.

There are also some questionable - or at least debatable - statements made in the book about the history of the Karaites in general, and the connections of the Crimean Karaites (Karaims) with the Khazars in particular.

Although the book is well printed and bound, there are, unfortunately, a great many typographical errors which should have been corrected during proofreading before publication.

Readers interested in further information on the Karaites should look for the English translation of a work by Simon Szyszman, the greatest Karaite scholar of the twentieth century, entitled "Karaism: Its Doctrines and History," which is due to be published this year.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great introduction, September 9, 2003

By 

gracesinging (WA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: An Introduction to Karaite Judaism: History, Theology, Practice, and Culture (Hardcover)

I thought this was a very good introduction to Karaite Judaism for the beginner. It covers most of the topics that someone who knowns nothing about Karaism would want to know. I especially liked the fact that the book focused on what Karaite Judaism is, rather than what it isn't, and how it differs from mainstream Judaism. A lot of books out there on Karaism seem to want to spend a lot of time telling you how Karaism and "Rabbanism" differ. Not this book. It is focused, to the point, and thorough, for an introduction.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good place to start, September 9, 2003

By 

"thecrick" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: An Introduction to Karaite Judaism: History, Theology, Practice, and Culture (Hardcover)

If you want to know more about Karaism, what Karaites believe, and have believed, etc., this is a good place to start. The book is systematic. It starts with Karaite history (starting with ancient Jewish history), then proceeds to cover Karaite thought, belief, and practice. It seems a little sparse on some of the details for the holidays (mostly for Yom Teruah - aka Rosh HaShannah, and Yom Kippur), but other than that it is pretty thorough.