WHAT IS Israelitsim?

The most accurate form of Israelitism is known to us nowadays as "Qaraism." Qaraism roughly translates as "Scripture-ism", that is, we are readers of Scripture. Qaraism bases our interpretations and theology on the Tanakh/Miqra alone and (in the words of a neo-Qaraite motto) hold every interpretation up to intense scrutiny REGARDLESS of its source. 

The term "Qara'i" or "Qaraite" was given to the collective Israelite communities in the Middle East that rose up against the Pharisee/Rabbinite authorities that forced the Oral Law/Talmud on the rest of the Israelite population during the Islamic Empire's heyday. Although the word "Qaraite" is just under 1400 years old, its theology and practices date back to the time of Moses, peace be upon him. Qaraism is not a new idea; rather, it pre-dates Phariseeism and the Talmudh by hundreds of years.

Qaraism once comprised the majority of the Israelite population. But due to internal strife and a lack of a centralized teaching center which educated its people on the importance of the Qaraite philosophies, the numbers died down. If you ask a Haredi (Orthodox) Rabbinite today about Qaraites, he will tell you that 'they don't exist'. Similarly, if you ask an Israeli what a Qaraite is, they may tell you they are "Egyptian Jews." These are both misconceptions. The Qaraites are said to number about 30,000 in Israel and about 2000 in the Diaspora. Since a good number of Qaraite Jews settled in Egypt hundreds of years ago, most Qaraites are indeed Egyptian. However Qaraism, like any form of Israelitism, is not a race or ethnicity. There are many European, American, and Israeli Qaraim living in the world. 

WHAT ARE THE CENTRAL TENETS  OF ISRAELITISM?

Qaraites reject the idea of an additional Torah, known as the Oral Law or Talmudh, insomuch as it is represented by Rabbinic Israelitism. This Talmudh is the hallmark of the Rabbinite sect of Israelitism. The Rabbinite Jews are the spiritual heirs to the famed Pharisees of the Second Temple era.  The Rabbis (clerical heads of the Rabbinite sect) claim that the Talmudh is an "Oral Torah" which has equal authority and status with the Written Torah (Law of YHWH). They state that it was revealed to Moshe (peace upon him) at the same time as the Torah. The Torah and Qaraites reject this claim. One major reason for our rejection of the Talmudh's authority is that while debating, the Talmudhic Rabbis will give two or more explanations for a matter. The Rabbis claim that all of these explanations, although contradictory to one another, are the word of God. Furthermore, the Rabbis speak from their own accord or in the name of another Rabbi. The interpretations of Scripture found in the Talmudh are the words of man- 'dust and ashes,' unlike that of our Prophets who spoke in the Name of YHWH.

Many Rabbis claim that the Qaraites eventually developed their own oral law. This is a misunderstanding and poor choice of words. Qaraites have collections of writings, commentaries, traditions and philosophies based on the Scriptures, HOWEVER, unlike the Rabbinites, the Qaraites do not regard these works as Divinely Inspired and authoritative requiring that they be observed by others. Again, a main Qaraite tenant is that we hold every interpretation up to intense scrutiny regardless of its source.

Qaraite exegsis requires that one use absolute objectivity to interpret Scripture. Qaraites make use of Israelite history, comparative studies, and when appropriate, metaphorical interpretation to make the best interpretation possible. Additionally, it must be stated that Qaraites do NOT interpret the Scripture literally where such use of the method would deem that interpretation unreasonable. Qaraites interpret according to the plain meaning of the text (called "peshath" in Hebrew). For example, the statement, 'You shall not boil a kid in its mother's milk' means you shall not boil a kid in its mother's milk, and not a full-out separation of all meat and dairy products, dishes, and the innovation of waiting periods prior to the consumption of one after the other. The development of 'fences around the Torah', i.e. Rabbinic enactments (t'qanoth) are considered a violation of the Torah. At times, the Midrashic and literal interpretations of the Torah (as in the laying of Tefillin/phylacteries) gives rise to heaps of additional Rabbinic laws that must be considered binding as the Torah itself. Such examples of Talmudhic thought can be found in Berachoth 14b  wherein the Rabbis stated that one who recites the Shema' without laying Tefillin is as though he bore false witness against himself. Some consider this with a passing chuckle but attempt to pray the Shacharith (morning) service in an Orthodox or Conservative synagogue without Tefillin and see what looks you may get.

Qaraites regard the Rabbinite's Talmudh as a collection of writings that are rich with history, philosophy and teachings (though usually neither accurate nor tasteful); but we do not, as stated before, believe it to be Divinely Inspired and on equal status with Torah. Qaraites are not anti-Talmud. We are pro-Torah and take seriously the Mosaic statement that one not add to or take away from the Torah. There is ONE Torah for both the Israelite and the Ger.

Qaraites differ from Rabbinites in many ways. To name a few, we neither kindle nor let fire burn on the Shabbath; we DO eat meat and dairy products together; we pray in various postures including kneeling and prostration; we keep the Holy Days according to the Biblical Barley Calendar based on New Moon Sightings and much more.

Contrary to many rumors, and some more vicious than others (and spread by our Rabbinite brethren), Qaraites DO NOT worship Jesus or Muhammed (Even Moslems don't pray to Muhammed!). Qaraism may be the minority of Israelites, but its philosophy and values reflect that of the original and once majority view of the Tora held by our ancestors.