Ashkenazim and Sephardim: Their Relations, Differences, and Problems As Reflected in the Rabbinical Responsa (Library of Sephardic History and Thought) PDF
Preview Ashkenazim and Sephardim: Their Relations, Differences, and Problems As Reflected in the Rabbinical Responsa (Library of Sephardic History and Thought)
ASHKENAZIM AND SEPHARDIM Thei,r Relations, Differences, and Problems as Reflected in the Rabbinical Responsa BY RABBI DR. H. J. ZIMMELS Lecturer in Rabbinics and Jewish History at Jews' College, London WITH A FOREWORD BY THE VERY REV. THE ·CHIEF RABBI RABBI ISRAEL BRODIE JEWS' COLLEGE PUBLICATIONS NEW SERIES, NO. 2 LONDON OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS 1958 Google Original from Digitized by UNIVERSllY OF MICHIGAN Oxford University Press, Amen H<nue, Landon E.C.4 GLASGOW NEW YORK TORONTO MELBOURNE WELLINGTON BOMBAY CALCUTTA MADRAS KARACHI KUALA LUMPUR CAPII TOWN IBADAN NAIROBI ACCRA ., PRINTED IN GREAT BRITAIN Google Original from Digitized by UNIVERSllY OF MICHIGAN 24090 EM ;e;;. -z.5- TO THE VERY REVEREND THE CHIEF RABBI RABBI ISRAEL BRODIE THE ILLUSTRIOUS LEADER OF THE ASHKENAZIM OF THE UNITED HEBREW CONGREGATIONS OF THE BRITISH COMMONWEALTH AND EMPIRE Google Original from Digitized by UNIVERSllY OF MICHIGAN Google Original from Digitized by UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN FOREWORD BY THE CHIEF RABBI WITH all the tremendous changes which have taken place in the distribution of the Jewish population of the world in recent years, some differentiae which have perpetuated separate groupings of the Jewish people have inevitably become somewhat blurred. (Unfor tunately other differentiae threaten to take their place involving regroupings and division on political and ideological grounds.) The State of Israel has become the melting-pot of the many 'tribes' representing Jews of many countries who form the Ingathering of the Exiles. The fighting services of the State of Israel in parti cular have tended to remove the lines of demarcation separating or distinguishing the many communities represented in Israel today. This is manifested, for example, in the composite Prayer Book which is used for military services. This conscious effort in 'mizzug' should not be formidable. In spite of the differences between Sephardim and Ashkenazim in the liturgy, minhagim, intellectual interests, pronunciation of Hebrew, &c., which are presented in fascinating detail in this volume, based on Responsa on which the author is an expert, essentially these differences are but variations of the same common Judaism expressed in identical basic terms. Ashkenazim and Sephardim are mutually indebted to the scholarly contributions of the great names of both communities. The differences have not been really divisive. They have not prevented fruitful interdependence particularly in the field of Torah, nor weakened the overall consciousness of being members of one people. This latest work of Dr. H.J. Zimmels, which is the second in the New Series of Jews' College Publications, is worthy of the author-a member of the Staff of Jews' College-whose contri butions to and research in Jewish learning are outstanding and have rightly gained him recognition in the scholarly world. ISRAEL BRODIE Chief Rabbi Google Original from Digitized by UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN Google Original from Digitized by UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN PREFACE THE problem of the relations between the Ashkenazim and the Sephardim has always been of interest to Jewish circles, and is nowadays more than ever of paramount importance. No compre hensive study, however, has yet been written on the subject, and the present work is intended to be a contribution to filling this gap. It is mainly based upon the Rabbinical Responsa and I have tried to present the facts systematically and impartially, accord ing to the plan outlined in the Introduction, though I am fully aware that I have by no means exhausted the subject. The idea of writing this book came into my mind when I was engaged on my work Die Ma"anen in der rabbinischen Literatur in which I dealt with the difference in moral standards between the Jews of Franco-Germany and those in Spain. Unfortunately, for reasons beyond my control I was unable to carry out my plan u~til now, although I always had it in mind. The delay, however, has perhaps been of advantage in allowing my ideas to become clearer and more distinct. I should like to express my sincerest thanks to all who have helped me in the publication of this work. My deepest gratitude is due to the Chief Rabbi, The Very Rev. Rabbi Israel Brodie, B.A., B.Litt., for the great interest he took in my book and for arranging it to be published as No. of the New Series of Jews' 2 College Publications. His esteemed Foreword honours me in deed, and it is a great satisfaction to me to dedicate this volume to him. I wish to thank the Chairman of the Publications Com mittee, Oscar Philipp, Esq., for his aid in materially helping to realize this project. I am also indebted to the late Mr. Maurice Simon, M.A., for reading the manuscript. To Rabbi Dr. Joseph Rabbinowitz I extend my heartiest thanks for reading the proofs. I should like to mention that I am deeply conscious of the help and encouragement given to me by my dear wife during the many months I was engaged on this work. In conclusion I must not forget to thank the Readers and the Staff of the Google Original from Digitized by UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN Preface X Oxford University Press for the meticulous care with which they have seen the book through the Press. H.J. Z. LONDON Tebeth, 57I8 January, I958 Google Original from Digitized by UNIVERSllY OF MICHIGAN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT IN thanking those gentlemen who have made this publication possible, we would like especially to mention a substantial sum of money which was made available from the Estate of the late David Ryness through the instrumentality of the Chief Rabbi. OSCAR PHILIPP Chairman, Publications Committee Google Original from Digitized by UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN Google Original from Digitized by UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
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