Sephardic and Askenazic Jews

711 CE - Muslim Armies invade Spain

All different religions tolerated and cooperated

Lots of Jews immigrated to Spain

Spanish Golden Age

900 - 1100 CE

Important Sephardic Jews

He was a scholar, statesman, poet, Rabbi, and a military commander.

He was considered the best Jewish poet, philosopher, physician, and merchant of his time.

He believed that Jews were distinguished by their closeness to God, their language, traditions and forms of worship.

Rambam

He was born in Cordoba, Spain in 1135.

He was a great author, Rabbi, philosopher, community leader, and Physician.

Moses Maimonides also known as the Rambam criticized the Kabbalah for insisting that Judaism is full of secrets.

He also wrote the Mishnah Torah and commented on the Mishnah.

Ashkenazic Judaism

Ashkenaz was Germany and France

The churches in Ashkenaz discouraged relationships like the Jews had in Spain. Because of this Jews formed tightknit communities and didn't use or contribute to local language, or pursue scientific, or secular studies.

The three leading communities were Worms + Mainz in Germany, and Troyes in France.

Theses 3 communities were major trade centers for Jews and non-Jews alike.

Thanks to the tightknit communities Ashkenazic Jews didn't communicate

Because of little communication with other communities, most information was delivered by traders or merchants.

Parnisim were the Jewish community leaders, they were usually elders from rich families.

In every community, the Parnisim organized a board, or a Kahol, which manged the day to day affairs.

THe Kahol collected taxes, and had the right to excommunicate members of the community if they didn't follow the rules.

Gershom Ben Judah (aka) Gershom Me'or Hagadah

He lived from 960-1028

He built an academy for training Ashkenazic Rabbis

He changed some of the Jewish laws to adapt to their surroundings, he banned polygamy, and helped to set Ashkenazic Judaism on its own course.

Rashi

He lived from 1040-1105

Wrote commentaries on the Torah, that we call RAshi

His work helped people understand the torah

His followers were called tosafists.

He founded an academy in Troyes

Ashkenazic + Sephardic Judaism

Jews Were...

Famous Ashkenazic Jews

• sailors
• traders
• craftspeople
• shopkeepers
• tailors

• peddlers
• butchers
• poets
• doctors
• moneylenders

Jews made contributions to...

By the 11th Century Ashkenaz was a center of Jewish life!

• bible
• laws
• music
• dance
• visual arts

• poetry
• philosophy
• medicine
• science

Samuel Hanagid was born in 993 CE.

Judah Halevi was born in 1075 CE.

Ashkenazic Communities