Karaites
During the 9th century C.E., a number of sects arose
that denied the existence of oral
Torah. These sects came to be known as Karaites (literally, People
of the Scripture), and they were distinguished from the Rabbanites or
Rabbinical Judaism.
The Karaites believed in strict interpretation of the literal
text of the scripture, without rabbinical interpretation.They believed
that rabbinical law was not part of an oral tradition that had been
handed down from G-d, nor was
it inspired by G-d, but was an original work of the sages. As such,
rabbinical teachings are subject to the flaws of any document written
by mere mortals.
The difference between Rabbanites and Karaites that
is most commonly noted is in regard to the Sabbath:
the Karaites noted that the Bible specifically prohibits lighting a flame on the Sabbath, so they kept
their houses dark on the sabbath. The Rabbanites, on the other hand,
relied upon rabbinical interpretation that allowed us to leave burning
a flame that was ignited before the sabbath. Karaites also prohibited sexual intercourse on the sabbath,
while Rabbanites considered the sabbath to be the best time for sexual
intercourse. The Karaites also follow a slightly different calendar
than the Rabbanites.
According to the Karaites, this movement at one time
attracted as much as 40 percent of the Jewish people. Today, Karaites
are a very small minority, and most Rabbinical Jews do not even know
that they exist.
Sources: Judaism 101 |