In B’midbar (Numbers) 31, the story is told of the Israelites’ victory over the Midianites. In it, Moshe (Moses) commands the army to kill all the Midianites except the unmarried women (virgins). This was, apparently a somewhat common ancient practice, since Herodotus references it multiple times in his Histories and in detail. However, Herodotus uses … More Moshe and Herodotus
The role and rights of women according to the Torah (and the examples set in the rest of the TaNaKh) are important to me, and not only because I am a woman. The biblical portrayal of women has set the tone for the treatment of women throughout both Western civilization and the Muslim world. It … More The Rights of Women in Judaism
About 3500 years ago (see post on dating of the Exodus), Moshe (Moses) led the Israelites out of Egypt and into the wilderness. At Mt. Sinai, Moshe gave the Israelites the ten basic commandments and then went on to write a complete constitution for the construction of an entire civilization–a complete society with the basics … More History of Karaite Judaism
Some of my favorite blogs to read are written by or for conservative Christian women (both Catholic and Protestant). While I obviously have some disagreements with the religious views expressed in these writings, I often find that we have much more in common, and what we disagree on is expressed in such a way that … More Women in Marriage
(Featured Image: Garden of Eden Painting by Jan Brueghel the Elder and Peter Paul Rubens) The story of Adam and Chava (Eve) is one that most people take to have some great mystical, otherworldly significance. Many use it to justify misogyny and the oppression of women. Others see it as the source of an “original sin,” … More Gan Eden: A Journey to Civilization
A friend recently raised a very valid point about the modern practice of Judaism that I wanted to address. The question concerns the use of electricity, artificial light, and heating on Shabbat. As my friend accurately pointed out, Shemot (Exodus) 35:3 prohibits the burning of fire on Shabbat. For the Israelites in the desert this … More Fire, Shabbat, and Modernity
I met a man recently whom I thought to be a secular Israeli, and he thought this of himself as well. After our talk I think we were both convinced that we were men of faith. He had overheard me discussing religious history with a friend. When my friend departed for other business this man … More Arguments for Faith
I have been asked several times about the observance of holidays by the Karaite Jews, as opposed to the Talmudic Jews. What follows is a brief description of each holiday. It is important to note that starting about 2300 years ago a group of Jews called the Pharisees broke away from traditional Judaism (now represented … More The Biblical Jewish Holidays
The sanctuary of Karaite Jews of America, Daly City, California. This post courtesy Karaite Hackam Moshe Firrouz: Terms: Day: Biblical “days” begin and end at sunset. “Fresh” Water: Clean water that is fit to drink; standing water is invalid. Major Impurity Any impurity that causes a person to be impure … More Rules for the Attendance of a Karaite Jewish Synagogue
First Shmuel 15:22-23: [To King Shaul] 22 Has YHV as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obedience to the voice of YHV? Behold: to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. 23 For rebellion [against YHV] is as the misdeed of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as … More A Quote from Shmuel (Samuel)
Silver Trumpets 