Ashkenazim and Sephardim: Their Relations, Differences, and Problems As Reflected in the Rabbinical Responsa (Library of Sephardic History and Thought)

361 Pages·1997·115.828 MB·English

by  H. J. Zimmels

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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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