The Karaite Jews of Egypt
1882-1986
Mourad el-Kodsi
In The Karaite Jews of Egypt, Mourad el-Kodsi offers for the first time a comprehensive and scholarly study of the little-known history of the Karaite Jews. Dealing primarily with the period from 1882-1986, el-Kodsi’s text reveals the many dimensions of the Karaites’ rich cul-tural heritage, and is supplemented by numerous photographs and reproductions of authentic Karaite documents of historic import. In a style that is at once uncompromising and sensitive, the author examines the folk traditions, societal patterns, and artistic contributions of this once-flourishing society.
Although virtually unknown to most of the Judaic communities in North and South America, the Karaites are a Judaic sect whose history, according to some sources, stretches back to the time of the destruction of the second temple. It was not until the eighth century, however, that the Karaite community split from the mother synagogue.
The Karaites once comprised hundreds of communities dotting parts of Europe, Asia, and Africa, and at one time constituted 40 percent of the world Jewish population. Today they have dwindled to a mere handful of communities; nevertheless, their vast array of cultural, artistic, and academic contributions are treasured by museums and institutes throughout the world, and await scholarly investigation and appreciation.
The book opens with a brief historical review and assessment of the Karaite community in Egypt from the seventh century until recent times.
The opening chapters detail everyday life in the Karaite community. Their liturgy and ideology is discussed. Since all non-Muslim communities were self-ruled until 1956, el-Kodsi analyzes the parts played by the Religious Councils and Courts in the Karaite form of self-government, including a detailed description of the Internal Code and the Personal Status Code. The author, himself a Karaite Jew, enlivens the text with a first-hand narrative of the religious ceremonies, the holy days, the rites of passage, the social activities and sporting events enjoyed by members of the Karaite community, thereby lending an authentic flavor to his text.
El-Kodsi substantiates his information by citing a number of impressive sources: docu-ments garnered from the archives of the Karaite Bet-Dīn; articles and books written by both Karaite and Rabbanite scholars; minutes record-ed at the Religious Councils; and finally, his own collection of photographs, documents, and memoirs. His study is further complemented by biographical accounts of two famous Karaites: Dā’ūd Ḥusnī, the foremost composer of Arabic music throughout the Arab world; and Murād Farag, the well-known poet and author of scholarly texts in both Arabic and Hebrew.
The final chapter explores the future of the Karaites, tracing their twentieth-century exodus from Egypt and outlining the various problems faced by the remaining communities of Karaites left in the world, settled primarily in Israel, Istanbul, Poland, and Russia.
Mourad el-Kodsi’s exhaustive research and sensitive treatment of the Karaite’s history form a significant contribution to the academic awareness of a remarkable people, too frequently neglected in the field of Judaic and Far Eastern studies.
Jacket design by Ibrāhīm Yūsuf Levi
LC 2006940446
Publication date: May 1, 2007
Book specifications:
408 pages; profusely illustrated in color and black and white
Trim Size: 6 x 9
Copy: Text Stock: 60# Natural Offset 420 PPI
Jacket Stock: 80# Gloss
Insert Stock: 80# Gloss
Binding: Case (cloth) bound
Retail price: $37.50
ABOUT THE FIRST EDITION
“Again, my sincere congratulation for the appearance of your book. You have performed a valuable service to scholarship.”
—Dr. Leon Nemoy
“The material is fascinating and, of course, unknown to Jews as to non-Jews. Your book would be a significant contribution to Jewish know-ledge.”
—Dr. William M. Brinner
“This is an absorbing book, one which academic and research collections will want to have. It is rare to have such a first view from the inside of this admittedly small, but historically significant Jewish community.”
—Dr. Philip L. Miller
“It was a great contribution, one that only you could make. Every univer-sity, library and every congregational library should posses this volume, in addition to historians and Judaic scholars.”
—Rabbi Shamai Kanter, Temple Beth-El, Rochester, NY
“I started reading your book and literally I could not put it down...
Comprehensive, well-written, fascinating.”
—Rabbi Marc H, Wilson, Temple Israel, Charlotte, NC
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mourad El-Kodsi was born in Cairo, Egypt, in 1919. He earned a Bachelors Degree in History from the University of Cairo, in 1942, and a Masters Degree in Education from The University of Rochester, in 1963.
In Cairo he was a teacher and principal in both the Karaite Jewish School and Les Ecoles de la Communauté Juive du Caire from 1942 to 1959.
As a member of the Karaite community in Cairo El-Kodsi served as the Secretary of the Karaite Religious Council and as chairperson of several of its commit-tees.
In 1959 he immigrated to the United States. He taught French in Brighton Central Schools, and Arabic classes in both the University of Rochester and St. John Fisher College.
In 1987 he published the first edition of “The Karaite Jews of Egypt from 1882-1986.”
In 1993 he published “The Karaite Communities in Poland, Lithuania, Russia and Crimea.”
In 2002 he published “Just for the Records in the History of the Karaite Jews in Egypt in Modem Times.”
In 2004 he published an article entitled “A History of Two of Ben Asher Codices.”