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Glite Dictionary
Karaism

Karaism

9.9
A Jewish movement that accepts only the Hebrew Bible as law
  • noun
  • /ˈkɛr.ə.ɪz.əm/
: karaismo
  • Unlike Rabbinic Judaism, Karaism relies solely on the Hebrew Bible for religious law.

Examples

  • Unlike Rabbinic Judaism, Karaism relies solely on the Hebrew Bible for religious law.

  • The history of Karaism offers a unique perspective on the diversity of Jewish belief and practice.

  • Scholars have studied the influence of Karaism on medieval Jewish philosophy and literature.

  • The principles of Karaism emphasize the Hebrew Bible.

  • Many followers of Karaism reject rabbinical interpretations.

  • The principles of Karaism emphasize the Hebrew Bible as the only source of divine law.

  • Many followers of Karaism reject rabbinical interpretations in favor of scripture.

Surface Forms

Karaism singular
Karaisms plural

Morphology

Karaism = Karaite (transparent) = Karaite + ism

Formed by adding the productive suffix '-ism' to 'Karaite' to denote the religious movement or system associated with Karaites.

Etymology

Karaism comes from the Hebrew root kara, which means 'to read', like the English word 'read'. It names the Jewish movement whose followers used only the Hebrew Bible and not the later oral tradition, so the name reminds you they were 'readers' of the scripture.