What are Karaite Jews?

Answer 1

The Karaites are a small group (about 0.3% of world Jewry), begun about 1250 years ago, that reject the Oral Torah and original (Rabbinic) traditions of Judaism. They are thus forced into the conundrum of needing, in any case, to create their own interpretations of what the brief Torah-verses mean.

Answer 2

The Karaites are a small group (about 0.3% of world Jewry), begun about 1250 years ago, that reject the Oral Torah and original (Rabbinic) traditions of Judaism. They are thus forced into the conundrum of needing, in any case, to create their own interpretations of what the brief Torah-verses mean. Example: not working on the Sabbath day (Exodus ch.20). Without a tradition, this could mean almost anything. Rabbinical Judaism understands this command in terms of the ancient tradition recorded in the Talmud (Shabbat 73b), which spells out exactly which activities are called "work." The Karaites have to come up with their own ideas concerning this and thousands of other examples. In doing so, they adopted some rules (such as those of Sabbath) from the Samaritans (no lights or heated food), abandoned other observances (they have no Hanukkah, mezuzah, or tefillin), or altered them (such as making Purim into a fast-day). Some things were made more permissive (allowing meat with milk), while others became completely forbidden (no doctors or medicine).While one thousand years ago Karaism became relatively widespread, it gradually diminished, as some Karaites converted to Islam and others assimilated. Many Karaites returned to traditional Judaism, under the influence of such Rabbinical luminaries as Saadia Gaon and Maimonides.

See also the Related Links.

Link: Maimonides

Link: Jewish history timeline