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Definition:
In biblical times, the term Sepharad referred to a colony of exiles from Jerusalem (Obadiah 20) who may have lived in or near
Sardis. In the Middle Ages, Sephardi(c) Jews were those whose ancestors lived in Spain and
Portugal before their expulsion in 1492.
Today, the term Sephardic Jews is used as a blanket description of any Jews who do not trace their lineage through middle and northern Europe on the assumption that they must, therefore, trace their lineage through those Jews who were expelled from Spain - but this is incorrect. Most of those who are called Sephardic Jews can trace their lineage to Jewish communities which have existed in the Middle East for centuries, long before the Jews were expelled from Spain. However, the term Sephardic Jews serves a political purpose - it allows one to avoid saying Arab Jews, and thus admit that Jews have been integral parts of Arab communities for the past couple of millennia.
Also Known As: none
Alternate Spellings: none
Common Misspellings: none
Related Resources:
What is Theism?
What is the difference between monotheism and monolatry? Between pantheism and panentheism? How about between animism and shamanism? Or theism and deism? What the heck is henotheism? For that matter, what is and is not a religion?What is Religion?
A system of human beliefs, ideals and practices which is harder to define than it may at first appear.
