Exorcising the Anti-Maimonidean Demons

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In Honor of the The Scribe’s Jubilee

“Dear Reader, Sir Naim Dangoor, A”H (born in Baghdad 1914 and settled in London 1963) started a printed newsletter/magazine in 1971 called “The Scribe – Journal of Babylonian Jewry”. Its purpose was to record the history, traditions, and keep the heritage of the once great Iraqi Jewish community alive.

The Iraqi Jewish Diaspora is vast, penetrating all the countries throughout the Middle East, Asia, Europe, North, Central and South America. The Scribe was published regularly for 35 years with 4,000 subscribers in 25 countries. It was read by many more and was archived in libraries all over the world. The Scribe through the “letters to the editor” helped keep the Iraqi Jewish Diaspora connected and is a wonderful reminder of the vibrant 2,600+ year history of Babylonian Jewry. It had a great effect enhancing the glue that kept the Diaspora in contact with each other.

Please find here the 50 year anniversary edition of The Scribe published by his son and grand-niece with wishes for a very happy and sweet new year.”
~David E.R. Dangoor, President, The American Sephardi Federation.

Click here to dedicate a future issue in honor or memory of a loved one.

24 September 2020

The Monthly Sage ◊ Feature ◊ Sephardi Gifts ◊ Upcoming Events ◊ Donate ◊ A rchive

The Sephardi House Fellowship!
Wisdom, Creativity, Community on Campus

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The American Sephardi Federation is pleased to launch the inaugural Sephardi House Fellowship! We invite undergraduate student leaders and influencers to apply by 30 September! Sephardi House’s purpose is to bring #AllJewsTogether by infusing the inviting and enlightening Sephardic soul into Jewish life on campus.

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Sephardi Ideas Monthly is a continuing series of essays and interviews from the rich, multi-dimensional world of Sephardi thought that is delivered to your inbox every month.

The August issue of Sephardi Ideas Monthly began a three-part exploration of the life and career of Hakham Rabbi Dr. José Faur (1934-2020), the distinguished scholar and perpetual intellectual rebel who passed away on 9 June in Israel. Last month we featured an extended essay by ASF Broome & Allen Fellow Dr. Mijal Bitton, “The Torah of Hakham José Faur,” and next month we'll publish an original interview with her. This month we introduce R’Faur's learned, acerbic, and fascinating academic polemic, “Anti-Maimonidean Demons” (Review of Rabbinic Judaism 6, 2003).

Hakham Rabbi Dr. Faur, A”H
(Photo courtesy of eSefarad)

The Anti-Maimonidean Demons

On the face of it, R’Faur's article is a passionate defense of a Jewish tradition of religious humanism, a tradition that reached its Andalusian peak in the writings of Moses ben Maimon/Maimonides (1135-1205). R’Faur articulates his defense of “Old Sepharad” by responding to the Franco-German mystical critiques of the Andalusian tradition, as well as what he considers to be their modern academic descendants. One of main criticisms of the Andalusian tradition has been that the rationalistic humanism at its heart paved the way for mass conversion to Christianity. R’Faur turns this critique on its head:

[T]he anti-Maimonideans are credited with stopping the tide of assimilation and standing in the frontline against ‘philosophy’ and other ‘rationalistic’ pursuits that… lead to religious laxity and apostasy. The purpose of this paper is to question this truism. In the ancient communities of Syria, Egypt, and Yemen, and throughout North Africa, where Maimonides' works and intellectual tradition reigned supreme, none of the above took place.

In R’Faur's provocative analysis, the Andalusian tradition is the authentic Jewish tradition, while the Franco-German tradition of religious mysticism is a foreign import whose influence has been disastrous.

Why disastrous? According to R’Faur's reasoning, the origin of the problem lies in the fact that the Franco-German mystical critiques of the Andalusian tradition were really exercises in obfuscation. In truth, the name of the game was communal power. To get there, the anti-Maimonidean rabbis advanced a brand of theological mysticism that was anti-scientific, rejecting physical science and the very concept of nature, and wed to the literal meaning and unquestionable authority of rabbinic texts. By contrast, the “standard interpretation of Judaism” that R’Faur defends accepts science and nature, and interprets rabbinic texts in light of both. Consider R’Faur's remarks regarding the interpretation of non-legal passages (haggadot) in rabbinic literature by Sephardic sages (Geonim) from the 9-11th centuries:

From Se’adya Gaon (882-942) down the chain of tradition, the Geonim…. upheld the principle that haggadot may be explained figuratively and could even be dismissed altogether... This has been the consensus of all legal experts of old Sepharad.

Click to Read “Anti-Maimonidean Demons”

This consensus was challenged by the mystical dogma that rabbis are inerrant and that “to question their excellence is heresy.” R’Faur argues, however, that since the excellence of these mystical rabbis cannot be demonstrated, another exercise in obfuscation became “invaluable,” namely, Talmudic pilpul. The predictably disastrous result? “Talmudic studies” were “reduced to an incoherent hodgepodge.”

And here we arrive at the crux of the matter. For R’Faur wasn’t merely concerned with setting the historical record straight. Instead, he had studied at the Haredi bastion of Talmudic scholarship, the Lakewood Yeshivah in New Jersey, and R’Faur claimed that the twin principles of Talmudic pilpul and blind obedience to rabbinical authorities that were first promulgated by the anti-Maimonidean rabbis continue to animate the world of Lithuanian-Haredi Judaism. In other words, it’s not just that the Franco-German mystical tradition, “brought about the spiritual, intellectual and material collapse of Iberian Jewry.” Rather, the anti-Maimonidean tradition continues to dominate the Jewish religious world today, with the very meaning of “Old Sepharad” having become practically unintelligible. R’Faur’s mission was to recover and rearticulate the Andalusian way.

R’Faur’s argument includes textual readings, critiques of rabbinic figures, and historical analyses that lie beyond the scope of this Introduction. He makes some claims that, truth be told, can be startling for anyone familiar with the standard versions of Jewish intellectual history, and his arguments should, of course, be questioned. What cannot be denied, however, is the vital force that animated R’Faur’s life-long spiritual-intellectual quest.

Sephardi Ideas Monthly is very pleased to share with our readers a wonderful example of that vitality, Hakham Rabbi Dr. José Faur’s “Anti-Maimonidean Demons.”

All Jews Together @ the ASF's Institute of Jewish Experience

“We have to unite our energies together. All Jews, together…. If we are united, all Sephardim and also Ashkenazim, together... we will see the light!”
~Enrico Macias

The ASF Institute of Jewish Experience is uniquely dedicated to ensuring that today’s Jews know our history; appreciate the beauty, depth, diversity, and vitality of the Jewish experience; and have a sense of pride in Jewish contributions to civilization.

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Feature Photo:

The young Hakham Faur teaching students in 1950s Brooklyn
(Photo Courtesy of Dr. Mijal Bitton/Tablet Magazine)

The Monthly Sage החכם החודשי

Hakham R’Eliyahu Hatzarfati

Aderet Eliyahu
(Photo courtesy of HeHaCham HaYomi)

The sage for the month of September is Hakham R’Eliyahu Hatzarfati (1715-1805).

Born in Fes (Fez), Morocco, Eliyahu Hatzarfati was a 15th generation descendant of Rabbeinu Tam, a French rabbi and the grandson of the famous commentator and interpreter of rabbinic and Biblical literature, Rashi.

After studying with the sages of Fes, in 1750 Eliyahu was called to serve on the city’s rabbinic court. Once installed in his new position, Hakham Eliyahu trained rabbis, issued rulings, and preached regularly to his community on the Sabbath.

R’Hatzarfati had a difficult life, losing his wife and several of his children and grandchildren, while he was granted longevity, passing away on 26 Elul 5565 (1805) at the ripe age of 90.

Hakham R’Eliyahu Hatzarfati wrote many books, including collections of sermons Kol Eliyahu, Elyahu Zuta, and Aderet Eliyahu, as well as Na’ar Bocheh – eulogies for deceased members of the Fes community.

In the passage below from Elyahu Zuta, Hakham R’Hatzarfati champions the spiritual quality of Torah sages who, even and especially when under the influence of alcohol, speak words of wisdom:

‘When wine comes in, secrets comes out’ – Torah scholars, having spiritual qualities, even when drinking much wine will nevertheless speak secrets of Torah only, because of their superior wisdom; when they drink, they will not utter an indecent word but will, rather, display increased courage in speaking words of the Torah and its secrets.

Continue reading...

Sephardi Gifts:

From Generation to Generation: a Legacy of Faith and Tolerance
By David S. Malka

From Generation to Generation: a Legacy of Faith and Tolerance is dedicated to the memory of Rabbi Shlomo Malka. It honors his memory as a Jewish scholar, a spiritual leader, and a great humanitarian.

David S. Malka is publishing this text as his personal contribution to legacy of Malka family, in the hope that this generation will re-discover their patriarch's teaching and advance his message of faith and compassion on to the next generation.

From Generation to Generation: a Legacy of Faith and Tolerance is a message of love, tolerance, and pride in one's heritage.

Maimonides, Spinoza and Us: Toward an Intellectually Vibrant Judaism
By Rabbi Dr. Marc D. Angel

A challenging look at two great Jewish philosophers, and what their thinking means to our understanding of God, truth, revelation and reason. RAMBAM/Maimonides is Jewish history’s greatest exponent of a rational, philosophically sound Judaism. He strove to reconcile the teachings of the Bible and rabbinic tradition with the principles of Aristotelian philosophy, arguing that religion and philosophy ultimately must arrive at the same truth. Baruch Spinoza is Jewish history’s most illustrious "heretic." He believed that truth could be attained through reason alone, and that philosophy and religion were separate domains that could not be reconciled. His critique of the Bible and its teachings caused an intellectual and spiritual upheaval whose effects are still felt today.

R’Angel discusses major themes in the writings of Maimonides and Spinoza to show us how modern people can deal with religion in an intellectually honest and meaningful way. From Maimonides, we gain insight on how to harmonize traditional religious belief with the dictates of reason. From Spinoza, we gain insight into the intellectual challenges which must be met by modern believers.

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Sephardic Culinary History with Chef Hélène Jawhara-Piñer

Episode Two:

Beans, Chicken, and Brown Nougat

Sephardi Culinary History is a new show that combines chef and scholar Hélène Jawhara-Piñer’s fascination with food studies and flair for creating delicious cuisine. Join along as she cooks Sephardic history!

Wednesday, 30 September at 10:00AM EDT

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Tickets support Chef Hélène’s forthcoming publications and the ASF’s Institute of Jewish Experience

ASF Broome & Allen Fellow Hélène Jawhara-Piñer earned her Ph.D in History, Medieval History, and the History of Food from the University of Tours, France.

Chef Hélène’s primary research interest is the medieval culinary history of Spain through interculturality with a special focus on the Sephardic culinary heritage written in Arabic. A member of the IEHCA (Institute of European History and Cultures of Food), the CESR (Centre for Advanced Studies in the Renaissance), and the CoReMa Project (Cooking Recipes of the Middle Ages), Chef Hélène has lectured at Bar-Ilan University (in collaboration with the Stali Institute and the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC): “El patrimonio culinario judío de la Península Ibérica a través de un manuscrito del siglo XIII. Ejemplos de la pervivencia de recetas en la cocina de los sefardíes de España y de Marruecos,” 2018), as well as at conference of the Association Diwan (“Reflections on the Jewish heritage according to the Kitāb al-ṭabīẖ,” 2015), IEHCA of Tours (“Jews and Muslims at the Table: Between coexistence and differentiation: state of affairs and reﬂections on the culinary practices of Jews and Muslims in the Iberian Peninsula and in Sicily from the 12th to the 15th century,” 2017), and Society for Crypto-Judaic Studies (“The hidden Jewish culinary heritage of the Iberian Peninsula through a manuscript of the 13th century. Examples of the provenance of some recipes in Venezuelan and Colombian cuisine,” 2017).

In May, Chef Hélène hosted “Shavuot in the Sephardic Kitchen: Bread of the Seven Heavens,” one of the most popular sessions of the Great Big Jewish Food Fest. Her recipes have appeared in the Sephardi World Weekly, Tablet Magazine, The Forward, and S&P Central’s Newsletter. Chef Hélène is currently writing a scholarly book and accompanying cookbook on the Jewish culinary history of Spain.

We are proud Chef Hélène is serving as one of the judges for the ASF's Great Sephardic Chef Competition!

Sponsorship and Naming opportunities available:
info@americansephardi.org

The Sephardic Jewish Brotherhood of America and the American Sephardi Federation present:

Preparing for the High Holidays

Understanding our Sephardic Laws and Traditions with
Hakham Rabbi Elie Abadie, M.D.

On Wednesdays at 8:00PM EDT
30 September - Sukkot
7 October - Simhat Torah

Sign-up Now!

(Complimentary RSVP)

Rabbi Elie Abadie, M.D., comes from a long and distinguished rabbinical lineage dating back to fifteenth century Spain and Provence. Born in Beirut, Lebanon, he grew-up in Mexico City before settling in the United States. Following in the footsteps of the great Jewish scholar and philosopher Moses Maimonides (the Rambam), he is both a rabbi and a physician. Rabbi Dr. Abadie maintains a practice in Gastroenterology and is fluent in English, Spanish, Hebrew, Arabic, French, as well as conversant in Italian and Portuguese. He serves on the Boards of the American Sephardi Federation and Beit Hatfutsot, as the Director of the Jacob E. Safra Institute of Sephardic Studies at Yeshiva University, Head of School of the Sephardic Academy of Manhattan, and Founder and Leader of the Manhattan East Synagogue – Congregation Shaare Mizrah.

The ASF’s Great Sephardic Chef Competition

Enter for a chance to win a spot in the ASF’s Virtual Cookbook and other prizes!

Does your family have the best Sephardic recipe? Like to cook Sephardic? Let the world know by submitting your recipe to the ASF’s Great Sephardic Chef Competition. Entries will be judged by a panel of scholars, chefs, restaurateurs, and authors in the following categories:

Appetizers
Bread
Communities (Greek, Iraqi, Italian, Moroccan, Persian, Spanish, Syrian, et al...)
Desserts
Entrees
Grandma’s Favorite
Mom’s Best
Salads
Shabbat
Soups
Special Occasions & Creations
Vegan
Yom Tov

Submission Due Date: 15 October 2020
$10 per entry; unlimited entries!

Submit Your Video Here!

Finalists will be announced on 17 December 2020 by our international panel of judges!

Sponsorship and Naming opportunities avaialble:
info@americansephardi.org

The ASF Institute of Jewish Experience presents:

The Greek Experience

Explore the world of Greek Jewry from the ancient Romaniote to the Sephardim and others who made it to and through Greece.

An online course presented in 10 minute episodes.
Learn at your own pace.

Please sign-up now!

Total cost of the course is $75.00

Jews have been in Greece since before the Temple was destroyed. They were in Greece upon the founding of the Greek Orthodox Church. Community members, known as Romaniote, made their way through Venice, Byzantium, Spain, across the Ottoman Empire, and beyond.

Dr. Yitzchak Kerem provides an overview of the unique languages, liturgical nuances, and communal life of Jews across Greece. Dr Kerem spent significant time living in Greece and researching Greek and Sephardic history. Photographs, maps, and personal accounts provide course participants with a full picture of the unique nature of the Jews of Greece and its surroundings.

In the course, participants will look at major influential points in Greek Jewish history. They will explore The Golden Age of Salonika, a time when Greece’s northern city was a hub of Jewish scholarship. Kerem introduces the tension arising in the Greek Jewish community because of Shabtai Tzvi and the Sabbateanism movement that brought with it false messianism and conversion to Islam, at least outwardly.

The course looks at when the Alliance Israélite Universelle moved in and the Sephardic culture in Greece developed a rich secular culture with its own novels, theater, and music.

This is part of the greater Jewish heritage and history that is often overlooked. ASF IJE online courses will bring to life all parts of the greater Jewish Experience.

For more information and other ASF IJE online course offerings visit: https://courses.instituteofjewishexperience.org/

The ASF Institute of Jewish Experience presents:

The Crypto Experience

The Global History of Secret Jews

An online course presented in 10 minute episodes.
Learn at your own pace.

Please sign-up now!

Total cost of the course is $75.00

The ASF Institute of Jewish Experience is proud to present “The Crypto Experience,” an online course on Crypto-Jews. It is part of a series of online courses on a variety of topics that make up the robust Jewish experience.

For hundreds of years there have been descendants of Crpto-Jews, who have covertly kept some of their traditions while maintaining a very different public persona. It is a question of identity, be it Huegenot, Catholic, Sephardi, or Mashadi. Professing one faith on the outside and another on the inside speaks to our quest for defining identity today.

These questions of identity that we think are so new and so relevant are really rather old questions under different circumstances. In this course Dr. Hilda Nissimi (Bar Ilan University) presents an overview of crypto societies historically and in the context of today. She challenges the participants to ask themselves difficult questions like: What defines identity? If I project this outer self, how do I keep my real me? Who is the real me? Am I the me before the expression of an outer facade? Is it a new me?

The course discusses these questions as they pertain to Jews, specifically. What does it mean to be a Jew? What do I have to keep if I want to call myself a Jew? Am I allowed to change? Am I the person to decide? Who will decide? How can anyone decide under such circumstances?

In order to understand this in historic and cultural contexts, world-renowned scholars and experts in the field have joined Dr. Nissimi and will be presenting the challenges facing a range of crypto societies:

Huegenots – Dr. Hilda Nissimi
Spanish-Portuguese Crypto Society – Dr. Ronnie Perelis (Yeshiva University)
Bildi’in of Morocco – Professor Paul Fenton (Sorbonne Université, Paris)
Mashhadi Jews of Iran – Dr. Hilda Nissimi
Tracing Jewish Roots – Genie and Michael Milgrom
Growing Up Mashhadi– Reuben Ebrahimoff

For more information and other ASF IJE online course offerings visit: https://courses.instituteofjewishexperience.org/

Donate now and your generous tax-deductible contribution will empower the ASF to fight for Jewish unity and champion the Sephardi voice in Jewish communal affairs at home and abroad, as well as in our programs, publications, and projects.

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American Sephardi Federation | http://www.AmericanSephardi.org | info@americansephardi.org | (212) 294-8350

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