How Do You Spell KARAISM?

Pronunciation: [kˈaɹe͡ɪˌɪzəm] (IPA)

Karaism is a religious movement within Judaism that originated in the 8th century. The spelling of "Karaism" is based on the pronunciation of the word in its original Hebrew form, "Qara'im", which is pronounced /karaˈʔim/. The English "k" sound in the beginning is the same as in "car", while the stress is on the second syllable. The "ai" diphthong in the second syllable is pronounced like the "i" in "pie" and the "ʔ" symbol represents a glottal stop, a brief pause in the pronunciation.

KARAISM Meaning and Definition

1. Karaism is a religious movement within Judaism that rejects the authority of the oral law, also referred to as the Talmud, and places an emphasis on a strict interpretation of the Hebrew Bible, or the Tanakh, as the sole and ultimate religious authority. Followers of Karaism, known as Karaites, believe that only the written text of the Hebrew Bible is divinely inspired and binding, and they do not accept the interpretations, commentaries, and legal traditions found in the Talmud.

   The name "Karaism" is derived from the Hebrew word kara, which means "to read" or "to recite," symbolizing the importance given to direct engagement with the sacred text. Karaites reject the idea of Rabbinic Judaism, which accepts the oral traditions alongside the written law, considering it an unnecessary and human addition to the religion.

   Karaism emerged as a distinct movement in the 8th century CE in the land of Israel, and it spread to other regions including Egypt, Iraq, and Persia. Throughout history, the Karaite community faced periods of both oppression and thriving, with fluctuations in its influence and adherents.

   Today, Karaism remains a small religious community mainly concentrated in Israel and the United States, with additional populations in other countries. The movement has developed its own distinct legal, ritual, and cultural practices while maintaining a commitment to the primacy of the Hebrew Bible. Karaites continue to emphasize personal interpretation of the scripture and place a strong emphasis on individual responsibility in religious matters.

Common Misspellings for KARAISM

• jaraism
• maraism
• laraism
• oaraism
• iaraism
• kzraism
• ksraism
• kwraism
• kqraism
• kaeaism
• kadaism
• kafaism
• kataism
• ka5aism
• ka4aism
• karzism
• karsism
• karwism
• karqism

Etymology of KARAISM

The word "Karaism" is derived from the Hebrew word "karaim" (קָרָאִים), which means "readers" or "readers of Scripture". It is based on the Hebrew root "k-r-a" (קרא), which means "to read" or "to call". Karaism is a Jewish religious movement founded in the 8th century by Anan ben David, which emphasizes the literal interpretation of the Hebrew Bible and rejects the authority of the Talmud and other rabbinic traditions.