I have been thinking a lot lately about my place in the Jewish world. I have started out in the Reform (Ashkenazi) and eventually converted to Conservative (Ashkenazi). While I am still involved with a Conservative congregation, my beliefs and practices are Conservadox/Modern Orthodox. I feel that I will eventually convert via Modern Orthodox Judaism. However, the question that is staring me in the face right now is – Ashkenazi or Sephardi?
I have learned primarily from Ashkenazi sources and have evolved in my practices and beliefs around the Ashkenazi system. I am becoming more involved in learning about Yemenite and Sephardi/Mizrachi beliefs, traditions, practices, and halachic [Jewish legal] rulings.
I have found that my Hebrew follows Sephardi/Mizrachi pronunciation and I believe that it is not mandatory to avoid kitniyot [rice, corn, peanuts and beans] during Pesach [Passover] which puts me, again, in the Sephardi/Mizrachi realm. I am also learning about the halachah [Jewish law] surrounding women and tzitzit/tefillin. The Sephardi women who do follow the mitzvot of tzitzit and tefillin do not say the brachot [blessings] while the Ashkenazi women do. I believe that it is proper to not say the brachot since women are not commanded to follow these mitzvot but rather they are optional.
In addition, the two basic “legal texts” used by world Jewry is the Shulchan Aruch and the Mishneh Torah. Both of these were written by Sephardi Jews and written from a Sephardi tradition. It would only make sense to follow the Sephardi rulings and traditions.
I find myself leaning toward Sephardi. I have purchased a Sephardi siddur [prayer book] and plan on learning more about the Sephardi rulings and traditions. So, who knows, I may just choose that path.
Seems to me that your deciding factors all appear to be superficial.
To worry about women putting on tfillin is a moot point because you are going to be hard pressed observant women who put them on. In addition, they (tfillin & tzitzit) are not optional for women, as you put it, rather women are exempt from the requirements to wear them due to child rearing constraints. If anything, it would make sense for them to make berachot on these mitzvot as they have chosen to no longer be exempt and are thus, very much obligated in the mitzvot. Once again, this is a moot point because I don’t see women rushing out to do them.
As for Hebrew pronunciation, I bet you use a modern Hebrew accent which is neither Ashkenazi nor Sephardi, but a combination of the two. Ashkenazim have become, in the last two hundred years, lax in the pronunciation a chets and ayins, both gutteral consonants and that is evident in modern Hebrew where one cannot orally tell the differences between an chet and chof, as well as an ayin from an alef. I don’t know for sure, but I’m betting you are using an Ashkenazic (modern Hebrew) pronunciation for these vowels. Learning to do them properly takes a great deal of practice.
Similarly, a tav with a dagesh and one without one, should have different sounds, sadly neither Sephardi nor Ashkenazi pronunciation come close. Pronouncing both as “T” does not a sephardi make.
Kitniyot is not a cut and dry issue in the Askenazic world and are not universally consumed in the Sephardic world (my sister is Sephardi via marriage and I know her communities limits on kitniyot).
As for the SA and MT authorship being involved in your thought process, I am confused. Does that mean that you have to discount all the Ashkenazic hashkafa texts you’ve read. What about the Mishna Brurah (Ashkenazic Halach text) I’ve learnt from Sephardic rabbis? I’m completely confused about you reasoning.
As for wanting to go through MO geirut, by definition that is Ashkenazi. How do you intend to go through an Ashkenazi system and then declare yourself Sephardi? Are you connected to a Sephardic community? If not, how are you going to become Sephardi?
The only bad thing about Sephardi, as far as I know, is you’d miss out on lighting Hanukkah candles and, of course, the potato pancakes. So I’ve heard anyhow. While you’re at it, you might check out the Ethiopian and Chinese traditions. Sephardi, probably, but who knows?
Dick Stanley,
I am not sure what you are referring to but Sephardi Jews do indeed light Chanukah candles. It is my understanding that they eat more dairy than fried foods which is actually okay with me.
Adam,
I understand that there are very few religious women who would don tefillin/tallit.
Yes, I understand that women are exempt – but that doesn’t mean EXCLUDED – from certain time-bound mitzvot. I am single with no children so I am not bound by house duties. If I was married and/or had children, I would probably not even think about performing these mitzvot.
My Hebrew is probably best defined as a combination. I am currently trying to learn the Yemenite pronunciation.
I am not saying that Ashkenazim have not had great sages and viable rulings. I just find a stronger connection with the Sephardi world – especially Maimonides.
I am think about converting Modern Orthodox but only if I want to go with the Ashkenazi path. It is my understanding that it is more difficult to convert via Sephardi because they tend to not accept potential converts as readily. Again, this is just something that I have heard so I don’t want to make a decision based upon what I heard without hearing it right from the Sephardi themselves.
No, I am not currently connected with a Sephardi community. This is just simply something that has been on my mind. I may actually wait to convert until after I make aliyah.
I joined a Sephardic community post-conversion, and I have adopted its custom. I am fortunate enough to live nowhere near the Syrian community, with its infamous Edict.
If you yourself say Judaism is more than a religion, and is a lifestyle… then the Sephardi world is doubly so. The Sephardi `olam is more defined by ethnic lines than religious practice. (Fitting, as Sephardim take an open approach to individual observance while closely guarding traditions.) Family ties are a strong determinant of identity. In order to REALLY become Sephardi, you don’t just adopt the minhag – you have to totally immerse yourself in the community, and become part of the family.
And just to give you an update – the Sephardi world of today is more inspired by the AriZa”L than the RaMBa”M.
In other words, if you want to be Sephardi, I hope you like Arabic music. And couscous. Or kibbeh.
B.BarNavi,
Thank you for your insights.
I am still attempting to make this decision. I know it would mean a completely different way of looking at life. Right now the only shuls close to me are Ashkenazhi and I do not plan on moving any time soon. Most likely if I would become involved with Sephardim it would be after I make aliyah and even then it probably would be after an Orthodox conversion.
HI!
My father was Russian Jewish, my mother is central and south eastern european.
Neither of them religious. Where do i fit in. Is there a simple name out there for me instead of saying I am of russian, jewish, and european decent?
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks!
Novastar,
If your mother is not Jewish then you yourself are not Jewish. If your mother was also Jewish then you can simply call yourself a “Jew”. If she wasn’t a Jew then you are “European”.
Something happened this past Shabbat that made me think about this posting. Something to bear in mind with regarding the Sephardic world is that their view on the role of women dramatically differ from your view. The Sephardic world is very much a man’s world and your desire to be a Soferet will not be tolerated.
When I say not tolerated, I think that world is not strong enough to express the response you will receive. Bear in mind that the concept of women having a Torah education comes exclusively from the Ashkenazic world with the advent of Bais Yaakov, now culminating with with Avi Weiss conferring smicha on a woman. On a whole, Sephardim have not developed an education system for their daughters and where they have done so, it is response to their shame relative to BY schools being available for Ashkenazim.
There is also the much more traditional role you’ll be expected to fill in the Seph world. I hope you like being kept in the kitchen.
Adam,
Thanks for your response. I know that the Talmud Torah world is not nearly as open in the Sephardi world for women as it is in Ashkenazi. This is one of the things that is making this decision difficult. I think for me, since I am single with no children, I have a little more “wiggle room” but that being said, this could still pose a problem.
There are 3 books written by a Sephardic Rabbi, R. Michael Haber, prayer books for WOMEN, with English, Hebrew and transliterated Hebrew – so women can DAVEN in lashon Kodesh.
I believe he is Mizrachi, so there is some progress for women within that community.
Elisa,
I have come across these siddurim but I don’t currently own them. I think there are many changes occurring across the Orthodox spectrum (Ashkenazi and Sephardi) regarding women.