The blessing of a Karaite and his excommunication: topics in the approach to Karaites in the writings of R. Abraham and his father Maimonides

Abstract

The article by M.A. Friedman, `The blessing of a Karaite and his excommunication: topics in the approach to Karaites in the writings of R. Abraham and his father Maimonides,” opens with a previously unpublished halakhic responsum by R. Abraham Maimuni. This responsum deals with the saying of Amen after a Karaite blessed a circumcision and with the excommunicating of the Karaites as the Cuthites (Samaritans) had been excommunicated in the past. According to the author’s reading, R. Abraham Maimuni rules in his responsum that the Karaites should not be excommunicated “at this time” as the sectarians used to be excommunicated in the past. He demonstrates that in this ruling, R. Abraham Mainuni adopted his father’s approach in his Commentary on the Mishnah. Later, the author presents sources that indicate a moderate attitude of Maimonides and R. Abraham Maimuni towards the Karaites. His conclusion is that although he condemned the Karaite’s methods and imitating them, R. Abraham Maimuni believed that in their worship, and especially in their prayers, there were proper and good practices that were not contrary to the Torah and the words of the Sages and therefore the Rabbanites should imitate them.