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Categorized under Miscellaneous,Religion | Difference Between Sephardic and Ashkenazic

Sephardic and Ashkenazic are two sub groups that are part of the Jewish culture. There are several different groups within this religious society spread across the world ,and established according to different origins. The Sephardic group of Jews originated from Spain and their name Sephardi, in Hebrew, means Jews of Spain. Their descendants came from Spain, Portugal, North Africa and the Middle East. The Ashkenazic group is descended from France, Germany and Eastern Europe. Both groups, although essentially Jewish, have cultural and language differences. Generally speaking Jewish life is surrounded by customs and traditions that can differ from one community to another. The subject of their essential differences is very broad, however, looking at some of the classic differences can help give a generalized version of how two groups of Jewish communities can differ.

The Sephardic Jews originated in Spain and Portugal as well as North Africa and the Middle East. A split between the Sephardim and the Ashkenazim came when Rabbi Gershom Ben Judah issued an edict against polygamy that was practised by the Ashkenazim. The beliefs followed by the Sephardic Jews is according to orthodox Judaism and their interpretation of the Halakhah or Jewish law. They have adopted some differences in customs attached to some food groups and traditional celebrations. The Sepharcic prayer services for instance are different from the Ashkenazic services because they used different melodies. They have different holiday customs and traditional foods eaten at these celebratory times. One of the most noteworthy differences comes during the celebration of Chanukka, also known as the Festival of lights or Chanukkah Candle Lighting blessing. The Sephardic will eat sufganiot or jelly donuts, while the Ashkenazim have latkes or potato pancakes. Other differences are evident in language as Sephardim speak Ladino based on Spanish and Hebrew. They have also adopted a different set of genealogy as the family name is handed from father to son or from mother to daughter regardless of whether they are alive or deceased.

The Ashkenazic Jews have their lines of descent originating from France, Germany and Eastern Europe. Ashkenazic is the adjective used to describe the practices of these Jews. Askenazi refers to a single person of this group and Ashkenazim is the plural. Many of the modern day Jews, living in America, can reach back to the Ashkenazim for their origins and heritage. This is due to the fact that many Jewish families fled from Europe during the World Wars to emigrate to America. Differences between the two groups are seen through different traditions and ways of celebrating festivals and religious feasts. Ashkenazic Jews have developed differences in language and speak Yiddish based on German and Hebrew.

The Sephardic Jews originated from Spain, Portugal and the North of Africa and Middle East. The Askenazic Jews were originally from the European countries of Germany, France and Eastern Europe.

The Sephardic Jews have developed a language called Ladino based on Spanish and Hebrew. Ashkenazim speak Yiddish based on Hebrew and German.

Sephardic Jews trace their genealogy through the lines of deceased or living paternal and maternal grandparents. It is their custom to name the first born son or daughter after their paternal grandparents. The Ashkenazim will only name children after their deceased grandparents.

Music and melodies used at worship times differ between the two groups.

Wedding ceremonies in particular differ between the two religious groups. Some modern adaptations have been made to include some of the traditions but give them a more egalitarian concept. The significance of the bride being clothed by the groom through the veiling or bedeken ceremony can be carried over to the bride placing a a tallit round the groom or a kip pah on his head. The couple then partake of legal formalities and sign documents. This is an Ashkenazic tradition.

Christina, a retired primary school teacher, turned to writing several years ago and loves being in the word game.Her teaching journey led her through several southern African countries and teaching English as a second language fostered a love of words and word meanings.Christina writes childrens books and parenting blogs.She is proud to be associated with FundZamobi an outreach programme to promote reading amongst children and young adults in South Africa.Christina lives in a farming area in the Natal Midlands.She enjoys country walks with her dog and writing from the comfort of her home that over looks the Drakensberg mountains.

CiteAPA 7Wither, C. (2019, April 4). Difference Between Sephardic and Ashkenazic. Difference Between Similar Terms and Objects. http://www.differencebetween.net/miscellaneous/difference-between-sephardic-and-ashkenazic/.MLA 8Wither, Christina. "Difference Between Sephardic and Ashkenazic." Difference Between Similar Terms and Objects, 4 April, 2019, http://www.differencebetween.net/miscellaneous/difference-between-sephardic-and-ashkenazic/.

Written by : Christina Wither. and updated on 2019, April 4

[1]Fish.M.Jefferson.Oct.01.2013. Looking into the cultural mirror. http://Www.psychologytoday.com/inti/blog/what-does-it-mean-to-look-Jewish-Sephardic Jews. Pub Sussex.pub.LLC reviewed 06.02,2019

[2]Mosseri Joseph. 3rd Dec 2010. Sephardic Hanouka Traditions. http://Www.esefarad.com/Sephardic-Hanouka-traditions. Pub.eSefarad lilara y Marcelo Benvensite. Reviewed 08.02.2019.

[3]Image credit: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tiferet_Israel_Sephardic_Synagogue,_Berlin.jpg

[4]Image credit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:1914_photo_of_an_Ashkenazic_synagogue_in_Sarajevo.png

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