Who Are We?

 Who are we? We are Karaites and we adhere to the law as given by YHWH to Moses on Mt. Sinai and therefore follow the original commandments and instructions, as the children of Israel.

Karaism comes from a Hebrew root word meaning 'followers of the way' therefore we are referred to as Karaites.

These writings given to Moses represented YHWH's plan for the people He chose to enter into a covenant relationship with. Not only this but, they were to be 'a light to the nations'. Being this light, they were to teach the will of the Creator, not just by word but by deed. Those who accept the rule of the Almighty and choose to follow His law have the promise of life everlasting if they remain faithful. Fear of YHWH is the beginning of wisdom.

Prov 3:13
Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding,

Prov 3:18 
She (wisdom) is a tree of life to those who embrace her; those who lay hold of her will be blessed.

Karaites differ from others in that we accept the Tanakh (TN'K, Hebrew Bible [old testament]) as giving us all the information we need to live a life in accord with the will of the Creator. We do not feel a need for teachings that are not included in TN'K thus we do not accept either the Talmud of the Rabbinics or the New Testament of the Christians. We are told in Deuteronomy 4:2 that we are not to add to or take away from the words He has commanded to us. We are not to diminish His given instructions in any way.

We see ourselves in exile at this time. We believe that this exile will end if we turn away from false man made religions and return to YHWH.

2 Chr 7:14 
If my people, who are called by My Name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from the heavens, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

The Prophet Amos speaks of the time when we will be in a famine and will hunger as the Creator hides His face from us because of our sin.

Amos 8:11 
Behold, the days will come says Sovereign YHWH, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of YHWH:

Famine and exile have set precedent as major actions of punishment for Israel by YHWH when they were unfaithful. We are in this exile.

It is YHWH's will for us to repent, turn away from our rebellious ways and live.

Karaites see themselves as without a living prophet and see that understanding clearly the language and culture of YHWH's Prophets would be exceedingly difficult, if not impossible.

Karaites seek to understand the TN'K by understanding the plain meaning of the Hebrew Scriptures.

The Torah was to be read to the children of Israel every seven years. The listeners had to be able to understand the meanings of the readings, thus we seek the same 'plain meaning' today.

According to Karaite belief, every person is obligated to study the Hebrew Scriptures so that by their study, reasoning and understanding, they may each determine for themselves the true meaning of the Creator's directions given in Torah.

When the time comes to stand before the Righteous Judge, we each will stand alone before Him and answer for our actions.

"Search well in the Scriptures and do not rely on anyone's opinion" is an ancient Karaite adage and regarding this the Karaite sages taught, "He who relies on any of the teachers of the exile without personal investigation, it is as if he had engaged in idolatry."

We cannot rely on the most accepted interpretations or even the customs of the forefathers, for Scripture warns us about being like our fathers in their misdeeds and rebellions. The fathers have been described, at times stubborn and rebellious. We are also not to follow the 'commandments of men' for Isaiah says:

Isa 29:13 
YHWH says: "These people come near to Me with their mouth and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. Their worship of Me is made up only of rules taught by men.

Each and every Karaite will likely never agree totally with another's understanding of Scripture and the burden of proof lies with the individual. Because of this, the only central authority for a Karaite is YHWH. This is very good since it helps to prevent the 'indoctrination, even into falsehood' becoming ingrained as 'the dogma of the group'. Since we each must answer, we also must search well and be certain that we have the correct meanings from His Torah.

Karaites are united, not by huge organizations, by a priesthood or a common set doctrine to which we must all adhere. We are united by our desire to find the will of the Creator and when each part is found and understood, in the doing.

Table of Contents

Home

Contact Us