Book Reviewed: The Non-Jewish Origins of the Sephardic Jews by Paul Wexler

Sephardic Jews: From a historical perspective

It is generally thought that Jews did not marry non-Jews, and they never converted non-Jews into Judaism. Then how is that after 2,000 years of diaspora, they have different physical features? A Jew could be a European, Yemeni, Moroccan, Indian, or Ethiopian. Besides, in Europe, there are two racially different groups, the Sephardic and Ashkenazi Jews. Does this mean that their ancestors originated from ancient Israel? In this book, the author evaluates the history of Sephardic Jews whose ancestors migrated from Middle East to Iberian Peninsula perhaps in early eighth century. During the first two centuries, some of the local Iberian population converted into Judaism or formally followed the cultural practices of Judaism and thus, together they emerged as the Sephardic Jews. The author also observes that Jewish languages like Greek and Hebrew were abandoned to adapt Spanish version of Hebrew language. The life of Jewish communities in Iberia was generally difficult one. During 900-1150 C.E. although Judaism evolved into a strong minority group along with expanding Muslim population, the Christian Spain was dominated by Roman Catholic Church. Despite numerous odds, Jews made significant contributions to Spanish art, literature and culture. Majority of Jewish literary figures inhabited Spain during this period. There was a transition period between 1100 and 1300, when Jews resided in both Muslim and Christian regions of Spain; and finally, during 1250 to 1492, most Jews inhabited the Christian regions of the peninsula. The Alhambra Decree by Spain's Catholic Monarch in 1492, and then by the edict of expulsion of Jews by Portuguese king Manuel I in 1496 resulted in executions, mass conversions and migrations. During the late 15th century, Sephardic Jews migrated to North Africa, Anatolia, the Levant, Southern Europe, and the Americas. Some followed the spice-trade route to Malabar coast of India, where they settled among the established Cochin Jewish community whose ancestors arrived during the first millennium C.E.

The author also suggests that some Jews from ancient Israel may have migrated to Iberia in the first millennium C.E. but the history and archeological facts are sketchy to make positive conclusions. The ancestors of Ashkenazi Jews migrated from Middle East and settled in France and Germany in eighth century. Prior to this another ancient Jewish group migrated from Middle East to the Khazarian Empire in Southeastern Russia during sixth century. In both the regions of the European continent, there have been conversions that led to European admixture which resulted in more defined physical characteristics of European Jews. When the tenacity of Christian crusaders and general intolerance to Judaism increased in Western Europe; and after the fall Khazarian Empire, Jews migrated to East European nations like Hungary, Poland, and Lithuania. Where the religion grew stronger.

Genetic archeology of Ashkenazim suggest that they have Middle Eastern ancestry complemented by European admixture. Various studies have arrived at diverging conclusions regarding both the degree and the sources of this admixture in Ashkenazim particularly with respect to the extent of the non-Levantine genetic origin observed in Ashkenazi maternal lineages. These studies indicate that Jewish migrations since the beginning of first millennium before common era (B.C.E) resulted in some local admixture and led to distinct characteristics, of Moroccan, Indian, Chinese, and Ethiopian Jewry. In fact, many Jews who lived in the Middle East for more than 2500 years do not regard Ashkenazim, usually characterized by blonde hair and blue or green eyes, are the real representatives of the original inhabitants of ancient Israel.

This book is well written and the historical and linguistic impact on Jewish population in Iberian Peninsula is well discussed.