CARAITES. — In the 9th century, through the impetus of Binjamīn of Nahāwend, the Jewish sect that broke away from traditional Rabbinism designated its adherents by the significant appellation Bānā Miqrā (“sons of the Bible”), which subsequently became qārā'im, c., that is, “biblicists.” The origins of this sect are obscure; generally, given its doctrinal affinity, it is held to derive from ancient Sadduceeism. Indeed, it agrees with the latter in rejecting oral tradition and in its tenacious adherence to the letter.
The movement is traced back to 'Ānān ben Dāwīdh of Baghdad (8th century), and some discern in it a repercussion of the Islamic schism then taking shape between Sunnis and Shīʿites. At first the c. were strongly opposed by traditional Rabbinism. They soon lost almost all authority in Babylonia; but they spread elsewhere, especially in Palestine. In the 9th–12th centuries the c. formed a homogeneous and powerful organization, having spread throughout all the countries along the Mediterranean as far as Spain, although their principal center was Egypt and, generally, the Arabic-speaking countries. The doctors Salomone ben Jerusām (885–960), Giuseppe ben Abhrāhām Haroch (910–930), and Giuda ben Elia Hadassi (1075–1160) flourished at that time. Subsequently the c. were found especially in Greece, Constantinople, Crimea, and Russia. The doctors Arone ben Elia (1300–1360) and Elia ben Mosù Bašjazi (14th century) are remembered.
Then Karaism declined ever further, as its adherents passed over to Orthodox Rabbinism or Islam. In the last century Abhrāhām Firkowitsch (1786–1874) sought to give the c. new life, particularly in Crimea. Through extensive research and falsifications, he brought the history of this sect to prominence, obtaining official recognition from the Russian government. Before the recent political events, approximately 12,000 c. were counted, most of them in Russia (approximately 10,000).