Are Sephardim Spanish or Arab?

B"H

The question of whether Sephardic Jews are Spanish or Arab is complex because it involves history, halachic development, language, culture, and even genetics (DNA studies). However, to fully understand the issue, we must also discuss Mizrahi Jews and Yemenite Jews, as these communities interacted with Sephardim but maintained distinct traditions.

1. The Spanish Origins of Sephardim

Sephardim trace their roots to the Iberian Peninsula (Spain and Portugal).

Sefarad (Spain) as Homeland: Jewish presence in Spain dates back to at least the 2nd Temple period, growing under Roman, Visigothic, and later Muslim rule (Al-Andalus).

Golden Age of Spain (9th–12th century): Jewish scholars like Rabbi Yehuda HaLevi, Rambam (Maimonides), and Ramban (Nachmanides) flourished under Islamic rule but retained their distinct Jewish identity.

Expulsion in 1492: The Alhambra Decree by Ferdinand and Isabella forced Sephardic Jews to convert, flee, or be executed.

Many left for the Ottoman Empire, North Africa, Italy, and the Middle East.

Sephardic Identity as Spanish

Ladino Language: Sephardim spoke Judeo-Spanish (Ladino), a form of medieval Castilian Spanish mixed with Hebrew, Turkish, and Arabic.

Spanish Customs in Halacha and Daily Life: Sephardim retained Spanish-style melodies, legal traditions, and poetic influences, even in exile.

Sephardic Rabbinic Authority:

Rabbi Yosef Karo (Shulchan Aruch) - wrote the final halachic code of Sephardim.

Rabbi Yitzhak Abarbanel - deeply connected to Spanish intellectual traditions.

Rabbi Shlomo ibn Aderet (Rashba) - a leading Spanish posek before the expulsion.

Maimonides The Rambam

Thus, Sephardim are primarily of Spanish origin, though they later mixed with Middle Eastern and North African populations.

2. The Arab and Middle Eastern Influence on Sephardim

After 1492, Sephardim settled across the Ottoman Empire, North Africa, and the Levant, where they absorbed some Arab and Turkish customs.

How Arab/Middle Eastern Culture Influenced Sephardim

Language Adaptation:

Many Sephardim in North Africa and the Middle East switched from Ladino to Judeo-Arabic, a blend of Hebrew and Arabic.

Adoption of Middle Eastern Dress and Cuisine:

In places like Morocco, Iraq, and Syria, Sephardic Jews wore traditional Arab-style clothing and adopted local food traditions.

Integration with Mizrahi Jews:

Over time, Sephardim merged with Mizrahi Jewish communities, influencing their halachic rulings and customs.

Sephardic Rabbinic Influence in Arab Lands

Ben Ish Chai (Rabbi Yosef Chaim of Baghdad) - deeply connected to Iraqi-Jewish (Mizrahi) traditions but ruled according to Sephardic halacha.

Rabbi Chaim David Azulai (Chida) - a Sephardic scholar who traveled throughout the Middle East.

Rabbi Ovadia Yosef (Yabia Omer, Yechaveh Da’at) - restored Sephardic halachic supremacy over Mizrahi Jews.

While Sephardim lived in Arab lands, they remained distinct from Arab Jews (Mizrahim) because of their Spanish origins, Ladino language, and adherence to Shulchan Aruch.

3. Mizrahi Jews: Distinct from Sephardim

Who Are Mizrahi Jews?

Mizrahi Jews (מזרחי, meaning "Eastern") are Jews indigenous to the Middle East and North Africa, predating Sephardim by over 1,500 years.

Mizrahi Jews lived under Persian, Babylonian, and later Islamic rule long before the Sephardic expulsion.

Their traditions were shaped by the Babylonian Geonim, not by Spanish rabbis.

Differences Between Mizrahim and Sephardim

Sephardim

Origins-Spain & Portugal

Language-Ladino (Judeo-Spanish)

Main Rabbinic Authorities-Rambam, Shulchan Aruch

Music & Culture-Spanish melodies, poetry

Dress-European/Mediterranean styles

Examples of Communities-Turkey, Greece, Italy, Morocco

Mizrahim

Origins- Middle East & North Africa

Language- Judeo-Arabic, Judeo-Persian

Main Rabbinic Authorities- Babylonian Geonim Rambam, Shulchan Aruch

Music & Culture- Arabic/Persian music & traditions

Dress- Traditional Arab clothing

Examples of Communities-Iraq, Iran, Yemen, Syria, Egypt

Mizrahi Jews Absorbing Sephardic Influence

After 1492, Sephardic Jews moved into Mizrahi lands and imposed Shulchan Aruch rulings over Mizrahim.

In places like Iraq, Syria, and Egypt, Mizrahi Jews adopted Sephardic customs, but they remained distinct as a people.

Thus, Mizrahi Jews are not Sephardim, though today their traditions are often grouped together.

4. Yemenite Jews: Separate from Sephardim and Mizrahim

Who Are Yemenite Jews?

Yemenite Jews (Teimanim) have lived in Yemen for over 2,000 years, separate from both Sephardim and Mizrahim.

They follow the rulings of the Geonim (pre-dating the Shulchan Aruch).

Their Hebrew pronunciation is unique (Taj reading system, considered the most accurate Biblical Hebrew pronunciation).

Differences Between Yemenite Jews and Sephardim

Sephardim

Origins- Spain

Language- Ladino, Judeo-Arabic

Halachic Authority- Shulchan Aruch, Rambam

Torah Pronunciation- Sephardic Hebrew

Customs- Mediterranean

Yemenite Jews

Origins- Yemen

Language- Judeo-Yemeni Arabic

Halachic Authority- Geonim, Rambam

Torah Pronunciation- Unique Yemenite Taj

Customs- Ancient Jewish and Yemenite traditions

Did Yemenite Jews Accept Sephardic Customs?

Some Yemenite groups (Baladi Yemenites) fully followed Rambam’s rulings.

Others (Shami Yemenites) adopted some Sephardic practices but retained their own customs.

Thus, Yemenite Jews are neither Sephardic nor Mizrahi—they are a distinct, ancient Jewish group.

5. Genetic (DNA) Evidence: Are Sephardim More Spanish or Middle Eastern?

Genetic Studies on Sephardic and Mizrahi Jews

Sephardim share DNA with both Spanish and Middle Eastern Jews.

Mizrahi Jews are almost purely Middle Eastern, with very little European admixture.

Yemenite Jews are among the most genetically distinct, as they mixed with local Yemeni populations.

Key DNA Findings

1. Sephardim have a mix of Levantine (Middle Eastern) and Iberian (Spanish) ancestry.

2. Mizrahi Jews and Yemenites are genetically closest to ancient Israelites and Arab cousins.

3. However, Yemenite Jews have unique genetic markers due to their long isolation.

Thus, Sephardim are genetically closer to Middle Eastern Jews than to Spaniards, but their culture and history are deeply tied to Spain.

Conclusion: Are Sephardim Spanish or Arab?

Sephardim are neither fully Spanish nor Arab.

They originated in Spain, but absorbed Middle Eastern influences.

Mizrahi Jews are NOT Sephardim—they are indigenous to the Middle East.

Yemenite Jews are even more distinct, following their own traditions.

Genetically, Sephardim are Middle Eastern, but culturally, they are a blend of Spain and the Arab world.

Their identity is uniquely and religously Jewish, not Spanish or Arab.