Sephardi Jews (Hebrew: סְפָרַדִּי, Modern Sfaraddi Tiberian Səp̄āraddÃ®) is a general term referring to the descendants of the Jews who lived in the Iberian Peninsula before their expulsion in the Spanish Inquisition. It can also refer to those who use a Sephardic style of liturgy or would otherwise define themselves in terms of the Jewish customs and traditions which originated in the Iberian Peninsula. The term essentially means "Spanish". It comes from Sepharad (Hebrew: סְפָרַד, Modern SfarÃ¡d Tiberian Səp̄ārÃ¡ḏ ; Turkish: Sefarad), a Biblical location.[1] This location is disputed, but "Sepharad" was identified by later Jews as the Iberian Peninsula, and still means "Spain" in modern Hebrew.[citation needed]. In other languages and scripts, "Sephardi" translates as plural Hebrew: סְפָרַדִּים, Modern Sfaraddim

The descendants of Jews who left Spain or Portugal following the 1492 expulsion are referred to as Sephardim. The word Sephardim comes from the Hebrew word for Spain, Sepharad, which is claimed in the Bible.

It is declared the Jews have lived in Spain since the era of King Solomon (c.965-930 B.C.E. . Little information can be found on these Jews until the beginning of the first century. We do know that in 305 C.E. , the Council of Toledo passed an edict forbidding Jews from blessing the crops of non-Jews and prohibiting Jews and non-Jews from eating together.

As a result of the Golden era of Jewish Spain, and the likes of the great period of blossoming Judaism, Sephardic Jews have a special style and customs to their Judaic traditions. The text of their Tefilot, their pronunciation of their Hebrew, their cooking, and their dress clearly distinguished Sefardic Jews from the rest of world Jewry.

Now explore the many different Sephardic Jewish products ahuva has to specially offer. From Sefardic Benchers, Sephardic Kippot and sephardic art and gifts. You'll find it all in the various departments.