Biblical Hebrew Forum

[Yigal Levin <leviny1 AT mail.biu.ac.il>]

Dear Yo*h*anan,

Thanks for the clarifications. I did not mean to say that the opinion
Ibn-Ezra cited was THE official Karite opinion, only that he quoted a
Karite's opinion. 

Yigal Levin

-----Original Message-----
From: b-hebrew-bounces AT lists.ibiblio.org
[mailto:b-hebrew-bounces AT lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of Yohanan bin-Dawidh
Sent: Thursday, December 24, 2009 5:02 PM
To: Biblical Hebrew list
Subject: Re: [b-hebrew] Patriarchs used YHWH's name?

Shalom Yigal;

Not speaking of modern Karaite sages, since currently there are mixed
opinions with regards to both Talmudh Bavli and Talmudh Yerushalmi, most
ancient Karaite sages recommended that we as Karaites study both Talmudh
Bavli and Talmudh Yerushalmi. The difference was that we were suppose to
weigh everything in them against the written Torah, and those things which
were found not in agreement with the written Torah, we were suppose to
ignore.
As to the official opinion of Karaites concerning the patriarchs using the
name, Ibn Ezra was wrong, for such was not our opinion, at least not
officially, since there is not official opinion among Karaites with regards
to such. In ancient times there was no official body of Karaites who
determined what Karaites were to believe, or not to believe, and each
community had its own customs, and beliefs, this is why some sages from
community would speak against sages from another community. Some Karaite
sages form times past thought it was wrong to use the name, YHWH, whereas
others thought it must be used, if one was to properly follow the words of
the Torah. As long as a person could come to their conclusion, and argue
such properly, from the p'shat (plain-meaning) of the text, and using haqesh
(comparitive analogy), then their view could be accepted as their view.
The patriarchs did use the name, according to all ancient writings that I
have read from Karaite sages, and the name was even known among pagans
during the time of the patriarchs, but these people did not know the true
meaning of the name until Mosheh explained it to them.

I know this is not supposed to be a theological discussion, so if my words
above seem as such, forgive me. I just wanted to clarify certain things.

Regards,

Yo*h*anan bin-Dawidh

Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas
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