Sephardic Customs

Whether a product of rabbinic rulings, influence of neighbors, or historical experience, Sepharadim have some distinctive customs.

Until the 17th century, Sephardic Jews outnumbered Ashkenazic Jews and could be considered the majority. The balance changed as European population grew in the following centuries. Ashkenazim seemed to dominate in the 20th century, with a proliferation of schools, seminaries, the widespread influence of Yiddish, and European foods. Due to migration from Moslem lands Sepharadim have become more recognizable in the West and now are actually a majority in Israel. Here are presented a selection of Sephardic customs as reflected in artifacts.