What is a sephardi jew and how do they differ from Ashkenazi jews?

Question

What is a sephardi jew and how do they differ from Ashkenazi jews?

Answer 1

They both have different customs and originated from different parts of the world...I consider my self half and half because my dads parents are indian Jews (sphardic) while my mom's parents(Jewish too) come from poland and hungary (Ashkenazi)..so I follow both customs.

The Ashkenazis are more from Europe, while the Sphardics are mostly from India, Morroco, Iraq...etc..You get the point!

An example of one custom that is different is that on Passover, Sphardic Jews permit themselves to eat rice, while the Ashkenazis are not allowed...

Hope I helped!!

-Sabrina

Answer 2

Sephardim Jews are from southern Europe and northern africa, they have many customs that are borrowed from the larger Arab culture of that region, they are usually of a darker complection. Azhkenasim are Jews primarily from northern Europe and Eastern Europe. Azkenazim are mostly ligth complected.

Answer 3

I was told that the Sephardic consider themselves true Jews, descendants of the House of Judah, and they will not associate with the Ashkenazi who converted to Judaism for economic & political reasons.