Beyond Exoticism and Syncretism: Situating Moroccan Jewish Pilgrimage in Jewish Studies

Publication Date: January 2005

Publisher: Association for Jewish Studies; Association for Jewish Studies

Author(s): Oren Kosansky; Oren Kosansky

Research Area: Culture and religion

Keywords: Mizrahi Jews; Religion; Culture; Judaic Studies

Type: Report

Abstract:

The author calls into question the two dominant trends in the study of Moroccan Jewish saint veneration: exoticism (stressing the differences between these practices and Ashkenazi practices) and syncretism (stressing the similarity of these practices with the surorunding Muslim culture). The author questions syncretism by noting that these pilgrimages and hagiographic practices of saint veneration are thoroughly integrated into halachic (Jewish legal) and Torah-specific practice. He questions exoticism by noting similarities between Moroccan and European Chasidic practices.