Definition

1. Noun:
   • A Jew of Spanish, Portuguese, or North African descent: A Sephardi is a member of the Jewish community whose ancestry traces back to the Iberian Peninsula (Spain and Portugal) before the expulsions in the late 15th century, or to subsequent diaspora communities in North Africa and other regions.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The synagogue's liturgy follows the Sephardi tradition.
  • My grandmother is a Sephardi whose family lived in Morocco for generations.
  • The museum exhibit highlights the distinct cultural artifacts of the Sephardi community.

Advanced Usage

• "Sephardi" as an adjective: While primarily a noun, "Sephardi" can function attributively to describe things related to this community.
  • We enjoyed a meal of Sephardi cuisine, which included dishes like couscous and tagine.
  • The Sephardi pronunciation of Hebrew differs from the Ashkenazi one.

Variants and Related Words

• Sephardic (adj): Of or relating to Sephardi Jews or their customs, liturgy, or culture.
  • Sephardic music often incorporates melodies from the Middle East and Mediterranean.
• Sephardim (n, plural): The plural form of Sephardi.
  • The conference brought together Sephardim from around the world.

Synonyms

• Sephardic Jew: A more formal or descriptive synonym.
• Spanish and Portuguese Jew: A historical term specifying geographic origin.

Notes on Meaning

• The term "Sephardi" is distinct from "Ashkenazi," which refers to Jews of Central and Eastern European descent. These two major Jewish communities have developed different liturgical rites, pronunciations of Hebrew, culinary traditions, and cultural practices over centuries.
• Following the expulsions from Spain (1492) and Portugal (1497), Sephardi communities established themselves not only in North Africa but also in the Ottoman Empire, the Netherlands, Italy, and the Americas.

Noun

1. a Jew who is of Spanish or Portuguese or North African descent