"'ANAN BEN DAVID", a Persian Jew of the 8th century, and founder
within Judaism of the sect of Qaraites (Karaites) which set
itself in opposition to the rabbinic tradition. 'Anan was an
unsuccessful candidate for the dignity of Exilarch, and thus
his opposition to the rabbanite Jews was political as well as
theological. His secession occurred at a moment when the time
was ripe for a reaction against rabbinism, and 'Anan became the
rallying point for many opponents of tradition. (See ../Qaraites|.) Category:
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