Many Kehillot in Teaneck pride themselves in their devotion to study of the Rambam. This author even witnessed one Beit Kenesset in which the Rambam’s Mishneh Torah was placed in the Heichal (Aron Kodesh) on Simhat Torah when all of the Sefarim (Sifrei Torah) were removed.

Congregation Shaarei Orah, the Sephardic Congregation of Teaneck, in addition to enjoying Rambam study, lives the Rambam. As is well known, Sephardic Halacha is profoundly impacted by the rulings of the Rambam. A few famous examples are the reciting of Amen after the completion of a set of Berachot (such as after Hashkiveinu at Arvit and after Yishtabah during Shaharit) and the omission of a Bracha when Hatzi Hallel is recited (though the Moroccan custom is to recite Likro on such days and Ligmor et HaHalleil on days when the full Hallel is said).

An interesting question is which came first—does Sephardic practice derive from the Rambam’s rulings or were the Rambam’s rulings impacted to a great extent by Sephardic practice? It is reasonable to surmise that both of these options are partially correct.

Purim is a time when many Rambam-based Sephardic rulings are practiced. For example, Rav Soloveitchik and his students delight in analyzing the dispute between the Rambam and Rabbeinu Tam is to whether Shehehiyanu is recited when reading Megillat Esther, Purim morning. The Rambam did not recite this Beracha since Shehehiyanu was already recited before the night Megillah reading. Rabbeinu Tam endeavors to demonstrate that since the primary Megillah reading is the one conducted during the day, a Shehehiyanu should be said before the primary Mitzvah of Megillah reading.

When I first attended daytime Megillah reading at Shaarei Orah in 2000 (and, of course, the Shehiyanu was omitted), shivers ran up and down my spine. The Rambam’s opinion regarding the Shehehiyanu, which I enjoyed learning and teaching for many years, came to life! The Rambam’s opinion is not simply a museum piece or mere foil for Rabbeinu Tam’s opinion. It is alive and thriving at Sephardic congregations such as Shaarei Orah!

Another interesting difference between Sephardic and Ashkenazic practice is in regard to the reading of textual variants of Megillat Esther:

There is a historical alternate tradition among Ashkenazim as to the correct text of Chapter 8 verse 11 and of Chapter 9 verse 2. To satisfy both traditions, readers following the Ashkenazic tradition generally read these words both possible ways.

Chapter 8, verse 11: v’l’harog or l’harog

להקהל ולעמד על-נפשם להשמיד להרוג ולאבד (alternate reading)

להקהל ולעמד על-נפשם להשמיד ולהרוג ולאבד (dominant tradition)

Chapter 9, verse 2: lifneihem or bifneihem

ואיש לא-עמד בפניהם (alternate reading)

ואיש לא-עמד לפניהם (dominant tradition)

Sepharadim, on the other hand, read only the dominant tradition. Sephardic practice is supported by the Aleppo Codex, the oldest existing Tanach, which was endorsed as most authoritative by the Rambam. Although the Megillat Esther portion of the Aleppo Codex is not available (it is housed in the Israel Museum in Jerusalem), one may derive from elsewhere in the extant text of the Aleppo Ciodex that the dominant tradition is the correct one.

A third Purim example is the Torah reading of Purim morning. The Gemara in Masechet Megillah 21b sets forth the rule that a minimum of 10 Pesukim is required for every Torah reading. Tosafot notes that the Torah reading of Purim morning recounting Amalek’s attacking us, which contains only nine Pesukim, is an exception to the Gemara’s rule. The Rambam, on the other hand, in codifying the Gemara’s 10-Pesukim rule makes no exception. Thus Sephardic practice is to repeat the last Pasuk of the Purim morning Torah reading so that the requirement for 10 Pasukim is satisfied.

Rambam lovers among our Ashkenazic brethren are encouraged to visit Shaarei Orah and witness the teachings of their beloved Rebbe come alive. In Teaneck, it is at Congregation Shaarei Orah, where the Rambam lives!

By Rabbi Haim Jachter

Rabbi Haim Jachter is the spiritual leader of Congregation Shaarei Orah, the Sephardic Congregation of Teaneck.