Iraqi Jews

Iraqi Jews are Jews that are, or were, residents of Iraq, including those that are of Iraqi Jewish descent. The history of the Jews in Iraq is documented from the time of the Babylonian captivity c. 586 BC. Iraqi Jews constitute one of the world's oldest and most historically significant Jewish communities.

History

The Jewish community in Iraq has a long and rich history, dating back to the Babylonian captivity in 586 BC. The Jews were taken captive by the Babylonians and were forced to live in Babylon, which is modern-day Iraq. This period had a profound influence on Judaism, leading to the development of the Talmud, one of the central texts of Judaism.

In the Islamic Golden Age, which began in the 8th century, Jews in Iraq enjoyed relative peace and prosperity under Islamic rule. They were allowed to practice their religion freely and contributed significantly to the intellectual and cultural life of Iraq.

However, the situation for Jews in Iraq deteriorated in the 20th century. The rise of Arab nationalism and the establishment of the state of Israel led to increased persecution of Jews. In the 1950s, most of the Jewish community was forced to leave Iraq in a mass exodus known as the Operation Ezra and Nehemiah.

Culture

Iraqi Jews have a unique culture that reflects their long history in Iraq. They have their own dialect of Judeo-Arabic, a language that combines elements of Arabic and Hebrew. They also have distinctive traditions in music, cuisine, and other aspects of culture.

The cuisine of Iraqi Jews is a blend of Middle Eastern and Jewish culinary traditions. It includes dishes such as kubbeh, a type of dumpling made from bulgur wheat and stuffed with meat, and sambusak, a pastry filled with cheese or meat.

Current situation

Today, the majority of Iraqi Jews live in Israel, with smaller communities in the United States, the United Kingdom, and other countries. The Jewish community in Iraq itself is virtually extinct, with only a handful of Jews remaining.

Despite their small numbers, Iraqi Jews have made significant contributions to their adopted countries, particularly in the fields of academia, business, and the arts. They continue to maintain their unique culture and traditions, and to remember their long and complex history in Iraq.