Middle Ages History of the Jews in Georgia

a judeo-aramaic inscription of abraham, son of sarah, mtskheta 4th 6th centuries

there not documentation georgian jews under arab domination. in late 9th century, abu-imran musa al-za farani (later known abu-imran al-tiflisi) founded jewish karai sect called tiflis sect ( tiflisites ), lasted more 300 years. sect deviated halakhah in marriage , kashrut customs. sect did not represent great majority of georgian jews adhered traditional rabbinical judaism while maintaining strong religious ties baghdad , other jews of iraq.

the mongols swept through georgia in 1236, prompting many of jews of eastern , southern georgia move western region, remained independent. there formed small communities along black sea, , poverty forced them serfdom. 500 years, beginning in end of 14th century, jews of georgia belonged kamani, or serf class, under georgian elite.

their situation worsened in 15th , 16th centuries due constant military conflicts , invasions timur, ottoman empire, , muslim persia. end of 15th century, georgia had fragmented 3 separate kingdoms , 5 feudal territories. jewish serfs sold master master family or individuals debt payments or gifts. jewish communities torn apart , jewish communal life impossible maintain. isolation , lack of religious , spiritual center led decline of jewish knowledge.

an endless string of wars , rebellions characterized late 18th , 19th centuries result of russian interference region, leaving region decimated. jewish property confiscated , jews forced seek protection of local feudal lords. instead of finding security, many jews became enslaved these lords. serfs, including jewish ones, divided 3 categories according georgian law: king s serfs, feudal serfs, , church s serfs.

during period, large migrations of jews took place, either voluntary or forced. in 15th , 16th centuries, large number of jews left , , many jews in region still of georgian descent. in 17th , 18th centuries, tens of thousands of jewish , non-jewish georgians forcibly relocated persia islamic persian invaders.