until the time of the Inquisition. In 1492 Ferdinand and Isabella issued the edict, which began the expulsion of Jews from
Spain. Many Sephardic Jews migrated to Turkey, North Africa (Morocco), Italy, and elsewhere throughout the Arab
world. Throughout history Sephardic Jews have been more integrated into the local non-Jewish culture than Ashkenazic
Jews. In the Islamic lands where Sephardic Judaism developed segregation, either voluntarily or legally, was virtually
nonexistent. Because of this integration Sephardic Jewish thought and culture was strongly influenced by Arabic and Greek
philosophy and science. Today the Arabic influences can be found in their music, art, and language. Ladino is the
international language spoken by Sephardic Jews and it is based on Spanish and Hebrew in the same way that Yiddish is
based on German and Hebrew.
There are some Jews who do not fit into this Ashkenazic/Sephardic grouping. Yemenite Jews, Ethiopian Jews (also known
as Beta Israel and are sometimes called Falashas), and Asian Jews also have some specific customs and traditions that were
influenced by their region. These smaller groups are virtually unknown in America.
Shisha - a glass container that holds a mixture (tobacco or other substances), which is inhaled through tubes, that extends
from the bottle.
Sieve - A method of collecting the pollen from hashish. Once the pollem (not pollen) of the plant is dry, it is then run through
a metal mesh wire over and over again until all that remains is a very fine and pale yellow powder. The coarse plant material
that is left is called Kif. Although the pollen can be smoked, the taste and effects change once it is sieved. Sieving is a
common practice in the production of Moroccan hashish. The process of forming of the powder resin into bricks is a new
world invention.
Soul Possession – In the religion of Voodun, soul possession is not only viewed as a positive experience, but it is encouraged
for anyone wishing to get closer to the spirits. Many Voodun practitioners will not even consider an apprentice for study
unless they’ve experienced spirit possession. Within Christianity, there are some who believe that to be filled with the “Holy
Spirit” brings enlightenment and the possessed individual closer to their God.
Tattoo - Tattoos have existed since 3300 B.C.E. Permanent tattoo’s were common in pre-Islamic Arabia and Morocco, and
are still common between the Beduins of Morocco, and the Berbers of North Africa. Permanent tattoos were often used as
either decoration on the body, clan affiliations or symbols of protection. With the advent of Islam, and later in the Prophet
Muhammad’s life, the act of scarification, as tattoos were recognized as being, became prohibited in the latter life of the
Prophet Muhammad, as it was seen as changing that which Allah created (Qu’ran 59:7).
Transcendental Meditation - A spiritual development technique discovered and promoted by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, a
former Hindu ascetic. The movement is based on specific meditation techniques and is not connected with any religious
tradition, although the perspective behind it has roots in the Hindu teachings of Vedanta. The practice entails the mental
repetition of a mantra in order to still the activity of thought and experience a deeper level of consciousness.
