The conversion of the Khazars to Judaism is an exceptional event in history, primarily motivated by political considerations. During the early eighth century, the Khazar Empire found itself sandwiched between the dominant superpowers of Christianity and Islam, each vying for influence. Embracing either Christianity or Islam would mean political subservience to the Roman Empire or the Caliphate, undermining the Khazar’s independence. The choice of Judaism, a venerable religion respected by both Christians and Muslims, allowed the Khazar rulers to maintain their sovereignty and elevate their status without becoming beholden to either power. According to Bury, the Khazar ruler’s decision was strategically motivated to avoid becoming a spiritual or ecclesiastical vassal, with Judaism providing a religiously reputable yet politically neutral ground.
Despite primarily political motivations, the Khazars did not blindly adopt Judaism. For at least a century prior, the Khazar lands had served as a refuge for Jewish communities fleeing persecution in Byzantium and other regions. This established a level of familiarity and understanding of Judaism among the Khazars, making the transition more than a superficial political maneuver. The kingdom, described as relatively civilized but not aligned with the militantly proselytizing creeds of its neighbors, became a sanctuary for Jews enduring Byzantine persecutions. Even in the centuries following the conversion, the Khazar kingdom continued to offer asylum to Jews fleeing forced conversions, attesting to the enduring waves of both persecution and resilience within the Jewish diaspora.
The text recounts the transformative impact of the Khazar Kingdom’s conversion to Judaism during a period marked by religious persecution across Europe and the Middle East. Jews in the Byzantine Empire, particularly during the reigns of emperors such as Basil and Romanus, faced severe hardships, with converts often pressured through cruel methods. Many Jewish refugees found sanctuary in Khazaria, which became both a refuge and a cultural melting pot due to the diverse influx of people. This newfound diversity and interaction likely facilitated Khazaria’s eventual conversion to Judaism, with the refugees contributing not only theological ideas but also skills in arts and trade. The Hebrew script, as a cultural contribution, spread throughout Khazaria and into neighboring regions, demonstrating the unforeseen cultural repercussions of the Khazars’ conversion decision.
The narrative also delves into different sources documenting the Khazar conversion, such as the accounts from Arab historians Al-Masudi, Al-Bakri, and Dimaski, alongside the notable Jewish document, the “Khazar Correspondence.” Al-Bakri’s account describes a debate held at the Khazar court involving representatives from Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. The Khazar King ultimately chose Judaism, influenced by strategic reasoning favoring a neutral, non-submissive religion respected by other faiths. These accounts suggest that Jewish influence was already significant at the Khazar court, providing insight into the social and political dimensions of the conversion, with the King opting for a creed that aligned with his vision of neutrality and independence.
The “Khazar Correspondence,” meanwhile, presents a dialogue between Hasdai Ibn Shaprut of the Caliphate of Cordoba and Joseph, King of the Khazars. Hasdai, a significant figure in the Jewish ‘Golden Age’ of Spain, sought to connect with the Khazar ruler upon learning of the Jewish kingdom. In his letters, Hasdai expressed both awe at Khazaria’s prosperity and the possibilities of a Jewish-ruled sanctuary, coupled with a deep yearning for the coming of the Messiah and a homeland for the Jewish diaspora. This correspondence not only reveals the diplomatic and cultural exchanges between Jewish communities but also highlights Hasdai’s ambition and commitment to Jewish welfare, as well as his fascination with the concept of a sovereign Jewish state.
Joseph’s responses in the correspondence recount the legendary and largely symbolic narrative of King Bulan’s initial conversion, guided by divine visions and dreams. Joseph describes how the conversion followed a period of armed conquest, after which a debate among religious emissaries from Christianity, Islam, and Judaism took place. The King strategically embraced Judaism, perceiving it as the most pragmatic spiritual path that stood apart from the political entanglements of aligning with either Christianity or Islam. Joseph’s account suggests that the Khazar leadership sought a unique religious identity, marking the Kingdom of Khazaria not just as a geopolitical entity but also as a bastion of Jewish autonomy and resilience. In conclusion, the conversion of the Khazars is emblematic of a politically astute maneuver that left a lasting cultural footprint in the region. It facilitated the spread of the Hebrew script, brought about cultural exchanges, and created an enduring sense of Jewish presence in a politically contentious landscape. The varied historical accounts of this conversion underscore themes of faith, politics, and identity, reflecting the broader struggles and aspirations of Jewish communities across different eras and geographies. Hasdai’s fervent inquiry into the Jewish kingdom underscores the timeless yearning for a secure and autonomous Jewish homeland, a sentiment echoed across history and literature
Jehuda Halevi’s work, “Kuzari,” written in the early 12th century, presents a blend of philosophical discourse and Jewish apologetics, using the historical Khazar conversion as a symbolic narrative. Halevi, revered as a prominent Hebrew poet from Spain, wrote the book in Arabic, later translated into Hebrew, advocating that the Jewish nation is uniquely positioned as the intermediary between God and humanity. He envisioned a future where all nations would convert to Judaism, casting the Khazar conversion as a precursor to this prophesied era. While it primarily serves as a dialogical narrative exploring theological debates among the three Abrahamic faiths, Halevi provides some historical touchstones, such as the dual rulership of the Kagan and Bek, and suggests a conversion date around AD 740, reflecting either influence from or alignment with the Khazar correspondence of Hasdai Ibn Shaprut.
The medieval Jewish and Christian perspectives on the Khazars reveal a complex tapestry of fascination and ambivalence. While Jewish travelers and chroniclers, such as Rabbi Petachia of Ratisbon and Benjamin of Tudela, noted their interactions with Khazar Jews, they often remarked on perceived deviations from Talmudic traditions, attributing these to Karaite influences. Despite this, Khazars were acknowledged for seeking Jewish scholars to strengthen their religious education, displaying a blend of curiosity and commitment to their adopted faith. The Jewish communities in the East, centered around the Talmudic academies in Baghdad, held mixed views on the Khazars, recognizing their unique status as Jewish warriors free from the traditional Jewish exile but suspicious of their racial origins and religious orthodoxy.
Christian sources of the period also documented the Khazar experience. A notable early mention is found in the writings of Christian Druthmar of Aquitania, who refers to the Khazars as people who observe Judaism, dating from before 864. Around the same time, Byzantine missionary efforts, spearheaded by St. Cyril or Constantine, sought to convert the Khazars to Christianity. While Cyril’s mission left a mark on the Slavic peoples, it achieved limited success in the Khazar domain, with minor conversions and diplomatic gestures marking the extent of influence. Nevertheless, Cyril’s exposure to Hebrew and subsequent development of the Glagolitic and Cyrillic alphabets indicate a cultural interplay, reflecting the indirect influence of Khazar Judaism on regional literacy and language development.
Overall, the Khazar conversion narrative, illuminated through various historical lenses, underscores the complexities of medieval religious dynamics and intercultural exchanges. Whether through Halevi’s philosophical symbolisms, Jewish travellers’ observations, or Byzantine Christian missions, the Khazars remain an intriguing testament to the fluidity and diversity of religious identity during this epoch. Their unique position as a Jewish kingdom amidst Christian and Muslim powers not only fueled myth and legend but also inspired broader cultural and intellectual exchanges that resonated beyond their historical borders.
