Sepharad

Sepharad is the Hebrew name for the Iberian Peninsula, with particular reference to Spain. In Jewish and rabbinic literature, Sepharad has long served as a designation for the land of Spain and, by extension, for the Jewish communities associated with it. The exact origin of the term is uncertain, but it became standard in medieval Hebrew writings and in later Jewish usage.

Historically, Sepharad is linked to the Sephardic Jews, the communities of medieval Spain. Under Muslim rule and later during the Christian era, Iberian Jews contributed to a rich cultural and intellectual milieu, producing literature in Hebrew and Judeo-Spanish. After the expulsion of 1492, many Sephardic Jews dispersed to the Ottoman Empire, North Africa, Italy, and other regions, where they established lasting communities. The Judeo-Spanish language, known as Ladino, developed as the vernacular of these communities, incorporating elements of Spanish, Hebrew, and other languages.

Sephardic liturgy and rabbinic traditions evolved in ways distinct from Ashkenazi practice, resulting in a separate set of prayers, customs, and legal rulings that are still observed by many Sephardic communities today. The term Sephardic is now commonly used to describe Jews of Iberian origin and their descendants, though usage varies and overlaps exist with related terms such as Mizrahi and Ashkenazi.

In modern Hebrew usage, Sepharad also denotes Spain. The concept of Sephardic heritage remains central to Jewish cultural organizations, scholarship, and discussions about language preservation, such as the Ladino tradition, and migration history. The historical and cultural notion of Sepharad continues to symbolize the Iberian influence on Jewish life.