ic in range, and treats critically, not only
of Judaism, but also of Christianity and Islam.

Karaitic literature was produced in later centuries also, but by the end
of the twelfth century, Karaism had exhausted its originality and
fertility. One much later product of Karaism, however, deserves special
mention. Isaac Troki composed, in 1593, a work entitled "The
Strengthening of Faith" (_Chizzuk Emunah_), in which the author defended
Judaism and attacked Christianity. It was a lucid book, and as its
arguments were popularly arranged, it was very much read and used. With
this exception, Karaism produced no important work after the twelfth
century.

On the intellectual side, therefore, Karaism was a powerful though
ephemeral movement. In several branches of science and philology the
Karaites made real additions to contemporary knowledge. But the main
service of Karaism was indirect. The Rabbinite Jews, who represented the
mass of the people, had been on the way to a scientific and
philosophical development of their own before the rise of Karaism. The
necessity of fighting Karaism with its own weapons gave a strong impetus
to the new movement in Rabbinism, and some of the best work of Saadiah
was inspired by Karaitic opposition. Before, however, we turn to the
career of Saadiah, we must consider another literary movement, which
coincided in date with the rise of Karaism, but was entirely independent
of it.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

KARAITES.

Graetz.--III, 5 (on Troki, _ibid._, IV, 18, end. M. Mocatta,
_Faith Strengthened_, London, 1851).

Steinschneider.--_Jewish Literature_, p. 115 _seq._

W. Bacher.--_Qirqisani the Qaraite, and his Work on Jewish Sects_,
_J.Q.R._, VII, p. 687.

---- _Jehuda Hadassi's Eshkol Hakkofer_, _J.Q.R._, VIII,
p. 431.

S. Poznanski.--_Karaite Miscellanies_, _J.Q.R._, VIII,
p. 681.

CHAPTER VII

THE NEW-HEBREW PIYUT

Kalirian and Spanish Piyutim (Poems).--Jannai.--Kalir.

Arabic to a large extent replaced Hebrew as the literary language of the
Jews, but Hebrew continued the language of prayer. As a mere literary
form, Rabbinic Hebrew retained a strong hold on the Jews; as a vehicle
of devotional feeling, Hebrew reigned supreme. The earliest additions to
the fixed liturgy of the Synagogue were prose-poems. They were
"Occasional Prayers" composed by the precentor for a special occasion.
An appropriate melody or chant accompanied the new hymn, and if the poem
and m