. Frances Yahia

Sephardic Jews are descendants of Jewish communities historically based in the Iberian Peninsula (Spain and Portugal), referred to in Hebrew as Sepharad. These communities thrived for centuries, particularly under Muslim rule in Al-Andalus, before facing persecution and eventual expulsion in the late 15th century. The term 'Sephardic' has also broadened to encompass diverse Jewish groups, especially in the Middle East and North Africa, who adopted similar religious practices and legal traditions, sometimes due to the influence of exiles. Some Ashkenazi Jews who adopted Sephardic liturgy are also included under this wider definition.

Following their expulsion from Spain in 1492 and Portugal in 1496, Sephardic Jews dispersed across the Mediterranean basin, settling in areas like the Ottoman Empire, North Africa, Italy, the Balkans, and the Levant. Smaller communities also formed in the Netherlands, France, England, and the Americas. Historically, their vernacular languages included variants of Spanish and Portuguese, leading to the development of Ladino and Haketia. In recent times, both Spain and Portugal have offered pathways to citizenship for descendants of Sephardic Jews, though the criteria have become more stringent.

The term 'Sephardi' derives from Sepharad, the Hebrew name for the Iberian Peninsula. Jewish presence in Iberia dates back to the Roman period, with communities flourishing significantly under Muslim rule in Al-Andalus. This era is often considered a golden age, though Jewish status later declined under different regimes and during the Christian Reconquista. Significant persecution and forced conversions occurred in the late 14th century, culminating in the expulsion decrees of 1492 from Spain and 1496 from Portugal. These events triggered a widespread diaspora across the Mediterranean and beyond.

After their expulsion from Iberia, Sephardic Jews established communities throughout the Ottoman Empire, North Africa (forming the Maghrebi Jewish population), Italy, the Balkans, and the Levant. Smaller settlements also emerged in Western Europe, notably the Netherlands, and later in the Americas. This dispersal led to the development of distinct linguistic traditions, such as Judaeo-Spanish (Ladino) and Haketia, which were derived from Old Spanish and Old Portuguese but incorporated influences from their new environments. These languages served as vernaculars for communities in diverse regions.

Today, the term 'Sephardic' has both a narrow ethnic definition, referring specifically to descendants of Iberian Jews, and a broader religious definition. The latter, particularly in modern Israel, often includes any Jew who follows Sephardic customs and liturgy, regardless of ethnic background, encompassing many Mizrahi Jews. In recent years, both Spain and Portugal have enacted laws allowing descendants of Sephardic Jews to apply for citizenship, reflecting a recognition of historical ties, although the requirements for these applications have evolved and become more restrictive.