Was the Khazar Empire Jewish?

The Khazar Empire, which flourished between the 7th and 10th centuries, is often noted for its unique religious transformation. While it was a multi-ethnic and multi-religious state with populations practicing various religions including Christianity, Islam, and traditional Turkic shamanism, a significant event in its history is the conversion of its ruling class to Judaism.

Key Points Regarding the Khazar Empire and Judaism:

Conversion to Judaism: The most notable aspect of the Khazar Empire's religious history is the conversion of the Khazar elite, including the Khagan (king), to Judaism. This conversion is traditionally dated to the 8th or 9th century. Sources, including contemporary accounts and later historical writings, suggest that the ruling class adopted Judaism as a way to remain neutral among the powerful Christian Byzantine Empire and the Muslim Caliphate, which were both vying for influence in the region.

Extent of Jewish Influence: The conversion of the ruling class did not necessarily mean that the entire population of the Khazar Empire became Jewish. While the leadership and some members of the aristocracy practiced Judaism, the general populace remained diverse in their religious practices, including Islam, Christianity, and indigenous beliefs.

Historical Sources: The primary sources of information about the Khazar conversion to Judaism include:

Jewish Sources: Correspondence such as the letters exchanged between Hasdai ibn Shaprut, a Jewish dignitary in Muslim Spain, and the Khazar king Joseph.

Islamic Sources: Historical accounts from Muslim writers like Al-Masudi and Ibn al-Faqih.

Byzantine Sources: References by Byzantine historians who noted the unique religious status of the Khazars.

Archaeological Evidence: There is limited archaeological evidence directly linking the Khazar population with widespread Jewish practices, which supports the idea that Judaism was primarily a religion of the elite rather than the masses.

In summary, while the Khazar Empire is often remembered for the conversion of its ruling class to Judaism, it was not a uniformly Jewish state. The empire was characterized by its religious diversity, with Judaism being one of several practiced religions, primarily among the ruling elite.