“Karaite Jews, they are vehement against both Talmud and Kabbalah, holding the Torah only.”
Actually, they consider the Talmud advisory, like a commentary, and not divinely inspired. They reach much of the same results.
“For which their fellow Jews have persecuted them terribly throughout the centuries, almost to the point of extinction.”
News to me. They appeared in 700 CE in Iraq, became quite numerous, and their persecutors were muslims.
There are probably 75,000 in Israel now, including one of my IDF roomates. We got along fine, except he would unplug the refridgerator on Shabbos because he did not want to pay for electricity that day, as that would be “going to the marketplace.” Turned off the A/C, too. Pissed me off.
Oh, the other major factor in limiting the number of Karaite Jews was the Spanish Inquisition, as they were forced to covert or die.
I wish FR had a “like” button so I could click it for your posts...thanks!