The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions (267 page)

Asheri
:

see
ASHER B. JEHIEL
.

 
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Ashes
:

see
ASH
.

 
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Ashkenazim
.

German Jewry and its descendants in other countries. Originally the Ashkenaz referred to a small group of Jews settled on the banks of the Rhine. Gradually the term included all Jews from northern France, through Germany to Poland and Russia, and now includes their descendants in Israel, Australia, and the USA. The Ashkenazim are specifically contrasted with the
Sephardim
, the Jews whose cultural origin was in Spain. Ashkenazi and Sephardi customs and rituals remain distinctive from one another.

 
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1660–1718).
Jewish
halakhist
. Despite his
Ashkenazi
origin, he adopted
Sephardi
customs and was appointed
akham
of the community of Sarajevo. His chief work was a collection of responsa,
akham Zevi
(Rabbi Zevi) which dealt with such matters as the relationship between the Ashkenazim and Sephardim, and also with more specific questions—as, e.g., whether a
golem
can be counted to make up the requisite number for prayer.

 
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Ashoka
(Indian ruler)
:

see
A
OKA
.

 
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