'Hebraic' vs. 'Jewish': Academics unpack the nuances of Moroccan identity

At the 31st Rabat International Book Fair (SIEL), a panel of prominent academics gathered to dissect the deep-seated roots of Morocco’s Hebraic heritage, arguing that the Jewish component is not a mere historical footnote but a foundational pillar of the national identity.

The conference, titled “The Hebraic Tributary in Morocco,” highlighted that the university has played a pivotal role in the study of this cultural component by promoting academic research and training students in the fields of history, heritage, and languages, as well as documenting and preserving Morocco’s Hebrew heritage.

The Constitutional Shift: Why ‘Hebraic’ Matters

Renowned linguist and researcher Mohamed Elmedlaoui provided a provocative analysis of the terminology used in the Moroccan Constitution. He noted that the choice of the word “Hebraic” over “Jewish” reflects a deliberate move toward ethnic and historical precision rather than strictly religious labeling.

“While ‘Jewish’ refers primarily to a faith, ‘Hebraic’ refers to a human element, much like the terms ‘Arab” or ‘African’,” Elmedlaoui explained. He argued that this distinction helps the public understand the Jewish presence as a tangible historical reality rooted in the soil, rather than just a theological history.

Elmedlaoui also challenged the constitutional use of the word “tributary”, suggesting that “component” might better reflect the inseparable nature of this identity. To illustrate this “intertwining,” he pointed to Moroccan toponymy; tribal names like Ait Ibrahim, Ait Ishaq, and Ait Moussa, and shared cultural practices like the Mimouna festival, which is celebrated by both Moroccan Jews and certain communities of African descent in the southeast.

Academic Independence vs. Political Trends

Addressing the contemporary political climate, Mohamed Hatimi, a specialist in Jewish history, emphasized that Morocco’s academic interest in its Jewish heritage is not a byproduct of recent diplomatic shifts or “normalization.”

“The study of Moroccan Judaism is a path that began with independence and remains active today,” Hatimi stated. “University faculties do not work for the state on this specific issue; they work to reconstruct the Moroccan personality.”

Hatimi reminded the audience that Jews have lived in Morocco since the Phoenician era, centuries before the arrival of Arab Muslims. He noted that key elements of Moroccan culture, including cuisine, the Caftan, and music, cannot be fully understood without acknowledging Jewish contributions.

The University’s Role: Successes and Hurdles

The transition of Hebraic studies from individual initiatives to constitutional legitimacy wastracked by Said Gafaiti‏, a researcher and academic who highlighted the success of the“Semitic Studies and Comparative Religions” Master’s program at Sidi Mohamed BenAbdellah University. Since 2007, the program has produced hundreds of studies on Judaismand religious thought and dozens of doctoral theses specializing in Hebraic heritage.

However, Gafaiti offered a sobering reality check regarding the future of these studies. Despite the 2011 Constitution’s recognition of the Hebraic tributary, he noted that the pedagogical infrastructure has not kept pace. “The number of specialized human resources has dwindled to just three professors,” he warned, calling for a structural renewal to match the Kingdom’s constitutional ambitions.