When did the distinction between Ashkenazi and Sefardi first appear?

Answer 1

In the countries of Jewish exile, various differences (in customs, etc.) gradually appeared, starting as early as 2500 years ago; while others began later. Some were due to diverging halakha (Torah)-opinions, some were due to contrasts in local dress and cuisine (etc.), and others were because of intrinsic differences in ways of thought and behavior, which might have gone all the way back.

Rabbi Isaac Halevi (1847-1914) puts forward the opinion that the Sephardim can be traced back to the Babylonian Jewish community, while the Ashkenaz Jews hailed from Italy (Bari, Otrento and Lucca), to which they had come from Judea.

Answer 2

After the First Destruction (some 2500 years ago), the surviving Jews were scattered throughout the Near East, North Africa, southern Europe and Central Asia. The great majority did not return to Israel (Judea) in Second Temple times. In their countries of exile, various differences (in customs, etc.) gradually appeared, starting as early as 2500 years ago; while others of the differences began later, at any point in the time since then. Some were due to diverging halakha (Torah)-opinions, some were due to contrasts in local dress and cuisine (etc.), and others were because of intrinsic differences in ways of thought and behavior, which might have gone all the way back.

Rabbi Isaac Halevi (1847-1914), in his books Dorot Harishonim, puts forward the carefully-researched opinion that the Sephardim can be traced back to the Babylonian Jewish community, while the Ashkenaz Jews hailed from Italy (Bari, Otrento and Lucca), to which they had come from Judea.

See also the Related Links.

Link: The diaspora

Link: Who are the Twelve Tribes today?