The differences between Ashkenazim and Sephardim of the medieval period extend to a whole host of areas including their liturgical practices, approaches to the Biblical and Talmudic study, manner of dress, and of course differences in Hebrew pronunciation. The differences often resulted in identity struggles which manifested themselves in conflict and animosity towards each other. The differences were in part reflective of very different cultural surroundings and the impact of the dominant political and religious cultures of Christianity and Islam.