After 2,700 years: Bnei Menashe inaugurate 1st synagogue in Israel

Arutz Sheva ^ | 22/11/22

[Eleutheria5]

Eliyahu Hanavi Synagogue, the first-ever house of prayer in Israel for Bnei Menashe immigrants from India, was inaugurated last Shabbat (Nov. 19) in the northern Israeli city of Nof Hagalil. About 150 worshippers, most of them members of the community, attended.

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“The opening of the first synagogue in Israel for the Bnei Menashe is an historic and exciting event. Just like any other Jewish community, the Bnei Menashe have their own unique customs, traditions and hymns, which are worthy of preservation. We are delighted that the Bnei Menashe immigrants will now have a synagogue of their own in which to keep these traditions alive,” said Michael Freund, Shavei Israel’s chairman and founder.

“We are grateful to Mayor Ronen Plot and the city’s residents for their warm welcome of Bnei Menashe immigrants. I pray that the synagogue, named after Eliyahu Hanavi – the prophet Elijah who, according to Jewish tradition, will portend Israel’s redemption – will play an important role in the integration of the Bnei Menashe into Israeli society.”

The Bnei Menashe, or sons of Manasseh, claim descent from one of the Ten Lost Tribes of Israel, who were sent into exile by the Assyrian Empire more than 27 centuries ago. Their ancestors wandered through Central Asia and the Far East for centuries, before settling in what is now northeastern India, along the borders of Burma and Bangladesh. Throughout their sojourn in exile, the Bnei Menashe continued to practice Judaism just as their ancestors did, including observing the Sabbath, keeping kosher, celebrating the festivals and following the laws of family purity. They continued to nourish the dream of one day returning to the land of their ancestors, the Land of Israel.

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[Eleutheria5]

There are quite a few of them living in Kiryat Arba in the Charsina neighborhood. They were my neighbors when I lived there between 2009 and 2012.

[Eleutheria5]

You know, I can picture you there in Texas, getting off while rehearsing this old BS yet again, thinking I’m going to repeat the same shopworn rebuttals that I have for already years. Well, try wanking on a girly picture instead. Whatever you do, don’t look South, from whence the invaders are coming. That might ruin your day, not that you’ll ever do anything about it.

Or maybe I’m wrong, and you simply can’t remember what I said to you last time you picked on this bone, due to advancing senility.

Whatever. Get a life.

The Benei Menashe attended synagogues in Kiryat Arba with everyone else. Now they have a couple of their own in the Galilee, and they are the tip of the spear of the return of the ten lost tribes, foreseen by the prophets. I’m happy for them.

[humblegunner]

the tip of the spear of the return of the ten lost tribes, foreseen by the prophets.

I saw that one, good flick. Brandon Frasier, right?

Or was it Stargate?

[Eleutheria5]

Not a flick. Tribe of Dan is coming back from Ethiopia, Tribe of Naftali (Buchara from central Asia, one of whom was my study partner in yeshiva), and the Tribe of Menashe from Northeastern India. It’s really happening. More will be coming soon.

[Verginius Rufus]

Have any DNA tests been done on the Bnei Menashe?

The Tsedaka families of modern Samaritans claim descent from the tribe of Manasseh. The Bnei Menashe should be more closely related to them than to the other Samaritan lineages or to Jewish lineages.

[Eleutheria5]

They have oriental features, due to persecutory rapes while in China, but since Jewishness is determined matrilineally, that is irrelevant to the fact of their Jewishness. But after a couple of millennia of inbreeding amongst themselves, the Chinese Y chromosomes would be ubiquitous and queer any DNA tests. My guess.

[Verginius Rufus]

Samaritans go by patrilineal descent as the Jews did in Biblical times (the genealogies in the Bible follow paternal lines). When was the matrilineal rule adopted? I heard once it was because of Jewish women being raped by Roman soldiers but that may be a myth.

Even if Chinese Y-chromosomes predominate, if the Bnei Menashe are descended from the tribe of Manasseh maybe some Israelite haplogroups would be found.

[Eleutheria5]

The matrilineal thing is based on a passage in, I think, Leviticus 19. Don’t recall the exact language. I’ll circle back on this.

[Verginius Rufus]

I don't see anything relevant in Leviticus 19 so it must be elsewhere.

I see Lev. 19.19 forbids mating different kinds of animals--so there are no mules in Israel?

[Eleutheria5]

You’re right. Not in 19. Will circle back when I find the source of it.

[SunkenCiv]

This topic was posted 11/22/2022, thanks Eleutheria5.

• Genetic Testing Proves Bene Israel Community in India Has Jewish Roots [05/11/2016]
• Bene Israel hail DNA result {Indian Jewish history dating back 2000 years} [10/04/2012]
• More Than 7,200 Indian Jews to Immigrate to Israel [09/27/2011]
• Israeli Government Allows 7,000 Bnei Menashe to Make Aliyah [06/24/2011]
• Study finds genetic links among Jewish people [06/03/2010]
• 'Lost tribe of Israel' arrives in Jewish state [08/30/2007]
• After millennia in India, lost tribe returns to Israel [09/30/2006]
• India's Lost Tribe Recognized As Jews After 2,700 Years [09/16/2005]
• 'Lost tribe' of Israel [07/05/2005]
• End of 2,700-year exodus for India's lost tribe of Jews [04/24/2005]
• Report: Israel to adopt 'Lost Tribe' [04/03/2005]
• Rabbinate Recognizes Bnei Menashe as “Descendants of Israel" [03/31/2005]
• Jewish Stories for a Lost Tribe of Israel [12/18/2004]
• India's 'lost Jews' wait in hope [08/19/2004]
• India's children of Israel find their roots [07/20/2002]