Ah, like this?
Somehow, I do not think a truce is in the works.
Posted on 08/19/2004 7:11:00 PM PDT by missyme
A team of senior Israeli rabbis is due to rule soon on whether thousands of Indians who say they are members of one of the lost tribes of Israel can settle there.
Only 5,000 of the Benei Menashes have converted to Judaism Shlomo Amar recently led a delegation of rabbis to the north-eastern Indian states of Manipur and Mizoram where members of the Benei Menashe tribe live and practise Judaism.
At the Beith-el Synagogue in the Manipur capital, Imphal, nine men wearing knitted skull caps read silently from the Old Testament.
Four others stand on a wooden platform in the centre of the room as a young man reads from the holy book under the supervision of an elderly priest.
These people claim to be one of the lost tribes of Israel.
Recent discovery
Tongkhohao Aviel Hangshing is the leader of the Benei Menashes in Imphal.
We found that the stories, the customs and practices of the Israeli people were very similar to ours
Tongkhohao Aviel Hangshing "We are Benei Menashe, because we belong to the Menashe tribe," he says.
"Menashe is the son of Joseph, who was one of the 12 sons of Jacob. So we are the lost tribe of Israel."
Mr Hangshing says for thousands of years they did not know they were lost.
"We found out only 27 years ago," he says.
"When the Bible was translated into our language, in 1970s, we studied it.
"And we found that the stories, the customs and practices of the Israeli people were very similar to ours. So we thought that we must be one of the lost tribes."
Saturdays are observed by Jews the world over as the Sabbath, the day of rest, and the members of the Benei Menashe community meet for morning prayers at the synagogue in Imphal.
A lamb-skin scroll of the Torah, is unrolled and then rolled up again as each reader finishes his part.
Hope
There are more than 300,000 Benei Menashes in Manipur but most of them follow Christianity.
Only about 5,000 have converted to Judaism, most of them during the 1970s.
Mr Hangshing says although India has treated them quite well, they do not consider it their home.
Lucy Vaiphei (right) is hoping to join her family in Israel The recent visit by a delegation of rabbis from Israel has given new hope to the members of this community.
Caleb, a 24-year-old college student, wants to go to Israel because he says it is the land of his forefathers.
Amram is studying to be a lawyer. He says Israel is the promised land, for him and the others too.
"In Israel it will be easier for us to practise our religion."
In a chamber partitioned from the main prayer hall, about a dozen women join in the Sabbath prayers.
Lucy Vaiphei is the caretaker of the synagogue.
Her parents and six siblings have emigrated to Israel in the last few years and she is now looking forward to making the move herself.
Michael Freund, director of Amishav - an organisation that helps Jews move to Israel - says he firmly believes that Menashe is one of the lost tribes of Israel.
"We have brought over 800 of them to Israel," he says, "and the remaining people also want to emigrate".
Mr Freund says that last year the new Israeli interior minister, Avraham Poraz, suddenly declared his opposition to bringing the Benei Menashes into Israel.
"But I'm confident that if the chief rabbi issues a ruling saying that the Benei Menashes are indeed descendents of the Jewish people and should be allowed back home, then he will have no choice but to let them in."
So while the rabbis in Israel take a decision on whether or not to grant the right to emigrate to Israel to the Benei Menashes, this community here is waiting with bated breath - and praying.
LOL. I like Elvis and the Beatles but I don't particularly love either. Though I really do love Paul McCartney. Could do without his politics; but, the guy seems to have a genuinely huge heart and is infectiously likeable to talk to.
I love Cats, dogs, ferrets, Horses - natural rider booyah, raccoons... But my Cat is my pal. If I could surgically remove the "shed" command from his genetics.. That's my biggest problem with cats. You can touch them and they instantly drop a pound of fur then go rest up to do it again the next day on command. Cat hair sucks.
What you are: is "words" we all see on our computer screens. I don't claim to know who the hell you are, but by your WORDS I would have no interest in meeting you EVER!
Many freepers I would like the priviledge in meeting at some point, your just not one of them...
"tad bit narrow"...that's putting it mildly...
I'd tell you two to kiss and make up; but, since she's married that I know of, I'll suggest a hand shake ;)
Some of them are. My daughter's friend looks like Padma Lakshmi,or however Salman Rushdi's wife's name is spelled.
that's just the surface...it gets worse....lots worse...they call for the total annihilation of modern Jews...100%.....they are like Moon Rock Worshippers with Doc Maartens (an otherwise great shoe btw)
the sad thing is that they take things like culture war that I am fighting and pervert it.
i loathe them....if mass violence ever does erupt here...it will not just be left-right or urban-rural or regional....it will be many faceted.
CI was the spirit behind McVeigh...I knew it the second I saw OKC bombing on TV and saw the date....I had no doubt that the perp was a CI influenced fanatic.
Your a fool! I could be standing in a room with you and you wouldn't have a clue who I would be, but I could point you out in a hot second! The One with the biggest know-it all PIE HOLE!
Oh Sorry your a "Dude"
If ANYONE'S attitude needs adjustment,it's yours and wrestling in mud,wouldn't do anything other than having me clobber you. LOL
She has neither manners nor couth.
Ah, like this?
Somehow, I do not think a truce is in the works.
She ALWAYS steps in it! LOL
NP mentioned those Ainu Caucazoids earlier...that one I had to google...never ever heard of indig caucazoids on japan.
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm... ADORE cats,but NEVER "loved" Elvis or the Beatles. :-)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.