Bnei Menashe is a community in north-east India.
Israel, a small Jewish country situated among the Arab countries, is facing war. It is well known that India-Israel relations are cordial. Meanwhile, information is coming about the resettlement of people of Bani Menashe community living in Manipur and Mizoram by Israel.
In such a situation, the question arises that who are these people living in the north-eastern states? What is their history and connection with Israel? Why is Israel running a campaign to resettle them?
Who are the people of this community?
Bnei Menashe is a community in north-east India. Their people mainly live in Manipur and Mizoram. Some families are also associated with areas of Assam and Myanmar. This community considers itself the descendants of the ancient Israeli people. They claim that they belong to an Israeli tribe called Menashe.
People of Bani Menashe community in India mainly live in Manipur and Mizoram.
According to the Hebrew Bible, Menashe was one of the sons of Joseph. Because of this claim they came to be called Bani Menashe. Bani in Hebrew means child or descendant. That is, Bnei Menashe means children of Menashe. This topic is not just about religion. It includes history, identity, politics, migration and faith. For this reason, this issue has been discussed in both India and Israel.
Where are the roots of this community considered?
Most of the people of Bnei Menashe are considered to be associated with the Kuki-Chin-Mizo tradition of North-East India. These communities have been living in hilly areas for a long time. They have their own dialect, clothing, food and cultural traditions. Before the British era, these people lived in the local tribal system. Later the influence of missionaries increased. Christianity spread rapidly in these areas in the 19th and 20th centuries.
For this reason many ancestors of Bani Menashe became Christians. But some families and religious leaders later said that there are signs in their ancient traditions that are similar to Jewish tradition. Like, some customs, folklore, belief in one God, and old memories. From here the idea was strengthened that they might have been one of the Lost Tribes of Israel.
Believers of the Jewish community.
What is the idea of Lost Tribes?
This notion comes from Jewish history and religious tradition. It is believed that there were twelve tribes of ancient Israel. Ten of these tribes disintegrated after the attacks and exile of the Assyrian Empire in the 8th century BC. These scattered groups were later called lost tribes. For centuries, many communities in different parts of the world claimed to be descended from the same gotras. Bnei Menashe also makes a similar claim.
He says that his ancestors originated from West Asia. Then they reached North-East India via Persia, Afghanistan, Central Asia, China and South-East Asia. But it should be clearly understood that there is no complete consensus among historians and scientists on this claim.
Some researchers think this claim is based on cultural and religious memory. Some people consider it historically weak. Some DNA studies also did not yield conclusive results. Therefore, the identity of Bnei Menashe is not determined by biological history alone. To a great extent, this is a topic related to faith, community memory and religious re-identification.
Many people of Bnei Menashe wanted to go to Israel themselves, they wanted to link their lives with Judaism.
How was their connection with Israel formed?
In the second half of the 20th century, some religious leaders of the Bnei Menashe community began to talk about returning to Judaism. He saw old customs in a new meaning. Gradually some people began to adopt Jewish prayers, Hebrew words, and Jewish religious rules. Then this community came in contact with some religious organizations of Israel. The most popular name among these is that of Shawei Israel. This organization has been associated with groups around the world that consider themselves of Jewish origin. In this process, the people of Bnei Menashe were given formal education in Judaism. Rabbis studied their claims, traditions and religious practices.
Finally, in 2005, Israel’s Sephardic Chief Rabbi Shlomo Amar gave an important decision. He accepted that Bnei Menashe could be considered a community belonging to the descendants of Israel, but also said that before moving to Israel they would have to complete the religious process of formal Jewish conversion. This was the turning point that officially strengthened his relationship with Israel.
Why is Israel settling them in its country?
There are many answers to this question.
- The first reason is religious. Some Israelis believe that there is a historical and spiritual responsibility to gather Jews or communities of Jewish origin scattered around the world.
- The second reason is identity. Many people of Bnei Menashe themselves wanted to go to Israel. He wanted to connect his life with Judaism. They believed that Israel was the land of their ancestors.
- The third reason is legal and social. In Israel, religious institutions, the Home Ministry and the immigration system jointly decide on such matters. When a community is considered to be of Jewish origin or associated with Judaism, some of its people may be allowed to settle.
- The fourth reason is also the campaign of organizations. Some Jewish organizations have been working for their rehabilitation for a long time. They raised money, provided education, processed paperwork, and helped families move to Israel.
How did this campaign work?
This was not a one day decision. This was a process of several decades. First there was religious awakening within the community. Then attempts were made to adopt Jewish customs at the local level. After this, contact was made with Israeli religious groups. Many people learned Hebrew. Many families started observing the Sabbath. Then the process of formal conversion took place under the supervision of rabbis. After this, people were sent to Israel in groups. This is sometimes called Aliyah i.e. Jewish migration to Israel. Some families went first. Then his relatives also applied. Gradually it became an organized campaign.
How many people have gone so far?
The numbers vary slightly between sources. It is generally believed that thousands of Bnei Menashe have gone to Israel. Many thousands are still in India. After reaching there, they were settled in different cities and settlements. Some people settled in the Galilee area. Some were also resettled in West Bank settlements. From here this issue also became a bit political. Critics say that in some cases their use of settlements was linked to population and settlement policy. Supporters say this is simply religious and humanitarian rehabilitation.
Why is this issue important for India?
Bnei Menashe is part of the north-east of India. His story also shows the cultural diversity of India. It shows that identity doesn’t always move in a straight line. A community can be tribal, have a Christian background, and still adopt a Jewish identity. This case also shows that religion and caste identity are not bound by boundaries. A community in North-East India can feel a deep connection with a nation in West Asia. Bnei Menashe today is one of those rare communities in the world whose identity is simultaneously linked to India, Jewish history and modern Israel.
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