THE ISRAEL REPORT January/February 2000

Amishav Organization: Lost Tribe Returns to Israel

37 Descendants of the Ten Lost Tribes of Israel Due to Arrive at Ben-Gurion Airport on Friday

After Centuries of Exile, Bnei Menashe Return to Zion

The new arrivals, members of the Bnei Menashe, are coming to Israel under the auspices of the Jerusalem-based Amishav organization, which is dedicated to locating descendants of the Ten Lost Tribes of Israel and returning them to the Jewish people. They join an additional 450 Bnei Menashe (children of the Tribe of Manasseh) already residing in the country.

"This is an historic moment for the Jewish people," said Amishav founder and chairman Rabbi Eliyahu Avichail, who has devoted his life to finding and assisting the descendants of the Lost Tribes of Israel. "After a lengthy and difficult separation, the Bnei Menashe are being reunited with the Jewish people in the Land of Israel. Their return to Zion marks the closing of an historical circle," noted Rabbi Avichail, adding, "This is a triumph of faith."

The Bnei Menashe arriving in Israel originate from two states in eastern India: Manipur and Mizoram. Members of the Shinlung tribe, they have a rich oral tradition tracing themselves back to the Israelite tribe of Manasseh and continue to practice many uniquely Jewish customs. Approximately 30 years ago, some 3,500 Bnei Menashe decided to formally return to the Jewish people and they began living a fully Jewish life to the best of their ability in accordance with Jewish law.

Two decades ago, Rabbi Avichail learned of the Bnei Menashe through an Indian Jewish acquaintance, and he traveled to India several times to investigate their claims to Jewish ancestry. After careful study of the historical record and consultations with leading rabbinical authorities, Rabbi Avichail concluded there is convincing evidence linking the Bnei Menashe with the Jewish people.

Rabbi Avichail notes, "The Bnei Menashe have an ancient tradition handed down orally from generation to generation which speaks of the Patriarchs Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. They circumcise male children on the 8th day after birth in accordance with Jewish tradition. The Bnei Menashe conduct a sacrificial ceremony on an altar reminiscent of the ancient Jewish Temple in which their priest uses the Hebrew name of G-d as it appears in the Torah. In this ceremony, their priest invokes Mount Sinai, Mount Moriah and Mount Zion."

The Bnei Menashe are descended from the Israelite tribe of Manasseh, one of the Ten Tribes of Israel exiled by the Assyrians in the 8th century BCE. The exiles of Manasseh reached Assyria and from there, according to Bnei Menashe tradition, went to Afghanistan. From Afghanistan they went to the "Himalayi" (believed to be a reference to the Himalayan mountains), on to Mongolia and from there to southern China. In China, the group was persecuted because of its faith and forced to hide in caves (as a result of which they have come to be known as Shinlung, which means "cave covering"). Some 500 to 600 years ago, the Shinlung, or Bnei Menashe, began to wander toward their current home located on the border between India and Burma.

Upon arrival in Israel, the Bnei Menashe will engage in full-time study of Judaism and the Hebrew language to reacquaint themselves with the faith of their forefathers. To remove any doubts about their status, the Bnei Menashe undergo formal conversion ceremonies performed by the Israeli Chief Rabbinate, upon completion of which they are granted new immigrant status by the Interior Ministry.