Ethiopian Jews

I want to tell a small story that happened to me:

As a child in school we were told one day that we need to meet outside in the school yard and sit in a very large circle and wait. After some time a large crowed of Ethiopians walked into the yard with their children. We were told that they had just arrived from Ethiopia and that they are part of our lost brothers and sisters who have finally returned after thousands of years. We welcomed them and two of the children became class mates of mine.

Today, over twenty years later and as an adult with my own children, I am reading a book about Ethiopian "Jewish" law that is an eye opener. I write "Jewish" because on the one hand the book is very Jewish, but on the other hand Ethiopians are not Jews but Israelites. According to some traditions the Ethiopian Jews are descendents of the tribe of Dan, and have preserved the practices of the Torah in a very interesting way. I would like to point some out for the readers.

I have been asked several times by friends what is to be done during Rosh Chodesh? Well I find the Ethiopian practice amazing. They treat it as a holyday which only minimal work is done and special prayers are offered. This description reminds me of the story in 1st Samuel 20:19-30 where the new moon was celebrated with a sacrifice. We also find many verses that speak of the importance of Rosh Chodesh. In the Jerusalem Talmud we find hints of such a practice as well.

Now for some other examples, they do not eat meat with milk the same way that orthodox Jews practice, their Tzitzt are part of the garment and also women wear them, they do not have Tephilin, Shabbat starts at sun set and work is what is done in the field or one's profession, also house work is considered work. Sukkot is only the Sukkha and not the four species, women who gives birth are unclean for 40 or 80 days and many more.

One of the big bombs I think is the fact that they use to sacrifice a Pesach, this was done on a stone alter behind the synagogue and was eaten by the community. They would take a goat or lamb and tie it in the court of the synagogue on the tenth of the month (Exe 12:3). On the fourteenth of the month it was slaughtered in the evening, roasted and eaten only in the area of the synagogue, anything that was left was burnet (12:8-10). The elders would wear their belts and shoes and hold their walking sticks (12:11).

Another practice which I find amazing is the red heifer; they actually use to do it!!!! For me as an orthodox Jew this is completely out of this world. I was always taught that this is impossible, and only when we rebuild the temple it will return. This is a flash from the past as far as I see it!

I think that we need to learn more about this amazing community that unfortunately have been mistreated and ignored by the state of Israel and especially by the chief rabbinate that treat the Ethiopian Jews and their leaders as if they are ignorant of the Torah where in fact they probably preserved many authentic practices from biblical times.