Over the past several years, about 600 members of a tribe living in the jungles of northeastern India have arrived in Israel as new immigrants. Known as "Bnei [Children of] Menashe," they consider themselves the descendants of the lost Biblical tribe of Menashe. For generations members of the clan have stringently practiced customs resembling those of Judaism, including circumcision on the eighth day after birth, faith in one G-d (a unique belief in India), ritual fringes and more, in keeping with long-held oral traditions.
Several years ago, the Bnei Menashe succeeded in contacting Rabbi Eliyahu Avichail, the founder of Amishav, an organization dealing with the dispersed remnants of Israel. Rabbi Avichail traveled to India to meet some of the group members and was astounded by the extent to which their religious practices mirrored Judaism. He launched a campaign to bring many of them to Israel, where they agreed to convert according to Jewish Law in order to live as full-fledged Jews and as part of the Jewish nation.
This past month, about 100 Bnei Menashe members arrived in Israel, and many others would still like to join them. Shimon Gangte, 28, one of the first Bnei Menashe members to arrive in Israel almost ten years ago, spoke with Arutz-7's Josh Hasten today. He described the group's history from the mountains of Afghanistan to the jungles of India to the rocky hills of Yesha, as well as the members' life in modern-day Israel. The interview can be heard here.
Several years ago, the Bnei Menashe succeeded in contacting Rabbi Eliyahu Avichail, the founder of Amishav, an organization dealing with the dispersed remnants of Israel. Rabbi Avichail traveled to India to meet some of the group members and was astounded by the extent to which their religious practices mirrored Judaism. He launched a campaign to bring many of them to Israel, where they agreed to convert according to Jewish Law in order to live as full-fledged Jews and as part of the Jewish nation.
This past month, about 100 Bnei Menashe members arrived in Israel, and many others would still like to join them. Shimon Gangte, 28, one of the first Bnei Menashe members to arrive in Israel almost ten years ago, spoke with Arutz-7's Josh Hasten today. He described the group's history from the mountains of Afghanistan to the jungles of India to the rocky hills of Yesha, as well as the members' life in modern-day Israel. The interview can be heard here.