Figure 1.--This Falasha boy in 1991 is awaiting evacuation to Israel as part of Operation Solomon.

We have some insight into Ethiopia's religious history because of references in the Old Testament. Some traditions are legendary, others seem based on fact. Some believe one of the lost Tribes of Israel settled in Ethiopia. The Queen of Sheba was born in Axum, a state which dominated what is modern Ethiopia for centuries. She travelled to Israel to meet King Solomon. They had a son named Menelik, who later became the first emperor of Ethiopia. Legend has it that Menelik brought the original Ark of the Covenant back to Ethiopia from Israel. Today, the Arc remains guarded by a select group of monks in Axum. A sect known as Beta Israel or Falashas, who practice a type of Judaism that probably dates back to contact with early Arabian Jews, were airlifted to Israel in 1991 during Ethiopia's civil war.

Biblical References

We have some insight into Ethiopia's religious history because of references in the Old Testament. The Queen of Sheba was born in Axum, a state which dominated what is modern Ethiopia for centuries. She travelled to Israel to meet King Solomon. The brief Biblical references do not state that the Queen of Sheba either married or had any sexual relations with King Solomon. The Bible does indicate that she was impressed with Solomon's wealth and wisdom and that they exchanged royal gifts. She then returned to rule her people in Kush. Biblical scholars debate as to just what was meant by "royal gifts". Some claim that this meant sexual relations. There is no association od the Queen of Sheba/Menelik and the Ark in the Bible.

Legend

Some traditions are legendary, others seem based on fact. A substantial number of Biblical accounts have been connected with archeological finds. Thus the meeting between Solomon and the Queen of Sheba can not be ruled out. The accounts of Menelik are solely based on legend. This does not mean they are fiction, but does mean that they they should be treated with caution,

Menelik

Legend has it that Solomon and Sheba had a son named Menelik who became the first emperor of Ethiopia. Menelik according to the legend brought the original Ark of the Covenant back to Ethiopia from Israel. Today, the Arc remains guarded by a select group of monks in Axum.

Lost tribes

Some believe one of the lost Tribes of Israel settled in Ethiopia. This is described in the Kebra Negast "Book of the Glory of Kings,". The account describes Ethiopians are descendants of Israelite tribes who came to Ethiopia with Menelik I. Menelik, as an adult, reportedly returned to see Solomon in Jerusalem and then returned to settled in Ethiopia. The legend claims that he bought the Ark of the Covenant with him. The legend is that the Beta Israel descended from men of Judah that fled southwards along the Arabian coast after the breakup of the united Kingdom of Israel into two kingdoms (10th century BC). This would have been during the reign of King Rehoboam in Judea. DNA may eventually throw some light on this. Several studies have been done. Scholars at this time do not agree as to the findings.

Beta Israel / Falashas

A sect known as Beta Israel or Falashas, who practice a type of Judaism that probably dates back to contact with early Arabian Jews. The precise details are unknown. Christianity was adopted by the Axum Empire (4th century AD). There does not appear to have been any major anti-Semetic campaigm as developed in Europe. The Christian Ethiopians CE. By the 7th century, however, Islam conquered North Africa and Ethiopia was cut off from Christian Euope. Falashas continued to live and practice their faith without interference for many cetturies. They became under pressure (13th century). We are not sure just why this was. A major development was the Portuguese voyages of discovery. Portuguese exploers and traders round the Cape of Good Hope and intered the Indian Ocean (15th century). This brought Ethiopian Christians on contact with Europeans for the first time in centuries. This appears to have eventually resulted in increased pressur. Portuguese backed tribes decisively defeated the Falashas (1624). Many were killed or committed suicide. The survivors were sold in slavery or forced to convert. They reportedly lost theiir land. denied the right to own land. The culture of either Ethiopian Jews or Ethiopia is not well known in the West. Generally less is known about them than other Jewish groups. Part of the difficulty here is linguistic. Few Americans speak either Amharic or Ge'ez Amharic is the language of Ethiopia. Ge'ez is the language of Ethiopian Jewish (and Christian) scriptures. There have in recent years been some imfotmative scholarly work on Ethiopian Jews. Some of the leading scholars are Steven Kaplan of the Hebrew University, Kay Kaufman Shelemay of Harvard, and James Quirin of Fisk University. The most readable work for the layman is probably Shelemay's fascinting account of her academic fieldwork in Ethiopia. These and other scholars have given us an account of Ethiopian Jews that places them and their origins with background on the on the overal sweep of Ethiopian history and culture. The Judaism that emerges is one that has substantial differences with the primarily European origins of most modern Jews. In the same context, Ethiopian Christianity differs from the essentially European Christianity of most modern Christians. A Jewish observer comcludes, howeverm that, "This Ethiopian understanding of Ethiopian Jews shows our Ethiopian brethren to be in no way less Jewish than we are, despite the radical differences in origins." Ethiopian Jews (Beta Israel) were at first an object of intra-Jewish dispute. This has gradually changed and Isrealis now generally support their aliyah to and absorption into Israel.

Evacuation to Israel (1974- )

Another group of Jewsish refugeees are the Ethiopian Jews. Isreali religious authorities debated for some time whether the Falashas were true Jews able to claim the Right of Return. The Israeli government officially accepted the Falashas as Jews (1975). Prime Minister Menachem Begin obtained a definitive ruling from Chief Sephardi Rabbi Ovadia Yosef that they were descendants of the Ten Lost Tribes. The Isrelis required them to undergo pro forma Jewish conversions, to make their Jewish status official. Very small numbers of Falashas at first reached Israel. This did not begin to change until the Israeli Governmrnt launched Operation Moses (1984). The Israelis began transporting Flashas to Israel to Israel. Opperarion Moses was abruptly halted (1985) The governments of Israel and Ethiopia reached agreement on allow the Falashas the opportunity of emigrate to Israel (1990). The evacuation was complicated by the civil war in Ethiopia. Rebel forces finally suceeded in removing Col Mengitsu (1991). Israeli authorities became worried about the Falashas in the unsettled conditions in Ethiopia. The Israelis and private humanitarian groups continue with the planned evacuation. El Al Aitlines obtained a special provision to fly on Shabbat (because of the danger to life). The Israelis launched Operation Solomon (May 24, 1991). El Al used 34 passenger planes to fly 14,325 Falashas non-stop to Israel in a 36 hour period. The seats were removed to maximize flifgt capacity. There are now about 100,000 Jews of Ethiopian origin in Israel.

Falasha Mura

A related issue are the Falasha Mura. They are the descendants of Falshas who converted to Christianity, often under duress. Some are now returning to the practices of Judaism. They live in Falash Mura communities and observe halakha. Falasha spiritual leaders in Israel, including Chief Kes Raphael Hadane, are trying to gain acceptance of the Falasha Mura as Jews. This issue is a controversy in Israel.

Current Situation in Ethiopia

We have noted various estimates concerning the number of Falashas in Ethiopia. One reported suggested that about 50,000 Jews remain in Ethiopia. This may include the Falasha Mura. A HBC reader has been in contact with a missionary group interested in Ethiopia. The Anglican Church Mission Amongst the Jews (CMJ) reports, " I have just come back from a visit to > Ethiopia so can give you an update. As you know CMJ left Ethiopia in 1978 and the work passed into 'local' hands through an organization called Beth Shalom which included some people who formally worked for the ministry. This ministry continues to operate among the Beta Israel particularly in Addis. It is estimated that there are between 12,000-15000 Jews in Ethiopia, around 2,500 in Addis and the remainer in Gondar. These remaining Jews in Ethiopia are in very difficult position. They face discrimination as Jews in a Christian country and are being prevented from making aliyah to Israel because they are considered to be Christians. They live in considerable poverty. As a result of our recent visit CMJ has decided to re-engage with support for the Beta Israel. We are exploring how we may be able to support two Jewish self help organizations, one in Addis and the other in Gondar. Once we have checked them out and determined a safe way to get funding to them we intend to provide financial support to both groups with the bulk going to the Gondar group who are in most need. We are also working with CFI and PFI to bring some pressure to bear on the new Israeli government to relax its policy on immigration from Ethiopia so that the last groups of Jews who wish to make aliyah will be enabled to do so."

Sources

Aldridge, Robin. CEO Anglican Church Mission Amongst the Jews (CMJ). E-mail message, May 18, 2009.

Shelemay, Kay Kaufman. A Song of Longing (University of Illinois Press: 1994).