The Israeli rabbinate’s decision in early April to recognise the 6,000-odd Bnei Menashes in Mizoram and Manipur as a community with Jewish ancestry has been hailed here. "We are mentally and physically preparing to return to the promised land," says Jeremiah. Orly Hnamte, a Mizo grandmother who can speak a little Hebrew, is even now getting ready to leave for Israel with her daughter, son-in-law and three grandkids. But their departure will be possible only after members of the Beit Din (rabbinical court) arrive—in a month’s time—to carry out a formal conversion.
The Bnei Menashe, or children of Manasseh, claim descent from one of the ten mythical lost tribes of Israel. For nearly two decades, the Manipuri and Mizo Jews have been trying to establish links, backed by Israeli groups like ‘Amishav’, Hebrew for "my people return". Amishav has already facilitated emigration of about 800 Bnei Menashes from the Northeast. The Bnei Menashes were exiled when Assyrians invaded the northern kingdom of Israel in 8th century BC. They say the tribe travelled through Persia, Afghanistan, Tibet, China and finally reached northeastern India. Bnei Menashe leaders here claim that over 200 Mizos—otherwise Christians—have approached the community elders asking to join the fold. Which may prove a source of friction in the foreseeable future in this Christian-dominated state.
