How should we treat the Falasha ethnic group?
(The Ethiopians)

One may hesitate and ponder, but one should never embark upon an action unless a clear decision has been made

As a result of all the talks and conversations that I held with our people over there, I have come to the conclusion that we, as Jews and as a State are not clear as to how to treat the Falasha. We grope, we move a step forward and one backward, one hand rejecting or resenting the possibility of considering them as Jews while the other seems to approach this notion.

One may hesitate and ponder, but one should never embark upon an action unless a clear decision or, at least, an interim clear and specific decision has been made. A research of this issue is a great Mitzva (good deed), as well, although, pioneers of wisdom and research, such as Dr. Peitlowitz, A.Z. Eshkoli and others have already delved deeply into it. However, research is one thing and deeds are another.

A voyage in Eritrea and Abyssinia

So, what do we do?

On the one hand we make sure to teach them Hebrew (a language unknown to them until today and the researchers have not found, as yet, any manuscript among their ancient religious writings, in Hebrew). There are a few dignitaries among them, such as Professor Tamarat, Yona Bugalo and others, who have a perfect command of the Hebrew language and have a connection and affiliation to whatever is said and done in Israel and in World Jewry, especially regarding aspects that pertain specifically to Jewish issues such as the recent controversy in Israel regarding registration of Jews and who is eligible to be registered as a Jew.

In addition, a few youngsters were taken and brought over to study in Kfar-Batia in order for them to return to their brethren and become their teachers – teach them Hebrew and convey some of the Israeli atmosphere and feeling. In fact, they did finish their studies and went back to fulfill that role. However, as soon as they started working, they realized how difficult, complicated, and unpleasant is the task of being someone else’s messenger, especially when that someone, himself, is not clear about the aim of that mission…More than he wishes to fulfill the task, he seems to be hesitant and embarrassed that others might “catch him in the act”.

The Jewish Agency sent a liaison to work with them, this time – a qualified man. I have the privilege to report my strong impression of the personality of the current Shaliach (emissary) Mr. Moshe Bar-Yehuda (Kastner). He is a totally devoted, extremely dedicated young man, equipped with exceptional personal traits unlike many other Shlichim, (emissaries) a true pioneer who believes in his mission. However, he was sent empty handed. For months he did not receive one penny and was humiliated by both Jews and Non-Jews. He was even put in prison for a couple of days. When they finally sent him the money, it was too little and could not pay for the minimal bare necessities of his mission.

Moreover, this Shaliach was sent without any instructions regarding the aim and objective of his mission. He was told he should deal with the Falasha and the rest, he should figure out for himself – not by deduction but nothing out of nothing.

What is the current situation of the Falasha?

The number of Falasha is estimated at around 50 – 60 thousand. They are mostly concentrated in the Gondar area (a district in Northern Ethiopia where most Jews live). This number is not verified and some say it may reach several hundreds of thousands. This probability may be explained by the fact that many of the Falasha converted to Christianity, during different periods, due to persecutions, or were alienated from their community. However, even today, they are still Falasha, both according to their self-awareness as well as by the attitude of their environment.

In any event, for the moment, we are discussing those 50 – 60 thousand who definitely belong to the Jewish Community.

They live separately from their neighbors and there is a hostile attitude towards them, perhaps due to their isolation from the rest of the Abyssinian People. They are brave and protect themselves with dignity. Their livelihood is based on various skills such as: weaving, braiding, pottery etc. All these crafts are looked upon with contempt by the environment and, naturally, the craftsmen are treated accordingly. Some of them live on agriculture though they have no land of their own. They cannot be landowners but they may lease land for a certain period and work as tenants. The more educated ones receive good positions as civil servants. They live a fully religious life, according to their local version, regard themselves as Jews, sons of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, worship the God of Israel, pray for the peace of Jerusalem and have an ardent yearning for the coming of the Messiah.

The hostile attitude of the environment towards them seems to stem from ancient roots. However, they are mainly hated and persecuted due to their religion and isolation. This hatred is manifested in a multitude of forms. Recently, the Falasha paved a path for themselves from the city of Gondar to two of their villages, Uzava and Ambover, on land, which was not designated for tilling. Their Christian neighbors came over and destroyed the path with whatever tools they could get their hands on, just so that the Falasha would not have any peace. The Hebrew school that was established in one of the villages in the Gondar area was set on fire one night with 19 Falasha schoolgirls sleeping in it. They had survived only by a miracle. Rumor has it that they were planning to assassinate the Falasha Shaliach who is the main activist in organizing the Hebrew Movement among the Falasha. Perhaps there is some jealousy there, as well, but there is also a serious competition on behalf of the missionaries. They are doing everything possible to win over the Falasha to their side, especially those youngsters who studied in Israel and came back as teachers. Some of them could not resist the temptation and went over to the Mission, especially when they were in dire straits and the help they received from the Jewish Agency was meager and miserable, even by local standards.

I was assured by everybody that many of the Falasha have an ardent desire to make Aliyah (voyage) to Israel, both in order to join the Jewish world (after having thought, for centuries, that they were the only Jews in the world) as well as to be saved from the pressure and distress in which they are living. That desire stems from the traditional Messianic beliefs they are holding, as do all Jews, but perhaps it is even stronger.

In essence, who are the Falasha?

The critical aspect of this entire affair is that no one can determine whether, on principle, they are considered Jews or not and, as long as there is no final religious Halacha (Jewish religious legislation) about it, their situation will worsen, for two reasons:

One – national, whereby Jewish masses may slander the inclusion of “A tribe of Africans” without fully determining that they are Jews.

Two – religious, whereby if they are recognized as Jews, they will not be able to marry other Jews for fear of bastardization since they do not follow marital laws as they are determined in Jewish Halacha but act according to what is written in the bible and according to their own tradition. From that point of view, their fate is similar to that of the Karaaites and, we all remember the sad affair of that young Karaaite who wanted to marry a Jewish girl and was refused by the Rabbis in Israel.

And, if their Jewishness, from a religious point of view, is not recognized, they will have to go through a procedure of conversion just as if they not Jewish at all. This, on the one hand, might hurt their feelings since they consider themselves Jews and, on the other hand, we might ask ourselves: why should we take an African tribe and convert it?

We, therefore, need an authorized decision, one way or another, with all the implications that derive from that decision. Perhaps we should convene a group of scholars and Rabbis to look into this matter and reach a final decision.

Will it be possible to bring them to Israel?

I am convinced that if the decision will be in favor of the Falasha to be considered as full Jews, we shall have to grapple with the issue of their coming on Aliyah (to live in Israel). They, themselves, will definitely demand to do so. From the point of view of their human skills, there is no ground for concern since they are healthy, strong, industrious and brave. Their capability to adapt is immense. The transition from the African primitive way of life to an Israeli – European one will be fast and easy.

However, if and when the time comes to bring them here, we shall be facing two very serious problems:

A) There is no guarantee that the Ethiopian Kingdom will allow them to leave – not for lack of support to Israel or for lack of willingness to enable this tribe to have a better life in the State of Israel but, out of concern to a certain interest of the Ethiopian State which seems extremely essential, at least at the moment, not just to the Ethiopian administration but also to its supporters and to those who wish to see it stable and prosperous.

B) I have already mentioned that it would not be easy to determine a limit to the affiliation to the Falasha group. Today, it numbers 50 – 60 thousand and they are really clear and evident, however, when the news about going to Israel towards a new world and a new life is spread, masses will rise and demand the same right for themselves, saying that they are Falasha today and were Falasha throughout the generations however….. for various reasons they converted to Christianity.

I, personally, do not regard these two difficulties as ones we cannot overcome. On the contrary, there is hope that eventually, the authorities would agree to a limited and gradual exodus, according to plan, over several years. And, if, in fact, there will be such limitation and stages and, if the implementation is done with great patience, it will be possible to determine, more or less, the rules of affiliation to the Falasha. Let me reiterate: all the above can be implemented only after an authorized decision is made, in principle, recognizing the affiliation of the Falasha to the Jewish People. There is no point in establishing and maintaining Hebrew schools for the Falasha as long as we are not ready to regard them as full-fledged Jews. Once we make that decision, we had better bring them to Israel and there is no doubt that here they will receive a better education, while working and adjusting in the country for their benefit as well as ours.

Something about Israeli emissaries (Shlichim)

Finally, I see fit to complete my impressions during this visit with a few words about the Israelis who come to Assmara and to Addis-Abeba to reside there, in their position, for a considerable duration, whether for business (such as the employees and managers of “Inkoda”) or for other reasons and tasks.

Usually, an Israeli is happy to meet other Israelis on his way to or on his arrival at some other place. This gives him a sense of balance between home and the foreign land. However, it is impossible to ignore the complaints of local Jews about the Israelis who, apart from never consulting the members of the community or collaborate with them in matters that are part of their expertise, they also detach themselves and ignore the existence of the Jews which undermines their value in the eyes of the local residents.

Israel Yeshayahu

“Davar” Daily Newspaper, September 14, 1958