As Israel prepares for a ground offensive against Hamas-controlled Gaza, a remarkable story unfolds on the front lines. Among those who have heeded the call to serve in Israel’s military forces are hundreds of Indian-born Jews. These individuals, originally from states like Manipur and Mizoram, are now playing a vital role in Israel’s defense.
Israel, facing an unprecedented attack on October 7 when Hamas terrorists unleashed rockets and infiltrated its territory, resulting in the loss of 1,300 lives, has mobilized 360,000 reservists for military service. Israel has been engaged in a relentless offensive against Gaza, with casualties on both sides. Now, the nation prepares for a ground assault, and individuals like 29-year-old Eleazar Chungthang Menashe, born and raised in Manipur, are reporting for duty.
Eleazar is not alone; over 200 Bnei Menashe people from Manipur and Mizoram have joined him in this critical endeavor. These Indian-born Jews have not only answered the call but have also faced direct attacks from Hamas terrorists on October 7.
“There are about 85,000 Jews of Indian descent in Israel,” says Yitzhak (Isaac) Thangjom, the executive director of Degel Menashe, an organization that facilitates the emigration of Jews from Manipur and Mizoram.
The question arises: How did this Jewish community find its way to India, especially to the remote northeastern states of Manipur and Mizoram, which lack any direct sea link or apparent connection to Israel?
The History of Jews in India
Throughout history, India has provided a safe haven for Jews who have sought refuge from religious persecution worldwide. The Jewish community in India was traditionally believed to consist of three distinct groups: the Bene Israel, the Cochinis, and the Baghdadis. However, a lesser-known group, the Bnei Menashe, has a unique and compelling story.
The Bene Israel Jews, predominantly settled in the Konkan and Mumbai regions, are believed to have arrived in India following a shipwreck. Over the centuries, their population has dwindled, with approximately 4,000 Bene Israelis remaining in India.
The Cochin Jews arrived in India around 370 AD, seeking refuge from Majorca, off the coast of Spain. They were granted permission to settle near Cochin, now known as Kochi, by King Cheran Perumal.
The first Baghdadi Jew settler arrived in Bombay (now Mumbai) in 1790, followed by others from Baghdad, Basra, Aleppo, and Yemen. All these Jewish groups landed on India’s western coast, specifically the Konkan region. But how did the Bnei Menashe or the Jews from the Kuki-Mizo tribes of Manipur and Mizoram find their way to India?
The Journey of the Bnei Menashe
The Bnei Menashe claim to be descendants of one of the ten lost tribes of Israel. They assert that their ancestors were exiled following the defeat of the Kingdom of Israel in 722 BC. These exiles are believed to have traveled east through Central Asia towards China and eventually settled in the Indo-Burmese trans-border region.
It was the arrival of Christian missionaries in the 20th century and their translation of the Old Testament into the Mizo language that led the Bnei Menashe to rediscover their Israelite origins. Folktales and cultural practices, along with spiritual revelations, resonated with Israelite practices mentioned in the Bible, eventually leading them to embrace Judaism.
Since their rediscovery of their Israelite roots, the Bnei Menashe have adopted all the rituals of Orthodox Judaism and adapted their festivals to the Indian context.
Israel’s Law of Return
In 1950, Israel passed the Law of Return, allowing non-Israeli Jews and converts to Judaism to settle in Israel and gain citizenship. As a result, the Israeli government has been actively bringing persecuted Jews from around the world to Israel. Individuals like Eleazar Chungthang Menashe, who discovered their Jewish roots, have been granted Israeli citizenship.
Yitzhak Thangjom, the executive director of Degel Menashe, states that there are approximately 85,000 Jews of Indian descent in Israel. While the population is dispersed throughout the country, a significant concentration exists in Lod and Ramla, both close to Tel Aviv. The Bnei Menashe people live in various towns and villages.
The Strong Bond Between Indian and Israeli Jewish Communities
The ties between the Bnei Menashe in India and Israel are strong, with many having close family connections in Israel. These connections have grown even stronger with the advent of the internet and social media.
In 2017, 20-year-old Binyamin Tungnung, who migrated from Manipur, joined the Israeli army and served in the same unit as his five friends from India.
The Bnei Menashe in Mizoram and Manipur have been conducting special candlelight prayer sessions in their synagogues every night for divine protection of those in Israel. Their ties remain steadfast even in times of crisis.
As Eleazar Chungthang Menashe heads to the front lines in Israel, his fellow Kuki community members in India are embroiled in a violent standoff in their homeland.
The story of Indian-born Jews contributing to Israel’s defense serves as a testament to the enduring bonds between these communities and the resilience of the human spirit in times of adversity.
