THE BEGINNING:
Manmasi, better known as the Chin-Kuki-Mizo tribes, for centuries, have claimed to be the descendants of one of the lost tribes of Israel. It has become quite clear, by now that the Chin-Kuki-Mizo tribes, now scattering in Manipur, Nagaland and Mizoram States of India; Chin Hills of Myanmar; and even in parts of Bangladesh are indeed the descendants of Manasseh of the Twelve Tribes of Israel! Their historical accounts starts from the time when their forefathers were a slave in a kingdom called Assyria. The history continues with their fleeing from ‘the kingdom’ to Afghanistan; then, to traveling across the Hindukush. The most interesting part of the history revolves around China – where they again enter into slavery. An Emperor named Shi Huang-Ti enslave the Manmasi tribes and force them into building the now world famous Great Wall of China. It was during this period that the “leather scroll” of the Manmasi people was burnt to ashes by the notorious emperor. The escape from China accounts is also equally interesting. After moving out from China, they hid themselves in a cave called Sinlung (Sin=Sinai; Lung=Rock!?). Then they move to Thailand, Laos and Myanmar. Some of them move on to North-Eastern India. Others move further into Bangladesh, bordering with India. One very peculiar identity of these groups of people is that – of course they are animist, but never practice paganism! Idol worship is never heard of in their animist society. They perform rituals during their feasts and festivals which have surprising similarities with Biblical Israelites. They also have songs, hymns and chants describing about a Promised Land!
The Fall:
It was in 1894 that European Missionaries commence work among the Chin-Kuki-Mizo people, and converted them into Christianity. Following this, during the first Welsh Missionary led Christian Revivalism movement in 1906, indigenous festivals, feasts and traditional songs and chants were strictly prohibited by the so-called missionaries. In the 1919-24 Revival, traditional composers began writing their own hymns and re-incorporating indigenous elements. Try as the tribes may, the alien-Christian wave was too strong for the customs and cultures to revive. The initial realization that the Chin-Kuki-Mizos were indeed ‘a lost tribe’ and are destined to return to ‘a promised land’ reveals in the from of dreams and visions in 1951. Then, in the 1960’s self-taught researchers began discovering similarities between their animist rituals with those of the Jews. The Chin-Kuki-Mizo identity was nearly or totally wiped away by Christianity when, in around 1963, Thangruma, Thankamlova and other Messianic pioneers saw the light that Jesus (Yahshua) indeed came to seek the Lost Tribes of Israel (Matt. 10:6)! This wonderful revelation reinstitute the original faith; with Yahshua as the “way”. This small group of Messianic believers observes the Jewish Sabbaths; keep the dietary (kosher) laws. Many perform brit-millah (ritual circumcision), some even keep mezuzah on their door-posts. Unfortunately, due to lack of sound guidance, the group starts to disintegrate and divides amongst themselves. Some of the more prominent ones are the Knesseyah, the Assemblies of Yahweh, the Beth-El Midrash, the House of Yahweh and the B’nei Yisrael congregations. As of now there are at least fifteen known groups in Manipur alone, with slight or even negligible differences. But the common faith that “Yahshua is the Promised Messiah” set them apart from mainstream Judaism and the rest of the world.
The Resurrection:
Nearly half a century later, the Messianic lost Jewish community re-organize themselves into one entity. The first step of course, taken by the younger generations, lead by Lienboi Gangte. The untiring and resolved campaign of the Messianic Youths, which lasts for nearly five years, bear fruit in the form of Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations (North-East India). Not only just a uniting force, the UMJC (NEI) is designed to be the gangplank which will bridge the distance between the Lost and the Land!
From late 1960’s, the NE Messianic Jews are sending at least four representations in the form of memorandums to the Israeli Government. The irony of it is that Israel response came in the form of proselytizing Orthodox Judaism faith in North-East India! Israel’s Jewish Agency, under the strong hand of Interior Ministry, employs the NGO – Amishav, and now Shavei Israel in seeking and bringing back the Lost Jews from North-East India. Michael Freund, founder of Shavei Israel (one time Deputy Director of Communications and Policy Planning in the PMO of Israel) is adamant in converting the lost Jews. It should be noted that modern Rabbinical Judaism makes its presence felt among these lost Jews mot earlier than 1980! On the other hand, Messianic faith now saw nearly fifty years of hope and endurance. After many dashed hopes and disappointments, Messianic leaders like G. Yisrayl and Haniel Reuben believes and prays that the day draws near for the remnants of Israel to return to their Promised Land.
Bottom Line:
Rabbi Shlomo Amar, one of the two Chief Rabbis of Israel has declared, on March 30, 2005 that the Chin-Kuki-Mizos are descendants of the Israelites. Rabbi Shlomo’s acceptance of this linguistically Tibeto-Burman people as lost Jews proves the age-old claim that the Chin-Kuki-Mizos are ethno-biologically Jewish! More precisely, the Chin-Kuki-Mizo peoples from India’s North-Eastern border states of Manipur, Nagaland and Mizoram, Chin Hills of Myanmar (and some parts in Bangladesh) belongs to the tribes of Manasseh, son of Joseph, son of Jacob (Israel). This significant decision paves the highway to Jerusalem for many anticipating North-East Jews. In the past two decades some 1700 lost Jews from North-East India have migrated to Israel; mostly to settlements in the West bank. However, till date, conversion according to Judaism halakha is made mandatory for the returning NE Jews.
Following these developments, the Israel Supreme Court, in April 16, 2008 rules in favour of the Messianic Jews and opens the gateway to Eretz-Yisrael. Deprived of their right to return to their home-land for these long years, the Messianic Jewish communities of NE India hopes that this landmark court ruling proves to be a watershed for the Messianic Era. In this part of the world, this latest development is interpreted to be one of the last trumpets sounded to gather the remnants of Israel for the Messianic Kingdom!
Monday, February 9, 2009
Messianic Jews of North-East India
THE BEGINNING:
Manmasi, better known as the Chin-Kuki-Mizo tribes, for centuries, have claimed to be the descendants of one of the lost tribes of Israel. It has become quite clear, by now that the Chin-Kuki-Mizo tribes, now scattering in Manipur, Nagaland and Mizoram States of India; Chin Hills of Myanmar; and even in parts of Bangladesh are indeed the descendants of Manasseh of the Twelve Tribes of Israel! Their historical accounts starts from the time when their forefathers were a slave in a kingdom called Assyria. The history continues with their fleeing from ‘the kingdom’ to Afghanistan; then, to traveling across the Hindukush. The most interesting part of the history revolves around China – where they again enter into slavery. An Emperor named Shi Huang-Ti enslave the Manmasi tribes and force them into building the now world famous Great Wall of China. It was during this period that the “leather scroll” of the Manmasi people was burnt to ashes by the notorious emperor. The escape from China accounts is also equally interesting. After moving out from China, they hid themselves in a cave called Sinlung (Sin=Sinai; Lung=Rock!?). Then they move to Thailand, Laos and Myanmar. Some of them move on to North-Eastern India. Others move further into Bangladesh, bordering with India. One very peculiar identity of these groups of people is that – of course they are animist, but never practice paganism! Idol worship is never heard of in their animist society. They perform rituals during their feasts and festivals which have surprising similarities with Biblical Israelites. They also have songs, hymns and chants describing about a Promised Land!
The Fall:
It was in 1894 that European Missionaries commence work among the Chin-Kuki-Mizo people, and converted them into Christianity. Following this, during the first Welsh Missionary led Christian Revivalism movement in 1906, indigenous festivals, feasts and traditional songs and chants were strictly prohibited by the so-called missionaries. In the 1919-24 Revival, traditional composers began writing their own hymns and re-incorporating indigenous elements. Try as the tribes may, the alien-Christian wave was too strong for the customs and cultures to revive. The initial realization that the Chin-Kuki-Mizos were indeed ‘a lost tribe’ and are destined to return to ‘a promised land’ reveals in the from of dreams and visions in 1951. Then, in the 1960’s self-taught researchers began discovering similarities between their animist rituals with those of the Jews. The Chin-Kuki-Mizo identity was nearly or totally wiped away by Christianity when, in around 1963, Thangruma, Thankamlova and other Messianic pioneers saw the light that Jesus (Yahshua) indeed came to seek the Lost Tribes of Israel (Matt. 10:6)! This wonderful revelation reinstitute the original faith; with Yahshua as the “way”. This small group of Messianic believers observes the Jewish Sabbaths; keep the dietary (kosher) laws. Many perform brit-millah (ritual circumcision), some even keep mezuzah on their door-posts. Unfortunately, due to lack of sound guidance, the group starts to disintegrate and divides amongst themselves. Some of the more prominent ones are the Knesseyah, the Assemblies of Yahweh, the Beth-El Midrash, the House of Yahweh and the B’nei Yisrael congregations. As of now there are at least fifteen known groups in Manipur alone, with slight or even negligible differences. But the common faith that “Yahshua is the Promised Messiah” set them apart from mainstream Judaism and the rest of the world.
The Resurrection:
Nearly half a century later, the Messianic lost Jewish community re-organize themselves into one entity. The first step of course, taken by the younger generations, lead by Lienboi Gangte. The untiring and resolved campaign of the Messianic Youths, which lasts for nearly five years, bear fruit in the form of Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations (North-East India). Not only just a uniting force, the UMJC (NEI) is designed to be the gangplank which will bridge the distance between the Lost and the Land!
From late 1960’s, the NE Messianic Jews are sending at least four representations in the form of memorandums to the Israeli Government. The irony of it is that Israel response came in the form of proselytizing Orthodox Judaism faith in North-East India! Israel’s Jewish Agency, under the strong hand of Interior Ministry, employs the NGO – Amishav, and now Shavei Israel in seeking and bringing back the Lost Jews from North-East India. Michael Freund, founder of Shavei Israel (one time Deputy Director of Communications and Policy Planning in the PMO of Israel) is adamant in converting the lost Jews. It should be noted that modern Rabbinical Judaism makes its presence felt among these lost Jews not earlier than 1980! On the other hand, Messianic faith now saw nearly fifty years of hope and endurance. After many dashed hopes and disappointments, Messianic leaders like G. Yisrayl and Haniel Reuben believes and prays that the day draws near for the remnants of Israel to return to their Promised Land.
Bottom Line:
Rabbi Shlomo Amar, one of the two Chief Rabbis of Israel has declared, on March 30, 2005 that the Chin-Kuki-Mizos are descendants of the Israelites. Rabbi Shlomo’s acceptance of this linguistically Tibeto-Burman people as lost Jews proves the age-old claim that the Chin-Kuki-Mizos are ethno-biologically Jewish! More precisely, the Chin-Kuki-Mizo peoples from India’s North-Eastern border states of Manipur, Nagaland and Mizoram, Chin Hills of Myanmar (and some parts in Bangladesh) belongs to the tribes of Manasseh, son of Joseph, son of Jacob (Israel). This significant decision paves the highway to Jerusalem for many anticipating North-East Jews. In the past two decades some 1700 lost Jews from North-East India have migrated to Israel; mostly to settlements in the West bank. However, till date, conversion according to Judaism halakha is made mandatory for the returning NE Jews.
Following these developments, the Israel Supreme Court, in April 16, 2008 rules in favour of the Messianic Jews and opens the gateway to Eretz-Yisrael. Deprived of their right to return to their home-land for these long years, the Messianic Jewish communities of NE India hopes that this landmark court ruling proves to be a watershed for the Messianic Era. In this part of the world, this latest development is interpreted to be one of the last trumpets sounded to gather the remnants of Israel for the Messianic Kingdom!
Manmasi, better known as the Chin-Kuki-Mizo tribes, for centuries, have claimed to be the descendants of one of the lost tribes of Israel. It has become quite clear, by now that the Chin-Kuki-Mizo tribes, now scattering in Manipur, Nagaland and Mizoram States of India; Chin Hills of Myanmar; and even in parts of Bangladesh are indeed the descendants of Manasseh of the Twelve Tribes of Israel! Their historical accounts starts from the time when their forefathers were a slave in a kingdom called Assyria. The history continues with their fleeing from ‘the kingdom’ to Afghanistan; then, to traveling across the Hindukush. The most interesting part of the history revolves around China – where they again enter into slavery. An Emperor named Shi Huang-Ti enslave the Manmasi tribes and force them into building the now world famous Great Wall of China. It was during this period that the “leather scroll” of the Manmasi people was burnt to ashes by the notorious emperor. The escape from China accounts is also equally interesting. After moving out from China, they hid themselves in a cave called Sinlung (Sin=Sinai; Lung=Rock!?). Then they move to Thailand, Laos and Myanmar. Some of them move on to North-Eastern India. Others move further into Bangladesh, bordering with India. One very peculiar identity of these groups of people is that – of course they are animist, but never practice paganism! Idol worship is never heard of in their animist society. They perform rituals during their feasts and festivals which have surprising similarities with Biblical Israelites. They also have songs, hymns and chants describing about a Promised Land!
The Fall:
It was in 1894 that European Missionaries commence work among the Chin-Kuki-Mizo people, and converted them into Christianity. Following this, during the first Welsh Missionary led Christian Revivalism movement in 1906, indigenous festivals, feasts and traditional songs and chants were strictly prohibited by the so-called missionaries. In the 1919-24 Revival, traditional composers began writing their own hymns and re-incorporating indigenous elements. Try as the tribes may, the alien-Christian wave was too strong for the customs and cultures to revive. The initial realization that the Chin-Kuki-Mizos were indeed ‘a lost tribe’ and are destined to return to ‘a promised land’ reveals in the from of dreams and visions in 1951. Then, in the 1960’s self-taught researchers began discovering similarities between their animist rituals with those of the Jews. The Chin-Kuki-Mizo identity was nearly or totally wiped away by Christianity when, in around 1963, Thangruma, Thankamlova and other Messianic pioneers saw the light that Jesus (Yahshua) indeed came to seek the Lost Tribes of Israel (Matt. 10:6)! This wonderful revelation reinstitute the original faith; with Yahshua as the “way”. This small group of Messianic believers observes the Jewish Sabbaths; keep the dietary (kosher) laws. Many perform brit-millah (ritual circumcision), some even keep mezuzah on their door-posts. Unfortunately, due to lack of sound guidance, the group starts to disintegrate and divides amongst themselves. Some of the more prominent ones are the Knesseyah, the Assemblies of Yahweh, the Beth-El Midrash, the House of Yahweh and the B’nei Yisrael congregations. As of now there are at least fifteen known groups in Manipur alone, with slight or even negligible differences. But the common faith that “Yahshua is the Promised Messiah” set them apart from mainstream Judaism and the rest of the world.
The Resurrection:
Nearly half a century later, the Messianic lost Jewish community re-organize themselves into one entity. The first step of course, taken by the younger generations, lead by Lienboi Gangte. The untiring and resolved campaign of the Messianic Youths, which lasts for nearly five years, bear fruit in the form of Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations (North-East India). Not only just a uniting force, the UMJC (NEI) is designed to be the gangplank which will bridge the distance between the Lost and the Land!
From late 1960’s, the NE Messianic Jews are sending at least four representations in the form of memorandums to the Israeli Government. The irony of it is that Israel response came in the form of proselytizing Orthodox Judaism faith in North-East India! Israel’s Jewish Agency, under the strong hand of Interior Ministry, employs the NGO – Amishav, and now Shavei Israel in seeking and bringing back the Lost Jews from North-East India. Michael Freund, founder of Shavei Israel (one time Deputy Director of Communications and Policy Planning in the PMO of Israel) is adamant in converting the lost Jews. It should be noted that modern Rabbinical Judaism makes its presence felt among these lost Jews not earlier than 1980! On the other hand, Messianic faith now saw nearly fifty years of hope and endurance. After many dashed hopes and disappointments, Messianic leaders like G. Yisrayl and Haniel Reuben believes and prays that the day draws near for the remnants of Israel to return to their Promised Land.
Bottom Line:
Rabbi Shlomo Amar, one of the two Chief Rabbis of Israel has declared, on March 30, 2005 that the Chin-Kuki-Mizos are descendants of the Israelites. Rabbi Shlomo’s acceptance of this linguistically Tibeto-Burman people as lost Jews proves the age-old claim that the Chin-Kuki-Mizos are ethno-biologically Jewish! More precisely, the Chin-Kuki-Mizo peoples from India’s North-Eastern border states of Manipur, Nagaland and Mizoram, Chin Hills of Myanmar (and some parts in Bangladesh) belongs to the tribes of Manasseh, son of Joseph, son of Jacob (Israel). This significant decision paves the highway to Jerusalem for many anticipating North-East Jews. In the past two decades some 1700 lost Jews from North-East India have migrated to Israel; mostly to settlements in the West bank. However, till date, conversion according to Judaism halakha is made mandatory for the returning NE Jews.
Following these developments, the Israel Supreme Court, in April 16, 2008 rules in favour of the Messianic Jews and opens the gateway to Eretz-Yisrael. Deprived of their right to return to their home-land for these long years, the Messianic Jewish communities of NE India hopes that this landmark court ruling proves to be a watershed for the Messianic Era. In this part of the world, this latest development is interpreted to be one of the last trumpets sounded to gather the remnants of Israel for the Messianic Kingdom!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)