Can somebody please explain to me why Ethiopia has the largest jewish community in Africa?

Question

I know a bit about the jews in Ethiopia but I really wish to learn more. How did the people convert to judaism there? when did it all begin?

Thx!

Answer 1

The largest Jewish community in Africa is, I believe, in South Africa. The Falasha of Ethiopa have been deemed to probably be descended from one of the 10 Lost Tribes. Although isolated for other Jews, they've maintained customs consistent with the first Temple era and do not hold to later customs....for example, they have no concept of Puim or Chanukah, exactly what one would expect.

The rabbinic leaders in Israel have, however, deemed that due to their isolation for the rest of Judaism and the likelihood that intermarriage occured is high....therefore, the Falasha need to undergo a conversion process to be considered fully Jewish.

Answer 2

The Queen of Sheba (Ethiopia) converted to Judaism and married King Solomon, who constructed the first Temple. Many of her subjects converted too. Since then, the Jewish Ethiopians have adhered to the Jewish traditions despite hardships and anti-semitism.

Answer 3

Their Judaism goes back allegedly to King Solomon and probably before. In fact, they still (some of them) sacrifice real animals on the altar, not just metaphorically, and have distinct customs that differ significantly from the Sephardic and Ashkenazic communities. According to one author, some Ethiopian Jews guard the Ark of the Covenant to this day.

Answer 4

They escaped there after Israel fell. It's believed they took the ark of the covenant there too, and there is a site that claims to have the actual ark (though nobody can go in). If it truly is the ark, you know most of the jews would have followed that!

(I saw something on the History channel about this the other night, on the "Digging for the truth" series)

Answer 5

They probably ARE jews, not converts. They are not too far from the jewish homeland.