answersLogoWhite

0

The conversion ritual required of Ethiopians relates to doubts about their identity.

The "Jewishness" of the Ethiopian Jews has been called into question, although to talk about this today in Israel would be considered very politically incorrect, since Ethiopian Jews have been accepted and integrated into Israeli society. Ultimately, the rabbis decided that they were "real" Jews, but not without controversy. For one, many if not most of the Ethiopian Jews had converted (or perhaps been forced to convert) to Christianity. Power in Ethiopia has been split between Christians and Muslims over much of the last 500 years, and many Jews had to choose sides, while retaining what are often described as "primitive" Jewish traditions. So what remains of the ritual is there ostensibly to cleanse the taint of other religions.

But really, the ritual can most accurately be described as a compromise between a minority of rabbis who don't believe that Ethiopians are "real" Jews, and a majority that has accepted them. The minority - which again is espousing a sort of right-wing view, with the usual issues (and keeping in mind the issue of race, always in the background) - cites modern DNA evidence that conclusively proves that Ethiopian Jews are genetically related to Ethiopians, not Jews, and thus the unlikelihood of the traditional history that identifies Ethiopian Jews as the descendants of the lost tribe of Dan (or alternatively, the offspring of a mating between King Soloman and Queen Sheeba, undocumented in The Bible but an oft-repeated legend in the Ethiopian historical canon).

Despite this controversy, the Ethiopians have status as Jews since 1973 in Israel and almost all 120,000 of them now live there, where they are well-integrated. The ceremony is a last vestige of more draconian requirements from the past (involving ritual circumcisions), and will likely fade into history as about a third of Ethiopian Jews alive today were born in Israel.

User Avatar

Wiki User

14y ago

What else can I help you with?

Related Questions

Can you join the ethiopian army even if you are not ethiopian?

Yes, non-Ethiopians can join the Ethiopian army under certain conditions, typically through specific enlistment programs or agreements, particularly if they have a special skill set or experience that the military requires. However, the process may involve various legal and bureaucratic steps, and it may not be accessible to everyone. It's essential to check the latest regulations and requirements directly with the Ethiopian military or relevant government authorities for the most accurate information.


Modes of acquiring and lossing citizen ship of ethiopiapdf?

In Ethiopia, citizenship can be acquired through birth, descent, or naturalization. Birthright citizenship is granted to individuals born to Ethiopian parents, regardless of the location of birth. Citizenship by descent is obtained by individuals born outside of Ethiopia to at least one Ethiopian parent. Naturalization is the process by which a foreign national can become an Ethiopian citizen through application and meeting specific criteria. Loss of Ethiopian citizenship can occur through renunciation, deprivation, or acquiring citizenship of another country voluntarily.


Is there a special ceremony for serving coffee and where can I learn about it?

The answer to your question is yes. There is a ceremony dedicated to coffee in Ethiopia. In an Ethiopian restaurant, they take you through the whole coffee making processes in a very ceremonial manner. You can learn more about it at this website;http://www.ethiopianrestaurant.com/ethiopian_coffee.html


What is through and through wood conversion?

Need better answers than this!!


What are the types of wood conversion?

* through and through * quarter sawn * through and through * quarter sawn


What is the ethiopian apple plant?

Syzygium malaccenseis the scientific name. It's common name in Jamaica is Otaheiti Apple and through incorrect repetition "Ethiopian or Ethiopia Apple" It is tropical and grows on many tropical islands in the Pacific Ocean.


When was Ethiopian Airlines created?

Ethiopian Airlines is the flag carrier of Ethiopia, undertaken by its own government. It has its head office in Accra's Bole International Airport and began its functions after its establishment on December 21, 1945. There is ethiopian airlines accra airport office for your flight related needs as well when you reach at Ghana. Or you can take help through this official number (+1-844-914-3240).


Where can one find conversion vans for sale?

One can find conversion vans through numerous trading websites, like eBay or Craiglist. One can also find conversion vans through one's local car dealer.


How Malaysians can be better recognized internationally through science and technology?

The best way to be recognized in the science field is to run experiments and report findings. It is only through publishing and sharing ideas with the world that people and countries can be recognized for their contributions.


What is the site of energy conversion through cellular respiration?

The site of energy conversion through cellular respiration is the mitochondria. This is where the majority of ATP, which is the energy currency of the cell, is produced through a series of biochemical reactions.


What example of continuity are there in Ethiopian religion?

Ethiopian religion exhibits continuity through the enduring presence of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, which has maintained its traditions and practices for centuries. The church's unique blend of ancient Christian beliefs and indigenous customs, such as the veneration of saints and the use of Ge'ez in liturgy, reflects a deep-rooted continuity in faith. Additionally, practices like fasting, pilgrimage, and communal worship remain integral to Ethiopian spiritual life, demonstrating a consistent cultural identity despite external influences.


What companies perform bus conversion in New York City?

Craft Company No. 6 performs bus conversion. The bus conversion will be explained and the company will take you through each step of the conversion process from start to finish. The finish conversion will be a beautiful custom look. Visit: http://www.craftcompany.com/bus-conversion-sticks.html.