African Roots of Judaism

 

This is a great book in that it gives a very thorough overview of Jewish history since the beginning and over many lands. I thought I would see more documentation of how the African continent influenced Judaism but instead I got a great over view of the beginning going through the Egyptian slavery, first and second temple periods. The survey covers some of the diasporas specially Europe and North Africa. The book finished off with discussing Jewish life in America and the lost tribes.

The only main African influence I found was at the beginning. The Hebrews or Hapiru came from Ethiopia and went to Mesopotamia and built society there. From them the Israelites evolved especially after they went back to Egypt. After being redeemed from slavery some of them went back to Ethiopia. King Solomon’s wife Sheba May have been from Ethiopia and or Yemen. Saba the kingdom encompassed both lands. Through out history humans have been going back and forth between Yemen and Thiopia . From the union of Sheba and Solomon came King Menelik. The Kebra Negast document the line of Solomon in Ethiopia.

There was a Jewish kingdom in Yemen. It was the Himyar King Dhu Nawas that converted to Judaism . He was also its last king as he died fighting against an Ethiopian invasion backed by Rome. The Persians were supposed to back Yemen but failed.

The Igbo in Nigeria claim Jewish descent. Many will tell you they Hail from Ethiopia Jews . Needless to say there were tribes that practiced Judaism . During historic progress many Jews also married people of Africa. Descent.

Many people are unaware that most Jews are dark complectjoj and not the pale skin of the Ashkenazi. Many from the Middle East hold true to their African features. Some from the Far East look Indian. The Sephardic Jews at one time had intellectual leadership over the Ashkenazi Jews .

Judaism is like a prism. It is a design comprised of many colors and shapes with plenty to explore.