The Ancient Jews of India: Empowerment, Mutual Respect, and Deliberate Thoughtfulness

After the destruction of the first Temple Jews were scattered to the far ends of the earth. The loss of sovereignty, and the turning away of “God’s face” as the fire consumed the epicenter of Judaism, traumatized our nation, and brought them to believe that they would never look back lest God’s wrath punish them once again. Through the waves of the unknown and shallow breathing, a fraction of our people arrived at the Shore of Alibag, India—nearly 2200 years ago…

“There is none to guide her among all the sons whom she birthed, and there is none to take her hand out of the children she raised (Isaiah 51:18)…”

Just before reaching port, the ship sank and all but seven couples perished, leaving their Torah and traditions not on parchment, but embedded in their memory. These couples are the survivors to take no for an answer, these are the people who managed to hold true what they believe in; these are the Jews to establish the “Bnei Yisroel” community of India.

We arrived at the Teeferet Synagogue just before sunset on Friday. The sanctuary had oil lamps hanging from the ceiling, and fans to combat the intense heat and humidity. The Hazzan sat at the bima and awaited the praying group to form. As others came to join us we all exchanged blessings to one another and began our Kabbalat Shabbat service. Each person was called on to read a chapter of the Psalms, each person was waited for when finishing the prayer, and each word was said clearly with intent. The Bnei Yisroel traditions remind us what truly is the only recipe for a people’s continuity: Empowerment, mutual respect, and deliberate thoughtfulness.

Shabbat morning I prayed at the Magen David Synagogue, which is located just 100 meters from our lodging. I was honored with taking out the Torah during services and also reciting the blessing over the Torah reading. I was really moved by the Indian Jews practices around honoring the Torah. Each person says a prayer about the Torah, each come to the front of the synagogue. I couldn’t help but feel they lost the Torah at sea, and now that it’s safe at shore, how could we not come close to it?

Today the Jewish population of India has dramatically decreased since the creation of the Israel. Though they took to sea after the Temple’s destruction, their memory called most of them home but again. “Surely I will go down…with you, and I shall also bring you up (Genesis 46:4).” As the Indian community makes up less then .0000001% of the country’s population, it is our duty as the JDC-GPM cohort to stand with and for this very small, and ancient body that makes up our Am Yisroel, the nation of Israel.

I am looking forward to sharing those moments with you soonJ