Genesis 11: No Longer a Lost Tribe

Vayigash/Approached (Genesis 44:18-47:27)

Joseph said to his brothers, "Please, come close to me." When they came close, he said, "I am Joseph your brother!"  (Genesis 45:4)

 

The reuniting of Joseph with his brothers after two decades of separation is the most emotionally charged portion of the Bible.

Bnei Menashe [Children of Manasseh] came to mind as we thought about our lives in relation to Joseph’s reuniting with his brothers.

Amazing news! Bnei Menashe, the descendants of Joseph’s son Manasseh, one of the Lost Tribes of Israel, is no longer lost.

They have been found living in northeastern India near the border with Burma.

Today, the children of Manasseh are reuniting with their family in the Land of Israel after a 27 century separation.

Throughout their long exile, they continued to observe the Sabbath, eat kosher food, and celebrate the biblical festivals.

A Google search for "Bnei Menashe" brought us to Shavei Israel (www.shavei.org) active in making this Zionist miracle come true.

Mel contacted its chairman Michael Freund who put us in contact with Tzvi Khaute who came on aliyah 10 years ago from India.

Tzvi shared photos of his son Yaacov's bar mitzvah celebration this Hanukah posted here.  On the bar mitzvah invitation, he wrote:    

And God said to Jacob [Yaacov], "Return to the land of your fathers and to your native land, and I will be with you."  (Genesis 31:3)

In next week's Torah portion Vayehi, Jacob blesses his grandson Manasseh.