Frequently Asked Questions
The questions asked in this thread have been submitted by an Orthodox Jewish congregation, which wanted to know more about "Jews of Color" (Hebrew Israelites). The writer responding is from New York city and is known as Avdiel Ben Levi.
What differentiates Jews of Color (Israelites) from other Jews ?
Avdiel Ben Levi Responds:
The essential difference between Jews of color (Black Jews) from European Jews (Ashkenazic/Sephardic etc.) is the idea that we Jews of color both Identify ourselves as descendants of the biblical Children of Israel, as well as the idea that our assertion of this Torah based Heritage is Not inspired by "Conversion", but instead inspired by our Spiritual awakenings as a people collectively, an idea which is based in the teachings and prophecy of the Torah. When asked by European Jews whether or not we embrace the idea of converting, we respond with an emphatic No! When we say that we are "Jews" (Israelites), we mean that we are actually living descendants of the 12 Tribes of Israel, and therefore the very notion of us converting to a heritage which is already apart of our D.N.A is quite insulting at the least bit. We are not asking for anyone's permission or approval to reclaim our physical and spiritual identity (Israel). Instead, we are guided by Divine Providence in the direction of reclaiming the "Spiritual Legacies" of our forefathers, our ancient patriarchs and matriarchs.
Why don't some Black Jews identify themselves as "Jews", what is meant by the term "Israelite" and which term is more common in the Torah ?
Avdiel Ben Levi responds:
We prefer the Torah based designation of "Israelite" over the Modern "New-World" designation "Jew" or "Jewish" because first and foremost there are 12 Tribes which compose the Children of Israel Biblically and throughout most of the Torah, when the Children of Israel are referred to as a collective body, the designation used in the Torah is "Israelite". The use of the term "Jew" did Not begin among Biblical Jews until the Era of Ezra and Nehemiah and Ester, where the remaining Tribes of Israel who dwelt in the land of Israel, were predominantly from the Tribe of Judah and it is here that we see for the very first time in the Torah that someone Not originating from the Tribe of Judah, is referred to as a Jew. This person was Mordecai, cousin of the Biblical Queen "Ester", he was from the Tribe of Benjamin, yet the Torah refers to him as a Jew (Ester:2:5). He is referred to here as a "Jew" because the other 11 Tribes had been exiled and sold into slavery years before and the only dominant and seemingly remaining Tribe was that of "Judah", so hence forth the Children of Israel, came to be called "Jews" by the nations, but we as Israelites who understand Torah, know that we also have a much higher designation in the Name "Yisrael" (Israelite).
Are all Israelites the same, are there any radical factions associated with "Hebrew Israelites" ?
Most people when they here about "Israelites" (Black Jews), they immediately think about the group in "Times-Square" Nyc, who convene on the corners of Urban communities in several of America's cities, who are self-proclaimed "Black Nationalists" and who are viewed by many different races & cultures as being "Racist", "Vulgar", and even "Bigots". Are all Black Jews like this, or does this group that America has come to know as the "Black Hebrew-Israelites", represent a radical branch among "Israelites" (Black Jews) ?
Avdiel Ben Levi responds:
We are very familiar with the group you describe above and they in No way, shape, or form, can speak for us and All Jews of Color, who also consider ourselves as "Israelites". First and foremost let me say this: The Torah does NOT classify nations by Skin Color, the Torah classifies nations based on Ancestral Heritage. The use of "Skin - color" as a means of tracing Ancestral lineage, is racist in origin and motive. We've witnessed the dangers of these practices most recently with the advent of Adolph Hitler in Nazi Germany. So, saying that to say, No! We are far from the designation "Black" - Nationalist". It is a concept which cannot find root or branch in the Torah and as we pride ourselves on conveying and exemplifying the Truths within the Torah, we absolutely cannot give in to such an ideal, which we find to be utterly worthless and void of spirituality and the character of Wisdom as conveyed in the Torah.
The Torah teaches love for All human beings, even the worst of our Enemies whom we fought against in the Torah, we're admonished by God Not to Hate them or practice hateful behavior towards them. So again, we have No affiliation with the group of Israelites who behave this way. The only thing that binds is the idea and belief that we are descendants of the Biblical Israelites, but outside of that, we live in completely different spiritual worlds and therefore conduct ourselves very differently. We adhere to the Torah as conveyed by Moses and the Prophets of the "Old-Testament" ONLY! This is another feature which mainly differentiates us from the radical group mentioned above. They go by both Old and New Testaments, where as we Only adhere to the "Old Testament", known to Jews worldwide as the Tanach or Holy Scriptures.
One may ask then, since both groups are "Black", how do we differentiate the Two ? Well, first and foremost, you'll be able to differentiate us by "Spirit", a spirit of Peace that is. In the History of America, there have been many radical "European" Christian groups, such as the Puritans and Quakers. What essentially differentiated these groups from other Christians, was the spirit they brought the messages of Christianity with and the character that they displayed which echoed Christian ideals. This is essentially what I tell people to look for when trying to differentiate "Radical" Israelites, from Israelites who practice what the Torah teaches, Love and Peace. You'll know who is radical from who is Not radical from the minute they open their mouths to communicate their thoughts, for as a Man thinketh, so is he!