Is This Tribe in India Secretly Jewish? | Unpacked

The mystery of the 10 Lost Tribes of Israel has captivated the imagination of societies around the world for centuries. Among the many communities who claim to descend from these Lost Tribes, the Bene Menashe, from a remote region of India, assert a profound connection to the tribe of Menashe, tracing their lineage back to ancient Israel.

Amidst a recent surge of unrest threatening centuries of peaceful existence, the Bene Menashe's story prompts critical reflections on Jewish identity and belonging.

Chapters
00:00 Intro
00:43 Origin story of the Bnei Menashe in India
01:47 Christian missionaries convert many Bnei Menashe
02:11 Return to Jewish roots
04:02 Reabsorption into the global Jewish community
04:49 A minority amidst ethnic violence
05:35 Aliyah, immigration to Israel
06:59 Discrimination against Bnei Menashe
07:30 The importance of Jewish unity

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Recommended video—The Secret History of Ethiopian Jews

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Image and footage credits:
Paramount Pictures
JTA - Gali Tibbon AFP
Pratik Chorge - Getty Images
7MB
AP/Anupam Nath
AFP News Agency
Al Jazeera English
Ebenezer Operation Exodus Asia Pacific Ltd
Warner Bros
Shavei Israel
Jonathan Hauki
Dorit Lombroso
New York Times
Michal Fattal
Flash 90
Tri-Star Pictures
Sweettalkproductions
International Christian Embassy Jerusalem, ICEJ
BBC
Haaretz
Arutz 7
Yossi Zamir
Jpost
972
Michael Huri
KKL - JNF
Times of Israel
Sharon Tsur
National Geographic
LLN NYC
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Executive Producer:
— Barry Skolnick
Co-Executive Producer:
— Shmuel Katz
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Translation credits:

About Explainers: From ancient Jewish traditions to the modern State of Israel, we explain it all. Diving into anything and everything related to Jewish culture, history, and even religion.
Understand Jewish holidays, Israeli politics, Jewish diasporic communities, and more. Learn about Judaism in pop culture, debunking myths about Jews, and explore obscure Israeli landmarks. We’re asking questions as basic as “What is the Talmud?”, and as obscure as “How did hip-hop boost Kosher wine sales?”, and everything in between.

About Unpacked: We provide nuanced insights by unpacking all things Jewish. People are complex and complicated — yet we’re constantly being pushed to oversimplify our world. At Unpacked we know that being complex makes us more interesting. Because of this, we break the world down with nuance and insight to drive your curiosity and challenge your thinking.

#culture #history #india

[mayankkumar]

Jews contribution to India and to the World is incredible .

[Gaite]

Jews came from India and are the most friendly and wholesome people I met. They deserve to be part of our community and shouldn't face any discrimination.

[NilfgardianNationalist]

A very good friend of mine is part of the bnei Menashe community. These people are at the top of our jewish society.

[avihuginhkip]

Akhi, thank you so much for speaking about my Community i.e (Shevat Menashe).
Now I settled in the Holy Land for about 3yrs.and before that when I was in Hodu(India) I humbly served/hosted around 20-25 Israelis in my own house (after completing their IDF duties) whom I really don't know them .
Especially my family and communities simply Loved and sympathized them because they are Jew our lost brethren.
Great watching.

[AniPo]

There's a huge Bnei Menashe community in my town. I learn Torah weekly with one woman who's lived here for thirty years.

[pouriab]

Try to make more of these historical videos. I love them and always get emotional as a non jew. Stay strong Israel 🇮🇱

[esther_]

Another enjoyable episode that unpacks the tracing of Jews in different parts of the world. I hope to view one about the Jewish community in Singapore soon. Wonder how different you guys will showcase it. A shoutout to your production team. Good work. 👏👏👏

[manaiwangnao]

Im from nagaland, india. I traced my ancestors from portugal. Cr7 might be my cousin.

[magnisky]

I am Indian Hindu, and sorry the menashe tribe in India suffered the consequences of ethnic warring tribes in manipur. Though the jewish community there wasn’t targeted specifically, it was under the crosshairs of violence in manipur. Jews are and have always been welcome in India.

[Mrpostman]

I am Mizo(which is considered to be bnei maneshe)but i think it is ridiculous to be claimed to be jews.

[mybestfriendjesus]

These North East Indian claiming to be be Jews were Baptist Christians. Due ro skrimish they converted to the Hebrew root or Judaism in the late 70s & 80s.

[Hacker-krvc]

This was great, would love to learn more about other lost tribes. Thank you

[Sophia_]

I am an Indian Jew myself✡️. I belong to Bene Israel tribe. I love Israel 🇮🇱 but I will never leave my India 🇮🇳.
Few years ago when my family decided to move to Israel to live more Jewish life. Our Hindu neighbours came to our home and some of them started crying. They got very sad. Honestly Hindus are a very simple and emotional community.
My family finally changed the decision of moving to Israel.
We Jews never faced any discrimination or persecution in India because of only Hindus. They treat us like their own family members. India is a Hindu majority country that's why small minorities like us Jews & Zoroastrians never faced discrimination.
Being a Jew, if Israel🇮🇱 is in my heart then India🇮🇳 runs through my vein ♥️.
Jay Hind🇮🇳
Am Yisrael Chai🇮🇱.

[coravandijk]

I am a christian, but know G'd first chose the people from Abraham, Isac and Jacob. Wonderful to find them all over the world and renewing their belief from the Thora. May Adonai bless you with your chanel.

[Stardust]

Thank you for the brief overview of this lost tribe. I appreciate the honesty about racism and integration issues in Israel covered here.

[elvisnnaemeka]

Jews must be allowed to live peacefully in the land of their ancestors.

[ClickbaitMotorsports]

Incredible. Because of our disobedience, God dispersed us all over the globe. But we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. And so the Lord created Joseph's coat of many colors. 🇮🇱

[Elias-Mesias-Meshi]

As a Christian, the Jewish people have been close to my heart and I have read some about Judaism, but You have taught me a lot after the massacre of innocent Israelis by heartless Jihadists! Thanks and my Dear Jesus protect Jewish people! Amen! Thanks Dear!

[AboveAll]

The old and historical friends, Jews and India 🤝

[IloveBeingNative]

I am an oriental myself from the North East India. I don't have anything against the people of Mid East but I don't agree with the misinformation presented in this video. In 1949, one village chief woke up from his sleep and thought that he was a jew. This is how the narrative of being a jew started. DNA tests have shown that Orientals like me are not from the Mid. East and yes, I love my home more than Israel or any other nation. Do not mislead the world with this misinformation.