From the Hills of India to the Frontlines of Israel: The Bnei Menashe Journey

From the Hills of India to the Frontlines of Israel: The Bnei Menashe Journey

04 Jun,2025 01:02 PM, by: Kamal Singha
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In the lush highlands of Manipur and Mizoram, nestled between bamboo groves and mist-covered valleys, lives a community with a story as ancient as it is improbable. The Bnei Menashe, or “Children of Manasseh,” trace their ancestry to one of the Ten Lost Tribes of Israel, exiled more than 2,700 years ago by the Assyrian Empire. Today, they not only live as Jews in the modern State of Israel but also serve on its battlefields, some paying the ultimate price in defense of their adopted homeland.

A Long Exile

The Kingdom of Israel fell to the Assyrians in 722 BCE, and with it, ten of the twelve tribes of ancient Israel were dispersed. Among them was the tribe of Manasseh, which, according to Bnei Menashe oral tradition, began a centuries-long eastward migration. Traversing Persia, Afghanistan, and Tibet, they eventually settled in what is now northeastern India, blending into the fabric of the Kuki-Chin-Mizo ethnic groups.

There, their ancient traditions faded under the influence of animist and later Christian practices. But remnants of Sabbath observance, dietary taboos, and references to a singular God of Israel survived. These fragments would later re-emerge and form the cornerstone of a remarkable spiritual renaissance.

Rediscovering a Jewish Identity

In the 1970s, tribal leaders such as Lalchhanhima Sailo and Daniel Lhungdim began publicly asserting the community’s Israelite roots. The revival drew international attention, notably from Rabbi Eliyahu Avichail and organizations like Amishav and later Shavei Israel, dedicated to reconnecting “lost Jews” with their heritage.

In 2005, Rabbi Shlomo Amar, then Israel’s Sephardi Chief Rabbi, declared the Bnei Menashe descendants of the ancient Israelites. Though not halakhically Jewish by birth, they could now immigrate under the Law of Return after undergoing formal conversion.

To date, around 5,000 Bnei Menashe have made aliyah, while another 5,000 remain in India, practicing Orthodox Judaism and awaiting their chance to join their brethren.

On the Frontlines: Faith and Sacrifice

The Bnei Menashe story took a deeply symbolic turn in October 2023, when Elisha Pulamte, a 21-year-old IDF soldier from the community, was killed in action during a battle with Hamas militants in southern Israel. Originally from Manipur, Pulamte had immigrated to Israel with his family and embraced his new homeland wholeheartedly.

His death resonated deeply, not just within Israel but in the villages of northeast India where his people still await recognition and return. He became a symbol of devotion, sacrifice, and the full-circle journey of a tribe once lost to history.

Today, dozens of Bnei Menashe serve in combat units of the IDF, patrolling borders, engaging in counterterrorism operations, and embodying a commitment to Israel that goes beyond heritage, it is lived, worn in uniform, and sometimes marked in loss.

Between Faith and History

Despite their deep religious commitment, the Bnei Menashe’s claim to ancient Israelite descent remains the subject of debate. Genetic studies have been inconclusive, and many scholars view their identity as one forged by faith, not blood. Critics argue that their narrative fits more into the realm of myth than verifiable history.

Yet for the Bnei Menashe themselves, and for the rabbis, historians, and soldiers who now call them kin, their devotion to Judaism, discipline in observance, and readiness to die for the State of Israel speak louder than DNA.

A Living Testament

In Israel, the Bnei Menashe have established vibrant communities in Kiryat Arba, Afula, and Nof HaGalil, among others. Their children study Torah, serve in the army, and marry into Israeli society. They are no longer lost, nor merely rediscovered, they are reclaimed, not only by Israel but by a destiny they believe was always theirs.

From bamboo huts in Mizoram to command posts in Gaza, the Bnei Menashe story is not just about migration, it is about return, both spiritual and physical. It is a story of faith across millennia, of homeland reclaimed through conviction and blood, and of a people who may have wandered far but never truly left.

Note: This article is based on historical accounts, oral traditions, and available scholarly research. The narrative of the Bnei Menashe continues to evolve as new developments emerge.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author's. They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of The Critical Script or its editor.