Jews of Rusape
Encyclopedia
The Jews of Rusape
, Zimbabwe
are a group of about 4,000 people who practice a form of Judaism
that is unique solely to their community. These people believe they are descendants of the lost tribes of Israel, exiled from the Jewish homeland by the Assyria
ns in 722 BCE. In fact, they believe that many more black Africans also have such a heritage. Their observance of Judaism is generally in accordance with that of mainstream Judaism practiced in other countries with the exception of a few key aspects. The Rusape Jews, believe that although Jesus
was not the Messiah
, he was a prophet
. They believe that he did not rise to heaven as is taught in Christianity
, but was rather buried in Israel as a regular man. Thus, their recognition as legitimate Jews has been hindered, as Judaism does not believe in Jesus in any context. The community's origins are attributed to an individual known as William S. Crowdy, who came to the community in the late 19th or early 20th century.
deacon
and was a former American slave. It is believed that Crowdy experienced a revelation
in which he was told that Africans and African Americans are the descendants of the lost tribes of Israel and that he should initiate the return of black peoples to Judaism. Within a short span of time after this revelation, Crowdy met Albert Christian, to whom Crowdy's beliefs regarding the Judaic origins of African people were passed on. Christian eventually settled in southern Africa and instructed his followers in the laws and customs of Judaism.
A more ancient history of the community lies in the belief that they are descendants of Jewish tribes from Yemen
, who crossed into Africa, eventually settling at their present location. The Lemba
, a group who also believe they are descendants of ancient Jews, believe that their forefathers also came to southern Africa via Yemen. The Rusape Jews believe that all Bantu peoples are descended from the 10 lost tribes of Israel. To support this theory, many customs observed by Bantu and Jews are cited: burial of the deceased in caves, the taking of an older brother's wife if he is to die.
Rusape
Rusape is a town in the province of Manicaland, Zimbabwe with a population of around 20,000 , situated on the Harare-Mutare main road, approximately 170 km south east of Harare and 93 km north west of Mutare. Rusape is a large, sprawling town that has not quite reached city status...
, Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is a landlocked country located in the southern part of the African continent, between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers. It is bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the southwest, Zambia and a tip of Namibia to the northwest and Mozambique to the east. Zimbabwe has three...
are a group of about 4,000 people who practice a form of Judaism
Judaism
Judaism ) is the "religion, philosophy, and way of life" of the Jewish people...
that is unique solely to their community. These people believe they are descendants of the lost tribes of Israel, exiled from the Jewish homeland by the Assyria
Assyria
Assyria was a Semitic Akkadian kingdom, extant as a nation state from the mid–23rd century BC to 608 BC centred on the Upper Tigris river, in northern Mesopotamia , that came to rule regional empires a number of times through history. It was named for its original capital, the ancient city of Assur...
ns in 722 BCE. In fact, they believe that many more black Africans also have such a heritage. Their observance of Judaism is generally in accordance with that of mainstream Judaism practiced in other countries with the exception of a few key aspects. The Rusape Jews, believe that although Jesus
Jesus
Jesus of Nazareth , commonly referred to as Jesus Christ or simply as Jesus or Christ, is the central figure of Christianity...
was not the Messiah
Messiah
A messiah is a redeemer figure expected or foretold in one form or another by a religion. Slightly more widely, a messiah is any redeemer figure. Messianic beliefs or theories generally relate to eschatological improvement of the state of humanity or the world, in other words the World to...
, he was a prophet
Prophet
In religion, a prophet, from the Greek word προφήτης profitis meaning "foreteller", is an individual who is claimed to have been contacted by the supernatural or the divine, and serves as an intermediary with humanity, delivering this newfound knowledge from the supernatural entity to other people...
. They believe that he did not rise to heaven as is taught in Christianity
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
, but was rather buried in Israel as a regular man. Thus, their recognition as legitimate Jews has been hindered, as Judaism does not believe in Jesus in any context. The community's origins are attributed to an individual known as William S. Crowdy, who came to the community in the late 19th or early 20th century.
History
Crowdy was a BaptistBaptist
Baptists comprise a group of Christian denominations and churches that subscribe to a doctrine that baptism should be performed only for professing believers , and that it must be done by immersion...
deacon
Deacon
Deacon is a ministry in the Christian Church that is generally associated with service of some kind, but which varies among theological and denominational traditions...
and was a former American slave. It is believed that Crowdy experienced a revelation
Revelation
In religion and theology, revelation is the revealing or disclosing, through active or passive communication with a supernatural or a divine entity...
in which he was told that Africans and African Americans are the descendants of the lost tribes of Israel and that he should initiate the return of black peoples to Judaism. Within a short span of time after this revelation, Crowdy met Albert Christian, to whom Crowdy's beliefs regarding the Judaic origins of African people were passed on. Christian eventually settled in southern Africa and instructed his followers in the laws and customs of Judaism.
A more ancient history of the community lies in the belief that they are descendants of Jewish tribes from Yemen
Yemen
The Republic of Yemen , commonly known as Yemen , is a country located in the Middle East, occupying the southwestern to southern end of the Arabian Peninsula. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the north, the Red Sea to the west, and Oman to the east....
, who crossed into Africa, eventually settling at their present location. The Lemba
Lemba
The Lemba or 'wa-Remba' are a southern African ethnic group to be found in Zimbabwe and South Africa with some little known branches in Mozambique and Malawi. According to Parfitt they are thought to number 70,000...
, a group who also believe they are descendants of ancient Jews, believe that their forefathers also came to southern Africa via Yemen. The Rusape Jews believe that all Bantu peoples are descended from the 10 lost tribes of Israel. To support this theory, many customs observed by Bantu and Jews are cited: burial of the deceased in caves, the taking of an older brother's wife if he is to die.