Ono Beit Midrash Explores Whether Geez Was the Original Hebrew and Ethiopian Jewry’s Approach to the Three Weeks

At the most recent meeting of Ono’s Beit Midrash on Ethiopian Jewish Texts, Chief Researcher, Rabbi Reuven Yaso, presented on “Hebrew Linguistic and Written Traditions Among the Communities of Israel,” addressing the controversy over Beta Israel’s use of Ge’ez instead of Hebrew, which critics have used to question their Jewish authenticity.

Yaso highlighted the fluidity of Hebrew scripts in Jewish tradition, citing Talmudic references to Torah translations in 70 languages and the shift from classical Hebrew to Assyrian script, and argued that Ge’ez, with 24 letters (nearly identical to Hebrew’s 22), may reflect an ancient Hebrew form. A lively debate ensued about whether Ge’ez is a script or language akin to Hebrew, with Yaso asserting its close connection despite its distinct vowel system.

Rabbi Sharon spoke on Bete Israel customs around the Tish’a B’Av mourning period. He shared insights from his dialogue with Keis Eli Wanda Mentosanot on Beta Israel practices, noting their unique 30-day mourning in Av for the patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob. He noted Bete Israel’s dual consciousness of destruction and redemption, urging participants to draw on Beta Israel’s resilience to bridge societal divides.

 

Ono Ethiopian Beit Midrash in Session