BRIGHTER MANIPUR FOR BNEI MENASHE

Tulihal International Airport and Passport Office soon

~By Yochanan Phaltual

Manipur earned the epithet “Switzerland of India” from the Governor-General of British India, Lord Irwin (1926-1931) and the small state is call as the “Jewel of India” by the first Prime Minister of India Jawaharlal Nehru (1947-1964). The local native proudly calls their mother land as “Shana Leibak-Land of Gold”. After decades and years of tarnished image due to various reasons Manipur once again try to regain the lost prestige name.

Manipur is the gateway to Southeast Asia under the flagship policy of India’s “Look East Policy”. Huge potential of natural beauty for tourism, exotic wildlife (the famous Sangai deer), floating islands (Phumdi), Loktak (the largest fresh water lake “Loktak” in northeast India), exotic flower (Siroy Lily), the beautiful and serene tribal villages and the warmhearted locals were just a tip of the iceberg. The state could also tape the huge investment potential from Non-Residential Indians (NRIs) and financial institutions to help the economy of Manipur.

Imphal Tulihal International Airpot - Manipur

Last month, from 21 till 30 November, Manipur celebrated the Sangai Tourism Festival. Manipur is determined to hardsell their tourism potentials to the outside world. Ten days of cultural sublimation, musical concert and cultural extravaganza, sporting competitions (the popular international Pony-polo/sagol kangjei, originated from Manipur) and savory delicacies of all types and taste of peculiar Manipur cuisines marked the festival.

However, from a report of my friend from Nagaland visiting Manipur for the festival there is some drawbacks as far as choosing the venue is concerned. Sangai festival is annually held at Hapta Kangjeibung which is within the city boundary which causes big traffic problems. With the entry gates subjected to security checking and frisking, the visitors find it very hard to stand in the long serpentine queues to enter the gate after tight security checking. Since it is a tourism festival the Manipur government should study from its neighboring state Nagaland about choosing the place. The famous tourism festival of Nagaland called Hornbill Festival is held at Naga Heritage Village in Kisama village which is about 10 Kms away from Kohima city. This makes the program very successful with the beautiful landscape of Kisama village.

The most important outcome of the Sangai festival is the up-gradation of Tulihal Imphal Airport into Tulihal International Airport. The Golden Myanmar’s maiden flight from Mandalay city landed at Imphal Airport on November 21 for the Sangai festival. This is a milestone of India’s Look East Policy. The state government establishment of air connectivity between Imphal-Mandalay would bring about easier accessibility not only to Myanmar but also to Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and China.

The Chief Minister of Manipur O.Ibobi Singh and his counterpart the Chief Minister of Sagaing Division in Myanmar (a cluster of Bnei Menashe lives here) are keen to open road connectivity besides the air connectivity between Manipur-Kalaymyo-Mandalay.

The State Government has decided to ask the Government of India to relax PAP (Protected Area Permit. PAP system is relax for all foreign countries except for the citizens of China, Afghanistan and Myanmar) for Myanmar nationals. And Manipur government start working intensively to facilitate that VISA on arrival is open at Tulihal Airport and Moreh.

Another positive outcome of promoting tourism is the plan of having Regional Passport Office and VISA office open at Imphal. A cabinet meeting presided by the CM of Manipur held on November 29 has resolved to open Regional Passport Office at the Old Assembly Building as the building has been remaining vacant after the state assembly was shifted to the New Assembly Complex.

What will be the benefit for the Bnei Menashe?

Obtaining an Indian Passport is very difficult and problematic for Bnei Menashe in particular and the people of Manipur in general. The only regional passport office is located in Guwahati city in Assam for the 7 states of Northeast India. One spends a lot of money traveling to Guwahati to get a passport done. And they have been facing all sorts of troubles if a document is missing they have to fly back home (or to travel one way journey 20 hours by bus) and flew back to Guwahati to get their passport done. Being economically expensive it is a heavy burden and also a lot of inconvenience for the people of Manipur.

To have Indian Passport office at home state in Manipur is a cherished dream for each people particularly for the Bnei Menashe.

The Centre government in New Delhi has given written approval to the state government of Manipur in view of the increasing need for such an Indian Passport Office in the aftermath of the official recognition of Imphal Airport as an International Airport.

With Imphal Airport becoming an International Airport, who knows someday in the future we will see the international airlines from Israel landing in Manipur directly from Ben Gurion Airport in Tel-Aviv to pick up the Bnei Menashe making Aliyah.

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IS BNEI MENASHE LANGUAGE INDESPENSABLE IN THE HOLY LAND?

  By Yochanan Phaltual - Shavei Israel Administrator, India

Language is one instrument that serves to communicate people. It is an essential for conveying our thoughts and feelings and it is a means to express our mind in a way that involves our whole person.

Language serves as a bond of unity. We know that our language HEBREW is a sacred language with which G-d created the universe, and it is the Holy Tongue through which He gave us the Torah at Mount Sinai.

The use of sacred language is a tradition in the whole world. In Hinduism, the language of prayer is Sanskrit, which is no longer in use. In Buddhism, Pali is used, a language that today only Buddhist monks study. In Islam, Arabic is used for the sacred book Quran, which is also the language used only by the Arabs and not by every Muslims. In Christianity, Latin is the liturgical language, but today it is replace almost totally by vernacular language so much so that many Christians today could hardly recite a “Pater Noster (The Lord’s prayer)” in Latin.

Interestingly, like the olive oil of Khanukah, Hebrew language survives the test of all time. Hebrew remains a unifying force that has nourished the life of the Jews till today.

No doubt, Hebrew is our language and the key of Bnei Menashe to identify ourselves as a Jew. However, Israel is a land of “diversity in unity” as Jewish people from different parts of the world immigrated and settled there.

What about the Bnei Menashe language used in diaspora when living in the Holy Land, is it still valuable and indispensable?

Language is a culture and it is part of our identity. Like any other new olim (immigrants) in other countries, Bnei Menashe also has a hard time fitting into the larger society and culture. One of the most challenging is language. For the last 20 years, the small group of Bnei Menashe in Israel faces many problems of adaption. The children born in Israel and the younger immigrants are less likely (or not at all) to speak their “diaspora language” mainly because the schools they attend, the music they listen to, the television they watch and the language they used at home is Hebrew. This created a hiatus between parents and children relationship and not to speak at all the older immigrants.

The older generation being more protective of their culture heritage tends to keep themselves with the diaspora language. Isolationism of older generation from the new generation is a great threat due to language barrier.

However, under the aegis and new revolution created by the Shavei Israel, the speed of Aliyah is continuing and getting faster. One great side effect and side benefit is the breaking of the language obstacles.

To have a second language in Eretz Israel is like to have a second entity and soul. Bilingual of Bnei Menashe would in advertantly promote mutual understanding and sense of oneness among Bnei Menashe. It would also learn new way looking the world between the older and younger generation. Switching two languages will develop unity and will become an instrument of communication to influence personality, inspiration, comfort, appreciation, establish cordial relationship, settle dispute and make peace with in the Bnei Menashe community.

Our language of diaspora has been a gift of G-d and it has been in existence for more hundreds of years. Bnei Menase culture has a strong oral narrative tradition and the preservation of our language represents a preservation of our culture as well as our community.

We should not be shy to use and promote our diaspora language in Eretz Israel. Olim from the US and Europe also brought in their native language as a mark of their identity. To speak our diaspora language never makes us less a Bnei Menashe or a Jew. We find from the teaching of our Sages that our forefathers in the Bible like Yosef HaTzaddik, Moshe Rabbeinu and Mordeccai of Sushan were acquainted with 70 languages and this make them mastery over their peers.

The bottom line is learn and use Hebrew our Holy Tongue but also promote and advocate our diaspora language. Have pride in your culture.

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WAR OF ASSIMILATION

 By Yochanan Phaltual - Shavei Israel Administrator, India

The reason behind the Maccabean war is the clash between two totally different values and culture. The Greek trying to infiltrate the value systems to every culture they conquered.

When the Greek empire and its culture and ways of life reached the land of Israel, it met with incredible resistance from the Jewish people. Things came to a head when Antiochus, the Greek King finally outlawed the most essential practices of Judaism. The sages refused to back down and were willing to risk everything to preserve the Jewish way. The resulting conflict became the miraculous story of Khanukah.

Everywhere in the world there is as in the past a kind of resistance movements against other cultural invasions. Even in India during the colonial rule of the British, a resistance political movement by the Hindus against Western culture and values let to the foundation of Hindu Nationalism and the birth of the political party Bharatya Jana Sangh, the precursor of the Bharatya Janata Pary (BJP), the second largest political party in India next to the Congress (I) Party.

Today, the BJP champion the cause of Hindutva (Hinduness) and likewise the Shiv Sena party (chauvinist/extremist party) supported a broader Hindu Nationalist agenda. The Shiv Sena protested against the Western values like Valentine’s Day by accusing western civilization as misguiding the Indian youth when they have their own festivals like Holi and Diwali.

Even in China, the political power set up were constantly fighting to escape the grips of western cultures and values which can subservice the course of Chinese society. The Communist Party tries to eradicate or put under control the Western values like – constitution democracy, promoting universal values of human rights, notion of media independence, civic participation and the pro-market ‘neo-liberalism’.

So, the war of assimilation and infiltration continues.

We won the battle of assimilation and resistance over 2000 years ago on Khanukah, but our opponents like the Greek in the past still continue their invasion of alien culture. Then where is our battle field today? To be able to delineate the foreign values we should take note that assimilation takes its form in many different ways and in different degree.

We have Hellenized (assimilated) when we prefer to party and games and sports than to pray. We’ve assimilated when we care about what we look like on the outside and not what we feel like on the inside. We have assimilated when our chief goal is to accumulate wealth/economy rather than to be simply more spiritual and observant Jews. And we have assimilated when we host lavish Khanukah Kut celebrations with feast but fail to give the Kut an authentic Jewish education and Torah values.

The war that the chivalrous Maccabees fought for as they contact the alien culture still continues. Like the oil of the Khanukah refusing to compromise its uniqueness and never blending with other foreign harmful values, we dare not assimilate like the Maccabees.

As we burn the lights of Khanukah, let us bear in mind that we are the torchbearers of morality and civilization for all mankind – a light unto the nations. And let us re-illuminate the flames of redemption and Torah Ohr.

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KUT, OUR CULTURAL HERITAGE IN DESPAIR

Chavang Kut and Chapchar Kut: A Non-Traditional Modernity Showcase

By Yochanan Phaltual - Shavei Israel Administrator, India

In the past the Bnei Menashe celebrated several Kut (festival) in tune with the changing seasons of the year. There are many harvest festivals of the Bnei Menashe that have similarity with the Biblical Jewish harvest festivals.

Regrettably, the advance of Christianity and western cultures discarded many of our customs and tradition. Not only does it change the belief system but also the rites and rituals involved. However, change in the traditional culture does not mean getting rid or abolition of the same. There is continuity as well and this is the reason why some harvest festivals are still celebrated with pomposity, merriment and religious fervor. Kut is celebrated with jubilation when farmers finish harvesting their paddy crops after year long labor. People remember the Almighty G-d and the Creator and give thanks for His abundant blessings.

There are generally four kinds of Kut which were all related to agriculture and whose origin is lost in oblivion as it is based on oral tradition. They are Mim Kut (Festival of Grain/Maize harvest), Pawl Kut(winter harvest), Chapchar/Chapphou Kut (Spring harvest) and Chavang Kut (Autumn harvest).

Picture Source: Bombiel.com

 Kut is a culture and cultures are meant to safeguard the unique customs and tradition of certain ethnic group. These traditional Kut were celebrated with varied traditional fervor. Dances such as Saguol-Kengkhai, Suhtah Laam, Cheraw (Mizo bamboo dance), Phit Laam, Laam-kuol, etc. with indigenous sports like pestle-throw (Suhtum-kho), mithun -jump (Siel-Kal/Siel kungkal), Kibot/buontol kho (wrestling, traditional WWE) and others were showcased. Traditional musical instruments were played in competition such as Goshem (bagpiper), Theile (flute), Pheiphit, Lhem-lhei, Dah (Gong) and Dahcha (cymbals).

The modern day liberty and culture invasion brought about a sea change in the meaning and content of the festivals. With State government sponsorship and thanks to the initiation of political bigwigs, new elements were added to spice up the Kut flavor. It is unfortunate that attractive items like Fashion show, beauty contest (Miss Kut) and the likes which are not in any way essential to promote and imbibe the culture and tradition identity of the people were over emphasized.

In fact, the cultural aspects and elements of celebrating Kut festival have been reduced to MISS KUT CONTEST. The Christian Church lamenting the Kut becoming a kind of reckless license to drink and free-for-all brawl wrestling mania night. Poor Christian society tries to rectify the wrong things by influencing the Kut Committee in a bid to spiritually diversify against the popular Miss Kut contest and Beauty pageant, manage to stage a gospel Kut with the theme “Kut for Christ” in many places.  The result of change is clear and stark – Kut becoming a boring gospel musical show sans all the glam – frills and few crowd with the larger unholy and wild boozers.

Kut is our culture through which the outside world could identify who we are. We let it drain to dwindle in our un-holistic attempt to add more new elements of going with the modern times. Kut is not a showcase entertainment event. We should redefine the celebration in order to protect and relive our culture and tradition by using modern tools and elements.

Until a corrective measure is introduce, our esteem heritage (Kut) will be nothing less than an ULTRA-GLITZY KUT.

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DAWN OF THE NEW GENERATION

Shavei Israel’s Seminar for Bnei Menashe in Northeast India

By Yochanan Phaltual - Shavei Israel Administrator India

This Wednesday and Thursday night the Jewish High Holiday, Rosh Hashanah occurs and will usher a new beginning, one of continuation and sea change.

In the recent 275 Bnei Menashe Aliya were participated almost all local community Torah teachers called “Shavei Israel’s Fellows”. There is a deep sense of urgency and a need of keeping the ember of Torah education and Jewishness among the Bnei Menashe community. So, the Shavei Israel conducted the largest Seminar for Bnei Menashe in terms of participants. There were 94 people from Northeastern state of Manipur, Mizoram, Assam, Nagaland and two young boys from Myanmar.

The Seminar was conducted under the supervision and Director of Seminar Rav Hanoch Avizedek. The staff includes Tzvi Khaute, Coordinator of Seminar, Rav Yehuda Gin, Rav Gurion Sela and extra-curricular activities in charge Miss Vered.

To be able to keep the continuation of Torah teaching and to be ready to face the new change by the Bnei Menashe, the Shavei Israel organized this Seminar at Sikkim, which is the smallest state of Northeast India.

So, for 25 days (1 – 25 August), the Seminar under the flagship “New Generation Bnei Menashe” and with the Theme – EARTH AND SKY, was held during the month of Elul which also marks the time of preparations for new start and new beginning for reconnection of Earth and Sky.

The first week with one Shabbat, we had our Seminar at Gangtok the capital city of Sikkim. There were 3 young boys (Eli Friedman, Uri and Dylan) from Ranana in Israel who had just finishes their high school. They teaches for a days about youth life and geography of Israel. It was a good experience for them and lots of social interaction program with the young guns of the Seminarian.

Though Gangtok being one of the most beautiful hills city of India, Rav Hanoch decided to change place and we shifted to a more calm and peaceful location. The new place is Yuksom (Yaksum), a whole one full-day journey from Gangtok and about a hundred kilometers on exciting, twisting and winding narrow roads.

Yuksam is a tiny village, the last base camp for treks to Kanchandzongha, the highest mountain peak of India and the third highest mountain in the world. It is a real get-away from the hustle and bustle city atmosphere of Gangtok. The place is quite beautiful that you can just be there and relax and gaze at the nature and you will not know where time would fly by. From our Hotel which is the best hotel in Yuksam – Yuksam Residency – we can see the majestic Himalaya mountain peaks covered with snow in clear sky morning.

It is here we are camping for 3 weeks learning the key or the bridge of “Earth and Sky”. The Seminarians learned from the Rabbis various basic subject of Judaism ranging from Emuna, Halacha and Mitzvot, Chagim, Shabbat, Hilkhot Yesodei HaTorah of Rambam and all daily practical mitzvoth. Besides, religious learning there were scores of extra-curricular activities of fun, entertainment, games, artistic and craftsmanship work (For example, making challah board and cover cloth with artistic design) from a very smart and talented yound Morah from Israel, Ms. Vered. She was truly the balm to the tired body and mind – a refreshing hub.

One day, in the middle of Seminar there was an outing and sporting program. We visited the oldest Buddhist Monastery of Sikkim called Dubdi Monastery which was built in 1701. It is located at the top of a hill about an hour’s walk by trekking up from Yuksam. The places were infested with leeches and no one of us has seen such battalion of this blood-sucking crawling worm in our lives. We also visited the coronation site of the first Monarch of Sikkim called “Throne of Norbugang or Coronation Crown”. Yuksam is the first capital of Sikkim and was established in 1642 and it is here the first Monarch was coronated.

A Seminar in such picturesque area with whooshing sound of the rushing waterfall near the village adds a soothing element to the serene ambiance and this is just an exterior education of appreciating the incredible scenery of Heavenly wonders on earth.

The 25 days of Seminar was a days of opportunity. As Elul month is a preparatory month for restart and return to our truest selves and the time for change, the SHAVEI ISRAEL always a harbinger of Bnei Menashe journey back to HOME, again sponsored the Seminar for the continuation of a new beginning for the New Generation Bnei Menashe.

The Seminar is a gift – a crash course in openness and truthfulness for new Shavei Israel’s Fellows. As Rav Hanoch said, like the first Seminar in the wilderness under Moshe Rabbeinu, Shavei Israel is continuing the Sinai tradition down to the Bnei Menashe.

And like our ancestors in the past, we know we have reason to be in the Seminar and of course the responsibility. With the new year in short days, Shavei Israel is presenting a special give to the Bnei Menashe – new Shavei Israel Fellows to guide and continue the old tradition and bring about new changes for the new generation Bnei Menashe.

A new dawn has just begun!

LeShanah Tovah Tikatevu Ve Gemar Khatimah Tovah!

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A TALKED WITH A HUNTER AND A PRIEST

By Yochanan Phaltual

As the autumn faded away and gives in the cold winter season, life becomes slow and nostalgic for the elderly-man who set on the traditional porch in the warm morning sun recalling of their past glory days.

Heljathang Thomsong (Shem in Hebrew), 81 years old octogenarian was once a famous hunter in the vast jungle area of Vangai-lhaang in Hmar Bial in southern Churachandpur district. The early Bnei Menashe were undisputed hunters and nomads. Shem Thomsong said hunting is a crucial component of society. Chasing prey or games is a sort of sport and defence against natural wild predators. All sorts of wild animals which were dangerous for human settlement were hunted down either for meat or just for village security.

Shem said hunting gave them the ability to display a heightened sensitivity to the environment. The insects and the wind keep time for them and are able to read signs of the animals and the weather on the ground or sand.

During his pristine days he go hunting with his hound dog using a local made long single barrel gun. He proudly could not count the exact numbers of wild animals he killed in the late 1940s and 1950s, but approximately more than 400 varieties of deer, monkey, tiger, bear, wild boar, porcupine and hundreds of small animals.

According to some Bnei Menashe tradition a hunters when returning from a successful safari are welcome by the priest (Thempu) at a spot near the village gate called “Khomol” with drums and chants. The bulk of meat was divided and share among the entitled people like the Chief, the Priest and closed relatives of the hunters. Sometimes if the meat is suffice enough a community feast with wine (zu) is held at the village ground with songs and dance.

In spite of his age the hands of Shem still display the hunter’s strong fingers from which he often fired with earsplitting noises his single loaded barrel gun. The story of his chase and games will remain a very interesting tales of Bnei Menashe of the past.

Khamzadong Pulamte (Heb. Siloh)

And in 1940, an 8 years old boy Khamzadong Pulamte (Hebrew name, Silo) learned his first lesson of ministering ritual from his father Thangsum, a local priest known as THEMPU. Priesthood is considered generally as hereditary which is handed down from father to son all ritual observances orally.

A conspicuous facet of Kuki-Zomi polity is the important role play by the village priest. Each clan had a priest who is also acting as a village doctor. Given a situation, the priest can challenge and control over the high handedness of the chief.

Silo said he did not charge any consultation fee from the villagers but the villagers pay for his service by doling out a tribute in the form of paddy or other items. Old Bnei Menashe people in the past ascribed all illness as the handy work of evil spirits called DOI. As keeper of the public health the priest is expected to cast it out by offering sacrifices. He would slaughter an animal (sheep/goat) or fowl/ chicken and smear the blood on the sick person while reciting chants mentioning Manmasi. So long as the incantations or spell is not revoke from the patients they are not allowed to socialize with the rest of the society.

Silo said that the word MANMASI appears very often in their prayers and in their folk songs. When someone died the deceased is accorded a farewell. Before the grave is dug, the priest would ward off all evil spirit or anything that would stand on the journey of the soul by chanting “Manmasi is returning to their land, go away and leave the place, we are coming home”. A dead body is washed and clothed with shroud of traditional shawl or any white cloth.

The Priest/Thempu occupied a respected place in the socio-cultural structure of the Bnei Menashe in the past. The priest presence is a must in all ceremonial functions – childbirth, marriage, village administration, death and others. He was indeed the guardian of the culture and tradition of the Bnei Menashe.

Silo is now enjoying a retired life in his humble cottage in Zohar Phaicham and he is compiling his book of memory.

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SHAVEI ISRAEL THAT CHANGED OUR LIVES

Aliya irreversibly transformed the Bnei Menashe

By Yochanan Phaltual - Shavei Israel Administrator, India

History is about people who have changed the world. Humanity has progressed from Agricultural revolution to the Industrial revolution and is now moving to an Information revolution.

Whatever their chosen field – from religions to politics, from science to literature, from pop-stardom to sport-stardom and from music to fashion – great people influence us and they changes the way we live in many ways.

One biggest changes that have and will have profound effects on human history is ALIYA, thanks to the organization SHAVEI ISRAEL that brought about Aliya and the only Jewish organization that actively opens the door to “lost Jews” who have decided to return to Judaism and desire to  return to Eretz Israel.

Michael Freund, the founder and chairman of Shavei Israel is among the “Top 100 Most Influential Jewish People in the World”. He is bracketed in the category along the famous Jews of the world today who change and influence the world and the Jewish life.

To mention few among the achelon of Top 100 Jewish lists were Mark Zuckerberg (Founder of Facebook), PM Benjamin Netaneyahu, Rabbi Ovadia Yosef z’’l (Former Chief Rabbi of Israel and spiritual leader of the Shas political party), Larry Page and Sergey Brin (Founders of Google), Steve Ballmer (CEO of Microsoft), Michael Dell (Founder and CEO of DELL Inc.), Israeli President Shimon Peres, Bob Dylan (Singer & Songwriter) and more.

In his interviewed in Maariv (media) in July 2013, Michael Freund said “Shavei Israel’s aim is to reach out to the descendants of Jews around the world and strengthen their relationship with the Jewish people and the state of Israel”.

Why so important is reaching out to lost Jews and bring back home to the Jewish people? Why Aliya and dwelling in Eretz Israel is so important?

Aliya is the return of the Jewish people from the exile in Diaspora back to the land of Israel. It is ascending and going up spiritually. It is transformation of self spiritually and changes of status.

The mitzvah to live in Eretz Israel is very great and important for it was the first mitzvah which was commanded by G-d to the first Jewish man “Avraham Avinu” – “Go forth for yourself….to the Land that I will show you” (Gen. 12). Our Great Khakhamim emphasis the significance of Aliya so much so that they say that dwelling in Eretz Israel is the equivalent of all the mitzvoth in the Torah.

Here lies the importance and value of Shavei Israel. If Google is the search engine for information around the world, then Shavei Israel is G-D’s search engine for the lost Jews and for making Aliya.

Over the last 10 years, Shavei Israel has been supporting, guiding and providing assistance to the Bnei Menashe and other lost Jews. The activities expanding and spreading in proverbial wings. Unfolding the Israel government freezing of the Bnei Menashe Aliya after an intense lobbying of government cabinet ministers and high level bureaucratic officials. Changing the mindset of Israeli politicians and the Chief Rabbinate Council. The historic official declaration of the Bnei Menashe as one of the 10 lost Tribes of Israel by the former Sephardic Chief Rabbi of Israel HaRav Shlomo Amar Shlita and setting up of Bnei Menashe Aliya Cabinet Committee in the Knesset. So much to tell and in which every bit counts.

Shavei Israel organization and its chairman Michael Freund have been leaving their mark on the world. It will continue to transform and revolutionize the Jewish world. And it will remain “One main engine” of the TORAH.

# This article is dedicated in Mazal tov to Shavei Israel for succeeding in getting the approval of Israeli Government to allow 899 Bnei Menashe to make Aliya to Eretz Israel.

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REDEFINING OUR RELATIONS WITH CHRISTIAN BRETHREN

By Yochanan Phaltual - Shavei Israel Administrator, India

I am not a trained comforter and at a time someone needs to console it is very difficult to know what to do and what to say.

Last week, Ortal a beautiful daughter of Ya’acov and Rivka Haokip died of acute heart problems. And the same week on Friday, when Tabitha Phalnei and her husband Eleazar Zara Singson were busily preparing for the Shabbat, their loving daughter Rakhel Lamvangnei disappeared mysteriously from home and whose current whereabouts is unknown or whose status as alive or dead cannot be confirmed as her location and fate is not known. Till today hundreds of volunteers for missing person searches were deployed in various parts of Churachandpur.

As I look at the parents of Rakhel Singson experiencing a devastating fear and pain, I could not use any of the typical clichéd that are typically used such as telling them “It will be okay”. Thinking about the future without their daughter brought me fear and dread.

As the brevity of the event sets I am ever thankful for the Christian friends who have continue to help to this day.

I think this is an opportune moment to redefine and change perceptions of our relationship with our Christian brethren.

We all know that religion plays a very crucial and central role in everyone’s life. Many people around the world are driven by their religion to keep themselves separated from other faiths. But at various point in time we are inalienable and inseparable parts of the larger community – humanity.

The Bnei Menashe case is a unique one that cannot be completely clubbed under the dichotomy “Judaism - Christian” divide. We are all from the same tribe MENASHE, only dubbed with different nomenclatures, Kuki-Chin-Mizo-Zomi. The reasons are mainly political, linguistic and geographical settlement.

When Christianity came to Manipur and Mizoram a hundred years ago, they brought many boons and disadvantages. They set free from the bondage of fear and superstitions mindset, spread Western education and many social transformation and revolutions.

But on the other side, they destroyed many of our legacy and heritage. We lost many of our rituals and customs, but they could not totally erased our customs and traditions which still bind us together till today whether we belongs to different faiths.

Our larger Christian brethren are always in times of sadness and disaster contributing the bigger role of kindness act. Last week, when baby Ortal died they were according to our forefather custom not to be given a burial place because the parents fail to observe the customary CHEN-JU, a settlement registration to the Chief or to Village Authority. However, the kind hearted Christian Chief of the village allowed us for proper burial in his village.

And in the case of the missing girl Rakhel, the volunteers were largely Christian. This is not the only first instance but a recurring happening in every society of Bnei Menashe. It is time to redefine our perceptions and attitude towards our Christian brethren.

Judaism never teaches us to hate or to be at war with other religion. Rather we are taught to love humankind and be a shining model for others. Though we have different religious practices and believes, we need to create religious harmony which is the key to peaceful co-existence.

It is time to appreciate the good deeds of our Christian brethren. Let’s pledge to work towards bringing religious harmony but not by interfering in the religious matter of other people and opposite any attempt to misuse the religion and create disharmony in our society.

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UPLOADED AND ONLINE SINS

ONLY YOM KIPPUR CAN DELETE

 By Yochanan Phaltual

You may be thinking the hidden sins committed will be unknown, but what if that has been recorded and uploaded on the internet – shame and devastated.

In todays’ world, through information technology we can see the records of Heaven on earth by the way of computer networks.  By uploading any data using internet you can send copy of the data either from your mobile phones or computers and share information, photos and news.

In June 2013, a very ugly and shameful incident occurred in Churachandpur. Two lovers were visiting Khuga Dam (Hydro-electric multi-purpose project and picnic spot) were caught red-handed by four Indian Reserved Battalion (IRB) policemen while making love. They allegedly force the couple to continue and film them with their mobile phones.

The policemen uploaded the video online on the internet and Facebook where it went viral till today. The incident sparked protests in Churachandpur District in which a mob stormed the police station and demanded the handover of the culprits. After the police blank fire, the unruly crowed were quelled in which many youth sustained injuries and one succumbed to the wound.

Several organizations condemned the immoral act of the IRB and subsequently they were arrested and suspended. But what about the video clip?

Of course, the uploaded video clip can be deleted or removed from the internet websites. However, what about people who personally downloaded the clip? You can’t stop and delete them; it will remain in someone gadget as in the gadget in heaven.

This reminded me of another type of Heavenly Techno on earth.

I am very interested in watching Hollywood movies and it is one of my best way of relaxing. Not being very technological advanced, I vaguely know about GPS (Global Positioning System) through movie films. For instance, in the movie “Bourne Identity” and “XIII: The Conspiracy”, the stars Mat Damon and Val Kilmer used GPS in their cars or mobile phones to know their direction to any destinations, addresses or to have booked reservations. Everything seems to be programed in the little device on their handsets.

GPS is a space based satellite navigation system that provides locations and time information almost anywhere where there is line of GPS satellite. In the movie “Bourne Identity” Mat Damon was embedded with a silicon chip in his head and every movement was being track through GPS. But it always doesn’t work when the network have problems and also the chip is removable.

Sounds very impressive. Anyway, these are all a model of Heavenly device on earth. Know that, we too have a real GPS working 24 hours a day with no problems of network. There is a Great Satellite (G-d) that tracks all our activities wherever we go and whatever we do by using TORAH GPS.

We can never hide any of our actions from the Great Satellite (G-d) because He embedded a chip (Holy soul) in our body. This chip cannot be removed and the GPS function through a device called TORAH.

These ten days of repentance and as the Yom Kippur come around; let us take great effort to return ourselves back on route. We may have lost track and stray off but the Great Satellite does not lost track of us and never forsake us, it is always ready to keep us back on track.

We are living in different parts of the world, but due to modern technological development, spaces and times seems to be very close and near. The good and bad (sin) news happening in Israel like in Acco city, Migdal Haemekh, Kiryat Arba, Beit El or in remotest place like Tuipiphai, Moreh, Leimatak in India can be uploaded in the internet and in social networking service like Facebook. Our sins can be online anywhere once it is uploaded not only in heaven but also on earth.

Nevertheless, do not get despair. Return to the proper path and let all the uploaded sins be deleted.  

Wishing you all a g'mar khatima tova, a meaningful Yom Kippur and a joyous Shabbat.

·         This article is written in memory of Sarah Lamkhoneng Lupheng z’’l and Yedidiah Manlun z”l who passed away recently. May this article serve as a merit for their soul.

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SHAVEI ISRAEL’S SEMINAR IN THE HIMALAYAN STATE OF SIKKIM

A high altitude seminar for new generation Bnei Menashe

By Yochanan Phaltual - Shavei Israel Administrator India

Last week I was assigned to visit the farthest Northeast Indian state by Shavei Israel to confirm a place for Bnei Menashe’s new generation Seminar.

As Sikkim currently does not have any airports or railways because of its rough terrain, I boarded a plane to Bagdogra Airport, the closest operational airport to Sikkim which is near the city of Siliguri in West Bengal state. The airport is about 123 Kms from Bagdogra to Gangtok, the capital city of Sikkim and was approximately 4 and half hours journey.

Nestling in the Himalayan Mountains, Sikkim is a landlocked Indian state surrounded by 3 countries – Nepal in the west, Tibet (Autonomous Region of China) in the north and Bhutan to the east. The sub-tropical to Alpine climate makes the air cool and the high altitude mountains are entirely covered by different trees. The busy lifeline roadway “National Highway 31” is followed all the way by the Teesta River, which is also considered the state’s key waterway with two hydroelectric dams under constructions.

I pulled up at Malli for a refreshing Darjeeling tea. Malli is a small beautiful town and a place of Sikkim’s government tourism offices. Any foreigners are required to obtain Restricted Area Permit (RAP) at the Foreigners Registration Office either in Malli or in Rangpo (half way to Gangtok) on the strength of valid Indian Visa.

On my way up to Gangtok, I saw many tourist taxis returning from their holidays. Many mainland’s Indian choose this hill station city as a vacation spot to escape the unbearable May-June heat.

Sikkim is a nice place and being a Northeasterner myself I never felt like stranger over there. My experiences of the fraternity and the unique bonds of friendship between the Northeastern people while studying in college in New Delhi gave me much confidence and familiarity with the psyche of the people. I had a long talked with my taxi driver Mr. Pawan about Sikkim and I discovered many new things about the places and the people.

The state Sikkim has late entrants to political Union of India. Only in May, 1975, Sikkim became the 22^nd state of the Indian Union and the monarchy was abolished. Sikkim is the only state in India with an ethnic Nepali majority and Nepali is its lingua-franca. The original (natives) inhabitants were the Lepcha and Bhutias (India’s most popular and football legend Bhaichung Bhutia belongs to Bhutia ethnic). Hinduism were the majority, second is Buddhism and the Christians were third.

There was a long line of different dynasties and with the beginning of the British rule in India; Sikkim became a British protectorate in 1890. After Indian Independence in 1947, under Nehru (first PM of India) Sikkim became a special protectorate status and only in 1975 it was admitted in the Indian Union as a full-fledge state.

The Himalayan pass of Nathu La in Sikkim, a gateway connecting Lhasa (Tibet capital) to India was opened again to cross-border trade in July 2006 after it has been closed since the humiliating 1962 Sino-Indian War (where many Bnei Menashe in Indian Army– like Zeptha Zou z’’l and Eliezer Lalthang Gangte z’’l - in the Assam Regiment and Assam Rifles had told to me the story about the debacles, weakness and ill preparations of the Indian Defense).

The boons for Sikkim economy from opening the Nathu La pass can be seen if we stroll down the most famous landmark area of Gangtok – MG. Like the Times Square in New York or Connaught Place in New Delhi the MG (Mahatma Gandhi) Marg is a big market square located in the heart of the city. Everyone young and the aged were colorfully dressed making the place more beautiful. After two days travelling, I need a bit hang-out and so with the hotel manager of Flora Fountain (where I stay and the place for seminar) Mr. Pema, we had a large refreshing glass of Sikkimese coffee and it was a real treat at MG.

Just good to know that in this G-d’s given nature beauty Eastern Himalayas, the third highest mountain in the world and the highest peak in India Mount Kanchenjunga is adorned with snow and exotic flora and fauna. Sikkim is a destination for tourism. The state offers tours for everyone from those seeking solitude for meditation and for adventure lovers there is tracking in the mountains, river rafting (unfortunately not a season for rafting due to monsoon), rock climbing and lots more.

Soon, B’ezrat Hashem, in a couple of weeks, with blessings from Shavei Israel in Jerusalem the Bnei Menashe is going to have a NEW SEMINAR FOR NEW GENERATION. It is aim at continuing the line and traditions of previous Shavei Israel’s fellows – to create a new beginning of new group for strengthening the community with new vigor, more substantial and distinguished programs.

The place is far and the objectives are huge to reach our destiny (Eretz Israel) which is neither near. The place is of high altitude so are the high responsibility and the place is new so are the groups of new generation.

And don’t forget: The blessings, love and support of Shavei Israel for Bnei Menashe that comes down from the Holy City of Jerusalem. No need of other words – JUST PRAISE G-D AND GIVE THANKS TO SHAVEI ISRAEL.

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