FAQ's: Ethiopian Jewry, Pekuakh Nefesh And A Kidney Transplant

Q: Are Ethiopian Jews really Jews?
A: This is a complicated question. Halakhic authorities dating back almost 500 years have ruled that Ethiopian Jews are indeed Jewish. Perhaps the most famous of them is Rabbi David ibn Zimra, the Radbaz. He was Chief Rabbi of Egypt and a teacher of the noted kabbalist Rabbi Isaac Luria, the Ari. The Radbaz had personal contact with members of the Ethiopian Jewish community.

Today, former Sefardic Chief Rabbi of Israel Rabbi Ovadia Yosef has ruled that Ethiopian Jews are indeed Jewish.

Q: If so, why do some people today question their Jewishness?
A: From the time of the Radbaz until late in the 1800's, the Ethiopian Jewish community was isolated from all other Jewish communities. There is a fear among some authorities that improper conversions, marriages and divorces may have taken place. If so, a percentage of the Ethiopian Jewish community may be non-Jewish or mamzerim. A mamzer, a child from certain biblically prohibited relationships, is forbidden to marry a non-mamzer. These authorities consider Ethiopian Jews to be possible mamzerim and possible non-Jews, safek mamzerim, safek akum.

Q: Does this doubt about the Jewishness or purity of lineage effect the rescue of Ethiopian Jews or saving their lives if they are endangered?
A: No. Even authorities like Rabbis Moshe Feinstein an Eliezer Waldenberg (the Tzitz Eliezer) who are concerned with possible mamzerut and Jewish status agree that Ethiopian Jews must be rescued from danger just as one is obligated to rescue any member of the Jewish community under the laws of pikuakh nefesh, saving lives.

Q: Would Baruch Tegegne's medical situation count as pekuakh nefesh?
A: Yes it would, without any doubt. Paying for his kidney transplant and related expenses absolutely comes under the halakha of pekuakh nefesh.

Q: Where can I donate?
A: You can click here to donate online via a secure website.

Q: Can I send a check instead?
A: Yes. Make the check out to The Sha'arei Dayah Foundation. Note "kidney" in the memo line.
Mail the check to:

The Sha'arei Dayah Foundation
2136 Ford Parkway #181
Saint Paul, MN 55116
Attention: Rosenberg/Kidney Fund

Q: Are donation tax deductible in the United States?
A: Yes. The Sha'arei Dayah Foundation is a registered IRS 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. All donations are tax deductible.

Comments

[Nigritude Ultramarine]

"Other halakhic authorities have maintained that the Jewishness of the Beta Israel is seriously suspect. The earliest to do so was Rabbi Ya'akov Kastro, a student of the Radbaz (who had ruled that the Beta Israel were Jews). Most recent authorities have also ruled this way, including Rabbis Moshe Feinstein, Elazar Shach, Yosef Shalom Eliashiv, and Shlomo Zalman Auerbach."

http://www.answers.com/ethiopian%20jews

[Shmarya]

So? Rav Moshe ruled they had to be saved. He also ruled that they must be educated in mitzvot and encouraged to observe them.

Rabbi Moshe Feinstein, Iggerot Moshe, Yoreh De'ah 4:41:

"There is no reason to be concerned that we are teaching Torah to doubtful Jews... since because they might be Jewish, and there is a reason for this [teaching them], it seems that the prohibition does not apply... However, be careful not to state a false halakhah which in itself is prohibited. Do not tell them that we consider them definite Jews (she-al tagidu she-anu ken mahashivim osam ki-yehudim vada'im). Rather, tell them that we are unsure of their Jewishness but we are prepared to educate them in the Torah of God and His commandments.

Until they convert, do not consider them in practice to be definite Jews, even regarding counting them for a minyan or calling them to the Torah. Do not embarass them but do not flatter them. However, out of stricture they are still obligated to observe the commandments, since they might be Jewish."

He also ruled that EJ's needed only a pro-forma conversion, not a full conversion.

As far as I know, Rabbi Auerbach did not disagree. Neither did Rav Schach.

The formerly Xtianised Falash Mura are getting quite a good Yiddisher education in Addis Ababa. They come over, get a proper geirus, with certificate, & 80% stay religious when they arrive ie wear kippot, put on tefillin, keep shabbos, have a good work ethic & stay out of trouble.

How unlike the poor Falasha sods who arrived 20 years ago who have only gone down hill! Israeli leftists & secularists & some Moderdox are to blame.

[Shmarya]

Let's not forget Chabad, the haredim and … you. There is more than enough blame to go around.