One of the most beautiful customs of Sukkot belongs to the Ethiopian Jewish community, embracing extensive hospitality during the holiday. During Sukkot in Ethiopia, one large sukkah was built for the whole community and many guests were invited.
One of the reasons why the Ethiopian Jewish community has such special and unique traditions is because Jews arrived in Ethiopia before the period of the Talmud and the codification of the Oral Law; hence, the Mishnah and Gemara did not shape their Jewish lifestyle.
The date and circumstances of the arrival of Jews in Ethiopia, are a mystery. According to Ethiopian national mythology, Ethiopia was founded after the Queen of Sheba travelled to Jerusalem to meet King Solomon, and it was their son who established the Ethiopian Axum Empire. The empire converted to Christianity as early as 333 C.E. and spread the new religion throughout its territory. In response, the Ethiopian Jewish community established a powerful independent kingdom in the Simien mountains and developed strict rules that prevented them from mixing with Christians. After the decline of the Jewish kingdom in the 14th century, Jews suffered persecution and constant pressure to convert.
Although Jews were not always safe in Ethiopia, what prompted the immigration of the Ethiopian Jews to Israel in the 20th century was a strong mystical feeling of longing and love for Jerusalem and the holy land. Despite the lack of support on the part of the Israeli government, many Ethiopian Jews tried to make the journey by themselves, walking hundreds of kilometers in the desert to Sudan, with thousands losing their lives owing to the harsh conditions.
One of the most revered Jewish Ethiopian figures of recent times is Yona Bogale. Bogale (1908-1987) came to occupy a senior position in the Ethiopian government, but like many other Ethiopian Jews, he started out as a shepherd. As a young boy he took a class in a newly established evening Hebrew school in his village, and fell in love with the scholarship. After later traveling abroad to study languages and Judaism, he established the first Jewish rabbinic school in the capital city of Addis Ababa. "The news of the opening of the school spread like wildfire," Bogale wrote. "Youngsters, and even older people, walked hundreds of kilometers to learn in that school."
Haile Selassie, who ruled Ethiopia as Emperor from 1930 until he was overthrown in a military coup in 1974, appointed Bogale, who spoke 12 languages, to serve as the official translator of the Ethiopian Ministry of Education - one of the most senior positions held by a Jew in Ethiopia. As a result, Bogale was exposed to thousands of official documents. Some concerned the Jewish community, including requests from missionary organizations to convert Jews by force. Bogale realized the danger facing the community and took it upon himself to act.
He appealed to many officials in the Israeli government with a request that they support the immigration of Ethiopian Jewry, but he was refused. The Ethiopian government discovered Bogale's connection with Israel, and the authorities persecuted him until he immigrated to Israel in 1978. Shortly after his arrival, he was invited to deliver a speech at the Knesset before the committee responsible for deciding whether or not Ethiopian Jews should be brought to Israel. Bogale realized that this was the opportunity he had been waiting for.
A few hours after his speech, the committee voted unanimously to bring the Ethiopian Jews to Israel. In 1984, Bogale stood at Ben Gurion Airport airport and welcomed the first thousands of Jews arriving from Ethiopia. Over the next few years, and up until his death, Bogale did all he could to take care of the newcomers and to improve their situation in Israel. He was active in the realms of education, housing and employment for the Ethiopian community, and lectured widely, telling Israeli society about the 3,000 year-old glorious history of the Jewish community in Ethiopia, and its rich Jewish culture.
The Melton Centre for Jewish Education and its International Masters Program wish you and your Sukkah guests a happy Sukkot holiday!