15th Century Manuscripts Reveal Insights into Ethiopian Jewish Traditions

A remarkable discovery by a Tel Aviv University research team has brought new light to the ancient Jewish heritage of Ethiopia’s Beta Israel community. In June 2024, two religious manuscripts dating back over 600 years were uncovered during a workshop held as part of the university’s Orit Guardians program. These are now believed to be the oldest known Jewish texts ever found in the possession of Beta Israel spiritual leaders.

The manuscripts, known as the Orit, contain the Five Books of Moses along with the books of Joshua, Judges, and Ruth. They are written in Ge’ez, a sacred liturgical language traditionally preserved by the community’s spiritual leaders, or Kessim. This find is a profound affirmation of the deep and enduring Jewish identity of Ethiopia’s Jews, whose traditions have often been marginalized or misunderstood.

“This is the first time it’s been shown that Kessim from Beta Israel have in their possession Orit books more than 600 years old,” said Professor Dalit Rom-Shiloni, who helped spearhead the project through the university’s Faitlovitch Collection.

The workshop, a collaborative effort with scholars from Israel, Germany, and Ethiopia, documented 17 sacred manuscripts in total two from the 15th century, two from the 18th, and thirteen spanning the 17th to 20th centuries. While the physical manuscripts remain with their guardians, all have been digitally archived with support from the National Library of Israel.

What makes these discoveries even more meaningful is that these are not museum pieces tucked away in glass cases they are “living books,” still used by the Beta Israel in prayer and rituals. Some were smuggled into Israel by families escaping persecution, preserving their heritage at great personal risk.

This work stands as a powerful reminder that Jewish identity thrives in diverse forms and lands. The Orit Guardians program is now committed to preserving these manuscripts and the traditions they embody, ensuring this treasured heritage remains part of the Jewish story for generations to come.

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