Black Hebrew Israelites Hold True To Passover Tradition

     We are starkly reminded of the biblical Exodus scene from the movie, "The Ten Commandments", when we hear of a group of Black Hebrew Israelites joining hands atop a Negev desert mountain to commemorate Pesach (Passover). Much like their fictional counterparts in the film, this modestly-clad group disposed of excess Seder meals in a bonfire and remained indoors until dusk (as done in the olden days when the Angel Of Death passed over their homes). "Doing so reflects how very serious we are about drawing night to the God Of Creation," said Ahbir Ben Israel, a member of the Hebrew Israelite community.

      Indeed, drawing night to God during Pesach is definitely what the Black Hebrew Israelites felt they were doing. Especially after their ancestors, they believe, were subjected to enslavement in both Egypt and the United States. Hence, this Passover season is celebrated twice. Brother Elkano Ben Shaleahk and Prince Immanuel Ben Yehuda state that these occasions allow them to cleanse themselves of any negative characteristics brought on by the previous year.

     And yet, their unceasing devotion to God does not stop with the Holy Day of Pesach. It is commonly taught within the community to worship Him within  everything they do. They even embraced the vegan diet as stated in Genesis 1:29: "And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the Earth, and every tree, in which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you, it shall be for meat."

    For Karahliah Eshet Prince Ha'Gadol and Elkanon Ben Shaleahk, two of the first community members who left the U.S. in 1967 and now reside in Israel, Passover gives the priviledge to freely worship Yah (God) and start anew.

   Although Elkanon and the other Black Hebrew Israelites share most of the same beliefs as the Jews, he did not consume the usual Passover meal on the eve of that day. Instead of gelfite fish and matza ball soup, Ben Shaleahk sat down to a meal of salad, soy ice cream, stuffing with gravy, eggplant parmesan topped with soy cheese, and kale greens. "The tart kale represents 400 years of enslavement in America", explains Ben Shaleahk. "The sweet charoset (ice cream), however, represents how delighted we are to be free in the Holy Land."

    Despite two of his sons passing away at different intervals in time, he says that their adherence to the Bible has helped them to endure. "We absolutely caught up in the Bible," says Prince Immanuel Ben Yehuda. "We're still doing that to this day."

 

Interested in learning more about the Hebrew Israelites?

If so, click here!