Were Yemenite Jews descendants of Himyarites who converted to Judaism?

Yes, Yemenite Jews are believed to be descendants of the ancient Himyarite Kingdom, which existed in the southern part of the Arabian Peninsula, including present-day Yemen, from around the 2nd century BCE to the 6th century CE. The Himyarites were a Semitic people who were primarily pagans and worshipped a variety of deities.

During the time of the Himyarite Kingdom, Judaism spread to the region, and some Himyarites embraced the Jewish faith. The exact reasons for their conversion are not entirely clear, but it is believed that trade and cultural interactions with Jewish communities from neighboring regions, such as the Kingdom of Judah and the Jewish communities in the Arabian Peninsula, played a role in the spread of Judaism among the Himyarites.

Over time, the Himyarite Kingdom became a center of Jewish life and learning, and the Jewish community in Yemen flourished. The Yemenite Jews developed their own distinct religious and cultural traditions, blending elements of Judaism with local Yemeni culture.

It is important to note that while the majority of Yemenite Jews are believed to have descended from the Himyarites who converted to Judaism, there were also other Jewish communities in Yemen, such as the Qahtani Jews, who were descendants of Jewish immigrants from other regions. The Yemenite Jewish community is diverse, with various subgroups and traditions within it.

Download the PDF book: A History of the Jews of Arabia
Download the PDF book: A History of the Jews of Arabia

Who were Himyarites?

The Himyarites were an ancient people who ruled over the southwestern part of the Arabian Peninsula, mainly in present-day Yemen, from around the 2nd century BCE to the 6th century CE. They were known for their trade, culture, and religion, and they had a complex political history involving alliances and conflicts with other regional powers such as the Aksumites, the Romans, the Persians, and the Arabs. The Himyarites were also one of the earliest adopters of Judaism in the Arabian Peninsula, and they established a Jewish kingdom that lasted until the rise of Islam.

The end of the Himyarite Kingdom

The Himyarite Kingdom, which had been a dominant power in the southwest Arabian Peninsula, came to an end in the early 6th century CE, around 525 CE. The decline and eventual collapse of the Himyarite Kingdom can be attributed to the following key events and factors:

1. Religious Conflict: The Himyarite ruler at the time, Yusuf As'ar Yath'ar, known as Dhu Nuwas, was a Jewish king who began persecuting Christians in his realm. This persecution, especially the massacre of Christians in Najran, sparked significant international concern.

2. Aksumite Invasion: The Christian Aksumite Empire, located in modern-day Ethiopia and Eritrea, intervened on behalf of the persecuted Christians. The Aksumites, under King Kaleb, launched an invasion of the Himyarite Kingdom.

3. Defeat of Dhu Nuwas: The Aksumite forces defeated the Himyarite army, and Dhu Nuwas reportedly died, possibly by suicide. His death marked the end of indigenous Himyarite rule.

4. Aksumite Control: After the defeat of Dhu Nuwas, the Aksumites installed a Christian viceroy, who ruled on behalf of the Aksumite king. Although Himyar remained a significant region, it was no longer an independent kingdom.

5. Later Developments: The Aksumite presence in Yemen continued until about 570 CE when the Sasanian Empire took control of the region. This shift set the stage for the eventual rise of Islam in the 7th century.

The end of the Himyarite Kingdom was shaped by religious conflict and foreign intervention, reflecting the complex dynamics of power, faith, and politics in the region during that period.

Here is a list of notable nations, tribes, and groups that historically converted to Judaism:

1. Khazars
Region: Central Asia (modern-day Ukraine, Russia, and Kazakhstan)
Period: 8th-10th century CE
Description: The Khazar Khaganate, a powerful empire in Eastern Europe, converted to Judaism under King Bulan. The ruling elite and a significant portion of the population adopted Judaism, although the extent of conversion among the general population is debated by historians.

2. Ethiopian Jews (Beta Israel)
Region: Ethiopia
Period: Unknown, ancient origins
Description: The Beta Israel, also known as Ethiopian Jews, have practiced Judaism for centuries. Their origins are traditionally traced to the ancient Israelites, but some theories suggest they may have converted to Judaism during the early centuries CE.

3. Himyarites
Region: Southern Arabia (modern-day Yemen)
Period: 4th-6th century CE
Description: The Himyarite Kingdom in Yemen embraced Judaism as the state religion under King Tub'a Abu Kariba As'ad. The kingdom remained Jewish until it was conquered by Christian Ethiopians in the 6th century.

4. Idumeans (Edomites)
Region: Southern Levant (modern-day southern Israel and Jordan)
Period: 2nd century BCE
Description: The Idumeans were forcibly converted to Judaism by the Hasmonean ruler John Hyrcanus. After their conversion, they were integrated into Jewish society and played a significant role in the history of Judea.

5. Berber Tribes
Region: North Africa
Period: Various periods, particularly during and after the early Islamic conquests
Description: Several Berber tribes in North Africa are believed to have converted to Judaism, either through contact with Jewish communities or in opposition to the Arab-Muslim conquerors. Some Jewish-Berber groups were prominent in the Maghreb region.

6. Malabar Jews (Cochin Jews)
Region: Southern India (Kerala)
Period: Ancient times, possibly after the destruction of the Second Temple
Description: The Cochin Jews of India are an ancient community. Some scholars believe that local Indian populations may have converted to Judaism, integrating with Jewish traders who settled in the region.

7. Bene Israel
Region: Western India (Maharashtra)
Period: Ancient times, possibly 2nd century BCE
Description: The Bene Israel community in India traces its origins to a group of Jews shipwrecked on the Indian coast. Some theories suggest local Indians may have converted and joined this community, which has maintained Jewish practices for centuries.

8. Chinese Jews (Kaifeng Jews)
Region: Kaifeng, China
Period: Song Dynasty (960–1279 CE)
Description: Jewish merchants settled in Kaifeng, and over time, their community grew. It is believed that some Chinese individuals may have converted to Judaism and integrated into this community, which flourished for several centuries.

9. Berber-Jewish Kingdom of Ait Atta
Region: Moroccan Atlas Mountains
Period: Middle Ages
Description: Ait Atta was a Jewish-Berber tribe in Morocco that maintained its Jewish identity while integrating with the broader Berber culture. They were known for their resistance to Arab Muslim forces.

10. Lemba
Region: Southern Africa (Zimbabwe, South Africa)
Period: Unknown, with claims of ancient Israelite descent
Description: The Lemba people in Southern Africa have long claimed Jewish ancestry, with traditions and practices similar to Judaism. Some scholars believe they may have converted to Judaism, or adopted Jewish practices, during ancient trade interactions.

These examples reflect a range of historical periods and geographical regions where groups have converted to Judaism, either voluntarily or through other influences.

What is the argument of Shlomo Sand's belief that the Palestinians are the descendants of the biblical Jews of Jesus?

Shlomo Sand, an Israeli historian, argues in his book "The Invention of the Jewish People" that the Palestinians are the descendants of the biblical Jews of Jesus. His argument challenges the traditional notion that Jews are a single, homogeneous ethnic group with an unbroken bloodline tracing back to biblical times.

Sand also argues that the conversion of the Khazar people, a Turkic-speaking group, to Judaism in the 8th century played a significant role in the formation of Eastern European Jewry. He suggests that many Ashkenazi Jews, who form a significant part of the Jewish population today, are descendants of the Khazars rather than the ancient Israelites.

In relation to the Palestinians, Sand proposes that they are the descendants of the Jewish population that existed in the region during the time of Jesus and later converted to Islam and assimilated with the Arab population. He argues that the notion of a "return" of the Jewish people to their ancestral homeland is a political and ideological construct rather than a historical fact.

It's important to note that Shlomo Sand's arguments have sparked debates and discussions within academic and intellectual circles, and they are not universally accepted. His views challenge conventional understandings of Jewish identity and history, and they have generated both support and criticism from various scholars and experts.

Shlomo Sand argues that the modern-day Palestinians are largely descended from the Jewish people who lived in the region during the time of Jesus. He believes that many of the Jewish people in the region were not actually expelled after the destruction of the Second Temple, as traditional Jewish history claims, but instead converted to Christianity and Islam. Sand's argument challenges the traditional Zionist narrative of Jewish history, which sees the modern Jewish people as the direct descendants of the biblical Jews. Instead, he asserts that the Palestinians have a historical connection to the land that is just as deep as the Jewish connection. This challenges the idea of a purely Jewish state in the region and supports the Palestinian claim to their homeland.

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Shlomo Sand is an Israeli historian, author, and professor. He is known for his controversial and thought-provoking writings on the history of the Jewish people and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Sand has challenged traditional narratives about Jewish history and identity, and his work has sparked debate and discussion among scholars and the public. Sand is a professor of history at Tel Aviv University and has written several books on topics such as nationalism, the origins of the Jewish people, and the history of the Middle East. His work has been translated into multiple languages and has had a significant impact on the fields of history and political science.