Beta Israel

American  

[bey-tuh iz-ree-uhl, -rey-] / ˈbeɪ tə ˈɪz ri əl, -reɪ- /

noun

1. an Ethiopian people who practice a biblical form of Judaism: for many centuries, the Beta Israel lived in isolation from other Jewish communities.

2. a member of this people, most of whom now live in Israel.

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Sensitive Note

See Falasha.

Etymology

Origin of Beta Israel

First recorded in 2005–10; from Geez beta ʾəsrāʾel “House of Israel,” equivalent to Beta, a bound form of bet “house” + ʾƏsrāʾel “Israel,” from Hebrew Yisrāʾēl; see origin at beth ( def. ), Israel ( def. )

Example Sentences

Probably founded by artisan traders visiting Aksum in the first century, Beta Israel was isolated from other Jewish communities outside the empire.

From Textbooks • Apr. 19, 2023

The Judaic group living in Aksum was known as Beta Israel.

From Textbooks • Apr. 19, 2023

Mr. Yemini added that he was giving voice to frustrated members of the original Beta Israel.

From New York Times • Nov. 12, 2021

But it is considered part of the Bible by religious groups like Roman Catholics, Orthodox Christians, Beta Israel and the Assyrian Church of the East.

From Salon • Aug. 1, 2020

Beejhy Barhany, the chef, was born in the Tigray region of northern Ethiopia, into a community of Beta Israel, as Ethiopian Jews are known.

From New York Times • Sep. 1, 2016