Falasha
Pronunciations
Falasha | (fuh-LAH-shuh) |
Definitions
n. A sometimes derogatory term for a member of Beta Israel.
Example Sentences
"Others believe the Falashas to be descendants of prisoners of Shalmaneser, or of Jews driven from Judea when Jerusalem was destroyed in the time of Titus and Vespasian." (source)
Etymology
From an Ethiopian language, possible Ge'ez ፈላሻ fälaša 'wanderer, migrant'
- Jews: Jews of diverse religious backgrounds and organizational involvements
- North America
- The JPS Dictionary of Jewish Words, by Joyce Eisenberg and Ellen Scolnic, (Philadelphia, 2001).
Who Uses This
Regions
Dictionaries
Alternative Spellings
Felasha
Notes
"Falashas call themselves Beit Israel (House of Israel) and believe themselves to be descended from the tribe of Dan. They faced discrimination in Ethiopia, and in 1984 and 1991 thousands of these “Black Jews” were airlifted to the State of Israel in daring rescue missions. Some remaining Ethiopians, who want to immigrate to Israel, are facing discrimination and obstacles because of Israel’s debate over the Law of Return." (JPS)
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