The Falashas: The Forgotten Jews of Ethiopia, by David Kessler
Today's date is: 5/12/2025
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The Falashas: The Forgotten Jews of Ethiopia, by David Kessler
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2 Legend and HistoryNO exploration of Ethiopia's history and the part that the Falashas have played in it can afford to overlook the biblical story of King Solomon and the visit paid to him by the Queen of Sheba. The tale and its ramifications have become an integral part of the nation's traditions and heritage. Whereas in Europe and in the Islamic world the story has taken on the role of a popular legend, which has inspired many works of art, music and literature, in Ethiopia it is a fundamental tenet of the national consciousness, common to Jews and Christians alike, though, it should be added, with the growing influence of Western thought, many people today are taking a more sceptical view of the tradition.It is generally acknowledged by scholars that the account given in the Bible(1) has a basis in fact and is not simply a romantic legend. That it has, in the course of time, been embroidered with all kinds of myths need not detract from the historic truth which is at the core. In this respect it can be compared with the English legend of King Arthur, which, while heavily overladen with mythology, is based on an historic personage. The Solomon-Sheba narrative, which occupies only thirteen verses, may be briefly summarised. After recounting the power, the wealth and the wisdom of King Solomon, the Bible says that 'when the Queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the Lord she came to prove him with hard questions'. She travelled with a great caravan of camels bringing rich presents of 'spices and very much gold and precious stones'. She was greatly impressed by what she saw at the court of the king and confessed that before her journey she had been sceptical of the stories which she had heard, but seeing is believing and she told (1)1 Kings 10:1-13and 2 Chronicles 9:1-12. |
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