Paul and James considered it pure joy to have faced trials of many kinds. Have you ever wondered what they meant or how you could have joy? This video is a heartwarming and joyous moment for exiled Jews in a place governed by Palestinians who very much hate them.
Who are the B’nei Menashe (Hebrew: “Children of Menasseh”)? They are known in India as the Shinlung, a community of Indian Jews who trace their lineage back to the tribe of Manasseh, one of the ten tribes exiled from the Land of Israel by the Assyrians.
Manasseh was the firstborn son of Joseph and Asenath, an Egyptian woman. He was the beginning of the Tribe of Manasseh. Understanding the B’nei Menashe and their joy (and why we can rejoice with them) starts with understanding why Joseph was important. He is an important person both in the Bible and the Quran. His story explains how Isreal became part of Egypt, a suspenseful story about his journey from shepherd to minister of Egypt.
The other important fact about Joseph is that he was the son of Jacob. I say all this so you will understand why it was such an amazing moment to be able to visit the tomb of Joseph for the first time. It has meaning to their very existence, and they want to celebrate the man with whom their lineage began.
Isn’t joy contagious! We hear singing and laughter, and we gravitate to it. We want to know what all the rejoicing is about. In a world full of so much negativity and where people's words control, we all want and frankly need to see and be a part of something good, meaningful, and joyful. Oh, how sweet it is when they invite you into their joy and you feel part of the family. So, watch this video more than once; I did. Why? It’s just fun, and it made me smile and want to sing along.
