Connections Between Judaism and Rastafarianism
Evan Salzberg
December 2, 2009
My
entire life I have been surrounded by Judaism, as I was growing up my parents
started becoming more and more religious. I began to view Judaism as a way of
life rather than as a religion. Although considered a religion, the Torah
teaches us many laws and practices that can better our lives. There are sets of
commandments that Jews must follow according to the Torah. Just like Judaism,
Rastafarianism is too a religion but can be looked at as a way of life instead
of a religion. There are many similarities between the two religions of
Rastafarianism and Judaism as well as differences, but it is easy to see the connection
between them.
Judaism
traces its origins to the time of creation. Jews worldwide continue to the Torah
that was given by God to the Jewish people on Mount Sinai. What makes the Jews
so special is that they were the ones who accepted the Torah. Within the Torah
there are many requirements and laws that Jews are required to keep. Ranging
from dietary laws to prayers three times a day.
When
I became a bar mitzvah at the age of thirteen, I wasnÕt quite sure how to
accept the responsibility of becoming a man. I knew that I could now be called
to the Torah and be given an alliyah. Once you are a bar mitzvah you can be
called up to read the Torah during prayers. Another important aspect of the
Jewish religion is the importance of prayer. Many prayers require a ten-person
group of men, known as a minyan. A minyan is very important for reading the Torah,
without it many prayers cannot be performed. Within Judaism numbers of people
are very important. Judaism exemplifies the importance of unity between people
and this unity is proven through the minyan. Without ten men many prayers
cannot be fulfilled. Although these prayers are not required to be done in a
physical building dedicated to prayer, the grouping of ten men enables these
prayers to be done. The use of the minyan shows that the Torah also stresses
the importance of a congregation. Rastafarians also hold what is known as a
Grounation or a religious gathering. A grounation is similar to a Jewish
service and it is believed to have come from African Americans who converted to
Judaism through slavery. Many Jews owned slaves in southern United States and
many escaped to Jamaica. This continues to link the two religions by showing
how the Jewish voice could make it down into Jamaica and further into the Rastafarian
movement.
Within
the last year I was first introduced to Rastafarianism and I was immediately
able to see the connections to Judaism. Just like the Jews were oppressed in
Egypt through slavery, blacks from Africa were exploited and brought out of
their homeland and were forced into slavery around the world. One of the
hotspots for African slave trades was Jamaica. During the 1920s in Jamaica
there was an uprising against the oppression that they were forced into.
Rastafarianism was founded on November 2, 1930 when Ras Tafari Makonnen was
crowned emperor of Ethiopia and takes on the name Haile Selassie I.
An
important aspect to Jewish laws the dietary laws that are written in the Torah.
Although complex, Jews are asked to follow these laws closely. Jewish dietary
laws are also based off the teachings of the Torah. Only animals that chew
their cud and have cloven hooves can be considered Kosher, this rejects animals
such as pigs, rodents, and reptiles. Also the mixing of meat and dairy is not
permitted. For example, you cannot have a glass of milk when eating a steak. There
are many explanations as to why there cannot be a mixing of both milk and meat
but one explanation states that milk represents life while meat represents
death. The combining of both life and death would clash with each other and
thus shouldnÕt be done. The eating of beef is permitted but only certain parts
of the cow are allowed. Only fish with scales or fins are permitted when
considering seafood. Hard-shelled crabs and lobster is not allowed. Under
Jewish law, birds of prey and scavengers such as hawks, eagles, are prohibited,
but domesticated birds such as chicken, turkeys, and geese are permitted. Like
Judaism, Rastafarians also have their own set of dietary laws that they call
I-Tal. Following the Old Testament the I-Tal rejects pork and shellfish. Unlike
Judaism, Rastafarians are required to be vegetarian. The foods which they eat
must also be completely natural for example they cannot have a can of tuna fish
because since its in a can its not completely natural. The food in which the
Rastafarians eat is also supposed to be as raw as possible.
Within the Torah there are
sets of commandments that all Jews are required to follow. The commandments are
as followed:
1) ÔYou shall have no other Gods before Me.Õ
2) ÔYou shall not make for yourself a carved
image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the
earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.Õ
3) ÔYou shall not take the name of the LORD
your God in vain.Õ
4) ÔRemember the Sabbath day, to keep it
holy.Õ
5) ÔHonor your father and your mother.Õ
6) ÔYou shall not murder.Õ
7) ÔYou shall not commit adultery.Õ
8) ÔYou shall not steal.Õ
9) ÔYou shall not bear false witness against
your neighbor.Õ
10) ÔYou shall not
covet your neighborÕs house; you shall not covet your neighborÕs wife, nor his
male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything
that is your neighborÕs.'Õ
WhatÕs important to notice
about these commandments is that simply put, they help simplify ones life as
well as making the way of life ultimately better. Judaism stresses the
importance of living a ethical life.
Like
Judaism, Rastafarianism too has a set of commandments that each Rastafarai is
asked to follow. Rather than ten, Rastafarians have thirteen commandments and
they all revolve around better oneself as well as being accepting of others.
They are as followed:
1) H.I.M. Emperor Haile Selassie I, King of
Kings, Lord of Israel, Conquering Lion of The Tribe Of Judah, 225th
descendent of the House of David.
2) One must know and acknowledge the Bible
and the teachings of Jah Rastafari above all things.
3) One accepts and holds in reverence the
person of His Majesty Haile Selassie as the living manifestation of Jah (God)
in the flesh.
4) One must know that the so called death ÒdeathÓ
is not an eternal phenomenon, one only sees ÒdeathÓ happening in life-a
Rastaman knows not of death but of life everlasting. 5) One seeks after the
world of life, Jah Life (The Kingdom of Jah) and not after the material things
of this world, for they are only temporary (Kingdom of Babylon).
6) A Rastafarian is a Jew by nature, being a
righteous one of principles, dignity and love for God.
7) A Rasta cannot afford to be Òcolor blind.Ó
Jah is universal, Jah go and do as he wishes, Jah can take on any color he
pleases.
8) All people are of Jah Rastafari
regardless of color.
9) A Rastafarian must accept the oath of the
Nazarite, such as the forefathers- Moses, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David,
Solomon, Jess-us Christ, and Ras Ta Fari.
10) A Rastafarian
must be a man of peace, love and unity, living in harmony with Jah, man, and
nature. Living without violence, corruption and envy towards his brothers and
sisters.
11) A Rastafarian
must accept and observe the laws of the Ten Commandments, which Jah left early
mankind, comprising of every prerequisite for a flourishing communal life. 12)
It is and should be the will of all Rastafarian to liberate and eradicate all
iniquity (evil) from all the world.
13) Repatriation is a
must for all Rastafarians. Repatriation from Babylon (western concepts and
false teachings) to Zion land, the Promised Land, African Land. A physical and
spiritual repatriation to the land of ÔI n IÕ (our) fore parents, with clean
hands and pureness of heartÓ(Wadadah, 7).[1]
ItÕs important to consider
the second commandment of Rastafarianism because it shows the connection
between the two religions of Judaism and Rastafarianism. It says, ÒOne must
know and acknowledge the Bible and the teachings of Jah Rastafari above all
thingsÓ, the acknowledgement of the bible helps draw the connection between the
two because Judaism so heavily depends upon the Old Testament or the Bible. The
old testament is a major influence in the Rastafarian religion and is the
bridge that ultimately links the two religions together. Rastafarianism accepts
the old testament and shapes much of its religion around it, RastaÕs also
accept the set of ten commandments that were given to the Jewish people and
follow them closely.
Many
of the important holidays that revolve around the Jewish calendars exist
because they are based off events that have occurred throughout history. The
holiday of Passover commemorates the exile of the Jewish people from Egypt and
their journey from Egypt to their homeland of Jerusalem. During the holiday
Jews are required to avoid eating bread to help them relate to the conditions
that their ancestors faced during this difficult time of transition from
slavery to freedom. The road to freedom was not an easy one and man Jews died
during the exile from Egypt. The journey too was not quick and easy but instead
took forty years in the desert until they reached Jerusalem. Many of the
holidays that revolve around Rastafarianism are centered around the life of
Haile Selassie and various events that have occurred to him. Some of the
holidays include; the coronation of Selassie on November 2, the ceremonial
birth of Selassie on January 6, SelassieÕs visit to Jamaica on April 21,
SelassieÕs personal birthday July 23, the emancipation from slavery august 1,
and Marcus GarveyÕs birthday on august 17. Within each religion many of the
holidays revolve around events that have shaped and formed the history of each
religion. It is important to never forget where you came from and by
commemorating past events both Rastafarians are able to celebrate their pasts.
Rastafarianism
is considered a religion but it can also be regarded as a lifestyle. There are
excerpts that have been pulled from the Old Testament that Rastafarians then
dub into their own religion. The commandment to not cut ones hair was taken
from Leviticus 21:5 which says ÒYou should never mourn by shaving bald spots on
your heads, shaving the edges of your beards, or slashing your bodies.Ó This is
why Rastafarians often have beards and dreadlocks. Although the Old Testament
doesnÕt say anything about dreadlocks Rastafarians believe that dreadlocks are
a representation of a lionÕs mane, which represents strength, Africa, Ethiopia
and the Lion of Judah.[2]
Here we see Rastafarians pulling excerpts from the Old Testament that the Jews
follow so closely and help shape their own religion. In orthodox sects of
Judaism, you will find the men with long beards that they keep in order to
observe and respect the Torah. The beard not only shows ones dedication to the Torah
but it also illustrates wisdom. As one grows older and continues to follow the Torah
and learn more and more they continue to show their respects to the Torah by
keeping their beards growing, and with age comes wisdom.
Within
Judaism there are many symbols that help shape the identity of the Jewish
people. On each doorpost of a home of an observant Jew, you will find a mezuzah that is a constant
reminder of the presence of God within the home. The Torah also requires the
wearing of tzitzit that are a reminder of the mitzvahs or good deeds that you
are supposed to do. Tzitzit are tassels
that hang on the four corners of ones garment. Also the yammicah is worn to
cover the top of your head during prayer, this is worn out of a sign of respect.
One of the most popular signs of the Jewish religion is the Star of David, and
is supposed to represent the Shield of David. There are many opinions as to
what the star actually represents. A good explanation is that the top triangles
point upwards to God while the bottom triangles point downward to the real
world. [3]
Just like Judaism, Rastafarianism too has its own set of symbols. One of the
most well known symbols of Rastafarianism is the Lion of Judah that is said to
represent Haile Selassie as King of Kings. The Lion of Judah also represents
strength and Africa as well. Also, when considered Rastafarianism the colors
red, gold and green are also important. Red is said to represent the triumphant
church of the RastaÕs as well as the blood of the martyrs in the black struggle
for liberation. The gold represents the wealth of the African homeland while
the green represents Ethiopians beauty and lush vegetation.[4]
Although Judaism doesnÕt use the colors of red, gold and green it can be said
that they Jews can relate to the colors of the Rastafarians. Red could relate
the constant oppression that Jews face worldwide, as the gold and green can
apply to the beauty and wealth of the native homeland of Israel. The use of
symbols in both religions seem to further spread the identification of each
individual. Whether its Jews or Rastafarians, they use symbols to show their
connections as members of each religion.
Another
important topic to consider is the role of women. In many Jewish laws, the
requirements are directed towards men, such as ten men in a minyan, or the
requirement for men to wear yamachas when praying. It is easy to rule out women
and state that they do not have any importance. This is not the case, women can
be considered separate but equal when regarding Jewish law. As their primary
role women as considered to be a wife as well as a mother. They are also the
spiritual influence that surrounds a family, and this has great importance. The
role of a mother also outweighs any commandment, meaning they can be exempt
from a commandment if they are fulfilling their role as a mother.[5]
With regard to Rastafarianism, the primary role of the woman is to maintain a
household. Women within Rastafarian customs are asked to maintain a natural
form, this asks women to not wear make-up or put any products in their hair.
There also is a dress requirement that states that they should dress modestly
and avoid wearing short skirts.[6]
Just like Rastafarianism, women in orthodox sects of Judaism are asked to dress
modestly; this includes wearing long skirts and modest non-revealing shirts.
Modesty allows women to carry on with their lives without the public constantly
analyzing their figure. There is also a sense of dignity and self respect that
comes with dressing modestly.
Rastafarianism
during the beginning wasnÕt an all Òone-loveÓ inclusive of all faiths religion.
Leonard Howell one of the first preachers of the Rastafarianism movement came
up with a set of 6 commandments that started the Rastafarian principles. Many
of these principles were abandoned as the Rastafarian movement developed and they
were as followed:
1) Hatred for the white race.
2) The complete superiority of the black
race.
3) Revenge on whites for their wickedness.
4) The negation, persecution and humiliation
of the government and legal bodies of Jamaica.
5) Preparation to go back to Africa.
6) Haile Selassie as the Supreme Being and
only ruler of the black people. [7]
Unlike Rastafarianism, where
the basic fundamental commandments have changed throughout the development of
the religion, the Jewish commandments that were given to them on top of Mount
Sinai have not changed over the course of time. These laws were given to the
Jewish people the same way that they are today, and are continued to be
followed just as they were at the time that they were given.
Although
Rastafarians state that alcohol doesnÕt belong in the holy temple of the body
because it makes you stupid. They have an open mind to marijuana and think that
it helps open your mind and assist in reasoning. Just like marijuana, or ganja,
the holy herb, Ilay, and Callie is considered a holy sacrament to them, Jews
place wine on a higher level than other types of alcohol. One source stresses
the importance of wine saying that dating back to ancient times wine was used
for ritual uses and is continued to be used today during important religious
holidays as well as weekly Shabbat services. ÒIn the
Jewish culture, wine has importance because of the role it plays in almost
every holiday and religious service. The Sabbath is a weekly observance,
and on the Sabbath, the Kiddush is said over the wine, a special prayer specifically for
wine. Wine is thus an integrated part into the weekly life of a Jew, and
has tremendous significance in many every day aspects of Jewish lifeÓ[8]
Just like wine is highly regarded within the Jewish religion, the same goes for
marijuana within the Rastafarian movement. Jews drink wine during special
ceremonies or services just like the Rastafarians smoke weed. There are what is
known as ÒnyabinghiÓ which is when there is a dance held on Rasta holidays and
special occasions. Prior to the dances, they spend all day resting and reasoning
which is when there is an informal gathering of people who sit around in a
circle passing around a chalice and smoking weed and discussing. Rastafarians
chose to smoke weed to put them on a higher level of understanding. RastaÕs
does not abuse marijuana just like the Jewish people does not abuse wine.
When
considering the Old Testament, it is believed that the Jews are still waiting
for the coming of the messiah and do not believe that Jesus was the messiah.
Since I grew up in an orthodox home, I would always here that ÒMashiachÓ, or
the Messiah, could come at any time and that it was important to better youÕre
life in preparation for the coming of Mashiach. According to the Jews there
hasnÕt been the coming of the Messiah, the same does not apply for the
Rastafarians. RastaÕs not only believe in the coming of Messiah, but they list
two separate events in which the Messiah came. They acknowledge the coming of
Jesus but believe that Jesus was black. They also believe that the coming of
Haile Selassie to Jamaica was another coming of the Messiah. During his visit,
Rita Marley, Bob MarleyÕs wife immediately became a Rastafarian when she saw
Haile Selassie. Another reason that many believe that Selassie was the Messiah
was because a great drought had been greatly affecting the land and when
Selassie came to Jamaica, he also brought the rain. April 21, the day Selassie
came to Jamaica in 1966 is considered a major Rastafarian holiday. [9]The
people within Judaism continue to wait for the coming of the Messiah and continue
to pray for that day.
Another
important topic within each religion is the idea of an afterlife. Within
Judaism, the Torah states that there is existence after death. There are also
different levels of afterlife where their soul is cleansed and ultimately ends
up in the Garden of Eden that is believed to be the place of spiritual
perfection. It is argued that the wicked never reach the highest point of the
Garden of Eden.[10] Unlike
Judaism, Rastafarians donÕt believe in an afterlife. They believe that Africa
is the heaven on earth and that true RastaÕs are immortal both physically and
spiritually believing that they are Òever livingÓ[11]. Afterlife differs between the two religions,
as Judaism believes in existence after death, Rastafarianism doesnÕt consider
death and considers true RastaÕs to be ever living. Afterlife is also discussed
within Reggae music and the band Third World wrote a song 96 Degrees in the
Shade and the chorus is as followed:
ÒSome may suffer and some may burn
but I know that one day my people will learn
as sure as the sun shines, way up in the sky
today I stand here a victim the truth is IÕll never dieÓ (Third World).
This song lyric is very
important in showing how people within Rastafarianism through song lyrics show
the connection between struggle but with the understanding that one will never
die. Even through all the hardships that many people have faced through slavery
and oppression, they will forever live.
Shavuot,
a Jewish holiday, is celebrated to commemorate the time that the Jewish people
were given the Torah. Within the Torah are the five books of Moses; Genesis,
Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. A Torah also encompasses all the
laws and traditions of the Jewish religion.[12]
What makes the Torah so special is that the Jewish people were the only people
at that time to accept all the laws that it required thus linking the Jewish
people with the Torah. This also linked the Jewish people and God making them
the chosen ones for they accepted the scripture of God. Like Judaism,
Rastafarian too has a text in which they follow known as the Holy Piby also
known as the ÒBlack Mans BibleÓ. This book is widely accepted by the
Rastafarian movement for the theological aspects of the book. The Holy Piby was
written by Robert Athlyi Rogers and was written between
1913 and 1917. The Holy Piby is not the only scripture that the Rastafarians
use. One of the most widely used bibles within the Rastafarian religion is King
James Bible that has been around since 1611. The reason why Rastafarians use
this 400 plus year old bible is because they believe that all the other bibles
since this time are corrupt. Rastafarians interpret this bible differently than
the Christians and believe that many of the passages are attributed to Haile
Selassie. The Promised Key is another book that the Rastafarians consult. The
book was written by Leonard Howell and contains aspects of Rastafarian foundations
as well as preaches Rastafarianism. This book is very similar to that of The
Royal Parchment Scroll of Black Supremacy that was written by Rev. Fitz
Balintine Pettersburgh and published in Kingston Jamaica in 1921. [13] There are more books that Rastafarians consult but many of
them preach the teachings of God as well as black supremacy. Each religion
shows a connection to God in the sense that they accept Holy Scriptures as the
fundamental core to their religions.
The
slave trade also has a great importance when considering Rastafarianism. Large
numbers of blacks were extracted from Africa and held in captivity outside of
their native homeland. Over 700,000 slaves were brought from Africa to Jamaica
and were treated poorly. Rastafarianism is an escape from the exploitation of
slavery.[14]
Just as the spread of Rastafarianism revolves around escape from the escape of
slavery, the same can be said for Judaism. When the Jews escaped from slavery
in Egypt, they emigrated all over the world, not just in Israel. The spread of
each religion an in some ways be linked to the escape from slavery. Judaism is
spread through emigration. Just like blacks, Jews faced hardships in many of
the places they attempted to live and were often time not accepted in these
areas and thus were forced to move from place to place.
Rastafarianism
was able to spread due in large parts of the growing popularity of reggae music
worldwide. One of the most influential artists who preached Rastafarianism at
the beginning of every performance, as and within his song lyrics was Bob
Marley. Bob Marley spread the word of Rastafarianism through music just like
Matisyahu is currently doing to spread the laws and teachings of Judaism
through pop culture. Matisyahu through his lyrics is able to show how Jews too
have been struggling for long periods of time and he does show by incorporate
these teachings through his lyrics. In his song Jerusalem, Matisyahu writes:
ÒIn the ancient days, we will return with no delay
Picking up the bounty and the spoils on our way
WeÕve been traveling from state to state
And them donÕt understand what they say
3,000 years with no place to be
And they want me to give up my milk and honey
DonÕt you see, itÕs not about the land or the sea
Not the country but the dwelling of his majestyÓ (Matisyahu)
Bob Marley helped show the
world the religion of Rastafarianism and he did so through music. On the eve of
his last performance in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on September 23, 1980 he
started his performance by preaching ÒYeaah!
Greeting in the name of his imperial majesty, emperor Haile I. Selassie I. Jah!
Rastafari! Who liveth in I and I. I Ôtinually ever faithful, ever sure. They
say experience teaches wisdom but thereÕs a natural mystic blowing through the
airÉÓ Bob here shows so much passion towards the Rastafarian movement and
it is so clearly obvious through his words that he is completely dedicated to
what he believes in. In the same ways that many reggae artists talk about the
return to Zion or the African homeland. Matisyahu does the same by talking
about the native homeland to the Jewish people that is Jerusalem. Both
religions have their respective Zion, Rastafarianism connects their roots with
Africa as Judaism focuses on Jerusalem. Each religion continues to exist due to
the dedication of those who continue to live their lives through the teachings
of both Judaism and Rastafarianism.
Judaism
is often over looked because many modern Jews who are not as religious that do
not truly follow the laws that are written within the torah. There still exists
a growing number of orthodox movements who continue to exemplify deep passion
and wisdom for the teachings of God. In the same ways people like Bob Marley
and many other Rastafarians believe in the teachings of Haile Selassie and God.
In many ways Rastafarians are just like the Jewish people. Members of each
religion strive to live ethical lives as well as praise God and consider God to
be the controlling factor in their lives
In so many ways are
Judaism and Rastafarianism closely connected. Although differing in a few
things, the connection between the shaping of each religion is almost
identical. Women are treated as protectors of the household and share many of
the same beliefs regarding commandments, dietary laws are in existence as well
as scriptures that are used to shape each religion. The Rastafarian movement is
very new when being compared to the Jewish religion and it seems as though
Rastafarians pulled out many of the important aspects of Judaism to shape their
own basic principles.
Both
Jews and Rastafarians have shared lives of hardship and exploitation. Although
far removed from slavery, Jews continue to feel the effects of these practices
and face hardship through anti-Semitism just like the blacks face when they
were oppressed by the white colonial powers that brought them into slavery.
Judaism preaches the importance of living an ethical life through love, unity,
and kindness to others. These principles can too be applied to the Rastafarian
movement as well. At first I knew very little of Rastafarianism and basically
just linked them with smoking ganja and preaching the mighty emperor of Jah,
but I learned that there is more to Rastafarianism than that. I grew up in a
virtually orthodox Jewish home and I was always surrounded by Jewish teachings
and laws and I saw many of the same principles within Rastafarianism as I was
doing my research paper. Although Rastafarian doesnÕt completely parallel
Judaism, there are many aspects that are pulled from the Torah and Jewish law
that help make Rastafarians live better lives through kindness, unity, love of
one and other, and to praise God.
Bibliography
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The Connections Between Judaism and Rastafarianism Buchwald, Adam 1998 URL: http://debate.uvm.edu/dreadlibrary/buchwald.html
Rastafarai, Religion Facts
URL: http://www.religionfacts.com/a-z-religion-index/rastafarianism.htm
Signs and Symbols Rich,
Tracey R URL: http://www.jewfaq.org/signs.htm
The Role of Women: Judaism 101
URL: http://www.jewfaq.org/women.htm
Race & Women In Rastafari, May 17, 2003,
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Rastafarai, Religion Facts
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Olam Ha-Ba: The Afterlife: Judaism 101 URL: http://www.jewfaq.org/olamhaba.htm
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Important Books In Rastafarian Theology May 28,2003 URL: http://www.jamaicans.com/culture/rasta/important_books.shtml