Passover Reflections: Freedom, Faith, and the Stories We Carry

As the sun sets and we gather around our Seder tables, may this Pesach bring you liberation from all burdens, a return to what is essential and true, and a deeper connection with your story, your people, and your purpose.

Passover is not only a festival of remembrance—it’s a sacred invitation to storytelling. Almost like a commandment, we are urged to recount the tales of our ancestors, to pass them down with reverence and wonder. Among these stories, none shines brighter than that of Moses.

In 1956, Cecil B. DeMille gifted the world The Ten Commandments, with Charlton Heston’s unforgettable portrayal of Moses—a prince of Egypt who became the shepherd of his people’s freedom. Decades later, director Ridley Scott and actor Christian Bale reimagined the Exodus in their own cinematic language, reminding a new generation of the drama and majesty of this ancient journey.

The story of Moses, once a royal in Pharaoh's court, is one of divine calling, courage, and humility. The Bible speaks of him as "the humblest of all men," the one to whom God spoke face to face. Through plagues and partings, wilderness and wonder, Moses led with a quiet fire—a guide not only for his people but for all who seek freedom, justice, and truth.

Later, when the Prophet Samuel anointed King David, he invoked the legacy of those who came before: "the courage of Moses and the strength of Samson..." A lineage of strength rooted not in might alone, but in faith and divine purpose.

This Pesach, may we all remember the power of storytelling, the weight of history, and the enduring light of freedom. 

Chag Pesach Sameach.

B Thomas

Colonial India Heritage Studies

Happy Purim

Chag Purim Sameach!

Today, as we celebrate Purim, we reflect on the powerful story of courage and faith from the Book of Esther. One of the most cherished traditions of this holiday is the public reading of the Megillat Esther (Esther scroll) in the synagogue. This sacred reading commemorates the salvation of the Jewish people from Haman’s plot and serves as a powerful reminder of community strength and resilience.

Traditionally, Esther scrolls are unadorned, handwritten on parchment, and sewn together with sinew. However, in 17th-century Amsterdam, a remarkable transformation took place. Advances in printing technology enabled the creation of illustrated Esther scrolls, adorned with architectural borders and intricate details. These beautifully crafted scrolls became prized ceremonial objects, especially among affluent Spanish and Portuguese Jewish communities.

To honor this rich tradition, visit The Book of Esther in the Age of Rembrandt exhibition at the Jewish Museum, showcasing stunning Esther scrolls from the 17th century. Don’t miss the opportunity to see:

• Salom Italia’s Esther Scroll (1640s): Printed border with handwritten text on parchment (Joods Historisch Museum, Amsterdam).
  
• Raphael Montalto’s Esther Scroll (1686): Ink on parchment with silk backing and wooden and ivory roller (New York Public Library).
  
• Salom Italia’s Esther Scroll, Amsterdam (1640s): Printed border with handwritten text on parchment.
  

Exhibition Details:
🗓️ On view through August 10
📍 Jewish Museum, 5th Ave at 92nd St, NYC
🕰️ Friday – Monday: 11 AM – 6 PM, Thursday: 11 AM – 8 PM

May the joy and spirit of Purim fill your hearts and homes!

Rabbi Nehemia Mootha 449th Remembrance Day

 

Nehemiah ben Abraham Motha: A Spiritual Legacy That Transcends Borders

Nehemiah ben Abraham Motha (also spelled Mota), also known as Namiah Muthappan (“eldest with reverence”), was a 16th-century Jewish scholar, mystic, poet, and kabbalist who lived in Mattancherry, Old Cochin. Born in Yemen, though some sources speculate he may have been Italian or Polish, Nehemiah eventually migrated to the historic port town of Cochin, where he became a revered figure among the Jews of Kerala. He is remembered for his profound religious contributions, his poetic works, and the spiritual aura that continues to surround his name.

Nehemiah’s influence in Cochin remains palpable even today. The Kerala Jews honor the anniversary of his death, which coincides with the first day of Hanukkah, with a special banquet followed by the recitation of his hashkavah (Sephardi memorial prayer). His religious significance, however, extends far beyond the Jewish community. His tomb in the erstwhile Chakkamadam Jewish Cemetery in Mattancherry serves as a site of pilgrimage, veneration, and solace not only for Jews but also for Christians, Muslims, and Hindus. It functions as a focal point for vows, a source of blessings, and a place of refuge during times of distress.

His tomb, remarkably preserved while others in the cemetery have withered, is a testament to his enduring spiritual legacy. The Hebrew inscription on his tomb provides rare and valuable insights into his life, including mention of his father, Rabbi Abraham Motha. The epitaph reads:

"Here rest the remains of the famous kabbalist,
The influence of the light of whose learning shines throughout the country,
The perfect sage, the hasid, and God-fearing Nehemiah, the son of
The dear rabbi and sage Abraham Motha.
Our Master departed this life on Sunday, the 25th of Kislev, 5336.
May his soul rest in peace."

Nehemiah’s life and works are shrouded in both reverence and intrigue. The 1907 Jewish Encyclopedia mentions him, albeit incorrectly, as a false messiah in Cochin in 1615. Most accounts, however, regard him as a man of great piety and scholarship. He was married to a woman from the Mattancherry Kadavumbhagam Jewish community, and his poetic contributions to Jewish liturgy were so significant that around 20 of his songs were included in the 1757 edition of the Shingli Maḥzor. Although these songs were omitted in later editions, they have resurfaced in recent Israeli editions of the Shingli rite, attesting to their enduring importance.

Interestingly, his tomb is assumed as a village deity/Kaavu (grammatadevata) shrines of South India by the non Jewish local people, though it does not have any images or symbols found in local worship places. The local respect for the belief of other traditions has made his tomb an object of cultural assimilation, with women of all faiths lighting candles and making vows there, seeking blessings for health, employment, or safe journeys. The incorporation of a figure like Nehemiah into the religious practices of non-Jewish communities reflects the unique syncretism and mutual respect that characterizes Cochin’s cultural fabric.

Acknowledgment of Preservation Efforts
Nehemiah’s tomb, located in an alley near Jew Town Mattancherry, has been lovingly maintained by local non-Jewish residents. Their efforts, from painting the tomb to restoring its gold-lettered inscription, are a testament to the communal harmony that defines Mattancherry. Lighting lamps on his anniversary, the first day of Hanukkah, further reflects the shared commitment to preserving his memory and legacy.

Nehemiah Motha’s life and tomb are more than just historical artefacts; they are living symbols of the cultural and spiritual diversity of Cochin. His enduring legacy continues to inspire respect, unity, and reverence in a town where history and humanity converge.

PS: Motha = Mootha (= respect. Eg.. Mootha Amma (mother), Mootha Achan (father) etc..)

Credit: Jewish Virtual Library

Hanukkah ( DECEMBER 26/KISLEV 25 ) AM 5785

 In 139 BCE, a small Jewish group known as the Maccabees achieved an unexpected victory against the powerful Syrian-Greek armies led by King Antiochus IV. This king had sought to suppress Jewish traditions and enforce Greek beliefs and practices. After their victory, the Maccabees reclaimed the Holy Temple in Jerusalem, which had been defiled, and began the process of repairing, cleaning, and rededicating it to their faith.  

As part of the Temple's re-dedication, they needed to light the menorah, a sacred seven-branched lamp. However, they found only a small amount of ritually pure olive oil—enough to keep the menorah lit for just one day. In what is considered a miracle, that oil burned for eight days, giving them enough time to prepare new, pure oil for the lamp.  

This event is commemorated in the Jewish holiday of Chanukah (Hanukkah), an eight-day festival also known as the Festival of Lights. Each night, candles are lit on a special menorah to honor the miracle and the perseverance of the Jewish people. The holiday symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness, faith over despair, and the resilience of a people determined to uphold their traditions against all odds.  

Chag Hanukkah Sameach!

Kaifeng Torah and the Chinese Jewish Community

 They are the Jewish community settled the farthest from Jerusalem. They maintained their community for over thousand years on the banks of the Yellow River. Eventually they integrated themselves into the Local Chinese Community. 

Jewish arrival to China

Kaifeng was known as Bianliang in the early centuries and was one of the seven ancient capitals of China situated deep in the middle of country on the banks of Yellow River. It is not certain when the Jewish Community arrived in Bianliang. The oral history recommends they were Persian Traders who arrived in the first century and their synagogue is believed to have existed up to 1850. A business letter of 718 written using Hebrew charachter but in Persian language is the evidence that supports their origin. 

A Jesuit missionary in his letters to Vatican from Kaifeng had mentioned about the Jews living there. It is said there are about 6 casual reference to the Jews of Kaifeng by travellers till 1605 but no specific study was made untill 1800 by which time the Jewish community of Kaifeng had disappeared. 

Just like the Jewish Community of Cochin, the Kaifeng community was also prosperous and did not face any persecution or harassment. Much loved by the locals they also proudly displayed many gifts they received from the Emperor in their synagogue. 

The end of the community

The Jewish customs obviously were different from the Chinese way of life and the Confucian way of thinking. Not eating pork, Observing Sabbath and Torah reading at Synagogue, circumcising their children etc.. They did not take second wives nor bound their feet like the Chinese. They also had their own Rabbis as preist, the last one is said to have died in 1810. 

By the middle of 1800 the Jewish community had integrated into the local community so much so that they had nobody among them who could read or write Hebrew halting the Torah reading and subsequently their Synagogue fell without proper repair. Today there is a new Synagogue in its place and there are people who says they are Jews even though they have the physical features same like the other Chinese folks around them.

Kaifeng community is considered as a long lost Jews and some Chinese scholars like Zhou Un of the school of Oriental and African Studies, London, say the Jewishness of the Kaifeng Community is a Western Cultural Invention. 

The importance of the Kaifeng Torah

The Jesuit missionaries when they came across the Kaifeng community was hoping they would get from them owing to their long isolation from the mainstream 'un-corrupted Torahs' which they believed could help in their Biblical interpretations. As we know by the middle of 1800s there were hardly anyone in the Kaifeng community who could read Hebrew and they started selling old copies of their Torah to the inquisitive colonial visitors. The contents of the Kaifeng Torah was similar to the conventional scriptures. They did not have any Chinese Translations to help the later generation to read and understand the content of the scriptures. 

The Making of the Kaifeng Torah Scroll 

It is believed to have been made between 1643 and 1663. At any rate it was acquired by the Kaifeng Jesuit Missionaries in 1851 and was presented to the British Museum in 1852. The scroll is made from the thick sheep skin tied together with silk thread (not animal sinew which is customary). It has 239 columns of text written in Hebrew Square Script similar  to the ones used by the Jews of Persia without any signs to show the vowel sounds. Unfortunately only 7 of the 15 Kaifeng Synagogue Torahs have survived. 

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Courtesy Visit

A high-profile shooting in progess in our Jew town Mattancherry. It is a pity that the organizers do not usually advise the superstars to pay a courtesy visit to the last of the Paradesi community members.

 

Pessach Greetings

Last day of the Peaasach week at our Jew town in Mattancherry. Somedays of the week were rainy and lonely at the Heritage town.