Yosef Jangkhothang Lhanghal Z”l

​

Yosef Jangkhothang Lhanghal was born in 1940. In 1960, he married Khedvah Hatvah Baite in Burma and in 1963, he returned with his wife and baby Ningchin (Judith) to his native Churachandpur. By the grace of God, 5 more children were born to the couple.

​

Yosef Lhanghal contributed significantly to the revival of Judaism among the Bnei Menashe in Northeast India. From an early age, he exhibited a strong religious commitment, which led him to become a pastor in the Church of God. He was said to have memorised the whole Bible (both the Old and New Testament) in the Mizo language and could quote passages at will.

​

A desire to search out the origins of the Manmasi tribes, the Kuki, Chin and Mizo peoples, and a quest to find the true religion, ultimately led him to recognise that the Manmasis were descendants of one of the 10 Lost Tribes of Israel.

​

Yosef founded the Lion Photo Studio in New Bazar, Churachandpur in  1971, and this became a focal point for extensive discussions on the connection between the Manmasis and Israel's Lost Tribes. Two of his closest associates in this quest were T. Daniel Lhungdim, headmaster of Molnom High School and Shemuel Sumthang Haokip, a high school teacher and prosperous entrepreneur.

​

In late 1960, T. Daniel undertook many visits to the libraries of Bombay and Calcutta in the course of his research. In 1973, accompanied by Israel Ginjamung Suantak, he again travelled to Calcutta and Bombay, and encountered an Indian Jewish lady in Bombay named Esther Immanuel.

​

Upon his return to Manipur, T. Daniel reported to MJO (Manipur Jews Organization), three principal messages that he had learnt from his trips to Bombay, namely:

1. Judaism is the religion of the Jews;

2. Circumcision is mandatory for Jewish males and converts; and

3. Jews do not accept Jesus as the Messiah.

​

Many members of Manipur Jews Organization (MJO) which was founded on 15 august 1972 with the aim of observing biblical laws such as Shabbat and abstaining from non kosher animals rejected T. Daniel's message since they firmly believed that Jesus was the promised Messiah.

 

Yosef Lhanghal, T. Daniel and Shemuel Sumthang were heavily engrossed in the study of the Bible and discussion of the origins of the Manmasi tribe. From their study of the Old Testament, they readily accepted the proposition that Jesus was not the promised Messiah. The three of them met every afternoon in the Lion Photo Studio, however, due to the distractions posed by customers, they opted to relocate their meetings to Yosef Lhanghal's residence. Subsequently, Yosef Lhanghal changed the name of his studio, calling it the Judean Photo Studio.

​

In due course, as a result of their studies, T. Daniel, Yosef Lhanghal and  Sumthang Shemuel released a book entitled "Israel Ihiuve", which translates as "We are Israel". The subtitle of this book was "Israel Chilhah Kuki Thusim Bu" which means “the Kuki are descendent of Israel” One thousand copies of the book were printed and sold for 1.25 rupees each. The book achieved immediate success and stimulated extensive discussion among the Kukis of Manipur, leading to the printing of a further one thousand copies.

​

The success of the book disrupted the lives and livelihoods of its 3 authors. T. Daniel was dismissed from his position as Principal at Molnom High School, Shemuel Sumthang lost his teaching position, and Yosef Lhanghal resigned from his pastoral role in the Church of God. All three of them were reviled by their families and members of their community for their claims of descent from the Lost Tribes and rejection of Jesus as the Messiah, as most of the Kukis fervently believed that Jesus was their Saviour.

​

The MJO disbanded due to internal discord, as its primary tenet was the observance of Shabbat and the avoidance of impure animals; however, circumcision was deemed unacceptable, and faith in Jesus was prioritized above all else.

 

Thus on 10 October 1974, the United Jews of North East India (UJNEI) was established, the main focus of its founders being to foster Jewish observances among the Chin, Kuki and Mizo groups. Yosef Lhanghal, a passionate orator, greatly admired by his peers, was immediately appointed to the role of Advisor and Speaker. With his inspired oratory, he won over many individuals, in Mizoram as well as in Manipur, to the conviction that the Kuki, Chin and Mizo peoples are Israelites and should therefore be following Judaism.

​

Unfortunately, the UJNEI succumbed to the same divisions that had led to the demise of the MJO. With members holding divergent religious perspectives and beliefs, it ultimately split apart in January 1975.

The faction which maintained the name UJNEI, comprising T. Daniel and his close associates Yosef Lhanghal and Shemuel Sumthang, now joined by Yonatan Touthang and David Jamkhosem Lhungdim, distanced themselves from Christian beliefs and sought to move closer to Jewish practice.

​

Following V.L. Benjamin's removal as President of MJO, Yosef Lhanghal advocated for his selection as President of UJNEI. The group wholeheartedly endorsed this decision, as V.L. Binyamin, the president of MJO, is a successful businessman admired by many within the organization, which will facilitate the acceptance of Judaism and the rejection of Jesus by more individuals.

 

That year, 1975, the UJNEI once more sent T. Daniel to Bombay, to further his studies into Judaism. The expenses for his journey were contributed by the group's members and friends, with Yosef Lhanghal urging them to donate to cover T. Daniel's costs. When Nehemiah Paochung Gangte, a peon in the Municipality of Churachandpur, sold his land for 30,000 rupees, Yosef persuaded him to contribute ten percent of the money to fund T. Daniel's trip.

​

Whilst in Bombay, T. Daniel sent back telegrams to the community, with details such as how to conduct Kiddush, Havdalah and various blessings, prompting those interested to gather on Shabbat to study the material he provided.

​

Finally, Yosef Lhanghal's contribution to the community bore fruit, after the community sent T. Daniel to Bombay once more, and this time T. Daniel returned to Manipur on Chol hamoed Pesach with a printed Torah scroll and various halakhic books, and on April 21 1976 a grand feast was held in honour of Torah  marking the rebirth of Judaism among the Bnei Menashe in Northeast India, after 2,700 years of exile.

​

Yosef Lhanghal never saw the land of Israel which he cherished, but his efforts were not in vain, having led to many members of the community making Aliyah, including his wife Khedvah and children Miriam Samra, Daniel Yehuda Lhanghal (z"l), Elsie Orah and Bathsheva Ezer.

​

Miriam married Dr Myer Samra, an anthropologist from Sydney Australia and moved with him to Australia. Rosy Devorah followed her sister to Australia and underwent conversion through the Sydney Beth Din, marrying an Israeli man, Shalom Labi, living there. Yosef Lhanghal's firstborn, Yehudit, still resides in India. We hope and pray that someday soon, she will merit to be reunited with her siblings in Israel.

 

On 18 August 2000, Yosef Lhanghal drew his last breath, passing away and ending his sojourn on Earth. His endeavours and contributions to the Bnei Menashe tribes have been tremendous and he is revered for them. His memory will endure forever among the Bnei Menashe.