Black Hebrew Israelites

Black Hebrew Israelites
Family	New religious movements / Hebrew Israelite movements
Origin region	United States
Founding period	Late 19th and 20th centuries CE
Estimated adherents	Unknown; the term covers many independent groups with different teachings.

Black Hebrew Israelites is a broad term for movements teaching that Black people, or specific groups of African-descended people, are descendants of the ancient Israelites.

Overview

Black Hebrew Israelite groups are diverse and should not be treated as one unified organization. Many teach that Black people are the true descendants of biblical Israel and interpret the Bible through the history of slavery, exile, oppression, and restoration. Some groups are peaceful religious communities, while watchdog organizations and scholars distinguish them from extremist factions that teach racial hatred or antisemitism.

Key beliefs

• Black or African-descended peoples are identified with biblical Israelites
• The Bible is read through themes of exile, covenant, oppression, and restoration
• Some groups observe Hebrew Bible laws, Sabbath, dietary rules, or festivals
• Views of Jesus, Judaism, Christianity, and race vary widely between groups
• Extremist branches are controversial and should not be treated as representative of all adherents

Practices

• Bible study
• Sabbath observance in many groups
• Dietary restrictions in some communities
• Street preaching or public teaching in some branches
• Festivals modeled on Hebrew Bible observances

Places of worship

• Congregations or camps
• Homes
• Public teaching spaces
• Online communities

Sacred texts

• The Hebrew Bible
• The New Testament in many groups
• Group-specific teachings and commentaries
• Historical identity writings

Holidays and observances

• Passover in many groups
• Sabbath observance
• Feasts from the Hebrew Bible
• Group-specific commemorations

Branches and related traditions

• Judaism - Black Hebrew Israelite movements use Israelite identity language but are distinct from mainstream Judaism.
• Christianity - Many groups incorporate New Testament beliefs.
• New Religious Movements - Many modern groups are studied as new or alternative religious movements.

See also

• Religion
• Theology
• Philosophy of religion
• New Religious Movements

References

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