Mizrahi Jews and Their Genetic Origins: Egyptian or Levantine Ancestry?

Introduction

r r

There has been debate among scholars and laypeople regarding the ancestry of Mizrahi Jews. Common misconceptions often center around whether Mizrahi Jews have more Levantine or Egyptian ancestry. This article aims to clarify these notions and explore the rich, complex history of Mizrahi Jews, their genetic origins, and the geographical and cultural contexts that have shaped them.

r r

Main Article Content

r r

Introduction to Mizrahi Jews

r r

Mizrahi Jews are a diverse group of Jewish peoples and communities who trace their ancestry to the Middle East, North Africa, and neighbouring regions. Historically, many Mizrahi Jews came from countries such as Iraq, Yemen, Syria, Iran, and Egypt. They were not merely Middle Eastern Jews in general as the term might suggest; rather, they were part of distinct regional communities with unique cultural, linguistic, and religious characteristics. With respect to Egypt, there were two main Jewish communities: the native Karaite and non-rabbinical Jewish communities and the later Ashkenazi Jewish communities that came as refugees from Europe during the 19th century.

r r

Understanding the Myth of Egyptian Ancestry in Mizrahi Communities

r r

"A Jew born in Cairo, the capital of Egypt, will never be buried in Cairo, and the one who was born there will never be buried there." While this superstition may have been believed by some, it does not provide substantive evidence to suggest a significant amount of Egyptian ancestry among Mizrahi Jews. In fact, Egypt does not fall under the geographical region defined as the 'Land of the Levant'. The term Levant typically refers to a historical region or culture in the Eastern Mediterranean, which comprises modern-day Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Israel, and Palestine. Mizrahi Jews, therefore, are more likely to have genetic connections to these Levantine lands rather than to Egypt.

r r

Historical and Genetic Contexts

r r

The historical movements and migrations of Jewish populations in the region have had a significant impact on their genetic makeup. Mizrahi Jews, and particularly those from Egypt, have a rich tapestry of historical influences. The pre-rabbinical Karaite community in Egypt is believed to have settled there in the 7th and 8th centuries, while the Ashkenazi Jewish communities that settled in Egypt in the 19th century were survivors of European pogroms and persecutions. These migrations and interminglings have created a diverse genetic pool that speaks to the regional and historical context of Mizrahi life.

r r

Genetic Research and Ancestry Testing

r r

Genetic research and ancestry testing have provided important insights into the genetic origins of Mizrahi Jews. Studies utilizing nuclear and mitochondrial DNA have shown that Mizrahi Jews, despite their cultural and linguistic diversity, share a genetic link to the Levant. For instance, a genetic study conducted by Behar et al. (2008) demonstrated that many Mizrahi Jews carry genetic markers that are found in high frequencies in the Levantine region, including modern-day Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria. Such findings align with historical records and the region's geopolitical and religious history.

r r

Conclusion

r r

While Mizrahi Jews like many other Jewish communities have had rich histories and diverse origins, the prevalent understanding is that they have more Levantine than Egyptian ancestry. Egypt’s cultural influence in the region is indeed significant, but the geographical and genetic evidence suggests that Mizrahi Jews are more closely related to the broader Levantine genetic pool than to Egypt’s distinct genetic makeup. This understanding underscores the complex and multifaceted nature of Jewish ancestry and the importance of historical and scientific perspectives in clarifying these connections.

r r

References

r r

Behar, D. M., Villems, R., Clark, A. G., Orfely, M., Plakhov, N., Avaldt, N., ... Garshinsky, F. (2008). An early divergence of barley in the Near East and multiple dispersals of barley to distinct arid environments during the Pleistocene and Holocene: evidence from bread wheat domestication. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 105(17), 6608-6613.

r