Shmuel Avukia, an Israeli Bible enthusiast and scholar from the community of Kokhav Yaakov, developed his claim that the Romani people (often referred to as Gypsies) are descendants of the ancient Israelite tribe of Simeon through a process rooted in deep biblical study. His idea originated several years ago while examining the weekly Torah portion (parsha), where he was particularly struck by a verse in Genesis 33:15: "And Esau said, Let me now leave with thee some of the folk that are with me." Avukia pondered the identity of these "folk" accompanying Esau, interpreting the term as a potential reference to a group that could connect to the Romani. This curiosity sparked years of intensive research into biblical texts, going beyond superficial readings to uncover what he describes as hidden connections.
### Key Elements of His Thought Process
Avukia's approach involved thorough, non-surface-level analysis of the Torah, where he "stumbled upon the Romani issue" during his studies. He began sharing preliminary findings online, which garnered significant responses from Romani communities worldwide (e.g., from France, Finland, Spain, Russia, and the U.S.), leading him to organize forums and gatherings starting in 2017. At these events, such as the first Jewish-Gypsy Forum in Jerusalem in December 2017, he presented his conclusions, emphasizing the need to "connect the dots" between biblical clues, Romani traditions, and community knowledge. He acknowledges that many Romani people intuitively believe in their Jewish origins but lack empirical proof, and he positions his work as bridging that gap through scriptural interpretation and cultural parallels.
### Sources He Relies On
- **Biblical Sources**: Primarily the Torah, with a focus on the Book of Genesis (especially Chapter 33) and references to the tribe of Simeon as one of the 12 tribes of Israel descended from Jacob. Simeon is described in the Bible as a tribe that received no independent territory but was scattered among others (e.g., Joshua 19:1-9), which Avukia ties to the nomadic history of the Romani.
- **Other Sources**: Romani cultural traditions and oral histories, which he sees as aligning with Torah-based practices. He also draws on historical events, such as the shared persecution of Jews and Romani during the Holocaust (where Nazis targeted both groups for extermination), as evidence of a linked destiny. Additionally, he references mystical elements, claiming Romani interpretations of God's teachings form the basis of Kabbalah, passed down verbally with a covenant not to write them down (though he notes the 2003 publication of the Zohar as a perceived betrayal). Avukia does not cite extensive external academic or genetic sources; his framework is predominantly theological and interpretive.
### Reasoning Behind the Claim
Avukia argues that the Romani are "spiritual descendants of Abraham" through Simeon, with their culture and customs—such as strict Torah interpretations, monotheistic beliefs, purity rituals, and mystical practices—mirroring ancient Israelite traditions. He interprets the biblical scattering of Simeon (due to Jacob's curse in Genesis 49:5-7 for violence against Shechem) as explaining the Romani's migratory, diaspora existence. The shared Nazi targeting reinforces this for him, suggesting a divine or historical bond that "cannot be ignored." He likens the improbability of his theory to events like the founding of Israel, stating, "only that which seems impossible happens at the end," and plans to submit a book and video to rabbinic and halachic authorities for validation.
This claim remains fringe and unconfirmed by rabbinic authorities, with Avukia anticipating initial denial. Mainstream genetic studies contradict it, tracing Romani origins to northern India around 1000 CE with no significant Jewish admixture. However, it has sparked interest, leading to ongoing forums and collaborations between Jewish and Romani groups.