Do Rastafari practices derive from Judaism?

Question

Do Rastafari practices derive from Judaism?

Answer 1

NO, IT IS AN ENTIRELY MAN MADE RELIGION. AND IS WORSE THAN A CULT.

Answer 2

As can be seen, Rastafari engenders all sorts of reactions!

The answer is Yes and No!

Rastafari, like many other religions, has several distinct branches. The two main branches claim descent from Judaism and the Ethiopian Christian Church. Neither religion is particularly happy about this.

The common belief is that Haile Selasse, "Lion of Judah" was the new Messiah. He was, of course, supposedly no 225 in line, a direct descendant of Solomon.

I'd add something to the pot of confusion and point out that Judah is actually an ancient city, located just South of the Saudi-Iraqi Border, more or less in the centre!

edit:

Cults are defined by their propensity to coerce people to join, through brain washing and subterfuge, whilst discouraging apostasy through threats and violence.

Rastafari does not have a record of such practices.

Answer 3

In a way Rastafari does practice the ancient Akan rituals and beliefs. Rastari is really a determination to return to ones 'roots'. The stories of the ancestors of the Rastafari founders are very ancient stories, and these have affected the tribes of their progeny over the past few thousand years. They have back-tracked to stories that have taken their ancestors from Uganda/Punt/Ethiopia to Egypt, Canaan, to West Afrca. The difference between Rasta's and their black counterparts is the difference between the ancient Maccabees(Makabi - An African sect that fought for Jerusalem against Roman intrusion) and the 'Hellenized' sect of Africans during the time. The ancient Assin (Essen) remnants were also fighting against colonization, and the life of the Essen Yesu was a marked example. The Rasta's see Haille Sellase as representing the same values of Yesu. Peace

Answer 4

Not really, but there's some inspiration and Rastafarians have adopted some Jewish symbols--the Jewish star and the "Lion of Judah." Also, some follow the kosher dietary laws found in the Bible. The difference is that Judaism has a certain interpretation of the Bible, and uses the Old Testament only. The Rastafarians are looking at the Old and the New Testament, and interpreting it in a new way, and because the Old Testament is a Jewish document, their actions are going to have a Jewish flavor to them. But not be influenced by Judaism and Jews of today. Also, just as Jews see themselves as the decendants of biblical figures. the Rastafarians believe that when King Solomon visited the Queen of Sheba, they conceived a child, and Ethiopians are the descendants, so they are the true sons of Israel, and Ethiopia is Zion. There have long been Jews living in Ethiopia, but they have nothing to do with this movement. It's separate.

Answer 5

No. And, grammer would say "are the practices derived," not "do the practices derived."