Yudi, Tripolita'it in Israel

Introduction / History

Yudi also known as Tripolitanian Judeo-Arabic was the primary language originally spoken by the Jewish people formerly living in Libya. Libya had been home to the Yudi speaking Jews for over 2,500 years. They lived under the Greeks, Romans, Ottomans, Italians, British and Arabs rule.

This once thriving Jewish community began its decline in 1911 when Libya became an Italian colony. By the 1940’s their decline accelerated with further persecution including the enforcement of the Italian Racial Law, internment in concentration camps, and pogroms under the British administration.

The community’s situation continued to deteriorate after Libya‘s independence in 1952. Libya’s nationalism expressed itself through anti-Israeli and anti-Jewish policies. The Arab League’s boycott of Israel damaged Libyan Jews economically. In the 1960s, the Libyan government restricted the Jews’ civil and religious liberties. More anti-Semitic violence and the rise to power of Muammar Gaddafi lead to the final evacuation of the Yudi when Israel won the Six Day War in 1968. Today about all that remains of the Yudi in Libya are the ruins of a few of their beautiful synagogues that once stood as evidence of a vibrant Jewish people.

All of them now live in Israel. Upon arriving in Israel, they established communities mainly in Ashkelon, Bat Yam and Netanya.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Many Yudis are businessmen and traders. Others are teachers or medical professionals. They have always encouraged their children to get advanced education. Yudi’s culinary achievement and their warm hospitality are well known in Israel.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The majority of Yudi identify as Jewish in culture only. They have only a little knowledge of God’s word as given in the Old Testament.

When they left Libya and arrived in Israel they came as refugees without fully acknowledging what God had said to Moses in Deuteronomy 11:12 that he was leading his people into a Land (Israel) "…for which the Lord their God cares, that the eyes of the Lord would always be on it, from the beginning … to the end." "This Land shall become yours as an inheritance (Ezekiel 47:14)."

What Are Their Needs?

The Yudi Jewish people need to acknowledge the sovereign purpose of God. He wants them and the other Jewish peoples to be a "light to the nations" (Isaiah 42:6). The book of Amos states, "You alone have I singled out of all the families of the earth. That is why I call you to account for all your iniquities" (Amos 3:2). They need to remember the prophecies that were fulfilled leading to the coming of Jesus. They need to know that through him they can have eternal grace and spiritual strength to live as his witnesses and servants.

Prayer Points

Pray that the Yudi people will open their minds and hearts to the overwhelming power of God and his grace as found in Jesus.

Pray that they will hear of the wonderful grace of Jesus through God’s servants and radio broadcasts.

Pray for many Yudi people making disciples of others who make even more disciples.

Text Source:   Joshua Project