Jewish Tat, Mountain Jewish in Azerbaijan

People Name:	Jewish Tat, Mountain Jewish
Country:	Azerbaijan
10/40 Window:	Yes
Population:	15,000
World Population:	105,100
Primary Language:	Judeo-Tat
Primary Religion:	Ethnic Religions
Christian Adherents:	0.00 %
Evangelicals:	0.00 %
Scripture:	Portions
Online Audio NT:	No
Jesus Film:	Yes
Audio Recordings:	No
People Cluster:	Jewish
Affinity Bloc:	Jewish
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

The Mountain Jewish (Tat) people believe themselves to be descended from Jewish taken during the Assyrian captivity and displaced to the cities of the Medes, who spoke a dialect of Old Persian. The Tat language is based on Persian, just like Iran's Farsi language. Interestingly enough, the Tat language is spoken today by Muslim and even Christian peoples, as well as Jewish ones.

Formerly many Tat speaking Jewish lived in the Caucasus Mountains of the former Soviet Union (FSU). Today most of these people, also known as Mountain Jews, have left the FSU. Many are still scattered in southern Russia's mountainous Dagestan region and neighboring Azerbaijan. Yet one fourth of them live in Brooklyn, New York, and about half now live in Israel.

Because of their unique history and culture, Jewish people have a strong sense of identity.

What Are Their Lives Like?

While some of them work as peddlers, shoemakers, or barbers, many have become factory laborers or workers on farms. Recently, large numbers of Jewish people have left Uzbekistan due to economic hardship and fear of a nationalistic trend in the government. The women are particularly known for their dancing at both Jewish and Muslim weddings.

What Are Their Beliefs?

They follow the Law of Moses, observing strict dietary laws, circumcising all male children, and observing the Sabbath. They also celebrate Jewish festivals like Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement), and Passover.

What Are Their Needs?

Many of the Mountain Jewish people have intermarried with the Muslim community. Because they are open to others outside the Jewish community, perhaps they will be open to the gospel. As it stands, they have few if any chances to hear of his grace, mercy and salvation.

Prayer Points

Pray that Christian materials will be translated accurately and distributed widely to Jewish Tat speakers.
Pray for a spiritual hunger among the many Jewish Tats who view their "Jewishness" as an ethnic identity but with no religious belief.
Pray that Mountain Jewish people will understand that Jesus is the long-awaited Messiah.