Pronunciation: [falˈaʃə] (IPA) 
The spelling of the word "falasha" is peculiar as it does not follow the phonetic rules of the English language. The IPA phonetic transcription for this word is /fəˈlɑːʃə/, which shows the stress on the second syllable and the use of the letter "a" to represent both the long "a" sound and the "schwa" sound. The word "falasha" refers to a Jewish ethnic group from Ethiopia and is believed to have originated from the Amharic language.
Falasha refers to a term historically used to refer to the Beta Israel community, who are Jewish Ethiopians. The word "falasha" itself has derogatory connotations, and its use is now generally considered offensive and inappropriate. The term was initially coined by Ethiopian Christians and translates to "strangers" or "outsiders" in the Amharic language. However, it became widely recognized abroad, even being used in academic circles, until awareness grew about its derogatory nature.
The Beta Israel community traces its origins to ancient Jewish settlements in Ethiopia, maintaining a distinct religious identity within a largely Christian country. They have faced discrimination and segregation throughout history, which has contributed to their isolation from Ethiopian society. The Beta Israel practiced a unique form of Judaism, combining elements of Jewish law with indigenous Ethiopian customs.
Since the 20th century, efforts have been made to resettle and integrate the Beta Israel community in Israel. Large-scale operations such as Operation Moses (1984-1985) and Operation Solomon (1991) facilitated the migration of thousands of Ethiopian Jews, seeking refuge and a sense of belonging within their ancestral homeland.
In modern usage, it is essential to recognize the offensive nature of the term "falasha" and use alternative and respectful terminology, such as Beta Israel or Ethiopian Jews, when referring to this historically marginalized and resilient community.
The word "falasha" is an exonym that was historically used to refer to the Beta Israel community of Ethiopia. It is no longer considered an appropriate or politically correct term. The etymology of the word "falasha" is uncertain, but it is believed to have originated from the Ge'ez language, the ancient liturgical language of Ethiopia. One possible theory is that "falasha" comes from the Ge'ez word "falashe", which means "exiles" or "strangers". The term was applied to the Beta Israel community by the dominant Ethiopian Christian and Muslim populations, possibly reflecting the perception of the Beta Israel as outsiders or marginalized people. It is important to note that the Beta Israel community now prefers to be referred to as Ethiopian Jews or as the Beta Israel community itself.
