Community Magazine October 2009

The letter described the vast territories and wealth possessed by the ten tribes, the peaceful life they enjoy, and their faithful observance of all the Torah’s laws. The leaders also offered consolation to their brethren, the rest of the Jews in exile, adding that Hashem does not allow them to leave their countries and assist the rest of the Jewish people until the end of days. Although there were those who doubted the authenticity of the letter, it was reprinted and circulated throughout the Jewish world, inspiring hope that we will one day be reunited with the lost tribes. The Undiscovered Country Long ago, there were vast regions, like the American continent, that were unknown to the civilized world, so the possibility of an undiscovered country was very much palatable. Today, with all the advances in science and technology, many of us may find it hard to believe that today there exists somewhere in the world an unknown place where millions of Jews from the ten tribes could reside with kings and armies. This question has been raised by many Jewish scholars and philosophers over the years. Though the discovery of a small heretofore unknown aboriginal tribe does sometimesmake news in our time, the generally accepted explanation for the continued concealment of the lost tribes is far more mystical. Since the beginning of time, Gan Eden (the Garden of Eden where Adam and his wife Hava lived right after creation) and Gehinom have existed somewhere in this world, but remained hidden from our view. Similarly, the location of the ten tribes is also concealed from us specifically because Hashem wishes it to remain this way until the end of days. National Claims There are also many legends and much speculation about nations or distinct tribes from around the world which claim, or are believed to be, descended from the ten tribes. These theories are not necessarily a direct contradiction to the aforementioned accounts of the ten tribes living in a remote, unknown region. Individual groups could have splintered off from the original ten tribes and settled just about anywhere on earth. Below are a number of the theories that have surfaced concerning discrete peoples who may have descended from the lost tribes of Israel. Tribes in Afghanistan There are many who say that certain tribes in Afghanistan descend from the ten lost tribes and practiced Judaism until the Moslems conquered the area and forced them to follow Islamic law. A number of different factors appear to support this claim. For one thing, Afghanistan is situated in the area of the ancient country of Madai, which is one of the destinations to which the ten tribes were exiled according to the Prophets. Secondly, there is an established tradition conveyed by many Afghan natives and officials that they descend from the tribes of Reuven, Shimon, Gad and Efrayim. Additionally, some of the Afghan tribes’ names – Afritim, Gadgim, Shinvarim and Raavanim – clearly resemble the names of Efrayim, Gad, Shimon and Reuven. Thirdly, these tribes observe customs that closely resemble Jewish practices. Many tribesmen grow beards and peot (side locks), and the wives immerse in water after their nida cycle. Some even light candles on Friday night. Moreover, members of one Afghan tribe carry around an amulet, which they consider a holy charm, containing the verse of “ Shema Yisrael .” Finally, over the years, many travelers to 30 COMMUNITY MAGAZINE 4812 13th Ave. (bet. 48 th & 49 th st.) • 718-436-1031 • Fax: 718-436-3098 Email: winebarrel@yahoo.com We Deliver to Flatbush, Midwood, Bensonhurst, Boro Park, Kensington, Manhattan Beach, Deal, New Jersey... To Your Home, To Shul, or To The Hall Call aBE J. SaFDiEH 718-436-1031 FOR FREE DEliVERY liquORS & WiNES aT YOuR DOOR! * Engagements * Weddings * Bar Mitzvahs * Sebbits * Shabbat & Holidays