Q&A: The Ten Lost Tribes
The Ten Lost Tribes
Question
Hello Rabbi. I wanted to know whether the Rabbi has a position regarding the Ten Lost Tribes—whether this is an urban legend or whether there is truth to it. And assuming it is true, then why in today’s advanced society haven’t we found them?
Answer
Do I have a “position regarding the Ten Tribes”? Truly an acute, highly current issue—how could a person possibly not have a position on it?!
I assume there is something to it, since historically there were twelve tribes and today we have only two and a half. Even in our advanced society today, we still don’t know how to go back in time. So how exactly do you expect to identify them? They probably long ago lost their original character, which in itself is also not entirely clear what it was.
But the time has definitely come to devote a few years to formulating a position on this grave and urgent matter. 🙂
Discussion on Answer
How do you know that I do not see the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh) as a historical source?
As for the research, good luck to you. These really are questions that are not worth dealing with.
If the Rabbi does not see the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh) as a factual claim about reality, then what is the Rabbi relying on in the story of the Ten Tribes? What I meant is that today we have ways to investigate this through genetics and anthropology and archaeology, and by studying remote tribes and checking their roots and customs.
It could be said that they assimilated, or that the local customs/religion were forced on them,
and also, does the Rabbi see any value in investigating this matter and searching for them.