To the ends of the earth : the quest for the ten lost tribes of Israel / Rivka Gonen.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Gonen, Rivka.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Lost tribes of Israel.

Jews--Origin.

Jews.

Physical Description:

xxv, 206 pages : illustrations ; 23 cm

Other Title:

Quest for the ten lost tribes of Israel : to the ends of the earth

Place of Publication:

Northvale, NJ : Jason Aronson, [2002]

Summary:

This book deals with the search for the Ten Lost Tribes of Israel by Jews and by Christians. Rivka Gonen discusses the various motivations for the search and the methods used by the searchers, from similarity of language, physical appearance, customs and mythology, to a re-interpretation of biblical excerpts to suit specific situations encountered by the searchers.

The Ten Lost Tribes of Israel have a place among the great mythologies of the world, and have been a subject of much speculation, hope, and manipulation throughout the ages. This book explores the early whereabouts of the tribes until they disappeared from historical records, and from there carries the story of the search and the various avenues it took. For the Jews, who for most of the period since the defeat and dispersal of the Ten Tribes lived themselves in exile, the notion that the Ten Tribes were not really lost became an important source of hope and expectation. Christian search was motivated by other factors altogether. For them, the Ten Lost Tribes were identified with Jews who did not participate in the ultimate Jewish sin-the crucifixion of Jesus.

Interesting cases of searches in far-off lands, as well as astonishing notions that the tribes were actually to be part of the population of Europe and America, are told in the book. A wide selection of old and new illustrations enlivens the text.

Contents:

Prologue: The Ten Lost Tribes of Israel in the World Today xv

Chapter 1 The Man from Cush

Firsthand Account of the Ten Tribes 1

Chapter 2 Enigma

Where Are the Ten Lost Tribes? 11

Chapter 3 Jews in Search of Their Lost Brethren 31

Chapter 4 Mountain Tribes and Plain Tribes

Israel in the Caucasian Mountains and Beyond 53

Chapter 5 Lost in the Land of Assyria

The Patans of Afghanistan 81

Chapter 6 The Tribes in the Land of the Rising Sun

Israel in Japan 103

Chapter 7 The Thrust to the West

How the Israelites Got to Britain 125

Chapter 8 The Red and the White

Israel in America 145

Chapter 9 Israel in the Far Reaches of the World 169

Conclusion: Why the Search? 183.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 191-195) and index.

ISBN:

0765761467

OCLC:

43903637