Expert: Rabbi Barry Dov Lerner - 11/9/2003

Question
 I am told that my people, the Pushtoons (presently inhabiting Southern Afghanistan and Pakistan) are the lost tribe.  But I thought, it was the ethiopians (the so-called black jew, who were airlifted at one time into Israel).  What exactly is the truth?

Answer
Dear Mr. Khan,

Thank you for writing, but I may have to disappoint you.

The history of the so-called "lost Ten Tribes" is very confusing and murky. Allow me to explain in brief.

The Assyrian King Sargon conquered the northern capital of Samaria and the Kingdom of Israel - comprising the ten tribes who had revolted against Solomon and the dynasty of David with a capital in Jerusalem of the kingdom of David - in 722 BCE.

At that time he applied the military and political strategy of dispersing the citizens of a conquered country throughout his empire, which was extensive. Therefore the northern kingdom of Israel not only ceased to exist, it was literally gone in all four directions - or more.

Therefore, since they were not dispersed as "tribes" but rather as groups of individuals, it would seem that it is virtually impossible to know who is and who is not from the Kingdom of Israel or from what tribe.

If you want a fuller answer, contact the reference desk on-line at The Jewish Theological Seminary of American Library http://www.jtsa.edu/library/askform.shtml

It would seem that you would like to be included and I can only say that the Jewish People respect the rights of every people and will always defend their rights to be free, self-determining in order that they also be respectful of other religions and peoples.

The Ethiopians have not een considered a lost tribe, but they have been considered Jews and as such merited a special effort at times to save their lives from a country in which they were subject to discrimination if not a true threat of death.

Best wishes

Rabbi Dov