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Jamaica, July, 1843.
Mr.
Editor,
I
take the liberty of calling your attention to the speculative opinions
abroad as to the "missing tribes of Israel," and happening to
lay hands on an old work wherein some remarks are offered by the author
as to the probability of the Afghans being one of these tribes, I
would respectfully solicit some remarks from your able pen for the
information of your brethren of the western isles. Having the advantages
of an extensive library at your command, you no doubt will, with great
facility, be enabled to refer to those works which the author of the
annexed extract speaks of; and as your publication is one of those
intended for the dissemination of Jewish matters, I do not think you
could devote your pages to a more useful purpose, than that of affording
our brethren some account of the dispersion of the tribes. I do not mean
to assert, sir, that we are wanting in intelligence; but, as I speak of benefits to be conferred generally, I of course have in
view that which will improve the general body. The learned and
intelligent are quite able to appreciate these motives, since the aim of
philanthropists is to give instruction to the middling class, who
compose the bulk of society; these have not the time to devote
themselves to the study of deep and abstruse questions, to be found in
learned works; but they rather look to periodical literature as the
source from the pages whereof they may glean such matters relating to
the history of their nation, as the editors of the Jewish publications
may be able to put forth in their valuable prints. With these few
remarks I leave the subject in your hands, and will be glad if I should
be the humble means of encouraging communications on so important a
subject.
משה
Of The Ten Tribes Of Israel.
More
than two thousand five hundred years ago, the ten tribes of Israel were carried captive into Assyria. About a hundred and
fifteen years after this, Judah and Benjamin also were carried away to
Babylon. These returned, and some few of the other tribes with them; but
as a nation, Israel was never restored. According to Esdras, (book 2,
chap. 13. 41-50,) they took counsel among themselves, and emigrated into
a distant country, where never man dwelt; and the name of this country
was Arsareth, at the distance of a year and a half's journey, where they
are to dwell till the latter time, when God will bring them back with
great wonders. The prophets abound with promises, not only respecting
the restoration of Judah, (the Jews,) but of Israel also. From these tribes not having been heard of for so
many ages, and the improbability of such a people escaping the notice of
all travellers, the generality have been induced to conclude that they
nowhere exist, as a distinct people, but have long ago been melted down
among other nations, except those that united themselves with Judah and
Benjamin, at their return from Babylon. That they should still exist, is
certainly a very extraordinary circumstance, and should Providence bring
them forward by and by, to act a conspicuous part in the great scene
which is now opening, it will doubtless excite great astonishment; but
both the event and the surprise were foreseen and predicted by the prophets. They foresaw
that the reunion of Ephraim
with Judah would not take place till after the great dispersion, and
their resurrection from the long political death which they were to
suffer for their sins. Then are Ephraim and Judah to be one people
again, (Ezek. 37. 16-22.) And Judah shall say, "Who hath brought up
these? Behold, I was left alone, these, where have they been?"
(Isa. 49. 21.)
Independent
of the prophecies, there is reason to conclude that this people do still
exist distinct from other nations. The grounds for this conclusion may
be seen in the Asiatic Researches, Vol. 2. That the reader may judge for
himself, I shall take the liberty of quoting the extract which we find
in the Monthly Review enlarged, vol. 10. p. 502. The account is
whimsical enough, but considering the number of ages since the carrying
away Israel captive, their corrupt state at that time, their miserable
condition since, their ignorance of printing; &c., it affords as
much proof as can be expected, at the first dawn of their existence.
When we are better acquainted with them, their MSS., customs, &c.,
we may expect more light.
On The Descent Of The Afghans From The Jews.
The
Afghans call themselves the posterity of Melic Talut, or King Saul. The
descent of the Afghans, according to their own tradition is thus
whimsically traced:
In
a war which raged between the children of Israel and the Amalekites, the
latter being victorious, plundered the Jews, and obtained possession of
the ark of the covenant. Considering this the God of the Jews, they
threw it into fire, which did not affect it; they afterwards endeavoured
to cleave it with axes, but without success: every individual who
treated it with indignity was punished for his temerity. They then
placed it in their temple, but all their idols bowed to it. At length
they fastened it upon a cow, which they turned loose into the
wilderness.
When
the prophet Samuel arose, the children of Israel said to him, "We
have been totally subdued by the Amalekites, and have no king. Raise to
us a king, that we may be enabled to contend for the glory of God."
Samuel said, "In case, you are led out to battle, are you
determined to fight?" They answered, "What has befallen us,
that we should not fight against infidels! That nation has banished us
from our country and children." At this time the angel Gabriel
descended, and delivered a wand, and said, "It is the command of
God, the person whose stature shall correspond with thin wand, shall be
king of Israel."
Melic
Talut was at that time a man of inferior condition, and performed the
humble employment of feeding the goats and cows of others. One day a cow
under his charge was accidentally lost. Being disappointed in his search; he was greatly distressed, and
applied to Samuel, saying, "I have lost a cow, and do not possess
the means of satisfying the owner. Pray for me, that I may be extricated
from this difficulty." Samuel, perceiving that he was a man of
lofty stature, asked his name. He answered, Talut. Samuel then said,
"Measure Talut with the wand which the angel Gabriel brought."
His stature was equal to it. Samuel then said, "God has raised
Talut to be your king." The children of Israel answered, "We
are greater than our king; we are men of dignity, and he is of inferior
condition. How shall he be our king?" Samuel informed them they
should know that God had constituted Talut their king, by his restoring
the ark of the covenant. He accordingly restored it, and they
acknowledged him their sovereign. After Taut obtained the kingdom, he
seized part of the territories of Jalut,
or Goliath, who assembled a large army, but was killed by David. Talut
afterwards died a martyr in war against the infidels; and God
constituted David king of the Jews.
Melic
Talut had two sons, one called Berkia, and the other Irmia, who served
David, and were beloved by him. He sent them to fight against the
infidels, and by God's assistance, they were victorious.
The
son of Berkia was called Afghan, and the son of Irmia was named Usbec.
These youths distinguished themselves in the reign of David, and were
employed by Solomon. Afghan was distinguished by his corporeal strength,
which struck terror into demons and genii; Usbec was eminent for his
learning.
Afghan
used frequently to make excursions to the mountains, where his progeny,
after his death, established themselves, lived in a state of
independence, built forts, and exterminated the infidels.
To
this account we shall subjoin a remark of the late Henry Vansittart,
Esq. He observes, that,
A
very particular account of the Afghans has been written by the late Ha
Fiz Rahmat Khan, a chief of the Rohillas, from which the curious reader
may derive much information. They are Mussulmans, partly Sunni, and
partly of the Shiah persuasion. They are great boasters of the antiquity
of their origin, and reputation of their tribe, but other Mussulmans
entirely reject their claim, and consider them of modern and even base
extraction. However, their character may be collected from history. They
have distinguished themselves by their courage, both singly and
unitedly, as principals and auxiliaries. They have conquered for their
own princes and for foreigners, and have always been considered the main
strength of the army in which they have served. As they have been
applauded for virtues, they have been also reproached for vices, having
sometimes been guilty of treachery, and even acted the base part of
assassins.
A
specimen of their language (the Pushto) is added, and the following note
is inserted by the president:
This
account of the Afghans may lead to a very interesting discovery. We
learn from Esdras, that the ten tribes, after a wandering journey, came
to a country called Arsareth, where we may suppose they settled. Now, the
Afghans are said by the best Persian historians to be descended from the
Jews; they have traditions among themselves of such a descent, and it is
even asserted, that their families are distinguished by the names of
Jewish tribes, although, since their conversion to the Islam, they
studiously conceal their origin. The Pushto language, of which I have
seen a dictionary, has a manifest resemblance to the Chaldaic, and a
considerable district under their dominion is called Hazarch, or Hazaet,
which might easily have been changed into the word used by Esdras. I
strongly recommend an inquiry into the literature and history of the
Afghans.
From "The Signs of the Times," by J.
Bicheno, M. A., 1808.
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