The strangest secret: Are there 50 million Jews in the region of Afghanistan?
As we approach the High Holidays, and beseech Hashem to gather in the dispersed of Israel from all of the nations, perhaps this is an appropriate time to look a little bit into one of the greatest mysteries of history-the disappearance of the 10 lost tribes.
Ksiva Vechasima Tova to all
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From the time the 10 lost tribes were exiled around 130 years before the destruction of the first Temple, the search for their whereabouts has been one of the most intriguing mysteries in world and Jewish history. There have been many attempts to identify their whereabouts. However, in this article we would like to present very strong evidence that at least a percentage of them may not be as hidden as we think.
Let’s start with what we know. The Torah in the book of Kings ( 2, 17:6) says that the Ten Tribes were exiled to Assyria and settled in Chalach, Chabor, the Gozen River and the cities of Media. Today, this area is around Afghanistan. So, this is a good place to begin our search.
And as we begin searching, I would like to present very strong evidence that would suggest that the Pashtanim who live today by the border of Afghanistan and Pakistan as well as in India, may very well be from the ten lost tribes. Here are four strong reasons:
1.) Location: In the area in Afghanistan where the Pashtanim live there is a city called “Chibur” which sounds very similar to the name “Chabor” mentioned in the Book of Kings. Also nearby there is a river called the Ghazoni River-also very similar to the name of the river mentioned in the Bible. Moreover, in the Book of Chronicles it says they were exiled to a place called Hara which is very similar sounding to another city in the region called Haras.
2.) They perform many customs very similar to our Mitzvot: Even though the Pashtanim are officially Muslims, they have many customs that are quite different from other Muslims and actually quite similar to the Jews. For example, the Pashtanim do not eat camels-an unusual custom in the Muslim world. They also separate between meat and milk and keep Shabbat on the seventh day, like us, as opposed to most other Muslims who observe their day of rest on Friday. They perform circumcision on the 8th day as opposed to most Muslims who wait much later. Some of them pray towards Jerusalem and not Mecca. They do Yibum and offer a sacrifice that is called the Paschal lamb. Moreover, as a group that numbers around 50 million people they have a number of subgroups. Some of their subgroups are called Reuvani ( similar to Reuven) Gagi ( similar to Gad) and Efridi ( similar to Ephrayim). Moreover many of the Pashtanim keep on them a kemia ( a charm) that contains within it Shema Yisroel. Also, the men all have beards and many of them ( particularly the younger ones) grow out long payos.
3.) History: Many if not all of the Pashtanim possess a family tree that traces their lineage back to Adam. In all cases, the family trees of the Pashtanim pass through the tribes of Israel. In other words, the Pashtanim all admit and claim that they originate from the Jewish people. Some even say that they are descendants of King Saul. However, they claim that in the 8th century they accepted Islam and today are Muslims.
Moreover, the Jews of Afghanistan also had a tradition that the Pashtanim originated from the Ten Tribes. The well known Jewish traveler Rav Binyomin of Tudela mentioned 900 years ago the connection of the Pashtanim to the Jewish people in his accounts of his travels.
4.) They have not assimilated with other Muslims: Even if one accepts our evidence that very strongly suggests that the Pashtanim are from the lost tribes, one can still ask but how do we know that they have not assimilated with other Muslims who are not from the Ten lost tribes? The answer to this question is quite simple. The Pashtanim have very strict rules regarding assimilation-even with other Muslims. If a Pashtani marries outside of the group they are excommunicated and sometimes even killed. So while it is estimated that about 40% of Afghanistan are Pashtanim, it seems pretty reliable that they have not assimilated with other groups.
So what do we take out of all of this? Yes it appears that there are 50 million Muslims with Jewish roots. However, it appears that the Pashtanim themselves are divided on how to look at this issue. Some of the more extreme Pashtanim ( such as the Talibans) want to forget this part of their past. Some are indifferent. However, there is also a significant minority of Pashtanim who are quite interested in learning and connecting with their Jewish roots. Recently Pashtani Professor Nivras Efridi ( pay attention to last name) as well as leaders of the “Ungeman al Patan” Pashtani movement visited Israel. Also, Pashtani researcher Rabbi Yitzchak Chingel of Tzfat recently met a Pashtani in London who has actually converted and joined the Jewish community there (However at this point he does not feel comfortable revealing his name). It is also interesting to note that in 1947 when there was a bloody battle between the Muslims and the Hindus on the eve of the independence of India and Pakistan, the Pashtanim sent armed guards to protect the Jews living in the Indian village of Kratzi. Many Jewish lives were saved as a result.
There is actually another interesting twist to this story. Our Sages tell us ( cf Zohar Hakadosh, Vayechi 235B) that before the Moshiach comes the tribe of Reuven will wage wars and be victorious. Some have asked that it is difficult to imagine this happening today. However, with what has been said ( that the Pashtanim are from lost Tribes including the tribe of Reuven and that there is a subgroup of the Pashtanim called Reuvani) this mysterious passage may come to life. The Talibans ( who are about 80% Pashtani) drove out the Russians from Afghanistan 30 years ago and just a couple of years ago drove out the Americans. Maybe this is what our Sages are referring to.
So one way or the other, the Pashtanim are not returning to Israel any time soon with the law of return. However, bezrat Hashem we should all hear the great shofar blast speedily in our day that will signal the return of all of the Jewish people dispersed ,wherever they may be, to our holy land with the coming of Moshiach!
-Ariel
The information from this article was culled from the research of Rav Yitzchak Chingel of Tzfat, Rav Eliyahu Avichail from the Amishov organization and Professor Ayal Beeri from Bet El who have all traveled to the region and personally interviewed Pashtanim.
