tribes into the picture as well? Faitlovitch, Kasdoi, and Ben-Zvi might be seen
simply as just another phase in the ongoing search for the ten tribes and the
creation and accumulation of knowledge about them. But this conclusion
would miss the fact that they were operating in a radically different and utterly
unprecedented context: that of the very real possibility of Jewish political
sovereignty.^67 The ten tribes had been used in the past for political ends. But
now, for the first time, they were politicized in aid of aJewishpolitical move-
ment. The inclusion of the ten tribes in the scope of the Jewish people meant,
in Zionist terms, the politicization of their return.
In 1928 , Menahem Mendel Emanuel of Jerusalem, a rabbi, historian, and
traveler, publishedThe Lost Tribes of Israel: A Call in Time and the Redemption of
Israel.Published in Hebrew and English, the book on the surface looked like
many that had come before it, advertising itself as using “the latest critical
analysis, scientific, historical and biblical investigation” in the effort to answer
the question of where the lost tribes were to be found. Emanuel was yet another
member of this new Jewish genre of scholar/seeker, though not one with the
European university credentials of many of his confreres. David Wishenewitz,
the author’s old high school teacher from New York, testified that “Rabbi
Menahem was always interested in Geography... and passed with honors...
Geography and Ancient history.”^68 Like many of its predecessors, the book
relied on the “Talmud, Midrash... mystic Kabbala, and the famous Travelers of
the world, ancient and modern” up to the year of its publication. ButThe Lost
Tribes of Israelwas, above all, “an appeal to all the Nations, and to all the world”
for a concentrated global effort—of Jewish organizations supported by world
powers—to bring back the lost tribes: “The aim of this book, is, to wake up the
Jews and all the liberal Nations of the world, and to make them interested, to
send out an expedition, to look for them... and re-unite all the Jews in the
world.”^69 It recorded the many notices sent to world leaders and dignitaries
calling on them to help and outlined a clear plan to bring the ten tribes home
with the help of world powers. In this, it was the first text of its kind.
And, indeed, leaders of the world responded, politely if not resoundingly,
to prepublication copies of the book presented to them by Emanuel. “Wishing
you... success... I remain Respectfully yours,” wrote Theodore Roosevelt
from Oyster Bay, New York. “Worthy Rabbi: I have the honor to acknowledge
receipt of your letter and a copy of your book, which contains patriotic articles
by a loyal citizen of honour,” wrote Woodrow Wilson. Oscar Heizer, the
American consul in Jerusalem, acknowledged receipt on behalf of President
Calvin Coolidge. So, too, the assistant district commissioner in Jaffa on behalf
of King George V. Among the many rabbis endorsing the book was Simon
Hurwitz, the author ofKol Mevaser(Voice of Annunciation), a book on the ten
lu
(lu)
#1