In search of the lost tribes of Israel

    

Kandel' F. V poiskakh propavshikh kolen Izrailia | In search of the lost tribes of Israel. M.: Mosty kul'ruty; Gesharim, 2009. 320 p., il. Hard. ISBN 978-5-93273-298-9. in Russian. $35.00 (Item no. M62919) 

In search of the lost tribes of Israel

 Ten lost tribes are those ten of twelve ancient tribes of Israel which disappeared after the kingdom of Israel was destroyed by Assyria more than two and a half thousand years ago and until today nothing is known about their destiny. In traditional belief of the Jews the lost tribes continued their existence. Moreover, the return of the missing tribes and reunification with their brothers is of special significance. 

     Throughout the ages many writers and scholars has made an attempt to uncover the mystery of the lost tribes and represent their vision in their own works. The most famous legend explaining this phenomenon is the legend about the stormy river Sambation which is impossible to cross for the ten tribes living on the other side of it and only Messiah can help them come back.


     The book by Felix Kandel is an incredible tale about the search for the missing tribes. Did it give the answer where they had gone to? Having read the story to the middle one may seem that the author strays off the subject a bit. Indeed, it is possible to tell the story about the search of the lost tribes in brief. On the other hand, it is known that many events in peoples’ life are interdependent. Influencing one another they determine the present and establish the future. So the author chooses a longer way to the understanding of those events, which turns to be more reliable one as well. On that way the reader encounters many facts and occasions, becomes a witness of people’s lives and destinies, many of which will seem unfavorable or even disappointing. But the book isn’t assigned to cheer up or console anyone.

     Many times the author retreats the chronological order in his narration inserting flashbacks or vice versa running ahead of the story. It adds suspense to the narration and doesn’t make the reader feel tired.

     Perhaps many of those people’s matters and concerns will seem archaic or even naive for our age, but it’s better to avoid making rush conclusions, otherwise it will be impossible to catch the spirit of times the story covers, to appreciate the moral values of the previous generations, their everyday cares and dreams. Along with historical facts the author supplied the book with myths, parables, prophets’ predictions, travelers’ tales, wise sayings, Jewish proverbs and aphorisms - all that brings special coloring of the epoch and reveals people’s motives and intentions. To be honest, the events described in the book are so wonderful, and people’s lives are so fascinating that the author couldn’t but mentions them in his narration.