What the Rabbis Teach about the Ten Tribes
The Northern Kingdom (Ephraim) and the Southern Kingdom (Judah) differed both politically and religiously. They have never been united since the split between them following the days of Solomon. The Northern Kingdom was taken captive by the Assyrians. Upon their captivity, the Ten Tribes have been assimilated and intermingled into the nations of the world. The intermarriage of the Assyrians and the Northern Kigdom who lived the land of Israel were known as Samaritans. The Jews and the Samaritans never got along with each other. Joseph being sold by his brothers foreshadows the dividing of the nation of Israel into Northern Kingdom and Southern Kingdom. Joseph’s unification with His brothers foreshadows the unification of Ephraim and Judah in the end of days. Ezekiel lying on his side foreshadows the sin and punishment of the Northern Kingdom. The suffering of a righteous individual can atone for the sins of the nation of Israel. The suffering of Ezekiel foreshadows the suffering of the Messiah for His people. The Ten Tribes did not unite with Judah at the end of the Babylonian captivity. Orthodox Jews pray three times a day for the ingathering of the exiles of Israel. The Ten Tribes will return to the land of Israel and be united with Judah at the dawn of the Messianic Era. It is the Messiah who will gather and unite the exiles of Israel.
