Conclusion: Joseph is coming back! 25 September 2026, 14 Tishrei 5787.
To subscribe to our mailing list: Send an E-Mail with the word "SUBSCRIBE"
See Also:Will the LTTRs Return?
The Maharal of Prague and the Lost Ten Tribes
The Maharal (1525-1609) in his time was recognized as probably the foremost Rabbinical authority in the world. His work has become part of Classical Jewish Religious Literature. The appellation "MaHaRaL" is the Hebrew acronym of Moreinu ha-Rav Loew, i.e. “Our Teacher the Rabbi Loew”. The real name of the Maharal was Judah Lew ben Bezalel. His descendants' surnames include Loewy and Lowy. The Maharal was probably born in Pozna, now in Poland. His family had come from Worms in Germany. His uncle, Jacob, was the Chief Rabbi of the Holy Roman Empire. His brother, Chaim of Friedberg, was also a famous rabbinical scholar. The Maharal lived in Prague (now capital of the Czech Republic) for most of his life. It is believed that his family was descended from the Babylonian Exilarchs and therefore also from the dynasty of King David.
Within the world of Torah and Talmudic scholarship, the Maharal is known for his works on Jewish Law and Philosophy. The works of the Maharal influenced all later streams of Jewish thought. The Maharal would often take seemingly far-fetched legends from the Talmud and reveal their symbolic value as expressing deep philosophical concepts.
The Englishman, John Dee (1527 – 1608), reportedly met with the Maharal. He was apparently acting as the emissary of Queen Elizabeth-1 of England. John Dee was the first person to coin the term “British Empire”. Dee has been described as,
“One of the most learned men of his age an ardent promoter of mathematics and a respected astronomer, as well as a leading expert in navigation, having trained many of those who would conduct England's voyages of discovery”.
The Maharal also made the acquaintance of the Holy Roman Emperor, Rudolph-2, and his family and advisors. The Maharal consulted with Tycho Braye the astronomer, and with other important thinkers of the time including leading scientists whom, it is believed, he influenced. His style of writing is what is called dialectical in which he may say one thing (as an intermittent contingent conclusion based on claims so far put forward) and then contradict it shortly afterwards. He may also explain how a certain opinion may be understood in the light of one line of reasoning even though it later becomes apparent that he does not accept this opinion. For this reason it is advisable to read anything he wrote on a particular subject all the way through before reaching a snap judgment. The Maharal wrote in comparatively simple Hebrew but every phrase can encompass deep and complicated concepts. This makes reliable translation of his message difficult even for skilled translators who are familiar with the subject matter. Nevertheless his insights are valuable and our attempt at translation and explanation may serve as an introduction to this valuable source.
The Maharal indicated that in the End Times the Lost Ten Tribes:
Would be in the New World (America).
In the extreme north and south of the world.
To a large degree assimilated amongst the Gentiles and unaware of their origins.
Would return after a supernatural spiritual arousal.
Would take their place alongside Judah and be equal with Judah.
This would not come about as a result of a Final Redemption but rather would induce the redemption to happen.
The Maharal (“Netsach Yisrael” i.e. “The Eternity of Israel”, chapter 34) explains that due to the lack of apparent unity in Creation the Ten Tribes went astray and committed idolatry. They were exiled but will return. Judah and Joseph had different roles and therefore had to divide. There is an underlying unity between the two but it is concealed. The rectification of the world will be a consequence of the unification of Judah and Joseph. They therefore NEED to unite for the sake of humanity! The Maharal opines that there is:
“No greater heresy ispossible than the claim that only a portion of Israel will remain and not all of them.”
The Maharal also believes that the main body of the Ten Tribes is destined to come back.
Concerning the subterranean tunnels through which, according to the Midrash the Ten Tribes will be brought to the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem, the Maharal below takes this to symbolize a Miraculous act of Divine Intervention. This will enable the Ten Tribes to return and will bring them back even though such an event would previously have seemed impossible. The tunnels represent a covering. Their identity was hidden from all even though they, like Joseph with his brothers before their reconciliation, may have been close.