Warning -
Looonnng post. This is more or less my earlier post with sources. Basically what I was trying to say earlier was that Jewish identity has a few more layers than we're often led to believe. Even still, I agree with Gilad Atzmon's definition of Jewishness in terms of identity and politics. I also want to repeat that I do not disagree with the Khazar theory. I have issues with aspects of it, the same issues that others have historically had such as the authenticity of the Khazar correspondence (the only real "proof" of a mass conversion to Judaism) and the claim they spoke Yiddish. Otherwise, I mostly agree with the hypothesis with one major exception: There were already Jews in Europe and in the Caucasus. Meaning that Khazaria is not so much a starting point in terms of Ashkenazi Jewish identity. I'll start closer to the beginning:
In the 7th and 8th centuries BC, there is a kingdom or city in Palestine called Judah. This is attested on the Taylor Prism in reference to Sennacherib subjugating both the kingdom and its king [1]
There is also evidence that the elite citizens of this “Judah” were ‘deported’ into Babylon and elsewhere after being conquered by Nebuchadnezzar II. This is mentioned in the bible, but the bible is not a history book. Josephus, the Jewish historian, elaborates on this using a Babylonian historical reference:
And when he was relating the acts of this king, he describes to us how he sent his son Nabuchodonosor against Egypt, and against our land, with a great army, upon his being informed that they had revolted from him; and how, by that means, he subdued them all, and set our temple that was at Jerusalem on fire; nay, and removed our people entirely out of their own country, and transferred them to Babylon; when it so happened that our city was desolate during the interval of seventy years, until the days of Cyrus king of Persia. 133He then says, “That this Babylonian king conquered Egypt, and Syria, and Phoenicia, and Arabia; and exceeded in his exploits all that had reigned before him in Babylon and Chaldea.” 134A little after which, Berosus subjoins what follows in his History of Ancient Times. I will set down Berosus’s own accounts, which are these:— 135When Nabolassar, father of Nabuchodonosor, heard that the governor whom he had set over Egypt and over the parts of Celesyria and Phoenicia, had revolted from him, he was not able to bear it any longer; but committing certain parts of his army to his son Nabuchodonosor, who was then but young, he sent him against the rebel: 136Nabuchodonosor joined battle with him, and conquered him, and reduced the country under his dominion again. Now it so fell out, that his father Nabolassar fell into a distemper at this time, and died in the city of Babylon, after he had reigned twentynine years. 137But as he understood, in a little time, that his father Nabolassar was dead, he set the affairs of Egypt and the other countries in order, and committed the captives he had taken from the Jews, and Phoenicians, and Syrians, and of the nations belonging to Egypt, to some of his friends, that they might conduct that part of the forces that had on heavy armor, with the rest of his baggage, to Babylonia [2]
Eusebius also quotes from a Babylonian historical source regarding Nebuchadnezzar:
Megasthenes says that Nebuchadnezzar, who was mightier than Heracles, led his armies as far as Libya and Iberia. He conquered these countries, and settled some of their inhabitants on the right-hand shore of the Euxine Sea [3]
The Euxine Sea is the Black Sea. Iberia refers to Caucasian Iberia (modern Georgia) and not the Iberian Peninsula (Spain). These are among the earliest historical references to “Jews” and loosely correspond with late biblical events. Contrary to biblical belief, “Jews” do not really enter the historical record until the Persian conquest of the Levant by Cyrus the Great (6th century BC). Prior to this there is no real evidence that Jews, Hebrews, or Israelites ever existed (aside from the above), only religiously biased speculation and conjecture.
For example, it is claimed the 13th century BC Egyptian Merneptah Stele [4] contains the first reference to Israel in history. Unfortunately the people who are most interested in these things are the most biased. It does not say “Israel” because there are no vowels meaning it could be any word with the consonants
SR. The inscription does not mention anything remotely biblical, it’s describing the Sea People invasion. Believing the inscription mentions “Israel” (the context refers to a people and not a geographic location) would make more historical sense in reference to the Aramaic speakers who called themselves (and are known to history as) Syrians. Indeed, another “biblical” artifact is the Kurkh stele of Shalmaneser III [5] which often translates “sirilaaa” to Israelite. This is to conform with the bible (1 Kings 22) where “Aram” is assumed to mean “Syria”, therefore the Kurkh stele’s reference to “Ahaabbu sirilaaa” is assumed to be an “Israelite” (to conform the context to the bible). After the 8th century BC “Assyrian conquest” of “Israel”, archeologists begin to translate names such as “sirilaaa” to Syria. The problem here is a biblical bias and an assumption that there is a difference between “Israel” and “Syria” which very well may be cognates, but don’t expect history to admit this anytime soon.
Prior to the "Babylonian conquest", there are references to “Salem” and possibly “Jerusalem” but even the bible admits the city was already called “Salem” by Canaanites. All sorts of crazy theories exist to “find” the “historical” exodus with some claiming the “Israelites” were Hyksos kings or that the Hebrews were Habiru. All of these theories are conjecture.
By the 5th century BC there are definitely Jews in existence and there is apparently a kingdom in Palestine called Judah (Yahu). The elephantine letters are among the oldest historical references to this. The Elephantine Jews were a polytheistic sect of Jews on the island of Elephantine in Egypt [6]. The Greek Historian Herodotus who lived around the same time, however, was not aware of any Jews. Not in Elephantine or in Palestine (which he appears to have visited):
For the people of Colchis are evidently Egyptian, and this I perceived
for myself before I heard it from others. So when I had come to
consider the matter I asked them both; and the Colchians had
remembrance of the Egyptians more than the Egyptians of the Colchians;
but the Egyptians said they believed that the Colchians were a portion
of the army of Sesostris. That this was so I conjectured myself not
only because they are dark-skinned and have curly hair (this of itself
amounts to nothing, for there are other races which are so), but also
still more because the Colchians, Egyptians, and Ethiopians alone of
all the races of men have practised circumcision from the first. The
Phenicians and the Syrians who dwell in Palestine confess
themselves that they have learnt it from the Egyptians, and the
Syrians about the river Thermodon and the river Parthenios, and
the Macronians, who are their neighbours, say that they have learnt it
lately from the Colchians. These are the only races of men who
practise circumcision, and these evidently practise it in the same
manner as the Egyptians.[7]
If the “Syrians” of Palestine were the Jews, Herodotus apparently did not find their customs worth mentioning as later historians did (since they were so different from their own). It could be because, like the Elephantine Jews, the Jews were not really monotheistic at this time. Also keep in mind that ancient historians are not reliable for various reasons, especially Herodotus who would quote the local lore whether he believed it or not. Modern Egyptologists do not recognize the Sesotris story as historical.
It’s interesting that there are “Egyptians” practicing circumcision in Asia Minor and on the Eastern coast of the Black Sea near the Caucasus. This is where Eusebius quoting Megasthenes claims that Nebuchadnezzar settled people who he conquered while Josephus says it was “Babylon”. Something tells me there is a grain of truth buried here and this is all related.
2nd Century AD Roman historian Cassius Dio mentions something interesting about the Jews living in Rome:
This was the course of events at that time in Palestine; for this is the name that has been given from of old to the whole country extending from Phoenicia to Egypt along the inner sea. They have also another name that they have acquired: the country has been named Judaea, and the people themselves Jews. 17 1 I do not know how this title came to be given to them, but it applies also to all the rest of mankind, although of alien race, who affect their customs. This class exists even among the Romans, and though often repressed has increased to a very great extent and has won its way to the right of freedom in its observances. 2 They are distinguished from the rest of mankind in practically every detail of life, and especially by the fact that they do not honour any of the usual gods, but show extreme reverence for one particular divinity. They never had any statue of him even in Jerusalem itself, but believing him to be unnamable and invisible, they worship him in the most extravagant fashion on earth. 3 They built to him a temple p129that was extremely large and beautiful, except in so far as it was open and roofless,10 and likewise dedicated to him the day called the day of Saturn, on which, among many other most peculiar observances, they undertake no serious occupation.[8]
What he’s saying is that in the 2nd century AD there were “Jews” living in Rome of a different ethnic stock than the Jews of Roman Judea. They both practiced the same customs. This indicates that the Roman Jews were converts. It’s also possible they were early Christians (or “Chrestians”). If this is true, it goes against the “traditional” Jewish narrative, which claims they arrived as slaves due to their temple being destroyed.
Early historians were confused about where the Jews came from (it wasn’t until the spread of Christianity took over that they believed the Exodus account). Josephus allegedly quotes a historian named Clearchus of Soli with something rather… odd:
these Jews are derived from the Indian philosophers; they are named by the Indians Calami, and by the Syrians Judaei, and took their name from the country they inhabit, which is called Judea; but for the name of their city it is a very awkward one, for they call it Jerusalem [9]
Clearchus is supposedly quoting Aristotle here too. AFAIK, there is no class of Indian philosophers called Calami. As the personification of time, Shiva’s name is Kala when paired with Kali, but this has nothing to do with philosophy or Jews (with the exception that “time” as in father time is an aspect of “Saturn”)
Calami is also translated to Calami which in Latin means branches. The closest thing I can think of is the Ikshvaku Solar dynasty. Ikshvaku means sugar cane [10] and is a name that came about, according to Jainism, from a king who taught men to use the juice from it. These kings were born in Ayodhya, the same holy city where Rama was born in and has been translated as both Yudea and Lydia. Teaching men how to use the juice from a vine is awful very similar to the Dionysius mythos (instead of sugarcane it is a grapevine and the juice is wine). Dionysius was a “foreign” god associated with both the East and with India.
Tacitus[23] mentions a few of the theories floating around from the time about Jewish origins including that some claim they came from Crete and derive their name from Mt. Ida. If you compare many places in the Levant with Asia Minor you’ll see some repeating and phonetically similar names. I would conjecture that Lydia was related to some degree, at least in name. Anyways, Tacitus is one of a few historians who mention a possible Jewish connection with Dionysius:
From the fact, however, that their priests used to chant to the music of flutes and cymbals, and to wear garlands of ivy, and that a golden vine was found in the temple, some have thought that they worshipped father Liber, the conqueror of the East, though their institutions do not by any means harmonize with the theory; for Liber established a festive and cheerful worship, while the Jewish religion is tasteless and mean.[23]
Liber is Dionysius. Jews were also accused (in Rome) of spreading their religion as a mystery cult known as Zeus Sabazios, the Phrygian Dionysius. Dionysius in later times has been compared with Jesus due to parallels that exist in each of their mythos. And some claim “Jesus” spent time in India too.
I don’t know about Jews, but the Phoenicians probably did come from India (or somewhere in Asia):
These Phenicians dwelt in ancient time, as they themselves
report, upon the Erythraian Sea, and thence they passed over and dwell
in the country along the sea coast of Syria; and this part of Syria
and all as far as Egypt is called Palestine. [11]
Erythraian Sea is generally believed to be the Persian Gulf (but could be.... a lot of things). Their trade routes most likely extended to India because cinnamon was native to Sri Lanka:
Cinnamon they collect in a yet more
marvellous manner than this: for where it grows and what land produces
it they are not able to tell, except only that some say (and it is a
probable account) that it grows in those regions where Dionysos was
brought up [12]
Possibly related (or possibly not), there appears to be some sort of a link between the Assyrians near the Persian Gulf and ancient Indian kingdoms in the Indus Valley. [13]
Historians don’t dispute that Phoenicians had trade routes up and down the Red Sea and all across the Mediterranean as far as Spain (and possibly even farther). They do dispute things that are probably related such as the “Land of Punt” known to the Egyptians which they believe was at the Southern end of the Red Sea[14]. Even the name “Punt” is phonetically similar to Phoenician. I think they don’t want to come out and say this for politically correct reasons though. On both sides of the Southern Red Sea there are Semitic groups of people who believe they are related to ancient Jews (more on that in a bit) such as some Ethiopians [15]
Phoenicians and the Jews have a shared history because they both lived in the land of Canaan and their traditions have similarities. The word Canaan itself is derived from a word, which Phoenicians used to use to refer to themselves (the name of the purple dye they used) [16]
The Jews share more than just a few “coincidental” traditions with Phoencians. Here is a drawing of a temple candle found in Carthage [17].
Note the similarity to the Jewish Menorah. Even the Jewish “ark” is nothing unique. Here is a fragment of Phoencian history from [18] Sanchoniatho:
Agrouerus or Agrotes, of whom in Phœnicia there was a statue held in the highest veneration, and a temple drawn by yokes of oxen
Not a perfect match, but there are also portable “ark” like temples in other religions such as Shinto (Mikoshi).[19] There are other similarities in the Phoenician history:
But the auxiliaries of Ilus, who is Cronus, were called Eloeim, as it were, the allies of Cronus; being so called after Cronus
Elohim in the bible is supposed to be a “singular” name meaning god
Cronus offered up his only begotten son as a sacrifice to his father Ouranus, and circumcised himself, and compelled his allies to do the same
It goes on to "rationalize" sacrifice:
It was the custom among the ancients, in times of great calamity, in order to prevent the ruin of all, for the rulers of the city or nation to sacrifice to the avenging deities the most beloved of their children as the price of redemption: they who were devoted this purpose were offered mystically. For Cronus, whom the Phœnicians call Il, and who after his death was deified and instated in the planet which bears his name, when king, had by a nymph of the country called Anobret an only son, who on that account is styled Ieoud, for so the Phœnicians still call an only son
Ieoud, eh?
The “Star of David” (Hexagram) has been found in Khazaria, but it has also been found in a lot of places, especially associated with Paganism. It has also been found among Phoenician settlements [20], like in Carthage for example:
It’s even found in Japan (this could be from a Buddhist influence though). According to some people there are parallels between Japanese traditions and “Jewish” traditions.[21] Maybe it’s not a Jewish influence at all, but rather a Phoenician one? I can only speculate. If you search for “Phoenician Jews” you’ll come across sites like this [22] one. Seems that others are aware of the similarities (most importantly language) without putting the clues together that perhaps the Jews sprung from the Phoenicians.
In summary, the Jews as a distinct people are only really known to history since the time of Cyrus the Great. They are mentioned in fragments of historical records about a century prior to this period, but before this there is really no distinction between Jews and other Canaanites such as the Phoenicians. The history of the Jews appears to be connected with the Phoenicians. Eventually they branched off, but even then the areas associated with Phoenician colonies and ports have traces of DNA signatures which are carried among various Jewish populations (even Ashkenazi Jews, among many other non-Jews as well).
Ashkenazi Y-DNA (fraternal)
This data is from a 2009 study [24] and since that time the classifications have changed. The sampling size is also not given in the study. The data is more or less in line with previous studies, however, the absence of R1a1a is very odd. In older studies, Ashkenazi Jews had more R1a Y-DNA than R1b Y-DNA which would make sense because R1a is more common in Eastern Europe. So take that into account and also note that the results of the study are presented from a Jewish perspective (volunteers were asked to classify themselves as either a Cohen, Levite, or Israelite ‘caste’). The percentages are approximate and averaged. Please note that in no way does this debunk the Khazar theory, nor is that the intent. It definitely supports it in part, but it also shows there is a Middle Eastern admixture (Askenazi percentage on left).
3% E1b1b1a (M78) – Found in East Africa, especially Southern Egypt and further South along the Red Sea. In 10%+ Berbers, 15% Tunisians, 40% Moroccan Arabs, and up to 50% or higher in various “horn of Africa”[25]
17% E1b1b1c (M123) – Both Sephardic Jews and Ashkenazi have this in common. Its distribution is all over the place and it’s pretty rare with the “highest” concentrations being in East Africa along the Red Sea.[26]
7% G2c (M377) – Now called G2b. Found in the Caucasus but also spotty in Eastern Europe. It is also found among Syrians, Lebanese, and Palestinians.[27]
17% J1 (M267) – Very common in the Arabian Peninsula (and found in smaller amounts all over North Africa and Eurasia)[28]
6% J2a (M410) – Found in the Caucasus [29]
14% J2a1b (M67) – Now called J-M67. Found in the Caucasus, Turkey, and Southern Europe [29]
7% Q1b (M378) – Found all over Europe and Asia in low frequencies. Exists in both Sephardic and Ashkenazi populations[30]
9% R1b1b2 (M269) – Concentrated in Western Europe[31]
2% R1b1 (P25) – Concentrated in Western Europe[32]
Ashkenazi mtDNA (maternal)
There is far less diversity among Ashkenazi mtDNA compared with Y-DNA. Haplogroups K and H are the most common mtDNA haplogroups found among Ashkenazi Jews. [33] Haplogroup K alone is found in over 40% of Ashkenazi Jews. These haplogroups are
very common in Europe and to a degree they are also found in North Africa and the Middle East. There is nothing “uniquely Jewish” about it. The lack of diversity here is probably why Ashkenazi have many genetic disorders (founder effect).
Very rough approximation: On the male side, about half the Y-DNA can be attributed to the Caucasus with the other half derived from East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. In terms of distribution, the “Caucasus DNA” isn’t exclusive to the Caucasus for the most part and the “Middle Eastern DNA” is not exclusive to the Middle East either. The question is whether or not there was a mass conversion among a Turkic clan of gentiles. The Khazar Correspondence is the only real proof of this and it’s authenticity has long been debated (as have many other distant correspondence letters.. Prestor John comes to mind)
There is a possibility that Jews lived in the Caucasus centuries prior to the Khazars ever existing, especially if the above ancient historians were somewhat accurate. Obviously later on there were population migrations in between periods (Scythians displacing Cimmerians, the Huns, various other ‘barbarians’ which the Persians enclosed behind the Caspian Gates) so it’s impossible to say.
Even though Ashkenazi Jews do have “Semitic” DNA, this does not give them a right to claim any land in Palestine (possessing DNA does not give you any rights to land owned by ancient people possessing the same DNA, especially not after 2,000 years). The “Semitic” haplogroups are mostly found outside of Palestine and ironically the few within are found among Palestinians (and Druze). Did they “acquire” it recently, over generations, or did they always have it? That’s also impossible to say.
Anyways, just keep in mind that because of the "Semitic" Y-DNA, the Khazar theory is impossible to prove. The evidence is good enough for you and I, but they can always spin the "Semitic" Y-DNA to their advantage. They cannot, however, debunk it. So I recommend being careful treading these waters since there is a lot of misinformation floating around. There were Jews in Europe (and the Caucasus) before there was a Khazaria. DNA evidence can be used to support this and in part to support a Middle Eastern origin whether or not that is the case (either in whole or in part). Hopefully this made sense (if anybody reads it that is!)
[1] Taylor Prism
http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/hi ... prism.aspx[2] Josephus, Against Apion 132
http://lexundria.com/j_ap/1/wst[3] Eusebius From the writings of Abydenus, about Nebuchadnezzar
http://attalus.org/translate/eusebius4.html[4] Merneptah Stele
http://www.allaboutarchaeology.org/mern ... le-faq.htm[5] Kurkh Stele –
http://sale-christadelphians.net/KurkhStele.html[6] Elephantine Letters -
http://www.kchanson.com/ancdocs/westsem/westsem.html[7] Herodotus Histories 2:104
http://www.bostonleadershipbuilders.com ... book02.htm[8]Cassius Dio 37:16.5
http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/R ... o/37*.html[9] Josephus, Against Apion 132, quoting Clearchus of Soli quoting Aristotle (allegedly)
http://lexundria.com/j_ap/1/wst[10] Ikshvaku – Sugar Cane
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ikshvaku[11]Herodotus Histories 7:89
http://www.bostonleadershipbuilders.com ... book07.htm[12]Herodotus Histories 3:111
http://www.bostonleadershipbuilders.com ... book03.htm[13]
http://books.google.co.in/books?id=y4aV ... th&f=false[14]http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/ancient/egypt-punt.html
[15]http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Judaism/ejtoc.html
[16] The origin of the terms “Canaan” “Phoenician” and “Purple” by Michael C. Astour
http://www.jstor.org/discover/10.2307/5 ... 2149970337[17]http://www.cais-soas.com/CAIS/Religions/non-iranian/Judaism/Persian_Judaism/book2/pt1.htm
[18] Sanchoniatho – Theology of the Phoencians
http://www.sacred-texts.com/cla/af/af01.htm[19]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mikoshi[20]
http://gosai.com/writings/satkona-star- ... -of-goloka[21]
http://www5.ocn.ne.jp/~magi9/isracame.htm[22]
http://jewsandjoes.com/israelites-and-phoenicians.html[23] Tacitus: History Book 5:2, 5:5
http://www.sacred-texts.com/cla/tac/h05000.htm[24]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2771134/[25]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haplogroup_E-V68[26]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haplogroup_E-M123[27]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haplogroup_G2b_(Y-DNA)
[28]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haplogroup_J-P209[29]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haplogroup_J-M172[30]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haplogroup_Q-M242[31]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haplogroup_R1b_(Y-DNA)
[32]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haplogroup_R1b_(Y-DNA)
[33]http://www.nature.com/ejhg/journal/v15/n4/full/5201764a.html
