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Some time ago, Christoph Cluse asked an interesting question on Red Jews.
While recently reading on Prester John, I came across an interesting
reference to the association, conflation or plain old confusion of the ten
lost tribes of Israel with Gog and magog, who were supposed to be shut up
behind the mountains by Alexander the Great until a set time. They then
would be unleashed before the end of the world [the lost tribes would
return to the holy land, Gog and Magog would wreak general havoc].  A
small bit on these lost tribes sometimes being called Red Jews and the
general association of Jews with red hair, including the character of
Rufus in passion plays [dealt with with a very 1930s flavour]
is on pages 72-4.  Outdated yes, but might provide a clue or two.  

Andrew R. Anderson.  Alexander's Gate, Gog and Magog and the Inclosed
Nations. Cambridge, Mass., 1932.



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