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Crossing the Sabbath River The Jerusalem Talmud tells us that the Assyrians carried the northern Kingdom of Israel away to a place beyond the River Sambatyon (the Sabbath River). This mythical river had strong currents which made it impossible to cross. The waters would calm down, however, on the Sabbath. Under Jewish law it is unlawful to cross a river on the Sabbath. So what does all this mean? The Talmud also says that Moshiach will bring about the return of the lost ten tribes of Israel. This must occur before the beginning of the seventh millennium because the seventh millennium (the time of the messianic kingdom) is a Sabbath in the plan of HaShem. Because of the rule prohibiting the crossing of a river on the Sabbath, Israel must return from beyond the symbolic Sabbath River before the beginning of the millennial Sabbath. Why does the Talmud say that the ten northern tribes of Israel were taken beyond the Sabbath River? It is because the House of Israel had abandoned God’s Sabbath, Holy Days, and kosher laws. The Sambatyon is actually a metaphor for the Sabbath itself. The House of Israel had become a nation of idol worshippers. Even today, most of the House of Israel worships on the first day instead of the seventh day. Israel’s redemption, therefore, is very much dependent upon the House of Israel crossing the Sabbath River (metaphorically speaking). Isaiah indicates that salvation is dependent upon the Sabbath:
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