The Future Apportionment of Israel

One of the most important aspects of the Messianic Redemption is the promised ingathering of the exiles from the Diaspora. This idea is clearly expressed in the Torah (Deuteronomy 30:3-5): "G‑d, your G‑d, will bring back your exiles and He will have mercy upon you. He will once again gather you from all the nations, where He had dispersed you. Even if your exiles are at the end of the heavens, He will gather you from there, and He will take you from there. And He will bring you to the land which your forefathers possessed..."

Unlike the Egyptian Exodus, when many Jews did not merit to leave Egypt, with regards to the future redemption we are assured that no Jew will be left behind—including the Ten Lost Tribes.

During the Messianic Era, Israel will be divided into thirteen sectionsDuring the "Covenant Between the Parts," G‑d promised to bequeath to Abraham's descendents ten lands (Genesis 15:19-21). When the Jews entered Canaan, however, they only conquered seven lands. The other three, the lands of Edom, Amon, and Moab – referred to in Genesis as Keini, K'nizi and Kadmoni – were given to the descendents of Esau and Lot. During the Messianic Era, these lands, too, will be given to the Jews.

The Torah makes reference to this expected expansion of the land of Israel (Deuteronomy 19:8): "When G‑d, your G‑d, expands your boundary, as He swore to your forefathers, and He gives you all the land of which He spoke to give to your forefathers . . . you shall add three more cities [of refuge] for yourself, in addition to these three."

During the Messianic Era, Israel will be divided into thirteen sections—unlike the original partition of the Land, when it was divided amongst the twelve tribes. The thirteenth section will be the personal domain of Moshiach and his offspring.

There is a difference of opinion amongst the sages regarding the other twelve sections. Some say that the tribe of Levi will have one section, and Manasseh and Ephraim will share one section. Others say that the tribe of Levi will not have their own section – they will suffice with cities designated by the Tribes for their use – and Ephraim and Manasseh will each have their own section.