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Brit-Am Now no. 1346 Ten Tribes
May 27 2009, 7 Sivan 5769
Contents:
1. Nathan Proud: Ancient Israelites, Egyptians, and
Hyksos
2. Brit-Am and One Aspect of Judah:
Hezakiah Answers the Questions. Brit-Am Response
3. David Tempelhoff: Former Israeli Soldiers in India and the Ten Tribes
4. Tessa: The Messiah Will Restore Ephraim!
5. In Lieu of an Appeal -Send an offering!
1. Nathan Proud: Ancient Israelites, Egyptians, and
Hyksos
From: nproud@gmail.com
re Brit-Am 1345
#5. Did Joseph Really Marry an Aramaeanitess?
http://britam.org/now/1345Now.html#Did
Hi Yair,
I don't know if you intended it to be understood this way, but I in no way was
supporting discriminating against Egyptians. It seems my understanding of the
Hyksos is a bit different than what yours is, however. From what I've read, the
Hyksos began to invade Egypt in the 1700s BC and assumed power over northern
Egypt during a time of decentralization of the Egyptian government. There seems
to have been two separate dynasties co-existing in northern Egypt during the
Hyksos rule, the eastern possibly being the rise of the Israelite nation and
probably the same dynasty with names like Khamure, Yakbam, and Jacob-baal. But I
do see Joseph arriving in Egypt while Aramean Hyksos were ruling the north and
the Hamitic Egyptians ruling in the south from Thebes.
However, I do see your point concerning Potiphar. As a Christian, I don't see
Jewish commentary as an authority, but I do see it as worthwhile, and they are
probably onto something equating Potiphar with Potiphera: those seem to be
exactly the same name in Hebrew, only different forms (similar to Nathan and
Nate). And while some translations show ambiguity concerning Potiphar's
ethnicity, the Hebrew does clearly state ish mizri, Egyptian man. Perhaps it is
said explicitly to demonstrate that he was not a member of the Aramean
"invasion" but rather a man who was able to rise in the ranks of the new rulers.
Please never think that I'm trying to add anything to the Bible. It's never my
intention. But in the same way you and others do, I try to take context into
account. I simply overlooked Genesis 39:1 since I never thought to consider
Potiphar and Potiphera the same person.z
It is possible, however, that Asenath was half-Egyptian. I don't know how much
that matters, but that would make Ephraim and Manasseh 1/4 Egyptian. Who knows?
Nathan Proud
2. Brit-Am and One Aspect of Judah:
Hezakiah Answers the Questions. Brit-Am Response
re Brit-Am Now no. 1345 Ten Tribes
#4. 3 Rounds of Correspondence with "Hazakiah"
http://britam.org/now/1345Now.html#3
Note: Quotations from
Brit-Am in this color
Hezakiah wrote:
It may seem that we do not give answers because
you do not really ask questions but rather make declarations and
expect us to react to them.
The fact is I did ask questions. I added commentary referring to what is
halacha and asked how Gentiles are Israel. If they are not Israel by halacha,
which is what you said in the first email, then how are they by what the
Prophets say? Ezra tells Israel to send away it's foreign wives and
children,CHAPTER 10, VERSES 2 and 3:
" ... We have betrayed our G-d, and we have taken in foreign wives of the
peoples of the land, but now
there is hope for Israel concerning this. Now, let us make a covenant with G-d
to cast out all the wives
and their children by the counsel of the L-rd those who hasten to perform the
commandments of our
G-d and according the law it shall be done. "
If the children of these foreign wives were Israel, then why cast them out?
Jews are known for answering a question with another questions so
here are some question for you:
a. You say you are associated with
Ohr
Smaeach. They, like Brit-Am, identified
a group of apparent "Gentiles" as descended from the Lost Ten Tribes. Why then
do you not apply the same questions to them as you apply to us?
I did, I'm waiting for a response.
Are people in the east different? Do they who look for the Lost Ten Tribes
amongst Eastern Peoples deserve more respect in your eyes than those who
find them in the west? If so, why so?
These people found among the eastern areas at least have a tradition of
being descendants and cultural aspects that parallels Torah practices.
b. What according to you is the Torah definition of "Israelite"?
The same as halacha states and is shown in Ezra. In a non theology point of
view, by what you've said in your emails, a person who had an Israelite
ancestor 2800 years ago is still an Israelite. Technically they do have the
blood in them, but that is like saying a person that had a Chinese ancestor
2800 years ago is Chinese even if there hadn't been another Chinese person
in their bloodline since the first one 2800 years ago.
c. We referred you to articles on the subject on our web-site
including Biblical Proofs and
Ephraimite Criteria. Did you even bother
looking at them?
Yes, I disagree based on halacha. Not that there weren't some interesting
points, but then some were rather ludicrous. America is Mennaseh because of
a latinized version of the name similar to the word? America was named for
Amerigo Vespucci
d. You said that "Now it is those that left the church and claim to
be Ephraim saying the same thing" meaning
that "Ephraimites"
have adopted Replacement Theology. For all I know there may be
Ephraimites
who are guilty in this respect but we are not aware
of them. Our organization, Brit-Am Ten Tribes, certainly cannot be
accused of such tendencies since we emphasize the importance
of Judah quite strongly.
What justification do you have for making such an implication?
I was obviously unclear. It would be foolish to have a site like you have
and promote the replacement theology of some of these "Ephraimites". My
point was that presenting theory and conjecture to look like fact feeds the
belief of these people. They not only believe they are Ephraim, but believe
that every single Brit, American, and Aussie is too. That , in itself, would
be harmless, but many are now saying that Jews are not Israel, they are.
Even on that site that James Tabor is associated with, I have seen posts
that say such as, "The Jews say the Torah means this, but this is a much
better meaning."
Do you not think your tone and insinuations offensive?
Should you not repent of your false assumptions and apologize?
If you found a "tone", yes. I make no insinuations since my opinion is based
on halacha and my faith in Hashem and Torah.
Are you not aware that the Sages condemn they who think evil of
others when there are no grounds for doing so?
Are you not aware of the laws of lashon hara and carrying tales of a
disagreement to others? See answering a question with a question. I'm sorry
if this email conversation made you angry, but this is causing a re-birth of
British Israelism that, even though is pro-Israel and Jewish in the most
part among many, is raising more and more anti-Semitism every day among the
rest. Hezakiah
================================================
================================================
Brit-Am Responds:
================================================
(i) Children of Foreign Women
Regarding Ezra.
The children of Jewish men and foreign women were sent away.
You asked:
##If the children of these foreign wives were Israel, then why cast them out?##
The Brit-Am Ten Tribes understanding (based on the Prophets, Talmud, Shulchan
Aruch,
and Zohar) is that the Ten Tribes were given the halachic status of Gentiles.
In effect their membership of Israel in the religious-Torah sense was suspended.
In the future they will be accepted as Israel in the religious sense once more.
For the moment they are religiously "Gentiles" descended from the Ten Tribes of
Israel.
Nevertheless even now they have obligations and a destiny to fulfill even in
this period of "Suspended
Membership".
Ezra was dealing with Jews and had a duty to save the Jewish Religion.
The Jews are bound by the Law and as far as they are concerned the Law was never
suspended for them.
The Law says that "being a Jew" (i.e. remaining within the Mosaic Covenant) goes
through the mother.
The children of the foreign women were not Jewish therefore they were sent away.
================================================
(ii) Ohr Sameach.
I am glad to say that you have submitted the same assertions/questions to Ohr
Sameach.
I doubt that you will get a response.
At all events on this point we may have misjudged you and if so we apologize.
================================================
(iii) Eastern Claimants to be from the Ten Tribes.
You said that eastern peoples allegedly from Israel,
##at least have a tradition of being descendants and cultural
aspects that parallels Torah practices.##
You evidently are referring to the Jew-hating women-torturing
former Nazi-supporting Taliban Afghans.
We have explained this in the past and in some detail in our book, "The Khazars.
Tribe 13".
They received what traditions they have from Israelites who were in the area
before them.
The Israelite practices that it is claimed they have are grossly exaggerated.
They also have other traditions and practices of a different nature.
In the west, the Milesian Irish had traditions that they had once kept the
Mosaic Laws and that
Israelites had been with them from the beginning.
So too, with the Scottish who within recent historical times kept aspects of the
Mosaic Law especially in
regard to diet. There were traditions regarding the Israelites origins of the
Angles, Saxons, Dutch Frissians,
Danish, Swedish, and others.
================================================
(iv) The Torah definition of "Israelite"
You said that according to us:
##a person who had an Israelite ancestor 2800 years ago is
still an Israelite. Technically they do have the blood in them, but that is
like saying a person that had a Chinese ancestor 2800 years ago is Chinese
even if there hadn't been another Chinese person in their bloodline since
the first one 2800 years ago.##
Statisticians claim that somehow or other everyone in the world is now related
to everyone else. Taking your analogy to an extreme it could be claimed that
everyone everywhere is now "Israel". Such claims in some form or other have
actually been made and periodically recur.
The Zohar indicates that Ten Tribes when they return will have remained racially
"pure".
Other sources indicate otherwise.
We do not know nor care though definitely some foreign admixture will have taken
place.
All that matters according to the Brit-Am understanding is that the Ten Tribes
were prophesied to be concentrated together
in specific regions and to have performed definite tasks unique to themselves.
This is confirmed by historical
and other sources.
We can point to what areas of the world have the inhabitants who fit the
necessary criteria and on that basis say
that the Lost Ten Tribes are at the least amongst them and possibly comprise the
overwhelming majority of them.
================================================
(v) Some Brit-Am Proofs Ludicrous?
You said concerning Brit-Am Proofs:
##some were rather ludicrous. America is
Mennaseh because of a Latinized version
of the name similar to the word? America was named for
Amerigo
Vespucci##
Not all the evidence we appeal to has the same resonance with different
recipients.
We believe in Divine Providence. America was named after Amerigo Vespucci who
received his name "Amerigo" (also rendered as "America")
due to the Hebrew name "Machir" or "Ha-Macheri" (i.e. "belonging to Machir" in
Medieval Hebrew" or "the Macherites" in Biblical Hebrew) being transmuted in
Europe as "America" or "Amerigo". America was therefore indirectly named by the
same name as Machir the first-born son of Manasseh.
I personally consider this of great interest and significance.
That however is not the only proof we have. It is a point of interest. In our
opinion it is even a confirming factor.
Nevertheless one can take it or leave it since additional evidence is available.
================================================
(vi) Brit-Am Ten Tribes Teachings Being Misapplied?
You said that our beliefs give fuel to those Ephraimites who:
##not only believe they are Ephraim, but believe that every
single Brit, American, and Aussie is too. That , in itself, would be
harmless, but many are now saying that Jews are not Israel, they are. Even
on that site that James Tabor is associated with, I have seen posts that say
such as,"The Jews say the Torah means this, but this is a much better
meaning."##
Brit-Am beliefs are not conventional. We face disparagement, resentment,
deliberate misunderstanding, misrepresentation, ridicule, expurgation,
denial of exposure, and much more. We are fighting just to have our voice heard
and to reach out with this message that we consider
important to the Jewish and Israelite Peoples. We cannot always exert ourselves
to appear as "objective" as may or may not be warranted.
We are not sure what percentage of the nations in question are indeed of
Israelite Descent but it may well be a majority and at the least it is
significant.
Alongside Brit-Am Ten Tribes exists the Ephraimite Movement. This is part of a
general phenomenon amongst Christians of returning to their
"Hebrew Roots". The returning can take the form of adopting or adapting Jewish
customs and Biblical Laws or of re-inventing them in accordance
with some maverick or "Karaite"-type interpretation of their own. This we feel
to be a positive development but it could have negative aspects or develop
in an unhealthy way. On the whole the "Returning" is pro-Jewish and takes a
"Two-Houses" approach but it is widespread and Jew-haters or those
with conscious or subconscious anti-Jewish prejudices also are to be found.
The Ephraimite Movement is part of this "Hebrew Roots" Returning and is
characterized by the addition of a belief in the Israelite ancestry of its
membership. In some respects it overlaps with Brit-Am though the leadership in
some instances does not like us and attempts to marginal Brit-Am influence.
Brit-Am Ten Tribes reaches out not only to the Ephraimite Movement but to many
others. We are not to be identified with it or considered responsible for it.
We consider it evidence of an instinctive arousal amongst "Joseph" of
Israelite Ancestral Instinct.
Jews in our opinion who are concerned by it should study Brit-Am teachings and
decide whether they are correct or not.
If the correctness of Brit-Am teachings is realized then Jews should take the
Ephraimite Movement for what it is, go out to it, and teach them.
Many are waiting for this.
The Brit-Am Ten Tribes movement however IS NOT about to take such a goal upon
itself and considers it beyond our mandate.
================================================
(vii) Mutual Personality Clashes
You said:
##Are you not aware of the laws of
lashon
hara and carrying tales of a
disagreement to others?##
"Lashon HaRa" (i.e. "Evil Speech") is saying or repeating anything that could be
construed to the detriment of others
even if it is true and even if it is not of itself negative.
Your main complain is our publicizing the correspondence between us and
publishing your name.
Brit-Am is a public body.
Anyone who writes to us should know that there is chance we will publish it
unless they ask in advance that we not do so.
Perhaps we should not have done it. Usually we would post out what was written
but remove or alter identifying signatures.
In your case we noticed that on the Roots of Faith Site
http://www.rootsoffaith.net
you had posted opinions
similar to those you sent us
and had become a "personality" in the field.
For better or for worse someone such as yourself cannot be expected to be
treated with the same discretion
as an unknown. Also the tone of your missive seemed aggressive and usually in
such cases the party concerned
is not adverse to publicity.
At all events on this matter also we apologize.
================================================
(viii) Brit-Am a Source of Anti-Semitism?
You said that the Brit-Am Ten Tribes Movement
##even though is pro-Israel and Jewish in the most part among
many, is raising more and more anti-Semitism every day among the rest##
Our impression is that the Brit-Am Ten Tribes Movement reduces anti-Semitism, strengthen sympathy for the
Jewish People, and enhance support for the State of Israel.
There may be individuals who make a bad impression and also quote us but we if
anything work to erase previous wrong teachings
and enlighten with the truth of our beliefs. We have a mollifying and improving
effect that may not always be immediately apparent
though usually it is.
HeShem be with you,
Yair Davidiy
on behalf of
The Brit-Am Ten Tribes Movement
3. David
Tempelhoff: Former Israeli Soldiers in India and the Ten Tribes
re Brit-Am Now no. 1345 Ten Tribes
#4. 3 Rounds of Correspondence with "Hazakiah"
http://britam.org/now/1345Now.html#3
Hello Yair,
I was impressed with the way you handled "Hazakiah". I felt honored that you
took a stand for those of us who believe we are Lost tribesman. ...Thank you Yair.
A few weeks ago I was up watching late night TV and there was an Documentary
called " Flipping Out". I was about the 1000's of Israelis who are living in
India. Some have gone there after serving in the IDF and are suffering from PTSD
[Post Traumatic stress disorder ].
They spend summer in the Mountains and winter in Goa. It is very inexpensive
place to live and fairly safe as the Indians are not anti-Semitic.
It was a very good story because it showed how the Israeli Government knows it
has struggling soldiers in India and has set up support systems in form of Safe
Houses, Religious teachers, drug counselors and even a retired secret service
agent who brings home the discharged servicemen who are suffering the most. The
ex Secret service agent is worth his wait in Gold. He actually finds these
broken soldiers and brings them home to Israel. Israel cares for her soldiers. I
appreciate that. Uncle Sam is not as compassionate.
I was wondering if you are aware of the large amounts if Israelis in India and
would like to know if mainstream Israeli Society think the lost tribes are in
the East. Would that be a reason many Israelis go to India. Or is it the
inexpensive travel for young people as well as the relative safety.
================================================
================================================
Brit-Am Reply:
Most young Israelis go to India because it is cheap, exotic, has beautiful
scenery and interesting people,
a favorable climate and it is somewhere to go.
Many many more go to Europe especially Britain.
The idea that the Lost Tribes are in the east has received a lot of publicity.
In my experience young Israelis are more open to the Brit-Am understanding that
they are in the west
but no-one has told them about it.
We hope to change that.
4. Tessa: The Messiah Will Restore Ephraim!
Shalom Yair
re Brit-Am Now no. 1345 Ten Tribes
#4. 3 Rounds of Correspondence with "Hazakiah"
http://britam.org/now/1345Now.html#3
Perhaps the difference of opinion that surfaced in this correspondence was
mostly misunderstanding. Hezakiah's questions are quite reasonable from a Jewish
point of view. Identity as a Jew can only be through physical descent or
halachic conversion. So logically a Jew might reason that Ephraimite identity
must be determined the same way even though that is clearly a physical
impossibility. You can't establish identity unless it can be proved!
However the identity situation is even more complicated for Ephraimites because,
unlike Judah, Ephraim was divorced from the Covenant. Even if it is found that
Ephraim exists among the Germanic/Celtic peoples, that in no way entitles him to
demand Israelite nationality. To keep faith with Torah means that no Ephraimite
has right of entry to the Nation of Israel based on ethnicity (even if it could
be determined). Ephraim is alive but he is persona non grata because he
forfeited his inheritance in Israel. So, on the face of it, Ephraim can never
return. But the Torah and Prophets insist that he will return so we must labour
to understand how it is possible.
It is a dilemma which is only legitimately resolved as in the case of Ruth. Ruth
required a kinsman redeemer to 'buy' her identity in Israel. Ephraim is the same
- he is a goy now and requires a kinsman redeemer to negotiate his return... It
still stands that it is the task of Messiah to restore Ephraim. He will not
require proof based on ancestry because he will be vouchsafed for by Messiah
himself. This is understandably difficult for Judah to reconcile but Torah
precept dictates that Ephraim and Judah will be eventually reconciled - albeit
through different routes.
I hope this is helpful and doesn't further confuse the discussion!
Blessings - Tessa
5. In Lieu of an Appeal -Send an offering!
Recently I went through the Books of Amos and Obadiah and other works in the
Bible.
Brit-Am has a strong case in its favor and we have done serious work in
researching and promoting it.
Still more remains to be done.
The Brit-Am Ten Tribes Movement has a unique task that only it can fulfill.
This task is important and can be done.
We need money to function.
The situation is quite difficult.
Send an offering today.
Let us know that it is on the way.
This is for the good of the Israelite Peoples.
The good of Judah.
The good of the State of Israel.
The good of the USA, Canada, and all other Israelite nations.
The good of Biblical Consciousness and research everywhere.
Brit-Am still has much to offer.
Your contribution will bring a blessing upon you and be used to your benefit.
be with us through your money as well as your sentiment.
God bless you all
Yair
Davidiy
on behalf of
The Brit-Am Ten Tribes Movement.
Pleased with what you read?
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God willing, they who assist Brit-Am will be blessed.
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world without God or the Bible.'
George Washington
Brit-Am is the "still small voice" that contains the truth.
[1-Kings 19:12] AND AFTER THE EARTHQUAKE A FIRE; BUT THE LORD WAS NOT IN THE
FIRE: AND AFTER THE FIRE A STILL SMALL VOICE.
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