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"Brit-Am Now"-753
Contents:
1. Stephen Ray Hale: The Term "Joe"
2. David: In Defence of Brit-Am
3. Question on Value of DNA Testing
(a) DNA Differences to be explained by Past Environment Influences
(b) Practical Applications
(c) Who performs the Tests?
(d) What can these tests tell you?
(e) Levites or Descendants of David.
4. Clarifications
(a) Dell Griffin
(b) Norman Willis
5. alternative nickname for ten tribes
6. Another Opinion on DNA Testing
7. Brit-Am Feature on DNA

1. Stephen Ray Hale: The Term "Joe"
From: Stephen Ray Hale <Filiramin@cox.net>
Subject: RE: "Brit-Am Now"-752

This was a dark posting, in reference to all of the conspiracies attributed
to Yair Davidy and Brit-Am or surrounding the area of interest of Brit-Am.
Poor Guy.  Nevertheless, I thought it was clever the use of Joe for Joseph
to set apart the other Israel tribes from Jew.  Ephraim hints more at
excluding Manasseh to those unfamiliar with that term being used to
represent Non Judah portion of the children of Israel.  It is interesting
also in that American military types were called G.I. Joe.

Stephen Hale from Midland, Texas

2. David: In Defence of Brit-Am
Subject: Re: "Brit-Am Now"-752

Dear Yair, I would like to thank you for your fairness in the treatment of such subjects as were discussed in this posting. I have received your e-mail updates for a long time and have written several personal inquiries from a Messianic-Ephramite position and have never, I repeat, never been treated any way other than professionally. To those who accuse you of being against the "Joe" movement or against the Christians, or of taking a position against that of Yahshua, I would say that they are misinformed. Your answers were always without bias or prejudice in any direction and have never been from a religious or doctrinal position, but, rather from what I felt was an investigative, well researched, and Biblically accurate stand. I wish more from the Messianic, Christian, and Jewish, communities would take that approach. It would serve to foster more open and honest dialogue and eliminate much of the misunderstandings that have kept us from fellowship. True Unity does not mean that we
 can't disagree. It does mean that our disagreement is not allowed to cause division. Most in the above circles lack the maturity needed to not become intimidated with the questioning of their beliefs. Again, Yair, thanks for your work. May HaShem bless and Keep you. David.

3. Question on Value of DNA Testing
From: edward
re. "Brit-Am Now"-752
#1. Can DNA testing Confirm Jewish Ancestry?

Subject: DNA Testing:

                                        Aug.22,2006
                                            Tues.
Dear Mr. Davidiy,
   I have just received your e-letter and found it to
be interesting. I was interested in the DNA tesing and
would like more information on it if you could spare
the time. From what I gathered from what was stated, I
believe that what was presented was that DNA
testing was not totally foolproof. I understand that
errors can creep in but the science is supposed to be
so positive that people are convicted of crimes and
imprisoned and/or executed on the results. It is also
about the only sure means that we have to prove
bloodlines and ancestry. But if it isn't what it is
made out to be, is it worth the money to use it to
attempt to trace our ancestors!!!??? Also, who peforms
these tests for geneology and how does one go about
applying the results!!!??? My reason for asking is
that my grandfather changed our family name from
Andruszkiewicz to A and I would be very
interested in knowing who and where (I know out of
Poland but from there backwards) we came from and how
we got there and who we would be related to. I've
often wondered if we could be Levites or (wishful
thinking) maybe related to king David himself since
God did promise him that his descendants would be as
the sands of the sea!!! At any rate, any information
that you could send would be greatlt appreciated.

                                   Thank you,
                                Edward

Answer:
Shalom,
(a) DNA Differences to be explained by Past Environment Influences:
First of all Brit-Am has said over and over again that DNA is determined by a
combination of heredity and environment. The environment  makes the changes
and heredity transmits them.
If anybody of a scientific bent wants more evidence of this let them check out
the literature on the AMOVA phenomenon.
<<As the name suggests Analysis of Molecular Variance (AMOVA) is a method
for studying molecular variation within a species.>>
In plain language, as we understand it, it more or less means the structural formation of
the DNA as distinct from the Coded substance of the DNA.
This is inherited and is regionally specific, e.g.
http://hmg.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/5/7/1029
There is Middle East type AMOVA and European type etc
and these types cut across haplogroup distinctions.
This is similar to other phenomenon we have noted, e.g.
"Brit-Am Now"-751
#2.  Different North-South DNA cuts through DNA Haplogroups?

This is NOT evolution but simple the activity of a biological organism with inbuilt
resilience factors to effect permanent changes when there is a need for them.
Nevertheless it could be considered as consistent with the Theory of Evolution.
It is therefore interesting to see that when it comes to practical applications
scientists tend to REJECT anything consistent with Evolutionary Theory even when
(as in our case) it fits the available scientific evidence more than any other explanation!

(b) Practical Applications: Regardless of what the primary causes may have been the fact is
that a person has DNA markers almost unique to himself though possibly shared with
other members of his family. The closer the DNA patterns the more likely one is likely to be
related. This justifies the use of DNA testing in paternity cases and criminal investigations.
In Criminal Investigations I doubt that DNA testing would be accepted without some
additional evidence. DNA evidence could clinch a case that already existed
but may have been in doubt.

(c) Who performs the Tests? DNA tests are performed by Commercial bodies
that as far as I know are considered reliable.
These groups make money and have web-sites and salesmen.
They are naturally usually eager to explain what they do as plainly as they can.
I do not know much about it other than that one does a test,
and receives the results. The Company will explain the results
and their significance as well as giving the results to you.
You may then take these results and do further research of your own
if you wish.

(d) What can these tests tell you? In your case you wish to know where in
Poland your family came from. You may find someone with DNA markers
like your own from a specific place in Poland and this may give you an informational
lead. I would not however by too optimistic on this matter.
An old-fashioned Genealogy inquiry could be better in this
and similar cases.
You could even join one of the numerous Genealogy e-mail discussion groups.
(There are Jewish ones, Polish ones, and maybe specifically Polish-Jewish
ones. I once belonged to a group with thousands (or so it seemed) of members that
was dedicated to the Genealogy-research interests of people named "Davis").

(e) Levites or Descendants of David.  DNA cannot tell you this. Old-fashioned Genealogy might again
be better in this case. You might find surviving relations with a family tradition, etc.
DNA testing if you are lucky might be able to locate people
with similar DNA Markers to yourself and you might be able to contact them
and you might find that one or more of them is considered a Levite etc.
I would not however be optimistic.
I tried to contact about 14 people (and that is about all there were)
who were listed as having similar DNA markers
to those of my son. I think that two responded.
One of the two broke off contact immediately and the other
asked if I had relations in Cavan, Ireland.
"Brit-Am Now"-723
http://britam.org/now/723Now.html
#4. History of County Cavan  (Ireland bordering Ulster).

I had not though many Welsh throughout history went to
Ireland and many Irish (and in the early days whole Irish Tribes) settled
in Ireland with the DNA of Ireland and Wales being very close
anyway.

(f) Relative Value of Applicability at the Macro Level.
DNA may be of some value in Brit-Am researches
but only to a limited degree.
DNA could help shed light in some regards.
Other disciplines such as Archaeology. Linguistics,
Historical research, etc could prove to be more accurate and more
reliable.
In the Brit-Am Case the bottom line is what says the BIBLE.
God bless you
Yair Davidiy

4. Clarification concerning beliefs of DG
re "Brit-Am Now"-752
(a) Dell Griffin
We said:
<<Dell or "MBI" as he calls himself (Maggid ben Yoseph) seems to believe
that all or most Gentiles are from the Lost Ten Tribes...>>
This is what could be understood from a central argument used by DG.
A former associate of DG, however, has sent me a letter in which DG
vehemently denies that such is his belief.
DG says he disagrees with the researches of Brit-Am but supports those
of  John Hulley. He seems to agree that the Lost Ten Tribes became the Cimmerians
which in his terms seems to mean mainly the "Celtic" peoples of Western Europe.
He also seems to identify the Mexicans, Amerindians, Afro-Americans and others
as from the Lost Tribes.
He himself says he is of mixed Anglo-Welsh and Amerindian descent
while his former wife is from Mexico and believed to be of Crypto-Jewish origin.

This is what we understand from various statements made by DG.
If any of it is inaccurate then DG can send us a ca. five sentence
statement clarifying the matter.

(b) Norman Willis
Norman Willis denies having come to Israel as the declared representative
of anyone.
Norman says that what he wrote concerning the 500 families project and
Dell Griffin was an accurate summation of a circular sent out by Dell.
Concerning other matters Norman says he was mislead
by another party and this may have been the case.

5. alternative nickname for ten tribes
From: slackjaw85@aol.com
In the Maharal's [Rabbi Judah Loew,
1525-1609] "Nezach Yisroel" [Eternal Israel], he refers to the 10 tribes as 'Tosafot'
which is beautiful, cuz like those from Yehuda are Yehudim, those from
Yosef are Tosafot.   bhatzlacha [be succesful]

 6. Another Opinion on DNA Testing
From: Roy Garland <wrgarland@tiscali.co.uk>
Subject: RE: "Brit-Am Now"-752

Dear Yair

I forwarded your comments on Jewish ancestry (22 August 2006) to a USA
friend who is an expert on the issue (Coleen Fitzpatrick) and she sent the
following which is interesting - .

Roy Garland (Belfast)

Question:

Can DNA testing Confirm Jewish Ancestry?

I do have a different question that comes from the discussion on DNA in this
mail. I have circumstantial evidence that my family may have been Jewish
back in the middles ages. Are you aware of a credible blood/DNA test that
could confirm or refute this?

Answer:  Yes and no. Consider the following three items:

(1. When you talk about DNA, think more in terms of population groups called
haplogroups instead of races and religions. Many haplogroups are large and
contain people from many different backgrounds.  Some haplogroups are more
specific to a type of people such as Vikings or American Indians but contain
a percentage of people from other ethnic backgrounds due to adoptions, name
changes, and nonpaternity events. This is true for the haplogroups that
contain a high percentage of people from Jewish backgrounds.

(2. DNA analysis for genealogy traces either the exclusively male or
exclusively female lines of a family.  This is because genetic genealogy
uses either the Y-chromosome that is handed down virtually intact through
the generations along the exclusively male line from father to son to son,
or it uses mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) that is handed down along the
exclusively female line of a family.  A mother hands it down to all of her
children, but only her daughters pass it on to the next generation. So there
are male haplogroups (that involve the exclusively male line of a family)
and female haplogroups (often called clades) that trace the exclusively
female line of a family).

(3. There has been extensive study done on the Cohanim, the descendents of
Aaron, who serve priestly functions in the Jewish religion. These studies
have shown that the majority (87%)[47%?] of the Cohanim (including both Sephardic
and Ashkenazi Jews) belong to (male) Haplogroup J. This indicates and
indicate a common male ancestor about 3,000 years ago. But there are also
traces of other haplogroups (E and R1a1 for example) that appear among the
Cohanim.You can find a nice summary of these findings at
http://www.jogg.info/11/coffman.htm

So the answer to your question is yes and no.  If your Jewish ancestry is
along the exclusively male or exclusively female lines, there is a chance
you could find evidence or it. But even if you do find your are in
haplogroup J along your exclusively male line (and there are similar
statements you could make about the exclusively female line) it wouldn't say
with 100% certainty that you have this background.

This is where paper genealogy kicks in.  DNA can never tell you your
ancestry exactly, it can only point you in a direction that can be verified
through written documentation (if it exists).  But DNA is never "wrong" as
written materials often are, and it can not be destroyed as written
materials often are.

If you descend from Jews along a mixed-gender line, the answer is it is not
possible to use genetic genealogy analysis to trace your Jewish roots.

***********

About online DNA databases:

The suggestion to look through the databases to see if you match anyone is
excellent.  That is a good way to find the paper genealogy that can
complement your DNA results.  Whether the match means anything has to do
with how common your name is and how many markers you have tested on. The
rule of thumb is that you need at least 20 markers to have a reasonable
certainty that when you match someone you have a common ancestor with him.

If you have a common name such as Baker and test on 12 markers, your match
means almost nothing, even if you match on 12 markers with other Bakers. In
this situation, a 12 marker test can only serve as a rule out. If you don't
match on 12 markers, you probably won't come close on a higher number of
markers.

On a 12 marker test, with a common name like Baker, Butler, Taylor, etc.,
your results will likely match hundreds of others from other surnames.  But
if you test on more markers, say 37 markers, however, and you have a perfect
or near match with anyone (independent of his surname), the results are
significant and there is a very high probability you share a common ancestor
with that person.

If you have a rare name - Blessingame, Allred, Mumma are three I have
studied extensively - even a 12 marker test can mean something. If you don't
match, forget it, you don't belong to this family. If you do match, more
than likely you are a member, even if you don't carry that surname.

Hope this helps.

Colleen

7. Brit-Am Feature on DNA: Refutation of DNA?
Tomorrow or the next day chances are that a Brit-Am article of
major importance will be posted to our site.

The article demolishes DNA claims in a few simple sentences.
The logic is so basic that even the most "astute" scientist
should understand it, not to mention laymen.

To they who have been following Brit-Am writings on this subject
the argument we present will not necessarily be a new one.
Nevertheless we hope to present it in such a way that our claims against
conventional DNA theory will no longer be ignored.

In addition to the above
Brit-Am has improved and added to its DNA feature
which includes the following articles:
DNA
http://www.britam.org/Questions/QuesDNA.html

mtDNA (female)
http://www.britam.org/Questions/mtDNA.html

YDNA (male)
http://www.britam.org/Questions/YDNA.html

Haplogroup R1b
http://www.britam.org/Questions/R1b.html

Haplogroup I
http://www.britam.org/Questions/Y%20Haploroup%20I.html

Brit-Am DNA