Several prophecies, feasts, history, comments & traditions 1

In His first coming He brought His peace into the hearts of men by the Gospel. In His second coming He will bring peace in Jerusalem and peace on earth. Conch, or conque, also known as a "seashell horn" or "shell trumpet", is a musical instrument, a wind instrument that is made from a seashell, the shell of several different kinds of very large sea snails. This was an instrument in ancient Israel that was found in areas like the Americas, the Tibet, India, Polynessia... The prophecy  of the celebrated rabbi known as the Vilna Gaon said that "when the Russians capture Crimea the times of the Messiah have started, His steps are being heard". The Essenes lived the Law of Consacration (or the like) just as the Latter-day Saints (Mormons) did in part of the XIX century & from then onward only their missionaries & apostles live it. Historically, the Coptic Christians claim their historic roots as one of the most ancient sects of the Jewish Orthodox Nazarenes who claim also to be followers of the Apostle Mark who not only wrote the Gospel of Mark in the Christian New Testament, was also a noted scribe of the Apostle Paul just before his death in Rome.  The Roman Catholic Church has been a major part of this Drama of the Ages and will continue to do so until the Final Act of that Divine Drama. It will include the Jews of the House of Israel, the Lost Sheep of the Lost Ten Tribes of the House of Northern Israel; both of the House of Jacob (Israel).  It will also include the Roman Edomites of the House of Esau, the brother of Jacob of the House of Isaac. It will also include the Arabs of the House of Ishmael, the brother to Isaac of the House of Abraham.  The "CROSS" of the Messiah! A number of churches (including the Jehovah Witnesses) claim that Yeshua the Messiah was nailed to a simple upright post or "stake." In so-called "passion plays" you often see a complete cross (upright AND crossbeam) being dragged to "Golgotha" by the one playing the role of the Messiah. Some sources claim Yeshua carried just the CROSSBEAM to the place of execution which, along with himself, was hoisted up and attached to an existing stake. However, in reality, the Messiah was nailed to something FAR DIFFERENT to what most people have been led to believe! This article examines all the crosses used by the Romans for executing criminals, and PINPOINTS the exact type that the Messiah died upon. Be prepared for surprises! "Quickly throwing His own clothes back on Him, they half-dragged, half-carried Him from the garrison room back to the street. They led Him out, and, holding up the HEAVY WOODEN BEAM He was to bear, slowly LOWERED IT ON TO HIS HIDEOUSLY TORN BACK. Then, urging Him on with whips, they began to lead the procession through the crowds...When they first placed the HEAVY BEAM on Jesus' back, He trudged a few painful steps, and crying out in pain, stumbled and fell under the weight. "As the mob wound through the streets, they grabbed a man out of the crowd who happened to be Simon of Cyrene, a well-known older man, the father of Alexander and Rufus. The soldiers laid Jesus' STAKE on him, so he could trail along after Jesus.... "The grisly procession continued out of the gate, turned slightly to its left and passing through a stony area where the herdsmen gathered their flocks for sale, descended along a pathway into a pleasant garden area bounded by a group of trees against the bluff of a large limestone outcropping. "Turning to the left, they started climbing this rocky hill, until they achieved the grassy slope atop it, and thus could look back at the city of Jerusalem only about two or three city blocks away from this height. The hollowed-out caves in the face of the limestone outcropping had given rise to its name, 'the place of the skull,' which was the meaning of its Hebrew name, Golgotha. "There the hole was dug for the STAKE, and Jesus' body was nailed to it, His arms wrenched over His head and driven firmly to the timber with a SINGLE SPIKE through them, while His feet were fastened to the wood with a large spike driven between the bones of His toes. "Then He was hoisted in the air as the STAKE was jammed into the ground. A scream of sheer agony spasmodically burst forth from Jesus as the soldiers labored with shovels to insure that the STAKE was propped upright." This graphic and often gut-wrenching excerpt from Garner Ted Armstrong's book, The Real Jesus, purports to show the WAY Yeshua the Messiah was fastened to the instrument of his death. Apart from the obvious geographical inaccuracies (see our article, Just Where in Jerusalem Did Our Savior Die?), is this an ACCURATE account of the MODE of crucifixion that the Messiah underwent? Diversity of Views The Jehovah's Witnesses also believe the Messiah was nailed to a SINGLE, UPRIGHT POST OR STAKE: "There is no evidence that the Greek word STAUROS' meant here [Matthew 10:38] a "cross" such as the pagans used as a religious symbol for many centuries before Christ to denote the sun-god. "In the CLASSICAL GREEK the word STAU.ROS' meant merely an UPRIGHT STAKE or pale, or a pile such as is used for a foundation. The verb STAU.RO'O meant to fence with pales, to form a stockade or palisade, and this is the verb used when the mob called for Jesus to be impaled...The root verb STAU.RO'O occurs more than 40 times [in the New Testament], and we have rendered it "impale," with the footnote: "Or, 'fasten on a STAKE or pole."' "The inspired writers of the Christian Greek Scriptures wrote in the common (koi.ne') Greek and used the word STAU.ROS' to mean the same thing as in the classical Greek, namely, a STAKE or pale, a simple one WITHOUT A CROSSBEAM OF ANY KIND or at any angle. There is NO PROOF TO THE CONTRARY. The apostles Peter and Paul also use the word XY'LON to refer to the torture instrument upon which Jesus was nailed, and this argues that it was an UPRIGHT STAKE WITHOUT A CROSSBEAM, for that is what XY'LON in this special sense means. (Acts 5:30; 10:39; 13:29; Galatians 3:13; I Peter 2:24) At Ezra 6:11 we find XY'LON in the Greek Septuagint (I Esdras 6:31), and there it is spoken of as a BEAM on which the violator of law was to be hanged, the same as at Luke 23:39; Acts 5:30; 10:39. "The fact that STAU.ROS' is translated CRUX in the Latin versions furnishes no argument against this. Any authoritative Latin dictionary will inform the examiner that the basic meaning of CRUX is a "TREE, frame, or other wooden instrument of execution" on which criminals were impaled or hanged (Lewis-Short). A cross is only a LATER MEANING of crux." -- The Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures, by the New World Bible Translation Committee, 1969. Appendix p.1155. Another viewpoint is presented by Bo Reicke in his work The New Testament Era: çOn his way from the Praetorium to the place of crucifixion, Jesus, as was CUSTOMARY, had to carry THE TRANSVERSE BEAM (LATIN PATIBULUM) of the cross between the rows of spectators, while the UPRIGHT (GREEK STAUROS, "POST"; LATIN PALUS, STIPES) stood in place at the execution site and was USED OVER AND OVER AGAIN...The details of the crucifixion can be reconstructed as follows. Upon the hill stood several PERMANENT UPRIGHTS, doubtless strong, but no more than about ten feet high. In the middle was a kind of wooden seat (Latin "sedile"). At the top, or a little beneath it, there was a groove to receive the TRANSVERSE BEAM; in the first case, the cross had three arms (like a "T"), in the second case, four arms (Latin "crux commissa" or "immissa")...The prisoner was stripped and his arms were tied to the TRANSVERSE BEAM; nails were sometimes driven through his hands (here, again, according to John 20:23). He was then placed on the seat, the transverse beam and his feet were tied to the upright, and the notice of the complaint was attached to the top (Matthew 27:35-37 and parallels). The victim was to HANG in this agonizing position until released by death, which usually came about through difficulty in breathing and stoppage of circulation, NOT SO MUCH THROUGH LOSS OF BLOOD." --Fortress Press, Philadelphia. 1968, pages 185-187. Was THIS, then, the way our Savior was crucified? Obviously, there are SEVERAL ideas or theories about the FORM of crucifixion Yeshua suffered. A History of the Cross To a Roman Catholic the cross is the most important symbol of his faith. As such it is found displayed on top of roofs and towers, and can be seen on altars, furnishings and ecclesiastical garments. In the majority of Catholic churches, the floor plan of the structure is laid out in the shape of the cross. And, of course, Catholic homes, hospitals and schools have the cross adorning the walls. Everywhere in the Catholic world the cross is outwardly honored and adored in a myriad of ways. During baptism, when an infant is sprinkled, the officiating priest makes the sign of the cross upon its forehead reciting: "Receive the sign of the cross upon thy forehead." When an initiate receives confirmation, he or she is signed with the cross; and ashes are used to make a cross on the forehead of fervent Catholics during Ash Wednesday. When a Catholic goes to church, he dips the forefinger of the right hand in "holy water" before entering into the church proper -- touching the forehead, the chest, the left and the right shoulder, thus tracing the figure of the cross. During Mass, the Catholic priest blesses the altar with the cross sign 30 times and makes the sign of the cross 16 times. In general, Protestant churches do not believe in making the sign of the cross or in worshipping the instrument of the Messiah's suffering -- recognizing that these things are UNSCRIPTURAL and SUPERSTITIOUS. Nevertheless, the use of the cross has quite often been retained on steeples, pulpits and in numerous other ways as a form of decoration. It was not until Christianity became paganized (or, more correctly perhaps, paganism became Christianized), that the image of the cross came to be considered a Christian symbol. In the year 431 A.D. crosses in churches and in chambers were introduced by the apostatizing Catholic Church, while the use of crosses on steeples was not sanctioned until about 586 A.D. During the sixth century the Universal or Catholic Church sanctioned the crucifix image and, after the Council at Ephesus, required that private homes possess a cross. While the cross is a symbol of many so-called Christian churches today, it cannot be maintained that its origin was within true Christianity -- it was a sacred symbol among many non-Christian peoples LONG BEFORE CHRIST EVER ARRIVED ON THE SCENE! According to the Encyclopedia Britannica (1943 edition) the "cross has been used both as a RELIGIOUS SYMBOL and as an ornament from the dawn of man's civilization. Various objects, dating from periods long anterior to the Christian era, have been found, in almost every part of the old world. India, Syria, Persia and EGYPT have all yielded numberless examples, while numerous instances, dating from the later Stone Age to Christian times, have been found in nearly every part of Europe. The use of the CROSS AS A RELIGIOUS SYMBOL in pre-Christian times and among non-Christian peoples may probably be regarded as almost UNIVERSAL, and in very many cases it was connected with some form of NATURE WORSHIP. Two of the most frequent forms of pre-Christian cross are the TAU CROSS, so named from its resemblance to the Greek capital letter T, and the swastika or fylfot....The TAU CROSS with a handle (crux ansata) often occurs in EGYPTIAN and ASSYRIAN sculptures as a SYMBOL OF DIVINITY" (Vol. 6, p. 753). On the walls and monuments of ancient Egypt, one can readily see the use of the Tau cross. Notes the famed historian William F. Seymour in reference to Egypt: "Here unchanged for thousands of years, we find among her most sacred hieroglyphics THE CROSS in various forms...but the one known specially as the 'cross of Egypt,' or the TAU CROSS, is shaped like the letter T, often with a circle or ovoid above it. Yet this mystical symbol was not peculiar to this country, but was reverenced...among the Chaldeans, Phoenicians, Mexicans, and every ancient people in both hemispheres" (The Cross in Tradition, History, and Art, pp. 22, 26). Even The Catholic Encyclopedia acknowledges that "the sign of the cross, represented in its simplest form by a crossing of two lines at right angles, GREATLY ANTEDATES, in both the East and the West, THE INTRODUCTION OF CHRISTIANITY. It goes back to a VERY REMOTE period of human civilization (Vol. 4, p. 517, article: "Cross"). "But," you might ask, "since our Savior died on a crossdoes this not make it a Christian symbol?" While it is true that to most people the cross has come to be associated with the Messiah, there are a few (knowing full well its history and the superstition surrounding it) who look at it in a different way. After all, the Messiah was not the first to be crucified on some sort of a cross. William Seymour, in The Cross in Tradition, History, and Art notes that crucifixion as a method of death "was used in ancient times as a punishment for flagrant crimes in Egypt, Assyria, Persia, Palestine, Carthage, Greece, and Rome....Tradition ascribes the invention of the punishment of the cross to a woman, THE QUEEN SEMIRAMIS"! Obviously the Messiah died on some sort of a cross -- and yet MANY kinds of crosses are used in the Catholic religion. A page in the Catholic Encyclopedia shows forty -- if you do a little research you will probably come up with even more! This prompts a question: If the Catholic use of the cross began simply with the cross the Messiah died on -- and was not influenced by paganism -- WHY do they use so many different types in their worship? A noted author says: "Of the several varieties of the cross still in vogue, as national and ecclesiastical emblems, distinguished by the familiar appellations of St. George, St. Andrew, the Maltese, the Greek, the Latin, etc., these is NOT ONE amongst them the existence of which MAY NOT be traced to the REMOTEST ANTIQUITY"! (The Pentateuch Examined, Vol. 6, p. 113). So now we come to the bottom line -- WHAT SORT of cross did Yeshua the Messiah pay the supreme sacrifice on? Surprises are in store! The Medical Report In 1986, The Journal of the American Medical Association carried an article entitled "A Medical Report On the Physical Death of Jesus Christ." Authored by William D. Edwards, Wesley J. Gabel and Floyd E. Hosmer, this report makes some interesting points: "In its EARLIEST FORM in Persia, the victim [of crucifixion] was either tied TO A TREE or was tied to or impaled on an UPRIGHT POST, usually to keep the guilty victim's feet from touching HOLY GROUND. Only later was a TRUE CROSS used; it was characterized by an UPRIGHT POST (stipes) and a HORIZONTAL CROSSBAR (patibulum), and it had several variations. Although archaeological and historical evidence strongly indicates that the LOW TAU CROSS was preferred by the Romans in Palestine at the time of Christ, CRUCIFIXION PRACTICES OFTEN VARIED IN A GIVEN GEOGRAPHICAL REGION and in accordance with the imagination of the executioners, AND THE LATIN CROSS AND OTHER FORMS ALSO MAY HAVE BEEN USED." The medical report goes on to discuss other interesting aspects of the crucifixion process: "It was customary for the condemned man to carry his own cross from the flogging post to the site of crucifixion outside the city walls. He was usually naked, unless this was prohibited by local customs. SINCE THE WEIGHT OF THE ENTIRE CROSS WAS PROBABLY WELL OVER 300 POUNDS, ONLY THE CROSSBAR WAS CARRIED. The PATIBULUM, weighing 75 to 125 pounds, was placed across the nape of the victim's neck and balanced along both shoulders. Usually the outstretched arms then were tied to the crossbar. Outside the city walls were PERMANENTLY LOCATED THE HEAVY UPRIGHT WOODEN STIPES, on which the patibulum would be secured. In the case of the Tau cross, this was accomplished by means of a mortise and tenon joint, with or without reinforcement by ropes. To prolong the crucifixion process, a horizontal wooden block or plank, serving as a crude seat (sedile or sedulum), often was attached midway down the stipes. Only very rarely, and probably LATER THAN THE TIME OF CHRIST, was an additional block (suppendaneum) employed for transfixion of the feet....The criminal was then thrown to the ground on his back, with HIS ARMS OUTSTRETCHED ALONG THE PATIBULUM. The hands could be nailed or tied to the crossbar, but nailing apparently was preferred by the Romans." The medical report concludes by saying: "Furthermore, ossuary findings and the Shroud of Turin have documented that the nails [PLURAL] commonly were DRIVEN THROUGH THE WRIST RATHER THAN THE PALMS. "After both arms were fixed to the crossbar, the patibulum and the victim, together, were lifted onto the stipes. On the low cross, four soldiers could accomplish this relatively easily. However, in the tall cross, the soldiers used either wooden forks or ladders. "Next, the feet were fixed to the cross, either by nails or ropes. Ossuary findings and the Shroud of Turin suggest that nailing was the PREFERRED ROMAN PRACTICE. Although the feet could be fixed to the sides of the stipes or to a wooden footrest (suppendaneum), they usually were nailed directly to the front of the stipes. To accomplish this, flexion of the knees may have been quite prominent, and the bent legs may have been rotated laterally....The length of survival generally ranged from three or four hours to three or four days and appears to have been INVERSELY RELATED TO THE SEVERITY OF THE SCOURGING [AND ALSO THE TYPE OF CROSS]. However, even if the scourging had been relatively mild, the Roman soldiers could hasten death by breaking the legs below the knees (crurifragium or skelokopia)." Different Types of Crosses This same report lists nine variations in the type of cross employed by the Romans throughout their history. They are as follows: 1/. Infelix lignum -- Tree 2/. Crux simplex -- Upright post 3/. Crux composita -- Stipes and Patibulum 4/. Crux humilis -- Low cross 5/. Crux sublimis -- Tall cross 6/. Crux commissa -- T shaped (Tau) cross 7/. Crux immissa -- t shaped (Latin) cross 8/. Crux capitata -- t shaped (Latin) cross 9/. Crux decussata -- X shaped cross At the time of the Messiah, however, there were THREE BASIC MODES of crucifixion referred to by the Roman philosopher Seneca: "I see," he says, "THREE CROSSES, not indeed of one sort, but fashioned in different ways; one sort suspending by the head persons bent toward the earth, others transfixing them through their secret parts [crux simplex], others extending their arms on a PATIBULUM [crux composita]." (Consol. ad Marciam, XX). Note that Seneca doesn't mention WHAT the patibulum, along with the victim, was attached to! This is important as we will see later. Can we eliminate some of these variations and determine the EXACT MODE of crucifixion our Savior underwent? And, if we can, DOES IT REALLY MATTER; or is this just an exercise in useless details? Yes, we can determine the CORRECT MODE of crucifixion; and yes, it does matter -- in fact ITS CRUCIAL TO AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE SACRIFICE OF THE MESSIAH! A correct understanding of how the Messiah was crucified brings to life and ENRICHES the stupendous SYMBOLISM in the Old Testament that points to the sacrifice of our Passover Lamb, and the incredibly detailed and intricate prophecies surrounding it. The "Furca" Jewish author and lawyer Haim Cohn, in his book entitled The Trial and Death of Jesus, discusses the first form of crucifixion mentioned by Seneca: In cases of crucifixion, however, the scourging was particularly elaborate: the convict was first UNDRESSED, THEN HIS HEAD WAS COVERED, then a forked instrument with two prongs (furca) was placed on his back and his two hands bound to it, each hand to one of the prongs and thus the convict had to drag the furca to the place of crucifixion; once arrived there, he was flagellated while remaining bound to the furca. -- KTAV Publishing House, New York. 1977, pages 376-377. A little more information is provided by James Hastings: It [the stipes, upright post] was erected on some spot outside the city, convenient for the execution, AND REMAINED THERE AS A PERMANENT FIXTURE, ONLY THE CROSS-BAR OR PATIBULUM BEING CARRIED TO THE SPOT, usually by the person who was to suffer death. This consisted sometimes of a single piece of wood, MORE OFTEN of two parallel bars joined at one end, between which the head of the victim passed, and to the ends of which his hands were fastened. -- A Dictionary of the Bible, Vol. I. Edinburgh: T.& T. Clark, 1951, p. 528. There are a number of factors that preclude this from being the mode of Yeshua's crucifixion: 1/. He was CLOTHED as He walked to Golgotha; 2/. His head was NOT covered, allowing Him to talk to the women of Jerusalem (Luke 23:27-31); 3/. He was Scourged IN JERUSALEM and NOT at the execution site; 4/. Simon of Cyrene assisted in carrying the crosspiece, indicating that the Messiah could NOT have been bound to it. The Crux Simplex (Upright Post or Stake) We saw earlier what the Roman Philosopher Seneca said about the stake or crux simplex: "...others [type of cross] transfixing them through their secret parts..." No mention is made here of NAILING the victim to the stake. A New Standard Bible Dictionary, edited by Jacobs, Nourse and Zenos, states that "this form [crux simplex] was later elaborated into the 'crux compacta,' of which there were, IN THE TIMES OF CHRIST, two varieties the crux commissa ('St. Anthony's cross') shaped like a T, and the crux immissa (the 'Latin cross') shaped, as we generally know it, like a t." (N.Y. & London, 1926, p.160). Various groups, including some of the Churches of God and the Jehovah's Witnesses, claim the Messiah was nailed to an upright stake, using TWO NAILS one for the hands and one for the feet. Is this a VIABLE hypothesis? The Jehovah's Witnesses, as we have just seen, claim the Greek word "stauros" as found in the New Testament can ONLY refer to an upright stake. But is this true? Ernest L. Martin, in his book Secrets of Golgotha, says NO: "Remarkably, however, there are some religious denominations who DEMAND that Christ was crucified on a simple upright pole or stake BECAUSE THAT WAS THE ORIGINAL MEANING OF THE WORD STAUROS. Yes, that was the FIRST meaning, but for such interpreters to say that "stauros" had that EXCLUSIVE significance in the first century is to DENY THE ABUNDANT LITERARY EVIDENCE which shows it did not...Actually, the word "stauros" in the first century could refer to ALL KINDS of executionary impalements in which individuals were nailed or tied to ANY supportive timbers or TREES for judgment...It [the word "stauros"] had AT LEAST THREE different meanings in the New Testament alone. Note that the board plank which supported the arms of Christ (called the patibulum in Latin) was itself called a "stauros" (Luke 23:26). But it had a further meaning. The actual POLE or the TREE TRUNK on which the "patibulum" was nailed was also called a "stauros" (John 19:19). And THE WHOLE COMPLEX TOGETHER [both "patibulum" and the pole or stake reckoned as a single executionary device] was called a "stauros" (John 19:25). "Consider this: We have seen in the medical report that the entire complex (patibulum AND stake or stipes) weighed well over 300 pounds, with the patibulum itself weighing 75 to 125 pounds. This means the stake alone weighed anywhere from 175 to 225 pounds! For a man in a weakened state, such as Christ was (and let's not forget the two robbers), to carry or drag this amount of weight the more than 3,000 feet to the crucifixion site would have been well nigh impossible! The custom was for the stake to REMAIN at the site of the crucifixion -- IT WAS USED OVER AND OVER AGAIN! The patibulum, however, was manageable, and, as we have seen, was balanced across the nape of the neck "and balanced along both shoulders," with the outstretched arms tied to or holding it." There is something else to consider. According to the medical report in The Journal of the American Medical Association, the major effect of the crucifixion process was the interference with NORMAL RESPIRATION or breathing: "The weight of the body, pulling down on the OUTSTRETCHED ARMS AND SHOULDERS, would tend to fix the intercostal muscles in an inhalation state and thereby HINDER PASSIVE EXHALATION. Accordingly, exhalation was primarily diaphragmatic, and breathing was shallow. It is likely that THIS FORM OF RESPIRATION WOULD NOT SUFFICE and that hypercarbia would soon result. The onset of muscle cramps or tetanic contractions, due to fatigue and hypercarbia, WOULD HINDER RESPIRATION EVEN FURTHER. ADEQUATE EXHALATION REQUIRED LIFTING THE BODY BY PUSHING UP ON THE FEET AND BY FLEXING THE ELBOWS AND ABDUCTING THE SHOULDERS." This would be impossible for someone crucified to the crux simplex or stake: With the arms fully stretched ABOVE THE HEAD it would be impossible to flex the elbows and abduct the shoulders! Death by asphyxiation would QUICKLY result. Heart failure is also brought on by the crucifixion process. Some years ago Dr. Hermann Modder of Cologne, Germany carried out some scientific tests to determine the cause of the Messiah's death. He discovered an interesting fact: "In the case of a person suspended by his two hands the blood sinks VERY QUICKLY into the lower half of the body. AFTER SIX TO TWELVE MINUTES blood pressure has dropped by 50% and the pulse rate has DOUBLED. Too little blood reaches the heart, and FAINTING ENSUES. This leads to a SPEEDY orthostatic collapse through insufficient blood circulating to the brain and the heart. Death by crucifixion is therefore [also] due to heart failure. "It is a well authenticated fact that victims of crucifixion did not usually die for two days or even longer. On the vertical beam there was often a small support attached called a "sedile" (seat) or a "cornu" (horn). If the victim hanging there eased his misery from time to time BY SUPPORTING HIMSELF ON THIS, the blood returned to the upper half of his body and the faintness passed. When the torture of the crucified man was finally to be brought to an end, the "crurifragium" was proceeded with: his legs were broken below the knee with blows from a club. That meant that he could no longer ease his weight on the footrests and HEART FAILURE QUICKLY FOLLOWED." -- The Bible as History, by Werner Keller, pages 348-349. Once again, it would be difficult for a man nailed to the crux simplex or stake, with his arms stretched out ABOVE HIS HEAD, to push (and pull) himself upwards sufficiently to bring complete circulation back to the upper part of his body. With the circulation AND breathing problems associated with crucifixion, the single stake type of transfixion afforded little relief and the victim died quickly. Someone crucified in this fashion COULD NOT SURVIVE MORE THAN A FEW HOURS! This, then, strongly suggests the Messiah was NOT nailed to the crux simplex or "torture stake" as the Jehovah's Witnesses and others claim. In the summer of 1968, a discovery was made in Jerusalem that strongly indicates the common mode of crucifixion, during the time of the Messiah, was NOT the crux simplex or stake. During the clearing of a construction site on the hill of Givat Hamivtor on the eastern edge of the city, workers uncovered the grave of one Johanan Ben Ha'galgol. The grave and remains were dated to the time between 7 A.D. and 70 A.D. Werner Keller, in his book The Bible as History, records what they discovered: "It was noticed with feelings of horror that his feet were separated from the smashed skeleton and were lying one on top of the other and joined together by a rusty nail WHICH HAD BEEN DRIVEN THROUGH BOTH FEET. Fragments of wood, the remains of a wooden slab, were attached to it. Behind Johanan's feet, the nail was bent obviously by having been driven into harder material. JOHANAN'S FOREARMS ALSO SHOWED SIGNS OF HAVING HAD NAILS [PLURAL] DRIVEN THROUGH THEM. In the course of Johanan's death struggles, his skin had suffered abrasions on the nails [plural]." Finally, the Bible itself refutes the possibility of the crux simplex being used in the Messiah's execution. Notice John 20:24-25: "Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Yeshua came. When the other disciples told him that they had seen the Lord, he declared, 'Unless I see the nail marks IN HIS HANDS and put my finger where the NAILS [GREEK: PLURAL] were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it. "' Ralph Woodrow, in his book Babylon Mystery Religion: Ancient and Modern, also noticed this: "The statement of Thomas about the print of NAILS (PLURAL) in the hands of Jesus (John 20:25) would seem to indicate a CROSS PIECE, for on a single stake his hands would have probably been driven through with ONE NAIL" (p. 53). Just What Was Yeshua Nailed To? Since we have ruled out the crux simplex or stake, just WHAT was our Savior nailed to? Let Ernest Martin answer the question: "Many scholars today believe it is inconceivable that Christ, who had been subjected to extensive beatings and whippings, could have carried a fully assembled Latin cross that would have weighed 200 pounds or more [well over 300 pounds according to The Journal of the American Medical Association report]. This certainly had to be the case. The "cross" he transported was only the UPPER CROSSPIECE which was nailed to a larger and more substantial support. It was to this board plank that Christ's arms or his wrists were affixed, and THIS IS WHAT SIMON OF CYRENE CARRIED THE FINAL DISTANCE TO GOLGOTHA. Such crosspieces associated with crucifixion were given a technical name in Latin (patibulum). When Golgotha was finally reached, Christ then had his arms or wrists nailed to the patibulum. Both he and the patibulum were then hoisted upwards and the crosspiece was nailed to some SUBSTANTIAL STOCK OF WOOD large enough to support the person being crucified. It was also common to bend the victim's legs upwards and nail the feet to the stock of wood itself." -- Secrets of Golgotha, pp.169-170. Most scholars accept this viewpoint. Notice what A Dictionary of the Bible, edited by James Hastings, has to say: "Stau.ros means properly a stake, and is the translation not merely of the Latin CRUX (CROSS), but of palus (stake) AS WELL. As used in the NT, however, IT REFERS EVIDENTLY NOT TO THE SIMPLE STAKE USED FOR IMPALING, of which widespread punishment crucifixion was a refinement, BUT TO THE MORE ELABORATE CROSS USED BY THE ROMANS IN THE TIME OF CHRIST...The upright post to which alone the name properly belongs, was usually a piece of some strong, cheap wood, pine or oak, of such length that when firmly planted in the ground the top was from 7 1/2 to 9 ft. high...It was erected on some spot outside the city, convenient for the execution, AND REMAINED THERE AS A PERMANENT FIXTURE, ONLY THE CROSSBAR OR PATIBULUM BEING CARRIED TO THE SPOT, usually by the person who was to suffer death. This consisted sometimes of a SINGLE PIECE OF WOOD, more often of two parallel bars joined at one end, between which the head of the victim passed, and to the ends of which his hands were fastened. The cross which Jesus carried was doubtless simply the CROSSBAR in one of these two forms. Keim argues IN FAVOR OF THE SIMPLER, partly because Jesus is represented as clothed, which would hardly have been the case had He carried the double patibulum; partly because of the CARRYING OF IT BY SIMON, which he regards rather as a rude joke of the soldiers than as rendered necessary by the weight of the crossbar, WHICH COULD IN NO CASE HAVE BEEN VERY HEAVY (Jesu von Nazara, iii. 398, Eng. tr. vi. 125)." -- Vol. I. Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, 1951, p. 528. Jewish author and lawyer Haim Cohn agrees with this: "In cases of crucifixion, however, the scourging was particularly elaborate: the convict was first UNDRESSED, THEN HIS HEAD WAS COVERED, then a forked instrument with two prongs (furca) was placed on his back and his two hands bound to it, each hand to one of the prongs -- and thus the convict had to drag the furca to the place of crucifixion; once arrived there, he was flagellated while remaining bound to the furca. A MILDER FORM OF CASTIGATION was for the convict to carry his own gallows to the place of execution: THE VERTICAL STAKE OF THE CROSS WAS A PERMANENT FIXTURE, or also ready installed beforehand for each particular execution, while the TRANSVERSE BAR (PATIBULUM) WAS LOADED ON THE BACK of the convict, for him to drag to the place of execution; in some instances he was already bound or nailed to the patibulum on his way there, in others he was allowed to carry the patibulum FREELY ON HIS BACK and would be bound or nailed to it only there." -- The Trial and Death of Jesus, pages 376-377, note 25. This agrees, in the main, with Seneca's observations. It is quite plain, therefore, that the Messiah was subjected to the MILDER form of crucifixion; whereby he carried ONLY the patibulum or crosspiece. The Epistle of Barnabas, found appended to the Codex Sinaiticus, indicates this type of crucifixion! Notice chapter 12: "Again, when Israel is made war upon by foreigners [Amalekites], He [God] speaks to Moses; and in order to warn them [the Israelites], by means of this very war, that they had been delivered over because of their sins, the Spirit suggests to Moses that he should make a TYPE OF THE CROSS and of Him who was to suffer. He thus intimates that, unless they hope in Him, they will forever be subject to war. Moses, therefore, placed shield upon shield where the fray was thick; and then, standing where he towered above all the rest, he EXTENDED HIS ARMS. The result was that Israel was again victorious; then, when he lowered them [his arms], the men were again cut down. Why? They were to understand that they could not be saved unless they put their trust in Him." -- Ancient Christian Writers: The Works of the Fathers in Translation, edited by Quasten and Plumpe. Verses 2-3. And how did Moses EXTEND his arms? "And Aaron and Hur supported his [Moses'] hands, ONE ON ONE SIDE, AND THE OTHER ON THE OTHER SIDE; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun." (Exodus 17:12). Obviously, Moses' arms were extended AS IF ATTACHED TO A PATIBULUM! Since the Epistle of Barnabas has been dated to the reign of Vespasian (70-79 A.D.) -- see Lightfoot and Ramsay -- then this "type of the cross" could NOT have been contaminated by Catholic theology! And furthermore, EARLY CHRISTIANS were known to pray with their ARMS EXTENDED, once again indicating the manner of the Messiah's transfixion! The Messianic Jews claim the killing and roasting of the Passover lamb pointed to the way in which the Messiah was to be hung. In the booklet Let Us Celebrate the Feast, by Rivi and Danny Litvin, we find this remarkable information: "God said that the blood of the lamb was to be spilled, and it was to be placed on the door posts and on the lintels of the home. THUS IT FORMED THE FIGURE OF THE CROSS. THE SHED BLOOD OF THE LAMB FORMED A CROSS. But remember, the Jewish people did not know what a cross was at that time. It would become apparent only later. The cross was a pagan religious symbol which the Romans adopted. And, in a form of sacrifice to their gods, they killed their enemies on it. At the time of Yeshua [Christ], though, this instrument of cruelty was well known to the Jewish people for the Romans murdered many thousands of Jews on crosses in addition to Yeshua. "But not only was the blood of the lamb shed in the form of the cross, the lamb itself was roasted WITH A SKEWER FROM HEAD TO TAIL AND ANOTHER SKEWER FROM SHOULDER TO SHOULDER. So again, we see the death of the Passover lamb associated with the FORM OF A CROSS [patibulum and upright] pointing towards the death of Yeshua on a cross." -- Hope of Israel Ministries (HIM), Covina, CA, p. 23. The "Trunk" of the Tree! Now that we have established the Messiah carried the crosspiece or patibulum to Golgotha, WHAT WAS IT NAILED TO? Most scholars and commentators claim the patibulum was nailed to an existing pole or stake already waiting at the crucifixion site. This is absolutely correct -- in most cases! But was the Messiah nailed to a stake, along with the patibulum? A clue to this can be found in the New Testament. Notice what the Messiah said to the women of Jerusalem on his way to the Mount of Olives and Golgotha: "For if they do these things in (dative: WITH) a GREEN TREE, what shall be done in (dative: WITH) the dry?" (Luke 23:31). A GREEN TREE -- could the Messiah, along with the patibulum, have been nailed to a LIVING TREE? Both Peter and Paul thought so! Notice Galatians 3:13: "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: 'Cursed is everyone WHO IS HUNG ON A TREE!"' Paul is here quoting Deuteronomy 21:23 where it states that the Israelites in the time of Moses were to hang the dead bodies of malefactors on the bough or limbs of a TREE until sundown. The "tree" in Deuteronomy meant a plain and simple TREE, and other examples of this type of punishment in the Old Testament indicate that the "trees" in question were all LIVING TREES! (See Joshua 8:29; 10:26, 27). Peter says, in I Peter 2:24, that "He [the Messiah] bore our sins in his body ON THE TREE, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness..." Luke bluntly states, in the book of Acts, that "The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead WHOM YOU HAD KILLED BY HANGING HIM ON A TREE" (5:30). Now what could be plainer than that? In chapter 10 Luke repeats this same theme: "We are witnesses of everything he [the Messiah] did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. THEY KILLED HIM BY HANGING HIM ON A TREE." Not content with that, Luke further says: "When they had carried out all that was written about him, THEY TOOK HIM DOWN FROM THE TREE and laid him in a tomb" (Acts 13:29). The word "tree," in these instances, is translated from the Greek word XYLON, which can sometimes mean a dry piece of wood such as a stock or stave, and is rendered thus in Matthew 26:47, Acts 16:24 and Rev. 18:12. However, in the majority of cases it is rendered TREE -- see also Rev. 2:7, 22:2, 22:14 and 22:19. Some might argue that the word "Xylon" COULD mean that the Messiah was nailed to a dry wooden stake or post; and they could justifiably do so if we had no CONTEXT in the New Testament to show that XYLON means a green tree in this particular circumstance. But we have seen that the Messiah called "xylon" a GREEN TREE right in the CONTEXT of the crucifixion scene! As he was being led to Golgotha he plainly said to the women following him: "If they do these things with a GREEN TREE [XYLON], what shall be done with the dry [tree]?" Yeshua is CLEARLY showing that it was WITH (OR BY MEANS OF) A GREEN TREE (XYLON) that he would meet his death. Even the Jehovah's Witnesses ADMIT that most translations of the New Testament (in certain verses) say the Messiah died on a TREE! See Make Sure of All Things, page 140. The early Christians knew that Yeshua -- along with the patibulum -- was nailed to a LIVING TREE! In the book The Cross in Tradition, History, and Art, by William W. Seymour, we find this comment: "Of the first class [of cross], the most prominent in point of time and IN IMPORTANCE, is the TREE OF LIFE. 'The Tree of Life, which was planted by God in Paradise, PREFIGURES the precious Cross,' writes Damascenus, 'for after that death was by the means of a TREE, it was needful that BY A TREE should be given Life, and the Resurection.'" -- The Knickerbocker Press, N.Y. & London. 1898, p. 47. Melito of Sardis echoed the same understanding and consistently said the "cross" of the Messiah was a TREE: "Just as from a TREE came sin, so ALSO from a TREE came salvation" (New fragment, III. 4). The author of the Epistle of Barnabas also makes this indelibly clear: "But this suffering was due to His own choice. IT WAS ORDAINED THAT HE SHOULD SUFFER ON A TREE, since the inspired writer attributes to Him the following words: 'Save me from the sword,' and, 'Pierce my flesh with nails, because bands of evildoers have risen against me"' (5:13). Further on, in the eleventh chapter, any doubt that may remain is completely dashed: "Let us now inquire whether the Lord took pains to HINT in advance at the water and the Cross...He says in another Prophet: "He who does these things WILL RESEMBLE THE TREE planted by running waters: it yields its fruit in its season, nor does its leaf fall off; what ever he does will prosper"...Note how at the same time He describes the water and the Cross. This is what He means: Blessed are those who, fixing their hope on the Cross, have descended into the water; for by the words 'in its season' He refers to the reward; then, He means, I will pay it. For the present, however, this is what He means by the words 'its leaf does not fall': every word that passes your lips in faith and love will be for many a means of conversion and hope...He also DESCRIBES THE CROSS in another Prophet, who says: 'And when will these things be accomplished? The Lord says: "WHEN A TREE IS FELLED AND RISES AGAIN, AND WHEN BLOOD TRICKLES FROM THE TREE."' Once more you have a HINT of the Cross and of He who was to be crucified!" In chapter eight, the author of Barnabas mentions the sacrifice of the Red Heifer, and states that the priests TIED A CRIMSON THREAD TO A TREE which represented the cross (stauros) of the Messiah! What could be clearer? THE MESSIAH WAS NAILED TO A LIVING TREE!! The Book of Exodus mentions the occasion when Moses was told by the Lord to "Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a pole [standard, upright support]; and it shall be that everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, shall live. So Moses made a bronze serpent, and PUT IT ON A POLE [STANDARD, UPRIGHT SUPPORT]; and so it was, if a serpent had bitten anyone, when he looked at the bronze serpent, he lived." (21:89). What's so significant about this? "And as Moses lifted up [on the "upright support"] the serpent in the wilderness, EVEN SO MUST THE SON OF MAN BE LIFTED UP." (John 3:14). The WAY the serpent was set on the upright support was to be INDICATIVE OF HOW THE MESSIAH WAS ATTACHED TO HIS "UPRIGHT SUPPORT." And what exactly was Moses' serpent attached to? Let us go to the Epistle of Barnabas again: "Moreover, after Moses had commanded them, 'You shall have neither a carved nor a molten [cast] statue for your God,' yet he makes one himself TO SHOW A TYPE OF JESUS. Moses, therefore, made a carved serpent, and set it up conspicuously, and called together the people by proclamation. So they came together and begged Moses to offer a prayer for their recovery. But Moses said to them, 'Whenever one of you,' he said, 'is bitten, let him come to THE SERPENT THAT IS PLACED ON THE TREE, and let him hope and believe that, though dead, the serpent is able to vivify, and he shall immediately be saved.'" -- 12:67. What could be more conclusive? There is even more evidence that our Savior was nailed to a LIVING TREE in the second-century work of Ignatius. In his letter to the Smyrnians, he refers to the cross (stauros) as a TREE -- one so ALIVE it even bore fruit! (Smyr. 1:2). In his letter to the Trallians (verse 11), he uses the following analogy: "Shun these wildlings, then, which bear but deadly fruit, and when one tastes it, he is outright doomed to die! Surely, such persons are not the planting of the Father. For if they were THEY WOULD APPEAR AS BRANCHES OF THE CROSS, and their fruit would be imperishable -- the Cross through which by His Passion He calls you to Him, being members of His body." Ignatius also says that it was believed "that the instrument of death on which Christ was crucified represented 'the Tree of Life' which was mentioned in the Book of Revelation (Rev. 2:7; 22:2,14), and, of course, that Tree of Life was a LIVING XYLON (TREE) just as the apostles Peter and Paul said Christ was crucified on a similar XYLON (TREE)." (Secrets of Golgotha, p. 174). If we turn to Jeremiah 11:19, we read the following: "But I was like a docile lamb brought to the slaughter; and I did not know that they had devised schemes against me, saying, 'LET US DESTROY THE TREE WITH ITS FRUIT, and let us cut HIM off from the land of the living, that his name may be remembered no more.'" This prophecy shows that the TREE AND THE PERSON ON THE TREE would be destroyed together and, although the original teaching of this Old Testament prophecy seemed to refer to the prophet Jeremiah, Jerome (early church father ?340-420 A.D.) claims it refers to the Messiah! Notice what The Anglican Commentary says about this very verse: "Jerome well says on this verse, "All the churches AGREE in understanding that under the person of Jeremiah THESE THINGS ARE SAID OF CHRIST. For he is the lamb brought to the slaughter that opened not its mouth. THE TREE IS HIS [CHRIST'S] CROSS, AND THE BREAD [FRUIT] HIS BODY: for he says himself, 'I am the bread that came down from heaven.' And of him they purposed to cut him off from the land of the living that his name should no more be remembered." -- Vol. V, p.395. Ancient Customs Around the World Vestiges of this new understanding can be seen in the customs of various peoples around the world. When the ancient Finns of Savolax and Karelia (districts of Finland) buried their dead, they would strip the lowermost branches from off a TREE alongside the road leading to the cemetery, and CARVE A CROSS on the tree together with the initials of the deceased, and sometimes, also, the year of his death. Quite frequently, this information would be cut into a piece of board WHICH WAS THEN FASTENED TO THE TREE. This they did instead of erecting a wooden or stone cross at the grave site itself. A similar custom prevailed amongst the Estonians. In some districts the crown of a young tree was chopped off, in others a CROSS WAS CARVED in a tree by the way, OR A NAIL HAMMERED INTO IT! (See The Mythology of All Races, vol. IV, by Uno Holmberg. Archaeological Institute of America, Boston. 1927, pp. 25 & 26). In Sweden, a tree was planted in the vicinity of every newly constructed house to which sacrifices of FIRST FRUITS were offered, and every autumn THAT OF A SHEEP! This custom was known as the "vardtrad." From this tree no branches were ever cut. (Mythology of All Races, page 26). This last example couldn't be any plainer! "But CHRIST has indeed been raised from the dead, the FIRSTFRUITS of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive." (I Cor. 15:20-22). And, in John 1:29: "The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, 'Look, the LAMB OF GOD, who takes away the sin of the world!"' The Nag Hammadi Library When the collection of Gnostic documents was uncovered at Nag Hammadi in Egypt, a number of interesting letters were discovered in the library. One in particular -- the Letter of Peter to Philip -- reveals the very instrument the Messiah was nailed to! "And peter opened his mouth....He spoke thus: 'Our illuminator, Jesus, [came] down and was crucified. And he bore a crown of thorns. And he put on a purple garment. AND HE WAS [CRUCIFIED] ON A TREE and he was buried in a tomb. And he rose from the dead'" (verse 139). Amidst the well preserved papyri of this same library, another letter purported to have been written by the apostle Peter came to light. And what do you think? It revealed the exact same thing! Notice: "When he [the Messiah] had said those things, I saw him seemingly being seized by them. And I [Peter] said, 'What do I see, O Lord, that it is you yourself whom they take, and that you are grasping me? Or who is this one, GLAD AND LAUGHING ON THE TREE? And is it another one whose feet and hands they are striking?' "The Savior said to me, 'He whom you SAW ON THE TREE, glad and laughing, this is the living Jesus'...And I saw someone about to approach us resembling him, even HIM WHO WAS LAUGHING ON THE TREE. And he was filled with a Holy Spirit, and he is the Savior." (VII, 3:81-82). Even though the theology is Gnostic and somewhat garbled, the FACT of the Messiah being nailed TO A LIVING TREE is more than apparent in these documents. When you take all the sources we have examined, both Biblical and secular, what could be clearer? OUR SAVIOR YESHUA THE MESSIAH WAS INDEED NAILED TO A LIVING TREE!! Further New Testament Proof In Matthew 27:38 we find a VERY interesting verse which, when coupled with John 19:32-33, can be dumbfounding in its implication! It reads thus: "Two robbers were crucified with him [the Messiah], one on his RIGHT and one on his LEFT." Going now to John, we read: "The soldiers therefore came and broke the legs of the FIRST man who had been crucified with Jesus, and then those of the OTHER. BUT WHEN THEY CAME TO JESUS and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs." Do you see the PROBLEM with this? Think about it for a minute! If the Messiah was nailed to the CENTER CROSS, as depicted in the standard crucifixion scene, with one robber on one side and the other on his other side, HOW could the Roman soldiers break the legs of the FIRST robber, then those of the OTHER FINALLY coming to the Messiah? It wouldn't matter which end of the row of crosses the soldiers started from, the Messiah would ALWAYS be the SECOND man they came to!! Do you see that? Being in the "middle" should have made the Messiah the SECOND to be killed. Now THIS presents quite a problem, doesn't it? Dr. Bullinger, in his Companion Bible, noticed this anomaly and came up with an ingenious if IMPRACTICAL solution: "It was this very circumstance that caused Dr. Bullinger to reckon that the Bible indicated, at least to him, that there were actually four others besides Christ who were crucified that day. He thought that the Bible was showing that there were two others on each side of Christ who were crucified with him. Here was his reasoning. Since the New Testament called those crucified with Christ both "robbers" (Matt. 27:38) and also "malefactors" (criminals) (Luke 23:32), Bullinger came to the conclusion that there were TWO "malefactors" and also TWO "robbers." This is why Bullinger believed the two malefactors on one side had their legs broken first and then the soldiers came to Christ in the midst of the TWO malefactors and TWO robbers. But there is no need for such an interpretation. Actually, ALL robbers are criminals (malefactors), but it is NOT true that all criminals are robbers. Luke simply used the generic term "malefactors" (criminals) to refer to the TWO robbers who were crucified with Christ." -- Secrets of Golgotha, p.176. Needless to say, Dr. Bullinger was confronted with a REAL problem: How could the Roman soldiers first break the legs of the two robbers and then come to Yeshua who was in the MIDST of them? How indeed! The answer lies in the Book of John: "The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the BODIES [NOTE: PLURAL -- BODIES] should not remain on THE STAUROS [NOTE: SINGULAR -- THE CROSS OR TREE OF CRUCIFIXION] on the Sabbath day (for that day was an high day), besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other crucified with him. But WHEN THEY CAME TO JESUS, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs." -- John 19:31-33. These verses show that the Messiah and the two robbers were CRUCIFIED TO ONE STAUROS OR UPRIGHT! Now, it is absurd to imagine that all three men (including their patibulums) could be nailed to the same stipes or stake -- there simply would not be enough room! However, a tree of the appropriate size would handle the three victims without any trouble at all. Since we have already proved the Messiah was nailed to a LIVING TREE, and have seen that the two robbers were nailed to the same "upright" as the Messiah was, then ALL THREE WERE NAILED TO THE SAME TREE! There is proof for this in other works. The Arabic Infancy Gospel has our Savior prophesying to his mother at a young age: "In thirty years, mother, the Jews will crucify me in Jerusalem, and those two robbers WILL BE FASTENED TO THE STAUROS [SINGULAR] WITH ME, Titus on my right and Dumachus on my left." (The New Testament Apocrypha, by Hennecke Schneemelcher, Vol. I, p.408). And in another work entitled Christ's Descent into Hell, one of the robbers is reported to have said: "Truly, I was a robber, and the Jews HANGED ME ON A STAUROS [SINGULAR] WITH MY LORD JESUS CHRIST" (ibid., p. 480). There is a strong tradition in ancient Syriac manuscripts that says one of the robbers crucified with the Messiah was converted when the shadow of Yeshua fell upon him, and was baptized by the water which flowed from our Savior's side when pierced by the Roman spear (Legends of the Madonna, by Jameson). For this tradition to be at all believable, the robber would have had to be in VERY CLOSE PROXIMITY to the Messiah's side -- almost touching him in fact! This would indicate the robber had to be on the same "stauros" as the Messiah!. In the Christmas customs of the Swedish Lapps of heathen times, we find a remarkable ritual that is a residue of the very way the Messiah and the two robbers were put to death on the single stauros or tree! A missionary by the name of Graan reported that the Lapps collected morsels from all the dishes prepared for the Christmas feast and, in the form of an offering of the first-fruits, put them in a small trough of birch bark which was then hung in a TREE near their tent. Previous to hanging the trough, they carved the FIGURE OF A MAN on four sides of the tree trunk! Now notice what occurred next! "Into each of these [the FOUR FIGURES], every man in the village who had put food into the trough, had to THROW three spoonfuls of FAT with his left hand." (The Mythology of All Races, vol. IV, by Uno Holmberg. Archaeological Institute of America, Boston. 1927). Not only that but, according to Graan, the Lapps selected another nearby tree, cut the top of it off so that the trunk measured 12 feet high, and SMEARED THE BLOOD OF A SLAUGHTERED REINDEER on it some distance up from the roots! Another man (Hagstrom) who spent time with the Lapps said they CARVED THE FIGURE OF A MAN ON TWO SIDES of the tree, and a CROSS on the third side! "Even the pine was marked with the sign of the cross and was SMEARED a good way upwards from its root WITH REINDEER BLOOD. Moreover, it had been customary, he says, to hang up a trough of birch-bark in tall trees which were CARVED ON TWO SIDES AND MARKED WITH THE SIGN OF THE CROSS" (ibid, p.67). Here we see a DIRECT REPRESENTATION of the Messiah and the two robbers! It is interesting to note that FAT was an important part of the Temple offerings of the Jews. In Leviticus 3 we read the following concerning the peace offering: "Then he shall offer from the sacrifice of the peace offering, as an offering made by fire to the Lord, ITS FAT and the whole fat tail which he shall remove close to the backbone. And the fat that covers the entrails and all the fat that is on the entrails, the two kidneys and THE FAT that is on them by the flanks, and the fatty lobe attached to the liver above the kidneys, he shall remove; and the priest shall burn them on the altar as food, AN OFFERING MADE BY FIRE TO THE LORD...and the priest shall burn them on the altar as food, AN OFFERING MADE BY FIRE FOR A SWEET AROMA; ALL THE FAT IS THE LORD'S." -- Leviticus 3:9-11, 16. Under the covenant BOTH THE BLOOD AND FAT were looked upon as exclusively YEHOVAH God's. The blood contains the life, which only YEHOVAH God can give; and the FAT was considered the RICHEST PART of the animal sacrifice or offering. BOTH fat and blood, you will note, were part of this old Lapp custom. How could a custom such as this possibly have originated unless, at some point in the history of the Lapps, they were told that the Messiah was nailed to a LIVING TREE with the two robbers and then stoned? Remarkable indeed! Dr. Bullinger's problem is now easily solved. The soldiers broke the legs of the robber on the Messiah's right side (who had his back to the Messiah and was located on the northeast side of him. The Messiah was facing west towards his Father's Temple) and then they broke the legs of the robber on the Messiah's left side (who also had his back to the Messiah but located on the southeast side of him). So, starting at the northeast side of the TREE, the soldiers killed the first robber, went to the southeast side and killed the second robber, then they came to the Messiah who was facing WEST. When they reached the Messiah they found him already dead. It all makes perfect sense when we realize that Yeshua and the two robbers were CRUCIFIED TO THE SAME TREE! The Evidence of Architecture and Art It was common in early artwork of the crucifixion to depict branches and leaves (sometimes even fruit) protruding or growing out from the stauros or upright the Messiah died on. The stauros was shown as a LIVING symbol which represented life itself. The Theological Dictionary, by Kittel, highlights this: "Early Christian art indicates a CLOSE RELATIONSHIP between the TREE OF LIFE AND THE CROSS. The cross of Christ, the wood of suffering and death, is for Christians a TREE OF LIFE. In the tomb paintings of the 2nd century it is thus depicted for the first time as the symbol of victory over death. It then recurs again and again. THE IDEA THAT THE LIVING TRUNK OF THE CROSS BEARS TWIGS AND LEAVES is a common motif in Christian antiquity." -- Vol. V, pp. 40, 41. In the windows of S. Denis, and of S. Chapelle, in Paris, and in those of the cathedrals of Bourges, Chartres, and Rheims, and in many manuscripts, "the CROSS IS A TREE with the branches lopped and covered with a greenish bark." (Handbook of the Middle Ages, by Labarte. Page xviii). At an exhibition of specimens of medieval art in London, in 1861, there was a crimson velvet chasuble of the 16th century, showing the Messiah suspended, not from a cross, BUT FROM A VERITABLE TREE, leafless and lopped of its branches. (New York Post, May, 1861). In paintings, church windows, and enamels of the Middle Ages, the BODY OF THE CROSS IS ALMOST ALWAYS GREEN. In the Office (order) of the Cross in the Roman Catholic Church, the cross is called the "Tree of life," and the worshippers are taught to address it in this fashion: "Hail, O Cross, triumphal wood, true 'salvation of the world, AMONG TREES THERE IS NONE LIKE THEE IN LEAF, FLOWER, AND BUD....O Cross, our only hope, increase righteousness to the godly and pardon the offenses of the guilty." (The Two Babylons, by Hislop, p. 200). From the Devotions on the Passion, published by the Church of England, the London Record of April, 1842, gives the following excerpt: "O faithful cross, THOU PEERLESS TREE, No forest yields the like of thee, Leaf, flower, and bud; Sweet is the wood, and sweet the weight, And sweet the nails that penetrate Thee, thou sweet wood." There are many other examples of the tree tradition. A processional cross from Ciampini's Vetera Monimenta shows leaves and fruit growing out of the body of the cross. From a cross in Bosio's La Trionfante e Gloriosa Croce we find leaves AND ROOTS growing out of the "upright." In England, obviously reflecting the memory that the Messiah died on a TREE, we find church crosses with branches and leaf designs protruding, at regular intervals, down the entire length of the shafts. Churches at Castle Acre, Norfolk; Hethersett, Norfolk; Stradsett, Norfolk; Bosbury, Herefordshire; and Bury Saint Edmunds, Suffolk show this same motif. Why Was the Messiah Nailed To a Tree? Now that we have seen the overwhelming evidence demonstrating that the Messiah was crucified on a TREE, the question that comes to mind is -- why a tree? This is a valid question when most victims in the Messiah's day were indeed nailed to an upright post or "stipes" that was already located at the execution site. Aside from the obvious prophetic and symbolic implications, the best answer to this question is TIME, plus the number of people being executed at the same time! The Messiah's death was a "hurry-up" affair. The Passover was rapidly approaching and it was Biblical law that NO ONE could hang on the instrument of death beyond sundown. Hastings, in his book Christ and the Gospels, states that it was in fact quite common, in times of haste, to nail malefactors to trees (Vol. II, p. 749). An example of this is found in a work of Tertullian, an early (155-222 A.D.) church father, called Apologeticus: The Roman proconsul of Africa punished the priests of Saturn "by crucifying them ON THE VERY TREES OF THEIR TEMPLE, in the shadow of which they had committed their crimes" (9:2). According to Jewish custom of the time, all work had to be completed by noon of Nisan 14 so that the priests would be free to assist in the sacrificing of the Passover lambs, which, in itself, was a formidable operation. The sacrifice of the Red Heifer and the leading out of the Azazel Goat show that the priests accompanied the victim to the Mount of Olives, and, in the case of the goat, handed it to a "fit man" (whom Jewish tradition states had to be a Gentile) to complete the ritual. Since the Red Heifer and the Azazel Goat PREFIGURED THE MESSIAH, it is quite apparent the priests accompanied him to Golgotha on the Mount of Olives that fateful day in 31 A.D. Since the priests had to be ready in the Temple by noon for the sacrifices, the Messiah's crucifixion had to be, of necessity, accomplished in a HASTY manner. All the soldiers had to do was nail the victim's arms to the patibulums and then lift each one up to the middle of the chosen tree where they were secured. And this is exactly what happened! The Spiritual Significance of the Messiah's Death Now we come to the really fascinating part! Imagine, if you will, the people walking down the roadway known as "The Descent of the Mount of Olives" (Luke 19:37) with their Passover lambs under their arms or over their shoulders, heading for the Temple to have them killed. As they travelled down the road, these people would have seen the building of the Miphkad Altar (called the "Beth ha Deshen) -- where the Red heifer and the Atonement offerings were burnt -- on their right, and at the summit itself (Golgotha: Place of the Skull), on their left, THREE MEN NAILED TO A TREE! What an extraordinary scene for the Passover season! However, it's the SYMBOLISM of this scene that's intriguing! The people passing by saw the Messiah nailed to the tree and facing west towards the Temple, while one of the robbers, nailed to the same tree, was facing northeastwards. The other robber was in a similar position but facing southeastwards. With their SIX ARMS extended upwards and outwards as they hung from their individual patibulums; and with the TRUNK OF THE TREE passing up through the center of the three men, WHAT do you suppose this scene looked like to the Jew of the day? What was it that the Messiah appeared in the midst of in Revelation 1:12-13? THE SEVEN GOLDEN LAMPSTANDS OR MENORAHS! The lampstand or menorah had SIX BRANCHES extending upward and outward from a CENTRAL TRUNK just like the crucifixion scene! And what did the seven branched lampstand symbolize? Let Ernest L. Martin answer: "This scene [the three men nailed to a tree] would have meant that there were SIX ARMS EXTENDED UPWARDS around the tree itself. This scene could provide a SYMBOLIC spectacle of a LIVING MENORAH (the seven branched lampstand). The Menorah did in fact represent the TREE OF LIFE and the Light of the World. And notice the irony of the crucifixion scene. Here was Christ EAST of the Holy of Holies and looking westwards towards the curtain of his Father's House. Beyond that curtain were supposed to be a mercy seat (denoting the Throne of God) with the WINGS OF TWO CHERUBIM OUTSTRETCHED over that throne. Both cherubim were made to FACE ONE ANOTHER AND TO FACE THE ONE WHO SYMBOLICALLY SAT ON THE MERCY SEAT. These were found in the original Temple within the inner curtain of the Holy Place." Ernest Martin continues by describing the INVERSE of what was found in the Holy of Holies: "Now look at the scene of the crucifixion "OUTSIDE THE CAMP." It was a SIGNIFICANT REVERSAL to what was originally designed by God to be within the Holy of Holies. Here was the real Lord being crucified on a tree HAVING TWO ROBBERS AS HIS "CHERUBIM" WITH THEIR ARMS STRETCHED UPWARDS AND THEIR FACES TURNED AWAY FROM HIM IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION...Their six arms extending upwards around a central trunk of a tree (the trunk being the seventh "arm") could be reckoned a symbol of a LIVING MENORAH. Christ was pictured after his resurrection as standing in the midst of the seven branched lampstand (Rev. 1:3) in a glorious and living existence with all the power of the universe at his beck and call. Was his crucifixion intended to show an OPPOSITE signification on a "Menorah" of degradation and shame?  Whereas he should have been sitting on the mercy seat in the Holy of Holies, he was in a DIAMETRICALLY CONTRARY situation as a sin offering being crucified near the OUTSIDE ALTAR [MIPHKAD ALTAR] of the sanctuary. The scene, from the Christian point of view, would have been totally opposite from what should have been." Dr. Martin follows this by saying that the cross, which most people associate with Christianity today,  IS NOT THE TRUE SYMBOL OF THE MESSIAH'S DEATH: "There is yet more symbolism to Yeshua's death on the tree on the Mount of Olives. Consider this: As the people were walking down the roadway that led to the eastern gate of the Temple, carrying the lambs to be sacrificed, they would, as they passed by the crucifixion site, TURN THEIR BACKS on the crucifixion scene! 'And while worshippers were entering the Temple to pay tribute to the One sitting within the Holy of Holies (YEHOVAH God -- originally enthroned between two cherubim), the crowds were actually TURNING THEIR BACKS on the real Christ...and his two "cherubim" (the robbers nailed to the same tree with their BACKS TO HIM AS WELL).'" (Secrets of Golgotha, p. 263). Now think about this: When the Messiah finally died on that "accursed tree" with the backs of the people to him he cried out, "My God, My God, WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?" THIS MEANS THAT HIS HEAVENLY FATHER ALSO TURNED HIS BACK ON HIM momentarily, thus allowing the Messiah to carry all the sins of the world on his back in that final sacrificial position. ISN'T THAT INCREDIBLE? Our Savior truly DIED REJECTED -- rejected by ALL including the Father Himself! What a marvelous fulfillment! The Things We Have Learned We have seen, in this article, how the modern conception of the cross (two pieces of dead wood or a simple stake) DOES NOT represent the instrument of the Messiah's death. We have seen that the Savior of Mankind was nailed, along with the patibulum he carried out of the eastern gate of the Temple to the Mount of Olives, to a LIVING TREE growing at the Place of the Skull (Golgotha), along with the two robbers who were crucified on the EXACT same tree he was. We have see the evidence of ancient manuscripts, and the visible witness of architecture and art (for those with the eyes to see), and how the death on the TREE was symbolized by the Old Testament rituals and the very beginnings of mankind in the Garden of Eden. This new knowledge should fill us with awe at the meticulous planning of our Heavenly Father, and how everything was fulfilled in its place and in its time, and we should be thrilled at the prospect of witnessing the fulfillment of events yet to come. These vital truths should enrich our faith in the purpose and ability of our Father in heaven and His Son our Savior Yeshua the Messiah to bring to completion YEHOVAH's great Master plan for mankind and those of us He has called to serve and represent Him. May YEHOVAH God grant us the faith and the power of His spirit to serve faithfully through the good times and the bad, that we may stand before the returning Messiah and hear those words ringing in our ears: "Well done, thou good and faithful servant!" The 2012 Financial Crash, World War 3 and the Rise of Babylon The Messianic movement is really a continuation of the protestant reformation and it is the only real move of God within the otherwise harlot protestant church in America. It’s a return to biblical morality and a bible based faith. It emphasizes commandment keeping instead of just a mental nod to Jesus. And it emphasizes the importance of keeping the Sabbath and feasts and Kosher. It is really the revival of the sleeping lost tribes of the House of Israel.  After a world war the nations of the world just want peace. And they will grasp at any such promise for peace after the terrible wreckage of a modern high tech nuclear war. We already so the pattern through the first two wars, after WW1 we got the short lived League of Nations, after WW2 the United Nations. After WW3 we will get last days Babylon. Israel’s Emerging Immigrant Problem Since the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948 and the return of millions of Jewish refugees and immigrants to the Land, a new and more practical aspect of the question of the Lost Tribes has developed. The Jerusalem Report, Israel’s major weekly news magazine, ran a startling cover story entitled, “Return of the Lost Tribes,” in the September 9, 1993 issue. It raised the alarming possibility that the State of Israel could literally be inundated with millions of Africans and Asians claiming to be of Jewish or Israelite descent. Apparently this is more than a far-fetched theoretical possibility. All across the globe dozens of groups are pressing their claims to be descendants from the Ten Tribes of Israel. Two such groups, the Beta Israel of Ethiopia and the Bene Israel of India have already immigrated in large numbers to Israel and have been integrated into Israeli society. Most recently, members of the Shinlung tribe on the Indian-Burmese border have been brought to Israel claiming to be from the Lost Tribes. Thousands more are desirous of coming. A Jerusalem based group called Amishav (My People Returns), led by Rabbi Eliyahu Avichail, has spearheaded these recent efforts both to locate and to facilitate the immigration of such groups. However, Yair Tsaban, Israel’s Immigrant Absorption Minister, warns that the country is facing a potentially serious problem from literally hundreds of Third World groups claiming Israelite ancestry. One estimate put the number of Africans in this category at 100 million! In the final analysis, only the LORD (YHVH) knows those who belong to the Lost Tribes. Indeed, He declares through His prophets, that his “eyes are upon all their ways” and that “not the least grain will fall to the ground” (Jeremiah 16:17; Amos 9:9). It could well be that remnants of the these Tribes are scattered around the globe, and can be found almost anywhere and everywhere in small numbers. The Prophets seem to indicate that such is the case. However, a careful reading of the Prophets also indicates that large concentrations of the Tribes will remain together and achieve a national greatness in the last days. The Jewish people today are primarily from the tribe of Judah, the southern Kingdom, and that the northern Ten Tribes were prophesied to be scattered through the nations and become like Gentiles (“not My people”). Read carefully Hosea 1-3, which puts this most clearly. Note that the DOMlNANT theme of the Hebrew Prophets is the Restoration of all Israel to the Land, which involves the recovery of the Lost Ten Tribes to both their identity and their destiny as Israelites. You can find this by simply reading any number of dozens of chapters in the Hebrew Prophets, perhaps beginning with Jeremiah 30-31; Ezekiel 37; Hosea 1-3; Isaiah 11. Prophecies On the Lost Ten Tribes Elder Talmage spoke again of the lost tribes and made this remarkable prediction: “The ten tribes shall come; they are not lost unto the Lord; they shall be brought forth as hath been predicted; and I say unto you there are those now living—aye, some here present—who shall live to read the records of the Lost Tribes of Israel, which shall be made one with the record of the Jews, or the Holy Bible, and the record of the Nephites, or the Book of Mormon, even as the Lord hath predicted” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1916, p. 76; emphasis added). The ten tribes will remain in the land of Zion among the tribe of Ephraim for some time. Elder Orson Pratt explained: “How long will they who come from the north countries tarry in the heights of Zion? Sometime. They have got to raise wheat, cultivate the grape, wine and oil, raise flocks and herds, and their souls will have to become as a watered garden. They will dwell in Zion a good while, and during that time, there will be twelve thousand chosen out of each of these ten tribes, besides twelve thousand that will be chosen from Judah, Joseph, and the remaining tribes, one hundred and forty-four thousand in all [see Revelation 7:4–8; D&C 77:11]. Chosen for what? To be sealed in their foreheads. For what purpose? So that the power of death and pestilence and plague that will go forth in those days sweeping over the nations of the earth will have no power over them. These parties who are sealed in their foreheads will go forth among all people, nations and tongues, and gather up and hunt out the house of Israel, wherever they are scattered, and bring as many as they possibly can into the Church of the first-born, preparatory to the great day of the coming of the Lord. One hundred and forty-four thousand missionaries! Quite a host. All this has got to take place.” The ten tribes, however, are to eventually receive their land inheritance with Judah and not with Ephraim (see Ether 13:11), and there will come a time after they have received their priesthood blessings when they will go to Jerusalem. In that day will be fulfilled the statement of Jeremiah: “In those days the house of Judah shall walk with the house of Israel, and they shall come together out of the land of the north to the land that I have given for an inheritance unto your fathers” (Jeremiah 3:18). Elder Orson Pratt stated further: “By and by, when all things are prepared—when the Jews have received their scourging, and Jesus has descended upon the Mount of Olives, the ten tribes will leave Zion, and will go to Palestine, to inherit the land that was given to their ancient fathers, and it will be divided amongst the descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob by the inspiration of the Holy Ghost. They will go there to dwell in peace in their own land from that time, until the earth shall pass away. But Zion, after their departure, will still remain upon the western hemisphere, and she will be crowned with glory as well as old Jerusalem, and, as the Psalmist David says, she will become the joy of the whole earth. ‘Beautiful for situation is Mount Zion on the sides of the north, the city of the great King.’” Israel's Past, Present & Future in Pyramid Prophecy 650 B.C.: "Our Lord has set signs & wonders in the Land of Egypt onto this day". (Jer.32:20) The Great Pyramid of Gizeh is full of wonders. "In that day (now) there shall be an altar to the Lord in the midst of the land of Egypt ... at the border thereof ... It shall be for a sign & for a witness unto the Lord of Hosts in the land of Egypt". (Isa. 19:19-20) How is it possible for this pyramid to be a sign & a witness "in the midst" & also "at the border thereof"? The Pyramid of Gizeh is built on the south border of Egypt proper & on the north border of former Egyptian Sudan. It's "in the midst" of both countries. Some believe that the Christ, as Melchisedec, was the Architect & Builder of this massive stone monument. It's the largest & thye most expensive structure ever built on erath. It is 484 feet high, covers 13 acres, contains 2 1/2 million stones that weigh 2 1/2 tons each. It is called one of "the seven wonders of the world". Our Lord  has written the history of the Israelite race in this huge stone building. Starting with the first ascending passage of this Pyramid and continuing to the las t wall beyond the open tomb in the king's chamber, is recorded the past, present and future of billions of Israelites. The Pyramid, like most of the Bible, is a history of the past, prese4nt & future of Osrael. Let's hope that the agnostics of all ages will be shown all these proofs written in Scripture & confirmed in stone. Doubters will find that ball the dates in the Pyramid dovetail; that is, fit right in with all the dates of the major events of our Israelite history. One checks with the other. The Bible proofs that the Pyramid dates are correct & that the Pyramid dates reveal that the Bible prophecies are true & sure. The White Russians in Europe are Israelites . Inspite of persecution most of them are still Christians at heart. Our Lord says of the future world war number III: "I will give unto Gog (Japheth-Esau) a place of graves in (the land of) Israel... They shall bury Gog (Japheth-Esau-Russia) & all his multitude" (Ezek. 39:11). When he spoke about Romans & the Greeks he was talking about Israelites. The Purpose of Exile and Loss of Identity There were originally 12 tribes of Israel.  The 12 tribes were divided into two sections. Ten of the 12 tribes became lost. The Lost Ten Tribes were exiled and lost their identity. Judah was also exiled but Judah (i.e. the Jewish People) did not lose his identity. This is a fact. Why was this?  We know that descendants of the Lost Ten Tribes are now to be found amongst Western Peoples. We also know that originally they had been part of the Kingdom of Israel that broke away from Judah, were exiled, and lost consciousness of their national ancestry. Why however were they exiled in the first place? Was there a Divine Purpose behind this? The Lost Ten Tribes are destined to have their identity made known to them and to return. What cause was served by the Ten Tribes forgetting who they were and where they had come from? Why were The Lost Ten Tribes exiled? Why did the Lost Ten Tribes lose their identity? Why did Judah not lose his identity? What Divine Purpose was there behind this?  In Genesis 32 it describes the Patriarch Jacob who was returning from Exile in Aram. Jacob divided himself into two camps [Genesis 32:10]. The descendants of Jacob were also destined to be divided into two camps: The two camps are Judah (the Jews) and "Joseph" who represents all the Lost Ten Tribes.  Joseph was the leading element amongst the Ten Tribes. Joseph, son of Jacob, had been sold into captivity into Egypt. He became the effective ruler of the Land and saved the Gentile peoples as well as his israelite brothers. Joseph is a prototype for the Ten Tribes. In 1-Kings chapter 12 it describes the first division between Judah and Joseph. It says that the division was caused by God. [1-Kings 12; 15] Wherefore the king hearkened not unto the people; for the cause was from the LORD.  Notice the words: "the cause was from the LORD". This means that God had His own reasons for allowing the division between Judah and the Northern Tribes (represented by Joseph) to take place.  It says further: 1-Kings 12:24. So says the LORD, You shall not go up, nor fight against your brothers the children of Israel: return every man unto his house; FOR THIS THING IS FROM ME. They hearkened therefore to the word of the LORD, and returned to depart, according to the word of the LORD.   We see from the above that the Division was from God: FOR THIS THING IS FROM ME, it says. God had his own reasons for the Division. The Division was part of the Divine Plan for world history.  Rabbinical Thinkers (such as Rabbi Isaac Kook, first Chief Rabbi of "Palestine" and foremost religious thinker) said that Joseph and the Ten Tribes and others became assimilated amongst the Gentiles in order to elevate the heathen from inside. The Lost Israelites will constantly experience a subconscious drive to re-assert their Israelite identity and to draw closer to the Almighty. In the process the Lost Ten Tribes will elevate not only themselves but also the non-Israelites they dwell amongst and alongside of. On the other hand Judah (the Jews) had the task of developing the law and his inner world. In principle the tasks of Judah (developing the law and spiritual existence) and Joseph (elevating the rest of the world) should have been combined in the one united entity of Israel. This was, as if to say, Plan A. The Tribes of Israel and external world conditions could not take the tension of one body possessing these two attributes and consciously affirming them.Therefore there arose a need for Plan B (of course God doesn't have plan A or B because he s omnipotent & Omniscient). The two parts of Israel (headed by Judah and Joseph) had to split in two. One side did its own particular task and the other took on the other goal. This was required by the condition of the world and humanity as prevailed in the past. Joseph took on those Israelite aspects of ruling the world and civilizing humanity. In order to do this Joseph had to loose his identity, to go do down to the level of the heathen nations of that time and then evolve upwards dragging the rest of humanity with him. Judah (the Jews), on the other hand, lost his national geographical existence and went into exile but he kept the law and developed it. In the future the two halves will re-unite. The two aspects will become one. We see that Judah has already begun to return to the Land of Israel and is preparing the infra-structure for the other Tribes as predicted by the Prophets, such as Amos and Hosea.The time for Joseph (to reconcile his material achievements with spiritual potential) may be drawing closer as well? A LIGHT TO THE NATIONS It says that the Lost Tribes would be a light to the nations:  The Lost Ten Tribes of Israel are described by Isaiah as becoming "a light to the nations" (Isaiah 42:6 49:6): This means they will become some type of humanizing or civilizing influence. In Hebrew "light to the nations" is "Or Goyim". The Hebrew word "Goyim" can be translated as either "nations" or as "Gentiles" meaning non-Israelites. Both translations are possible.          It was said that Israel would be "A LIGHT TO THE GENTILES". The word for "Gentiles" is synonymous with the word for "Nations". Both words are correct translations of the Hebrew "Goyim". Isaiah 49:5-12: i.e. Israel would be a "light" or a civilizing influence over non-Israelites and non-Israelite nations.  Isaiah 49:5-12 speaks of the Ten Tribes in the Latter Days. The Tribes of Jacob will have an enlightening influence over the Gentiles. They shall be a "Brit-Am" or covenant of peoples. They will be located at the ends of the earth meaning the geographical extremities of the Continental masses. They will have colonized relatively undeveloped lands and be found in the north and west (from the Land of Israel) and also in the Land of Sinim meaning Australia and New Zealand. A GREAT AND MIGHTY NATION  Again in Genesis ch.18 God had made himself known unto Abraham. Abraham was promised to become a great and mighty nation in whom all nations of the earth would be blessed. The descendants of Abraham would establish justice and judgment in the earth. In Genesis 22 it is emphasized that these predictions were unconditional and had to be fulfilled! By myself have I sworn, says the LORD, for because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only son, That in blessing I will bless you, and in multiplying I will multiply your seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the seashore; and your seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; And in your seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed; because you have obeyed my voice. (Genesis 22:16). Other verses emphasize and detail these points. The Lost Tribes would rule over other peoples (Genesis 27:29 48:19). They would be a world power (Numbers 24:7-9 Micah ch.5:7-9); They would rule the waves (Numbers 23:7). They would control all major strategic areas (Genesis 22:17, 24:60). They were to become the richest and mightiest entities on earth (Genesis 49:25 Numbers 23:8-9). Secular studies (history, linguistics, mythology, archaeology, etc) also confirm the Hebraic origins of Western Peoples. The Ten Lost Tribes: A World History Zvi Ben-Dor Benite The subject is a departure from the focus of his book The Dao of Muhammad: A Cultural History of Muslims in Late China, but the story of the Ten Lost Tribes is intriguing, and the assembled tales of how people throughout the world and throughout history have related to the loss of the Israelite tribes make for a fascinating read. What the book does is tell the stories of sages, mystics, explorers, and evangelists who lived many centuries after the deportations, and their adventurous and often eccentric searches for elusive remnant societies of the lost tribes. Of course, those searches were in vain. Unlike a century ago, or even fifty years ago, many of the realities behind the deportations of ancient Israelites are well known today to scholars who specialize in the field. Assyrian inscriptions bearing deportation counts, mostly fragmentary, but in one case quite complete, illuminate biblical references to those of Israel who were “carried away” to diverse locations in what is now Iraq and Iran. Resettled in what was the crossroads of the Eastern Hemisphere, in the decades just before and after 700 BC, those deportees assimilated with the peoples among whom they found themselves. Intermarriage with non-Israelite locals began almost immediately. Lost Israel became lost not because they did not know where they were, but because they forgot who they were. And even though their destinations were recorded in 2 Kings 17, by 600 BC not only had the descendants of the deportees lost their cultural memory and identity, they were unknown to the remainder of Israel who had regenerated in the kingdom of Judah. As Nephi observed, “Whither they are none of us knoweth, save that we know that they have been led away” (1 Ne. 22:4). Remarkably, however, Nephi accurately foretold that the descendants of deported and assimilated Israel would literally cover the globe—“the house of Israel, sooner or later, will be scattered upon all the face of the earth, and also among all nations” (1 Ne. 22:3). Nephi’s understanding was in line with the original promise that in Israel’s posterity would “all the families of the earth be blessed” (Gen. 28:14). These three “alls”—all the families of the earth, all the face of the earth, and all nations—seemed perhaps too extensive and inclusive for faithful Mormon pioneers of the 1800s, who instead focused on the notion that Israel would return primarily from Jeremiah’s “land of the north” (see Jer. 16:15; compare D&C 133:26; even though Jeremiah also included other lands in his oracle). Convinced that literal Israel was in the north, but that descendants of the lost tribes could not be expected to live in Asian or African climes further south and east, pioneer Mormons taught that adoption into the house of Israel was a way that all mankind might have the benefit of the ancient covenants. While the scriptures teach that the Gentiles will be “numbered among” (1 Ne. 14:2) and “grafted” into the house of Israel (Rom. 11:13–23), the idea that the Gentiles do not descend from Abraham or Israel is nowhere expressly taught in scripture. Yet the concept of adoption into the lineage of Israel is still found in LDS conversation today. In my view, non-Israelite adoption is an unnecessary narrative, because not only was Nephi correct in identifying Israel in all the earth and all nations, but modern scientific research into common ancestry confirms that virtually every person alive on earth today can be expected to be a descendant of numerous ancient Israelites of all twelve tribes. This is implicit in the population studies of Rhode, Olson, and Chang,1 which demonstrate that a random person living twenty-five hundred years ago, who had four or five grandchildren that lived to reproduce, would be an ancestor of virtually everyone on earth today. As incredible as it may seem, the combination of common ancestry research and population and migration dynamics firmly establishes that every person alive today is a literal descendant of people who were deported from ancient Israel. The bottom line is that the answer to the question “who are the descendants of the lost tribes?” is “everyone on earth!” And the answer to the question “where are the descendants of the lost tribes?” is “everywhere on earth!” But these are not issues dealt with by Benite in his book, which ultimately focuses not on the reality of what happened to the deported Israelites, or on the worldwide extent of their unwitting descendants, but essentially on searches for lost Israelite societies. He does, however, begin with the deportations. In chapter 1, “Assyrian Tributes,” Benite discusses aspects of the Assyrian deportations from the ancient kingdom of Israel. From my viewpoint as a specialist in these issues, Benite fails to deal accurately with the Assyrian deportation numbers. With essentially no background or specialty in ancient Near Eastern studies or archaeology, Benite relies heavily on Tel Aviv University’s Nadav Na’aman (the bibliography lists ten works by Na’aman), whose studies consistently lower population estimates in Iron Age II Judah and Israel and consistently lower estimates of the number of deportees taken by Assyria. Other studies, including the careful archaeological surveys of Yehuda Dagan and synthetic analyses of Israel Finkelstein, are essentially ignored. Benite’s basic position with regard to the “northern kingdom” that the Bible calls Israel is that “most northerners were not deported”. He makes only passing mention of Sennacherib’s campaign in Judah and does not deal with the massive deportation from Judah, nor its implication for understanding the whole nature of the “lost tribes” or the ultimate number of Israelite deportees. In particular, he does not mention Yehuda Dagan’s study, which suggests that the population of Judah was reduced by 90 percent as a result of Sennacherib’s campaign. However, Barmash, who is associate professor of Hebrew Bible at Washington University in St. Louis, is not noted in any quarter as expert in fields that deal with ancient demography or deportation, such as ancient Near Eastern studies or archaeology. 186 v BYU Studies Quarterly How, for example, Benite can claim that Sennacherib deported people in smaller numbers than Sargon (34) is not explained. It is certainly not accurate, since Sargon’s highest single deportation reference is 27,290, whereas Sennacherib reported 200,150 deportees taken as a result of his 701 BC campaign. Benite’s understanding of the 27,290 figure as representing the vast majority of the northern deportation total, rather than as the figure taken from the capital city of Samaria alone, is in conflict with the inscription in which the figure appears, which specifies the total as coming from the city itself. However, in chapter 2, entitled “An Enclosed Nation in Arzareth and Sambatyon,” things get much better. Benite moves immediately into references to the lost tribes found in the apocryphal books of 2 Esdras (“second Ezra”) and Baruch. Both works are pseudepigraphic—products of Jewish writers in the first centuries BC or AD using the names of much earlier biblical figures Baruch the son of Neriah (who lived around 600 BC) and Ezra the scribe (who lived around 500 BC). In this regard, both books are suspect, containing no original historical information. Benite adroitly discusses the origin of the myth of a mysterious northern land of Arzareth, demonstrating how 2 Esdras contracted and misspelled the Hebrew terms for “other land” (eretz aheret) into the single term Arzareth. The mythical Arzareth, meaning "other land" in Hebrew, serves as the hiding place for the ten tribes in 2 Esdras, who are portrayed as having repented and migrated to the undiscovered northern land to preserve their purity against an eventual return. Benite also discusses the Jewish belief of the Sambatyon, a Hellenized corruption of the term shabbat (sabbath), a river over which the ten tribes migrated on their way into their mysterious land of preservation. The chapter is well presented and quite instructive, and LDS readers in particular could benefit from its discussion of Arzareth, inasmuch as this supposed “land of the north” and its reference in 2 Esdras appear uncritically accepted as factual in numerous LDS sources that discuss the lost tribes. For a description of the three major deportations from Israel and Judah, and a discussion of the number of deportees involved, see Jeffrey R. Chadwick, “Lehi’s House at Jerusalem and the Land of His Inheritance,” in Glimpses of Lehi’s Jerusalem, ed. John W. Welch, David Rolph Seely, and Jo Ann H. Seely (Provo, Utah: Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies, 2004), 87–105. 4. See, for example, James E. Talmage, The Articles of Faith, ch. 17 and appendix 17:4, where the 2 Esdras reference to the Arzareth migration is presented as essentially factual. Review of Ten Lost Tribes V 187 Chapters 3 through 5 of Benite’s treatment take the reader on a wonderful tour of the world through the accounts of medieval to premodern adventurers, Jewish and Christian, who searched and even traveled far and wide in search of remnants of Israel’s lost tribes. From “the twelfth century globetrotter Rabbi Benjamin of Tudela” (85) who journeyed across Asia in search of Israel’s remnants, to the fifteenth-century “Iberian Jewish statesman, philosopher, and scholar Don Isaac Abravanel” (117), the whole of Europe, Asia, and Africa became grounds for the search for Israel, among distant peoples as diverse as the Tartars and the Mongols, the Chinese and the Hindus, the Arabs and the Ethiopians. Eldad the Danite & others are exposed. But in terms of real people, what the travelers and thinkers actually found, when they concluded they had identified remnants of lost Israel, were really the remnants of much earlier Jewish communities, or even, in the case of the Falasha of Ethiopia, communities who had assumed Jewish identity, although some were ethnically Israelite. Scattered, odd, and diverse communities of people practicing elements identifiable as Jewish in the postexilic sense (both post-Babylonian and post-Roman exiles) were judged to be the descendants of long-lost preexilic tribes, deported by the Assyrians in the decades before 700 BC. Such Jewish communities were so ethnically blended that they were in every way local, but they had enough of Hebrew language and Mosaic custom to be identifiable as at least connected to the Jews. But Benite’s focus is not limited to the Old World. From Diego Duran (160) to the Dominican friar Gregorio Garcia (163), Benite describes the search for lost Israel among the natives of the Americas by Hispanic Christian explorers and thinkers in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Yet, they too found coincidental comparisons between the vocabulary and ritual of the Native Americans to their limited knowledge of Hebrew language and Jewish practices. There is reason to suspect that Benite is not wholly familiar with the sources he cites in describing some of these Spanish searchers, their motives, and even their conclusions. Chapter 6 appears at first glance to be interesting from an LDS perspective, since Benite discusses Mormons among the collection of modern groups he examines, from millennialists to the various Anglo-Israelite movements. Benite’s treatment of the relationship of Mormonism to the subject of scattered Israel, however, covers a little less than three pages (184–87). Hopefully his understanding and handling of Mormon beliefs and references are not indicative of his level of 188 v BYU Studies Quarterly understanding and accuracy on the many other topics and groups he deals with in the book. In just three pages, his errors are frequent and significant. And even though he allows that “the well-researched history and tenets of Mormonism are beyond the scope of this book” (185), the single reference he offers “for a relevant evaluation of Mormonism” (250 n. 73) is an eleven-page block in a work by Colin Kidd, entitled The Forging of Races: Race and Scripture in the Protestant Atlantic (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2006)—hardly a balanced or reliable treatment of LDS origin or thought. In quoting from Mormon scripture, it is apparent that Benite has relied not on his own readings, but on snippets which appear in Kidd’s description. For example, he quotes 3 Nephi 17:4 as follows: “‘But now I go unto the Father, and also to show myself unto the lost tribes of Israel, for they are not lost unto the Father, for he knoweth whither he hath taken them,’ declared the Mormon prophet Nephi” (185). Anyone reading 3 Nephi 17 would be aware that Nephi is not speaking there, but Jesus himself. He also incorrectly dates Moses’s appearance in Doctrine and Covenants 110:11 to 1831 (186). Not only is Benite relying on secondary quotations from Mormon scripture, he also draws his entire picture of the Mormon understanding of scattered Israel, not from thoughtful works by modern Church authorities, such as Bruce R. McConkie’s A New Witness for the Articles of Faith (Deseret Book, 1985), but on the work of interested amateurs, such as weatherman Clayton Brough’s The Lost Tribes: History, Doctrine, Prophecies, and Theories About Israel’s Lost Ten Tribes (Horizon, 1979). Benite summarizes Mormon belief about the lost tribes with an Orson Pratt quote taken from Brough’s book: “The Prophet Joseph [Smith], once in my hearing, advanced his opinion that the Ten Tribes were separated from the Earth; or a portion of the Earth was by a miracle broken off, and that the Ten Tribes were taken away with it, and that in the latter days it would be restored to the Earth or be let down in the Polar regions” (186–87). Thus is the Mormon concept of the scattering and gathering of Israel stereotyped; hence my concerns about the accuracy of Benite’s treatment of many points throughout his book. Benite’s concluding chapter, which includes the most recent attempts by the government of the State of Israel to identify certain small groups in Ethiopia, India, and even Perú as remnants of the Israelite tribes, is a nicely stated summary of the state of the search for lost Israel. The search, he concludes, is kept alive by the sense of loss the biblically connected world continues to feel because of the disappearance of the Review of Ten Lost Tribes V 189 ancient tribes. Since his book is not so much about where lost Israel is now to be found, but rather what people have thought and said about the tribes over the centuries since their departure, there is essentially no end to the story. Israel remains still very much lost. Benite’s treatment is an interesting and, at times, even a fascinating read into the efforts of many people over many centuries to rediscover, reclaim, and even restore lost Israel. Judaism, Zionism and Israelism Zionism is not synonymous to Judaism. Not all Jews are necessarily Zionists. There are the assimilationists who see themselves as an integral part of the nations among whom they live. They also consider the countries in which they live as their homeland. In fact, many Jews are anti-Zionists. On the other hand, as a result of the complex relationship between the Zionist movement and the imperial and colonial powers especially Great Britain and the USA, many non-Jewish politicians and fundamentalist religious leaders in the West were very enthusiastic Zionists. In the years before WWI, political Zionism was rejected by many Jews. While many religious Jews supported spiritual Zionism, which saw Palestine as the cultural center of Judaism, they remained convinced that political Zionism was heretical. It was opposed by practically every rabbi in Europe, many of whom denounced political Zionism as a vile heresy since religious Jews at that time believed that only the Messiah could resurrect the Kingdom of Israel. It was not until well into the twentieth century that a number of religious Jews was converted to political Zionism. Herzl, Max Nordau and many of the other early Zionist leaders were non-believers. Religious objections to political Zionism did not concern them. Assimilated Jews, on the other hand, were offended by the suggestion that their loyalty must by divided between a Jewish state and the land of their birth. But Zionism had surprising support among the non-Jewish population in most Western countries. Orthodox rabbis had learned over the centuries to believe that the Jews should stay in the Diaspora until the Messiah led them back home and established a religious state in "Eretz Yisrael". To establish a secular state there seemed blasphemous. Some rabbis even refused to make a pilgrimage to Jerusalem lest they condoned the Zionists. Thus Zadok of Lublin (1823 - 1900) wrote: "I fear lest my departure and ascent [aliyah] to Jerusalem might seem like a gesture of approval of Zionist activity. I hope unto the Lord, my soul hopes for his word, that the Day of the Redemption will come. I wait and remain watchful for the feet of his anointed. Yet though three hundred scourges of iron afflict me, I will not move from my place." Religious Jews, who were living in Palestine before the advent of Zionism, had lived a devour life according to the Torah. They were horrified by the chalutzim (the pioneers), and claimed that when Herzl had entered the Holy Land "evil entered with him". For their part, the Zionists turned away from their Orthodox brethren in disgust. These religious people clinging to the Wailing Wall in their archaic clothes and long beards seemed to symbolize everything that was wrong with the Jews. They wanted to liberate their people from anachronistic religious traditions that shackled them to attitudes of hopeless dependence and they created a new "secular religion" of their own - a religion of labor. The new Labor Zionists replaced religious Judaism with a cult of work in "Eretz Yisrael", but expressed themselves in traditional Jewish terms. For them, "the redeemed Jew of chalutzism does not need God, he is the creator". Equating Zionism with Judaism and Israelism is a myth purposefully created by the Zionists to confuse everyone and to use as an excuse to accuse anyone who criticizes Zionism or Israeli policies as an "anti-Semite". This myth is also abused by the Zionists to confuse Jews and lead them to believe that "non-Jewish people (the Goyim) were hopelessly anti-Semitic. Their anti-Semitism was based on the existence of Jews among them. The solution was 'separation' (what anti-Semites call apartheid)." Accordingly, Zionism claims that it is "hopeless to fight against racism and anti-Semitism. Anti-Jewish prejudices were so to speak imminent features of a non-Jewish mind". Such a response has led many Jews to the conclusion that only a "Jewish State" would guarantee the personal safety of Jews and ensure their "emancipation". (The quotations are taken from a paper written by an anti-Semitic Jew, Elias Davidsson, giving his experience as an "Israeli" child who he said he was "subjected to a systematic Zionist indoctrination"). Consequently, for him "it is of utmost importance that no one, Jew or non-Jew should ever be caught by such illusions advocated for cheap political reasons. Ethnic hatred as we have witnessed in Kosovo and in Palestine, anti-Semitism in Czarist Russia and Western Europe, and all kinds of discrimination based on color, religion or ethnic origin, are all man-made and have nothing to do with God or religion, any religion. Such illusions obscure vision and keep us caught in a vicious circle of hatred, violent conflicts, and endless bloodshed." God is much, much greater, merciful, and loving creator who calls for peaceful co-existence and love among his creatures. Circles of Hope-Ma'agalim Ma'agalim empowers at-risk students to serve in the IDF and stay in Israel, says CEO Assaf Weiss. Assaf Weiss, the founder and CEO of Ma’agalim (Circles), points to a recent survey indicating that some 40% of Israelis were thinking of leaving the country. “If this survey was right, I say it’s a ticking bomb worse than Iran, Hezbollah or Hamas,” Weiss says. “If Israeli society begins to implode and young people avoid the army and leave Israel en masse, what kind of future are we facing?” According to the Central Bureau of Statistics, Weiss says, some 20,000 Israelis leave Israel every year. He and a group of friends founded Ma’agalim in 1998 after they had completed their army service to help reverse this trend. Ma’agalim is “a national educational non-profit organization that empowers 11th- and 12th-grade at-risk youth from the geographical and social peripheries of Israel and helps them undergo a process of personal growth.” Weiss and his friends decided it was time to establish a special program just for so-called youth at risk, who encountered a range of problems from poverty and depression to drugs, alcoholism and violence. “We had all done mechinot [year-long army preparatory programs], then our military service and then studied at universities,” he says. “We were all in our 20s and realized how important the mechinot had been for us on a personal level. But we also realized how many young people at risk were not so fortunate. They didn’t want to do the mechinot, and the mechinot didn’t want them. We thought, ‘Why should these mechinot be only for the good guys? Why shouldn’t they help kids with problems as well?’” They began touring schools in peripheral areas in the North, and invited them to join the mechina. “In the beginning, they said things like, ‘What, are you crazy? I don’t want to go to the army, never mind a yearlong mechina!” Over the course of a few months, they realized this was a serious social problem, especially among youth in poor and undeveloped areas. “It was then that we developed the idea of Ma’agalim,” he says. “We began training mentors to talk to students at high schools around the country about their problems, so that in the last few months when they were making decisions about their future, they had a mentor to help them through the whole process.” The main goal of Ma’agalim, Weiss says, “is to shepherd young people at risk throughout the country and prepare them for real life – the army specifically, but also for studies and other things. Ultimately, we aim to reduce social inequality.” Weiss says that the “at-risk youth” that they target include youngsters with low self-esteem and low aspirations who could easily enter the world of crime, drugs and alcohol. “They have an attitude of ‘I can’t do this’ when it comes to any future challenges,” he says. “We tell the youth, ‘You may have come from a weak place or a broken home, but this doesn’t mean you have to stay that way for the rest of your life. You should be the best that you can be. We can break the cycle and help you change. We can provide you with hope and help you realize your dreams.” Ma’agalim, Weiss stresses, enables young men and women to enter adulthood as individuals with strong Jewish and Zionist identities. Serving in the mechinot and the military strengthens these identities, and paves the way for them to be successful in Israeli society, he says. “These young people are given a sense of responsibility to themselves, to their families and to society; therefore they are ready to serve their country and stay in Israel,” he says. “We give them faith in themselves, first of all, and the belief that they can think big and go far. Just because they came from a certain place in the country doesn’t mean they have to stay there forever.” As an example, he tells the story of Moti, a high-school student in Netanya with a criminal record who used to go to school only on Tuesdays when he could meet his Ma’agalim mentor. During the rest of the week, he ran his own restaurant and even boasted that he made double the salary of his 12th grade teacher. His Ma’agalim mentor was able to persuade him that if he wanted to have integrity and make progress in his life, he should graduate from high school, go to the army and study. “Is money the only thing that’s important to you?” the counselor asked him. “This changed his way of thinking, he turned over a new leaf, and today he is a mentor at Ma’agalim in Hadera.” On a personal note, Weiss says he grew up in Jerusalem and had no one to talk to about his personal problems during his school career. It was only when he did the mechina that he met special people who “opened up my heart.” “That’s when my life changed and I started dreaming and planning my own future,” he says. Weiss studied education in Rehovot and instead of going abroad as many of his colleagues did, he went on a tour of schools in northern Israel with several like-minded friends. “You don’t have to travel to Nepal to find yourself,” he quips. “That’s when I decided to establish what you can call an educational start-up. The idea was for us to send mentors to at risk students in schools across Israel.” The idea resonated with students and the schools. Within a year, he was approached by principals throughout the country asking him to send mentors to their schools. “Our mentors began talking to the students about planning for the future, about their dreams and how to materialize them. They encouraged the students to talk about anything. They listen, help them cope with the problem, and if necessary, refer them to professionals. This was something that was never built into the school system before,” Weiss says. The counselors, most of them in their mid-20s, are handpicked from hundreds of applicants and undergo intensive training. Today, Weiss says, Maagalim has 350 mentors for some 8,000 students at schools in 50 municipalities across the country. They give one-on-one counseling sessions as well as class counseling to 11th- and 12th-grade students. “We try to keep the mentors as long as possible, and most of them are with us for three or four years,” says Weiss. “Some 35% of our mentors today are graduates of Ma’agalim.” According to a survey of 200 students in 2015 conducted by Meida Shivuki C.I., 95% of Ma’agalim students said that they plan to stay in Israel, compared to 76% of students who hadn’t had Ma’agalim counseling. Similarly, 89% of Ma’agalim students enlisted into the IDF compared to 55% of other students. Within the IDF, 85% of Ma’agalim graduates take on commanding roles, compared to 68% of other students. “We see an amazing difference between students who go through Ma’agalim and those who don’t. Our students are much more connected to Israel and understand why they’re here and why they plan to stay here,” he says. “I just returned from a visit to Miami where I met with a group of young Israelis. I asked them why they were in Miami. They said the question should be the other way around: Why are you in Israel when it’s so much better in Miami?” Ma’agalim operates on a NIS15 million annual budget, with half of it coming from the Education Ministry, 7% from school payments and the rest from private donors and philanthropic foundations, including the Toronto-based Friedberg Charitable Foundation. Weiss, 44, lives in Lod with his wife and six children. Why is his organization called Ma’agalim? “I have many answers. One is that in a circle, the distance to the center is the same for everyone. There is no one who is better or closer than anyone else. That’s our main message to our students. From the point of view of the NGO, we are interested in expanding the circles, and bringing in as many people as possible.” You can support Ma’agalim at en.maagalim.org The Story of Ruth the Israelite Have you been taught that the Moabitess Ruth, the daughter-in-law of Naomi, was a Moabite? Yes, that is the question, it is neither intended as jocular nor facetious, although it may well be rhetorical. Ruth 1:4 And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years. In the first chapter of the book of Ruth it appears to be quite clear that Ruth and her sister Orpah were Moabite by descent or lineage. Ruth 1:1 ¶ Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehemjudah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons. Further, as we can see in the above verse, Naomi, with her husband and sons, went to sojourn “in the country of Moab.” Now, if we stop here, we got about as far into this matter as the traditional scholars, theologians, biblical historians, and the vast masses of people who look to the bible as the word of God. By stopping here we are doing what so many do with the bible and in bible study, we take what appears to be “obvious” and indisputable as fact, then either ignore or find it imperative to “explain away” the contradictions within scripture created by our  newly created “fact.” What contradictions are we referring to? Glad you asked. For just one (there are several): Deut. 23:3 An Ammonite or Moabite shall not enter into the congregation of the LORD; even to their tenth generation shall they not enter into the congregation of the LORD for ever: While “forever” in the Hebrew does not mean for the rest of eternity, it does mean so far into the future as to be impossible to “see” (or foresee from that vantage point). Thus, the expression, “even to their tenth generation” is not literally specific, but an idiom meaning that they can forget it, it won’t happen. So, the difficulty in justifying the two positions- (1) that Ruth was a Moabite by lineage, and (2) Naomi’s sons, as well as Boaz, would marry a Moabite and not only bring her into the “camp,” but in turn bring her into the line of David and Jesus (Yeshua), is in stark contrast with Deut. 23:3 and what a God-fearing Israelite would possibly do, especially when we consider what God had to say about such actions, not just in this time frame, but even 2 in the time of Ezra. It then makes God look incompetent or extremely forgetful in His old age, or maybe God is just double-minded? Not to mention that this all transpires little more than a century after God declared His stand concerning this very matter to Israel in Deut. 23 above. Or, is it possible, just asking mind you, is it possible that we may not yet have enough information to determine whether our “understanding” of Ruth’s heritage is biblically sound or correct? Should we not presume that in a circumstance wherein we find either, (1) our understanding is contradictory to some or all scripture, or (2) that it “appears” that the bible is contradicting itself, that we are the ones who are missing information necessary to eliminate such apparent contradictions? Let’s see if we can find out what is what- biblically. You can do your own in-depth study, but just to present the minimum necessary to unravel this apparent contradiction let’s first begin by retracing the trail of Israel on their way out of the wilderness and into the Promised Land. We pick up the travels in Numbers 21. Numbers 21:13 From thence they (Israel) removed, and pitched on the other side (north of) of Arnon (an east-west river), which is in the wilderness that cometh out of the coasts of the Amorites: for Arnon is the border of Moab, between Moab and the Amorites. OK, note that Israel crossed the Arnon and left the nation of Moab behind them, thus now entering into the land of the Amorites. By the way, the Amorites are not Ammonites. Ammon and Moab are brother tribes or nations and related to Abraham, and thus Israel, through Lot, but Amorites were, at least generally speaking, Canaanite. What happened next? Numbers 21:21 ¶ And Israel sent messengers unto Sihon king of the Amorites, saying, 22 Let me pass through thy land: we will not turn into the fields, or into the vineyards; we will not drink of the waters of the well: but we will go along by the king’s high way, until we be past thy borders. 23 And Sihon would not suffer Israel to pass through his border: but Sihon gathered all his people together, and went out against Israel into the wilderness: and he came to Jahaz, and fought against Israel. 24 And Israel smote him with the edge of the sword, and possessed his land from Arnon unto Jabbok, even unto the children of Ammon (Ammonites were to the east of Amorites): for the border of the children of Ammon was strong. 25 And Israel took all these cities: and Israel dwelt in all the cities of the Amorites, in Heshbon, and in all the villages thereof. 26 For Heshbon was the city of Sihon the king of the Amorites, who had fought against the former king of Moab, and taken all his land out of his hand, even unto Arnon. Now we see that Israel conquered and occupied the Amorite land from the river Jabbok (an east to west tributary of the Jordan and is north of the Dead Sea) and fully eastward to the border of the Ammonites, again, related to Moab. So, for the land between the river Jordan and the Dead Sea on the west and the border of Ammon on the east, plus the land north of Arnon all the way to the river Jabbok, was now owned and operated by Israel and their to do with as they pleased. Side note: It is vital to make notice that this describes the borders and nations at the time being discussed. Earlier in history the nation of Moab did “occupy” or possess land north of the Arnon- all the way to Jabbok, but they lost possession of that territory prior to the Israelites appearance and as such, Moab’s northern border was the Arnon when God told Israel to “by-pass” them (Moab). To further clarify what we have just covered we can read from Deut 2 below. Deut. 2:34 And we took all his cities at that time, and utterly destroyed the men, and the women, and the little ones, of every city, we left none to remain: 35 Only the cattle we took for a prey unto ourselves, and the spoil of the cities which we took. 36 From Aroer, which is by the brink of the river of Arnon, and from the city that is by the river, even unto Gilead, there was not one city too strong for us: the LORD our God delivered all unto us:37 Only unto the land of the children of Ammon thou camest not, nor unto any place of the river Jabbok, nor unto the cities in the mountains, nor unto whatsoever the LORD our God forbad us. Just what did some Israelites think of this newly possessed land that was “east” of Jordan? Numbers 32:1 ¶ Now the children of Reuben and the children of Gad had a very great multitude of cattle: and when they saw the land of Jazer, and the land of Gilead, that, behold, the place was a place for cattle; 2 The children of Gad and the children of Reuben came and spake unto Moses, and to Eleazar the priest, and unto the princes of the congregation, saying, 3 Ataroth, and Dibon, and Jazer, and Nimrah, and Heshbon, and Elealeh, and Shebam, and Nebo, and Beon, 4 Even the country which the LORD smote before the congregation of Israel, is a land for cattle, and thy servants have cattle. 5 Wherefore, said they, if we have found grace in thy sight, let this land be given unto thy servants for a possession, and bring us not over Jordan. The short story is that Moses and God agreed to let Reuben and Gad and half of Manasseh possess the newly possessed lands east of Jordan so long as they helped the rest of Israel conquer the lands west of Jordan. Joshua 13 also confirms for us that Reuben, Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh received for their inheritance this land east of Jordan. The half tribe of Manasseh possessed the land of Bashan, to the north of the land of the formerly Amorite land. This area also included the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee and the east bank of the Jordan river northward to (at that time) the land of the Hittites. But, where again did Israel cross the Jordan and enter into the land west? We all know the story of Jericho, but who recalls where it was, or what the area was called where Israel camped immediately prior to their siege of Jericho? Numbers 33:48 And they departed from the mountains of Abarim, and pitched in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho. 49 And they pitched by Jordan, from Bethjesimoth even unto Abelshittim in the plains of Moab. 50 ¶ And the LORD spake unto Moses in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho, saying, 51 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye are passed over Jordan into the land of Canaan; From this we can note that the “plains of Moab” are not in Moab! They may certainly have once been “in” Moab, but at the time of the entrance into the Promised land, the Moabites all lived well to the south, and their northern national border was the river Arnon, which the Israelites had already passed over to eventually arrive at the embarkation point in the “plains of Moab” for their march forward to Jericho. We should also note that as a matter of course and history, 1 Chronicles 5 shows that this conquered and possessed land stayed in Reuben’s, Gad’s, and the half tribe of Manasseh’s control until Assyria took them away captive some 700 years later, Manasseh being in Bashan to the north of the Plains of Moab. One might now ask, “So, what’s the big deal? This still does not prove Ruth was not a Moabite by race.” Well, not in itself, and not yet, but we do have more to consider as previously stated. There is still more to the story. Remember this? Deut. 23:3 An Ammonite or Moabite shall not enter into the congregation of the LORD; even to their tenth generation shall they not enter into the congregation of the LORD for ever:5 The Problems 1. How could a law abiding Israelite, whether Mahlon or Boaz, legally marry a Moabite? 2. How can we circumvent Deut 23:3 in order to accept the actions of Mahlon, Elimelech, Naomi, and later Boaz to let Ruth become a part of their family by law and bring her into Israel? 3. The women of Israel welcomed Ruth into the “family” in Ruth 4:11 … The LORD make the woman that is come into thine house like Rachel and like Leah, which two did build the house of Israel: and do thou worthily in Ephratah, and be famous in Bethlehem: 4. If Ruth was a Moabite by race, why would there be such attention to detail concerning the law of redemption by Naomi, Boaz, and the “near-kinsman” more near than Boaz? It would all have been performed in complete opposition to the very law being invoked to settle the issue being settled! 5. Judah’s eldest two sons were slain by God, Er for his wickedness and Onan for his disrespect for the very law Boaz invokes to accomplish his goal to marry Ruth. Now Er and Onan were both from a Canaanite mother, the first wife of Judah. Point being, God slew Onan for not obeying a part of the very law that Mehlon and Boaz would likewise have been guilty of breaking had Ruth really been Moabite. The Solutions We should closely take notice that in Numbers 25 we see the direct result of breaking the law. Are we to believe that later on this law is “suspended” for Mahlon and then Boaz, which would also mean it was suspended for Naomi, her husband, and all who welcomed Ruth into Judah? Considering the death of 23,000 Israelites that resulted from their law breaking, might it be somewhat still in the memory and history of Naomi, her husband, her sons, and Boaz and even his near kin? Therefore, let’s look a little closer at what is really stated in the book of Ruth. Ruth 1:1 ¶ Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehemjudah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons. First of all, the use of the word “country” must be understood both by definition and also by context. The Hebrew word translated to “country” here is one that simply means or refers to “the country” as in a rural area or field, not a “nation.” For one example we can look at: 1Sa 27:5 And David said unto Achish, If I have now found grace in thine eyes, let them give me a place in some town in the country <07704>, that I may dwell there: for why should thy servant dwell in the royal city with thee? 6 Notice that the “town” is “in” the country, as opposed to a major city in a metropolitan area. As a result of this we now have absolutely no reason to assume that “the country of Moab” was “the nation of Moab.” Nor do we have any reason to claim that the “plains of Moab” were “in” the nation of Moab, the location of which we previously addressed. Next, we can note that the time period is one where-in Israel’s tribes were not yet unified into a Federalist single nation or kingship, but were independently ruled by judges, each with jurisdiction in their own tribe and not beyond or overlapping into other tribes. Continuing, we see that Naomi’s husband was from Judah, and a town called Bethlehem. You may have heard of this town before? Thus, Naomi, her husband and her sons, were Israelites of the tribe of Judah, and in the land of Judah. Putting this all together, with what we have so far, leaves us with Naomi and her family escaping the famine by traveling to a place identified as “the fields of Moab,” which then equates better to “the plains of Moab,” which were in Reubenite and Gadite possession and inheritance. Thus, Ruth, in the land of her nativity (Ruth 2:11), was either Reubenite or Gadite. But Wait! There’s More! One more “problem” to solve! Was Ruth and her sister a pagan worshipper, or a worshipper of the One True God? A funny thing happened on the way to English from the Hebrew. We, in English, have a culture or cultural thinking that “god,” from the Hebrew word “elohiym,” must always refer to a deity of some sort, whether real or imagined (pagan, etc.). Thus, we can only perceive “elohiym” as either the God, or a “god” (as in false “god”). However, the facts are that “elohiym” can, and often is, used to identify a human being, too! Please do your own research on this if you wish. What happens if we now put everything into the newly understood context- one that has no biblical contradictions and complies with the stated law of God? Ruth 1:15 And she said, Behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister in law. 16 And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: 17 Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me. 7 Now, finally, we can see that what the translators created in error is solved and resolved in truth. The references to “elohiym” in verses 15 and 16 are addressing their respective governments of the day, their “Judges”, who were known as “elohiym”. The “capitalization” of “G” in God in verse 16 is a translators doing, not the Hebrew’s. The “her people” was either Reuben or Gad, and the “my people” was Judah. The “her gods” was simply the judges in Reuben or Gad, and the “thy God my God,” becomes “your judges my judges.” Now, the additional comment by Ruth in verse 17 makes even more sense as she invokes the name of the “G”od of Israel, Yahweh, something not likely by an alien, but totally expected from a law abiding Israelite. What other “assumptions” have we made in what we think the bible “says”? You might be surprised! Sigd Sigd - A Holiday of Ethiopian Jewry Sigd is a holiday of Ethiopian Jewry, the community named “Beta Israel.” The name of the holiday is derived from the Hebrew word for bowing or prostration, “sgida”. Sigd is an Amharic word meaning "prostration" or "worship" and is the commonly used name for a holiday celebrated by the Ethiopian Jewish community on the 29th of the Hebrew month of Cheshvan. This date is exactly 50 days after Yom Kippur, usually falling out in late October or November, and according to Ethiopian Jewish tradition is also the date that G-d first revealed himself to Moses. Sigd is celebrated on the 29th of Heshvan – 50 days following Yom Kippur (similar to the holiday of Shavuot, celebrated 50 days after Passover), and the community rejoices for the renewal of the alliance between the people, God, and His Torah. This act is reminiscent of the treaty made for the People of Israel by Ezra and Nehemiah upon the return from Babylonian exile in the 5th Century BCE. The holiday originated in the Book of Nehemiah: “And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was above all the people, and when he opened it, all the people stood up. And Ezra blessed the lord, the great God. And all the people answered: 'Amen, Amen', with the lifting up of their hands; and they bowed their heads, and fell down before the Lord with their faces to the ground” (Nehemiah, 8:5-6). “And they stood up in their place, and read in the book of the law of the Lord their God a fourth part of the day; and another fourth part they confessed, and prostrated themselves before the Lord their God” (Nehemiah, 9: 3). Traditionally on Sigd, members of the Ethiopian Jewish community would fast for a day during which they would meet in the morning and walk together to the highest point on a mountain.  The “Kessim," spritual leaders of the community, would carry the “Orit,” the Ethiopian Torah, which is written in the ancient Geez language and comprised of the Five Books of Moses, the Prophetic writings, and other writings such as Song of Songs and Psalms. The Kessim recited parts of the Orit, including the Book of Nehemiah. On that day, members of the community recited Psalms and remembered the Torah, its traditions, and their desire to return to Jerusalem. In the afternoon they would descend back to the village and break their fast, dance and rejoice in a sort of seder reminiscent of Passover. The holiday symbolizes the Jewish covenant in receiving the Torah at Mount Sinai in addition to the reacceptance of the Torah that was led by Ezra the Scribe before the construction of the Second Temple. Its date is analogous to the 50 days which are counted between Passover and Shavuot when the Torah was given on Mount Sinai. During Sigd, Ethiopian Jewry pray to God, and plea to return to Zion. The community also holds communal self-examination, in addition to that held in private during Yom Kippur. In accordance with tradition, the public must examine itself and amend itself socially to be worthy to return to Jerusalem from exile. Sins of the community members are being forgiven for during Yom Kippur and the following 50 days, the last of which is the communal self examination carried out in a similar way to that of Yom Kippur itself in prayers and fast. The Ethiopian community in Israel has been celebrating the holiday by holding a mass ceremony on Mount Zion in Jerusalem, topped with a procession to the Western Wall. Recently, the ceremony has been held in Jerusalem's Armon Hanatziv Promenade. The holiday in Ethiopia In Ethiopia, the community used to gather from all distant villages to celebrate communally. The day prior to the holiday was used for carrying out special prayers to welcome the following day and for washing their festive clothing. The Kes (spiritual leader) would prepare cow and sheep meat for the feast to be held to end the holiday, during which the community fasted. The Sigd ceremony was held on a high mountain, considered to be pure due to its resemblance to Mt. Sinai on which Moses was given the Torah. Elder members of the community would climb up to the place of prayer and ensure its purity and strengthen its surrounding fence, in front of which they would prepare the area to place the Torah scroll. Early in the morning, the community would bathe in the river and gather at the prayer house. The Kes would then extract the Torah to the sounds of singing and cries of happiness and lead the crowd up the mountain. Some of those present would carry with them a rock symbolizing their surrender before God and as a sign of regret for their sins. The ceremony opens with the Kes reading excerpts from the Bible, spoken in Ge’ez and translated to Amharic. The excerpts included: Receiving of the Ten Commandments at Mt. Sinai (Exodus, 19-20), Nehemiah’s ceremony for renewal of the alliance with those returning from the Babylonian exile (Nehemiah, 8-9), and excerpts from the books of Leviticus, Kings, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel and Psalms. Furthermore, the Kes would pray and accompany their service with sermons and preaching. During the ceremony the members of the community would kneel, bow and direct their hands at the sky. This was followed by an interval of trumpets, while saying: “As we have had the fortune to celebrate the holiday this year, we shall have the fortune to hold it in Jerusalem in the next year.” The prayers following these words expressed joy, comfort and their hope for the return to Zion and the building of Jerusalem. The participants would return to the prayer house in the afternoon to hold a festive meal, accompanied with songs and dance. The holiday in Israel Today, as the majority of the Ethiopian Jewish community has made Aliyah to the State of Israel, members of the community make their way to Jerusalem, to the Wailing Wall and to the promenade at the “Armon Hanatziv” neighborhood in the city. The holiday serves as an annual gathering of the entire Ethiopian community and they see it as a chance to strengthen their affinity to their history and culture. The Kessim carry the Bible holding colorful umbrellas. They stand on top of a stage to read the excerpts and prayers before the community. Many officials come and greet the audience, while the crowd continues to observe their fast until late in the afternoon. In February 2008, MK Uri Ariel submitted legislation to the Knesset that would see Sigd established as an Israeli national holiday. In July of that year the Knesset followed Ariel's suggestion and added Sigd to the list of State holidays. The law states that in addition to being a state holiday, the Sigd would also be marked in a special assembly organized by the Ministry of Education. The holiday's history, traditions and ceremonies will be included in the educational system's curriculum and going to work during the holiday will be optional. In 2010, Israeli President Shimon Peres led the annual Sigd celebration with a ceremony at his residence in Jerusalem. In 2013, the national Sigd celebration in Jerusalem was attended by thousands of Ethiopian Jews as well as Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat, Minister Sofa Landver, Minister Shai Piron, Sephardi Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef and numerous other special guests. Vulcan Salute, Jewish Priests, and Sacred Symbolism "And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto Aaron and unto his sons, saying, On this wise ye shall bless the children of Israel, saying unto them, The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.  And they shall put my name upon the children of Israel; and I will bless them." (Numbers 6:22-27) "Live long and prosper." (Spock)                                                                    I Am Not Spock Leonard Nimoy's famous hand gesture is widely recognized from Star Trek as the Vulcan salute.  Where Nimoy came up with this gesture, however, is far more interesting than any fictional significance attached to the sign.  He has reported that the inspiration for this gesture was based on an observation he made when he was about eight years old.  While attending an orthodox synagogue with his father: A group of men at this particular synagogue, the kohen, members of a priestly tribe, stood up in front of the congregation to bless everyone....They were very loud, ecstatic, almost like at a revival meeting, and they were shouting this prayer in Hebrew, 'May the Lord bless and keep you...' but I have no idea at the time what they were saying.  My father said 'Don't look' and everybody's got their heads covered with their prayer shawls or their hands over their eyes.  And I see these guys with their heads covered with their shawls but out from underneath they have their hands up....It's the shape of the letter Shin in Hebrew, which is the first letter in the wordShaddai, a word for God, and shalom, the word for peace. Leonard saw the sign and adapted it for Vulcan use many years later.  Rabbi Yonassan Gershom actually devoted a chapter in his book on Jewish themes in Star Trek to this subject.3  He provides additional background regarding this sign. The Vulcan greeting is based upon a blessing gesture used by the kohanim (koe-hah-NEEM) during the worship service. The kohanim are the genealogical descendants of the Jewish priests who served in the Jerusalem Temple. Modern Jews no longer have priests leading services as in ancient times, nor do we have animal sacrifices anymore....The sacrificial system ended with the destruction of the Temple by the Romans in the year 70. C.E. However, a remnant of the Temple service lives on in the "kohane blessing" ritual (duchenen in Yiddish) that is performed on certain holy days. Rabbi Gershom continues: The actual blessing is done with both arms held horizontally in front, at shoulder level, with hands touching, to form the Hebrew letter "shin." This stands for the Hebrew word for "Shaddai", meaning "Almighty [God]." Nimoy modified this gesture into one hand held upright, making it more like a salute. So, technically, the Vulcan greeting is not the same thing as the ceremonial Jewish blessing. Still, the resemblance is close enough to evoke instant recognition among knowledgeable Jews. During the synagogue service, the worshippers are not supposed to look at the kohanim while the blessing is being given. The reason for this is to focus our attention on the words of the prayer itself, rather than on the personalities of the kohanim. The kohanim are merely the channels, not the source, of the blessing, which comes from God. The Hebrew letter shin is provided as follows: A rabbi and kohen from the 18th century had this symbol included on his tombstone in Germany.                                                  Grave of Rabbi Meschullam Kohn Nimoy's adaptation of the priestly symbol is described as a hand gesture "consisting of a raised hand, palm forward with the fingers parted between the middle and ring finger, and the thumb extended."  In an interview, Leonard made it clear regarding the thumb being extended: "No, no, the thumb goes out.  You have to get it right." Lorne Rozovsky has noted that, "of all the Jewish hand signs, the most famous is that of the priestly blessing, the Birchat Kohanim, and yet it is rarely seen. This is the sign of both hands outstretched at shoulder height under a tallit [shawl], with the fingers spread apart, as the Kohen blesses the congregation. The Kohen's face is covered. The hands in the position of the priestly blessing are often seen as decoration on jewelry or on the tombstone of a Kohen." Ronald Eisenberg has noted that "after the destruction of the Second Temple, the Birkat Kohanimbecame the last significant remnant of the priestly cult."  He describes this practice in similar verbiage as noted above: "...the Kohanim prepare themselves by removing their shoes and washing their hands (as before participating in the Temple service) with the assistance of the Levites.  Standing before the ark and facing the congregation and with their tallitot covering their faces, the Kohanim repeat the Priestly Blessing in a haunting and mysterious tone, word for word after the prayer leader.  While chanting the Priestly Blessing, theKohanim stretch both arms out at shoulder height with their hands touching at the thumbs and their palms forward....This custom appears to derive from a commentary on the verse [Song of Solomon 2:9].  The Rabbis considered this to be an allusion to the Kohen as he blessed the people..." Eisenberg also notes that the Kohen could be disqualified from offering the priestly blessing for idolatry, forbidden sexual intercourse, murder, intoxication, or inability due to physical deformation or problems in articulating the words properly. The symbol allegedly dates to the Jersualem Temple period, performed by temple servants who followed similar moral guidelines as we do as Latter-day Saints, and performed some similar rites as we do.  Primarily, I see what appears to be the form of the compass and the square in this hand gesture which was used in blessing Israel by a priest representing the Lord (Numbers 6:22-27).              THE JEWS ARE NOT ALL ISRAEL THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL, which we are considering, is not the same as the House of Judah, of which the Jews were a small remnant only. The distinction we wish to emphasise is that, while the Jews are Israelites, all Israelites are not necessarily Jews. The House of Judah and  Jews are of Israel, that is descended, from Jacob. When the general blessings were at Jacob's death apportioned, the 'One Seed' Christ, the Messiah, was promised with the sovereignty to Judah; but the "multitude of nations," most of the spiritual gifts and all the temporal grandeur of the "birthright" were given to the House of Joseph or Ephraim exclusively. The House of Israel was to obtain these in the "latter days" or the Christian era - our days and when developed into a "company of Nations," cf. Imperial Conference of 1926. The division of Israel took place under the rule of Rehoboam over Judah, Jeroboam over Israel, in 975 B.C. The House of Israel sinned through idolatry and were cast out of the land in 721 B.C. and did not return. The House of Judah also sinned and were punished and banished to Babylon for seventy years, and a remnant of them under Ezra and Nehemiah returned as "the Jews" in 536 B.C. The term "Jews" is never in the Bible applied to the Twelve Tribes or to the Ten-tribed House of Israel. These were to be divorced from the Mosaic law and lost to human history and knowledge, but known to God, re-covenanted in Christ, and to enjoy the Hebrew birthright in the isles of the seas, to be His national evangelists to the world, and the inheritors of the Kingdom of God taken away from the Jews and given to a Nation. It will be shown that the British enjoy all the unconditional promises given to the seed of Abraham in the Christian era and that therefore no other Nation can now replace them as Israel. It was in 741 B.C. that Isaiah prophesied that "within three score and five years shall Ephraim be broken in pieces, that it be not a people." The final siege of Samaria and the deportation of Israel took place in 721 B.C. Subsequently in 676 B.C. Esar-Haddon completed the work begun and from this date the history of the house of Israel ceases in the Scriptures, and the tale is taken up by Prophecy. Judah was carried captive to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar in 603 B.C. and the Temple finally destroyed in 586 B.C. The word "Jew" is found for the first time in the Bible in II Kings 16:6, but the Second Book of Kings was not written till the return of Judah and Benjamin after the end of the Babylonian captivity. CONTRAST BETWEEN ISRAEL AND JEWS ISRAEL were to have a change of name (Isa. 65:15). The Jews were to be known by a change in physiognomy (Isa. 3:9). ISRAEL were to be called by a new name (Isa. 62:2). The Jews have retained their old name unchanged. ISRAEL were tobe named after Isaac, i.e. called Saxon (Gen. 21:12) The Jews' name was to be a curse to them (Isa. 65:15). ISRAEL were to be blind to their identity (Rom. 11:25). The Jews still claim to be the chosen people. ISRAEL were to be a multitudinous people (Hos. 1:10). The Jews were to be bereft of children (Jer. 15:7). ISRAEL were to become known as the righteous Nation that keepeth the truth (Isa. 26:2). The Jews were to be a reproach and a proverb, a taunt and a curse (Jer. 24:9). ISRAEL were to become a Nation and a Company of Nations (Gen. 35:11). The Jews were to be scattered in all the "kingdoms of the earth for their hurt" (Jer. 24:9). ISRAEL were to make a new home in the Appointed Place - the Isles of the Sea (II Sam. 7:10 ; Isa. 24:15; Isa. 49:1; Jer. 31: 10, etc.). The Jews have been strangers in all lands (Jer. 15:4). ISRAEL were to be a Nation for ever (Jer. 31:36). The Jewish nation was broken beyond repair in A.D. 70 (Dan. 9:24; Jer. 1 9: 11). ISRAEL were to have a perpetual monarchy (Jer. 33:17). The Jews have no king on earth. ISRAEL were to come under a new covenant (Jer. 31:33). The Jews have remained under the old law. ISRAEL were to be called the sons of God, i.e. accept Christianity (Hos. 1:10). The Jews do not accept Jesus Christ as the Messiah. ISRAEL were taken captive into Assyria, circa 721 B.C.. (II Kings 18:11, etc.). The Jews were taken captive to Babylon circa 603 B.C. (II Kings 24:1-14, etc., and 25:20, etc.). ISRAEL were to be immune from defeat in war (Isa. 54:17, Lev. 26:6-8). The Jews have suffered endless persecution. ISRAEL had nothing to do with the crucifixion, being at that time away beyond the Euphrates, beginning their migrations through Europe. The Jews cried, "Crucify him! crucify him!" EPHRAIMITES GRAFTED TO YAHUDA???           (An Interactive Discussion between JT and Larry) JT: The original true followers of YHWH (Adam, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, etc.) did not call their religion "Judaism" (obviously). We do not know what they called it or if they called it anything. For our own purposes we will just call it YHWHism as oposed to Ba'alism.  The "YHWHism" involved a covenant (or series of covenants) between YHWH and the Am-Yisrael (the people of Israel).  YHWH had initially made a Covenent with all mankind (Gen. 9) the Noachic Covenant. Later YHWH made a unique Covenant with Abraham and with his seed Isaac and Jacob. (Gen. 17) This covenant required circumcision) The Abrahamic Covenant. Still later YHWH made a further covenant with Am-Yisrael (the people of   Israel) and gave us the Torah (Ex. 34) The Mosaic Covenant. A non-Israelite could enter this covenant and become part of the people of Israel if he/she so chose to (Ruth) by joining into this covenant and its people.  Am-Yisrael became YHWH's chosen covenant people. There were still other   followers of YHWH who were not part of Am-Yisrael, but Am-Yisrael was   chosen to be YHWH's covenant people who would one day rule the world. They   were to be a nation of priests to the rest of the world.  Eventually Am-Yisrael split into two houses: The House of Israel/Ephraim/Joseph (10 Tribes). The House of Judah (2 tribes). The House of Israel was divorced by YHWH (Jer. 3:8) but to preserve a   remnant the House of Judah was not (see also Hosea 11:12-12:1). The House of Israel was scattered, most likely into Europe. They abandoned Torah and the covenants and turned entirely to pagan gods. Eventually they embraced Christianity and continued in paganism. Judah however always had a remnant maintaining the covenant. As a result "YHWHism" became known as "Judaism".  When the Messiah came many thousand embraced him as Messiah. These were the Nazarenes. They took the message to the Gentiles, many of whom were Ephraimites but did not know it. These people almost immediately paganized the message. Eventually the Nazarene movent disappeared, although there   have always been Torah observant Jews who believed Yeshua was Messiah.  Now there were two Torahs to the Mosaic Torah of the Mosaic Covenant. A Written Torah and an Oral Torah. Without the Oral Torah one would not know how to kill an animal, what a "bill of divorcement" is, how the Hebrew calendar functions, etc. In short without the Oral Torah there is no way to observe the written Torah and no Covenant.  LARRY: Mostly accepted. Oral Torah needs to be defined. If it conflicts with written Torah, then it is not acceptable. Rabbinical Judaism, as I'm sure you know much  better than I, is in the habit of "reinterpreting Torah". It appears that Oral Torah  prior to the destruction of the Temple in 70 C.E. is fairly safe, but afterwards, into  the Rabbinical period, well it must be examined very closely in the light of written Torah or we can get into some problems that border on the same problems that  "churchianity" has. But it is agreed generally that the Oral Torah explains to us how  to "keep" the written Torah.         JT: Eventually many Ephraimites and Gentiles started to wake up from their   paganism and seek Torah. Typical of this is the Yahwist movenent and the  old WWCG movement.      During the same time period many Jews started to wake up from their messiah-blindness and see Yeshua as Messiah. Typical of this was the Messianic Movent and more recently the Nazarene Movement.  LARRY: Well..yes and no. Even though many Jews (Yahudi) have come to know the  Messiah through the Messianic and Nazarene movements, I'm sure you will find the  majority of the people making up these congregations are primarily returning  Ephraimites who are LEARNING to follow Yahshua and how to be observant. This  phenomena has not gone unnoticed by the predominately Jewish leadership of the  larger organizations. Instead of being a cause for great joy and celebration for the  leadership to see Ephraim returning, it has become the subject of great concern. The  solution, lets convert them to be us (and of course along with that goes all of the man  made traditions of Rabbinical Yahuda that have absolutely no bearing on an Ephraimites relation to Torah (both the written and applicable oral Torah) and  Yahshua! If they don't convert, well, they can stay on (because we need the money)  but they can't hold office or any leadership positions (kind of like the way  Samarians were treated by the Judeans - as second class citizens).  JT: Now when the Ephraimites attempted to embrace the Mosaic Covenant they   found a problem. There were no Ephraimites who had maintained the covenant   and preserved the Oral Torah for them to join to. So while they decided to   start keeping the feasts, they had no idea how. They had no idea what to   do on these days. Even worse they still cannot agree on a calendar.  LARRY: Agreed, with some reservations. One of Yahudas key responsibilities has been to  teach Torah to the world. It is through Yahuda that Ephraimites are supposed to  learn how to keep the feasts and the balance of Torah. As far as the calendar goes,  disagreement on a calendar is not the exclusive domain of Ephraim. Does all of Rabbinical Judaism agree with the Karaites calendar? Do they even agree on the  correctness of their own?  As far as the Ephraimites having not maintained the covenant and Oral Torah for  them to join to, as already mentioned, this has been one of the responsibilities  (mostly unfulfilled) of Yahuda, to teach Torah to the Gentiles. Now, AS A  RETURNED EPHRAIMITE, I can say most assuredly that no Yahudi came knocking at  my door wanting to know if I would like to learn Torah! No Yahudi has volunteered to  teach me how to keep the feasts! So how is it that this Ephraimite has learned (and is  continuing to learn) Torah, the Feasts of YHVH, etc., etc.? I have learned and I am  learning on my own by seeking Him and the knowledge of Him through the calling and  power and blessing of the Ruach HaKodesh! It is by that calling and power that I and  others have been brought out of Pagan teachings into this wonderful light. It is how  we have been drawn to the teachings out there such as yours, and this is pretty much  how most Ephraimites are learning. That my brother is only by the calling and power  of the Ruach and is not only a miracle in and of itself, but is a direct fulfillment of  prophecy.  JT: There is no way for Ephraimites to enter the Mosaic covenant as Ephraim.       LARRY: STRONGLY DISAGREE! Ephraimites were all once part of the Mosaic covenant  at Sinai and need to re-enter the covenant the same way that Yahuda needs to  re-enter the covenant, through the blood of the Lamb and the outpouring of the  Ruach. Any other way is legalism and works based. I do not see any supporting texts  that show Ephraim changing to another entity in order to enter the covenant.  JT: Ephraim was divorced and has not preserved the covenant.  LARRY: True, they have not preserved that covenant, that has been for Yahuda, but.all  praise be to His Holy Name and halleluYAH! Ephraim is being brought back as a bride  again (Hosea 1:16,23)! Jer. 31: 9,10 calls Ephraim "His son and firstborn" and we are  told that He will gather them and watch over them as a shepherd (this seems to have suspiciously strong ties to John 10). We are also shown concerning Ephraim, that they  are ".a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to Elohim,."  1 Ptr. 2:9. I can accept that!  JT: However Judah HAS preserved the Mosaic Covenant. Judah HAS preserved both  the written and Oral Torah. Moreover a remnant of Judah has woken up to   who the Messiah is. Moreover Judah's understanding of these things gives   Judah a better understanding of Messiah as well.  LARRY: True except that even though Yahuda may have a better overall understanding  of who Messiah is in total, the new believer, Ephraimite or even a secular Yahudi, has  the full imparted righteousness of Moshiach the instant he walks under the wings of His Tallit!  JT: The hope of Ephraim is not to reestablish herself as a separate House. The   hope of Ephraim is to be reunited with Judah and come back from her rebelion  in the first place. This is the prophetic picture in the scriptures.  LARRY: STRONGLY DISAGREE! The hope of Ephraim, as with all mankind, is found in our  ultimate redemption provided by His unspeakable gift of life through the death of  the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. Being reunited with Yahuda as the  restored Nation of Israel is part of this awesome plan of redemption. Yahuda is not  innocent of rebellion either my brother. It's only by His providence that they have  been left to safeguard His Torah. We will ALL come back from our rebellion when we  recognize His authority over us through the Moshiach, and accept Him as our living  Torah.  JT: The stick of Ephraim is joined to the stick of Judah (Ezek. 37).  LARRY: And reading on in vs. 19 ".so that they will become one in my hand". This does not  say that they are made subservient to Yahuda, but that they are joined to them and  that they both become as "one" in His hand.  JT: Branches from Ephraim are grafted into Judah to be fed by the root of Judah.  (Rom. 11)  LARRY: Brother I do not see the olive tree in RM. 11 as Yahuda. I see the olive tree as  Israel and the root as Yahshua. Ephraimite branches remain Ephraimite branches, and  Yahudi branches that have been broken off, are grafted back in as Yahudi branches,  all together comprising the restored 12 tribe Nation of Israel.  JT: and Ephraim will come to Judah and grab hold of her tzitzit (a sign of the covenant) and say: "We have heard that Elohim is with you (plural) and we will go with you (plural)." (Zech. 8 last verse.)  LARRY: Yes, as reunited brothers again!  JT: In other words Ephraim should rejoice that Judah has preserved the covenant  as Judaism and join Judah.  LARRY: WHAT? Rejoice that Yahuda has preserved the covenant yes, but join Yahuda? I  guess that all depends on what you mean by "join Yahuda"?  JT: Now the gentiles who are not Ephraimites (and who knows who is and who   isn't anyway)  LARRY: Yahshua knows brother!  JT: could theoretically just keep the Noachdic covenant (Gen 9) and never progress into the Chosen people by entering the House of Judah   through the Abrahamic and Mosaic Covenants (Ge, 17 & Ex. 34). However they   would not be part of Am-Yisrael. They would NOT be part of the bride. They would NOT be a nation of priests (they would be the ones we are  priests to). They would NOT rule with Messiah from Jerusalem for 1,000  years. Instead they would make pilgrimages to Jerusalem at Sukkot (an the  other feasts?) to pay homage there. They will be ruled over BY Am-Yisrael.  LARRY: Kinda makes me glad I'm an Ephraimite! Praise be to His Name though that the  true Gentile can become a member of Am-Yisra'el by taking on Torah! And praise be  to Him that His love for creation is so deep that He has made that provision for the  Gentile! Holy and blessed is He who rules over ALL Israel! Anna the Prophetess Traditional Christian nativity scenes give a convenient visual summary of people and events connected with the birth of Jesus. They generally include Mary, Joseph, and the infant Jesus, with a manger and animals, often accompanied by shepherds, angels, and magi. As with any shorthand representation of reality, a nativity scene sacrifices some precision and detail for the sake of simplicity. Nativity scenes that include both shepherds and magi collapse together two separate events, since the magi probably arrived in Bethlehem some months after the shepherds. A more accurate portrayal would require two separate scenes, one at a manger and another at the house visited by the magi (Matt. 2:11). In between the two Bethlehem snapshots we could insert a third scene, at the temple complex in Jerusalem. About six weeks after the birth of Jesus, his family traveled from Bethlehem to Jerusalem to present the offerings prescribed in Lev. 12 (Luke 2:22-24). In this scene Jesus and his parents are joined by Simeon, an old man who blesses God for the coming of the Messiah and prophesies about the implications of Jesus' birth (Luke 2:25-35); and by Anna, an elderly widow who also rejoices in the birth of the Messiah. Although this third scene is sometimes overlooked-it is not included in the movie The Nativity Story, for example-it has much to teach us. From the fact that Joseph and Mary made the trip to Jerusalem, we learn that they were observant Jews, careful to carry out the requirements of the Torah. From the fact that they could not afford a lamb for the offering (Luke 2:24; Lev. 12:8), we find out that they were not wealthy.1 Simeon's prophecy highlights the importance of the birth of the Messiah as well as the trials and challenges that Jews in general-and Mary in particular-would face as a result of that birth. And what about Anna? Luke's description of her is brief: "There was also a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old, having been married to her husband for seven years until his death. She had lived as a widow since then for eighty-four years. She never left the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. At that moment, she came up to them and began to give thanks to God and to speak about the child to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem" (Luke 2:36-38, NETBible). It turns out, however, that these few verses have a great deal to tell us about where Anna was from, why she was named Anna, why she was drawn to the temple, and what the birth of Jesus meant for her personally.  Anna's Name and Tribe To begin, we note that Anna's name can also be written in English as "Hannah". The original biblical Hannah, mother of the prophet Samuel, was a prophetess herself (I Sam. 2:1-10). It is very likely that Luke intended his readers to connect the two, since he seems to emphasize the parallels between Samuel and Jesus in Luke 1-2. The parallels between I Sam. 1-3 and Luke 1-2 include the following: · The births of both Samuel and Jesus were miraculous, and both were accompanied by great thanksgiving. · Both Samuel and Jesus were presented before God by their parents (I Sam. 1:22,24; Luke 2:22). The parents of both received a blessing during their visits to the house of God (I Sam. 2:20; Luke 2:34). · With their parents not present, both Samuel and Jesus were active at the house of God at relatively early ages (I Sam. 3; Luke 2:42-49). · Both were said to have "grown in favor with God and man" as they grew up (I Sam. 2:26; 3:19; Luke 2:40,52).2 There is additional significance in the name Anna in Luke 2, as we shall see soon. To understand this significance, we will need to consider another piece of information from Luke 2:36: the fact that Anna came from the tribe of Asher, one of the northern tribes of Israel. What did this detail mean to the original readers of the Gospel of Luke? In the time of Jesus, Jews did not think of the northern tribes as being "lost." A first-century Jew who heard about a person from the tribe of Asher living in Jerusalem would have had some good guesses about that person's background. One possibility is that Anna could have come from northwestern Galilee, the traditional homeland of the tribe of Asher. Many people from this region were taken captive by the Assyrian king Tiglath-Pileser in about 733 B.C. (see e.g. 2 Kings 15:29), but others were left behind. When King Hezekiah of Judah organized a special Passover celebration at Jerusalem about twenty years later, he invited people from the northern tribes, and a few-including some from the tribe of Asher-made the trip to Jerusalem (2 Chron. 30:10-11). Galilee was inhabited mostly by Gentiles by the time of the Maccabees in the second century B.C., but there was apparently still an Israelite minority living in the region (see I Macc. 5:21-23). When the Hasmoneans took control of Galilee, they replaced pagan settlements by Jewish ones, bringing in many Jewish families from Judea. By Jesus' time there was a lot of friction between Israelites and Gentiles in the Galilee region. An Israelite from a family that had maintained its tribal identity through the centuries undoubtedly would have been very patriotic and loyal to Jerusalem and the temple. It would not have been surprising that "a Galilean prophet, expecting the redemption of Israel from pagan rule, should move to the religious heart of the nation and the expected centre of God's eschatological restoration of the nation, in order to spend her time in the temple ..." Exiles in Media: The Tobit Connection The other main possibility is that Anna came from a family whose ancestors had been taken into captivity by the Assyrians. 2 Kings 15:29 does not mention precisely where people from Galilee were taken, but it is reasonable to suppose that they ended up settling together with the second wave of exiles from the northern tribes that came just twelve years later. Of these Israelites, we read the following in 2 Kings 18:11: "The king of Assyria deported the people of Israel to Assyria. He settled them in Halah, along the Habor (the river of Gozan), and in the cities of the Medes." As the centuries went by, it was with the third of these locations-Media, a territory that today is part of Iran - that the exiles from the northern tribes came to be associated. For example, the historian Josephus wrote in the late first century A.D. that the captives from the northern tribes had been taken "into Media and Persia"  One main evidence of and source for the association of the northern tribes with Media was the popular story of Tobit. In the Book of Tobit, Tobit is a Galilean from the tribe of Naphtali who is taken captive to the Assyrian city of Nineveh (Tobit 1:10). Relatives of his have settled in the Median cities of Ecbatana (3:7) and Rages (4:1; 5:6). At the end of the book, Tobit on his deathbed instructs his son Tobias to take his family to Media, which Tobit believes will be the safest place to go after the prophesied destruction of Nineveh takes place (14:3-4). Tobias obeys, moving to Ecbatana where his in-laws live (14:12-15). Awareness of tribal membership may be more likely to have survived in the eastern diaspora than in Galilee . Many exiles in Media, in the midst of an alien culture hundreds of miles from Israel, apparently banded together in communities and worked to preserve their Israelite identity. Such a picture is certainly reflected in the Book of Tobit, where Tobit and his family have a detailed knowledge of their ancestry and are concerned about marrying within their tribe. At some point the Median exiles established formal ties with Jerusalem and the Temple. Bauckham believes this connection with Jerusalem may have begun sometime during the Persian period, after exiles from the House of Judah had returned to Israel and rebuilt the Temple. Josephus records that when Ezra led another group of Jews back to Israel from Babylon (c. 458 B.C.), they were accompanied by some members of the northern tribes from Media. Perhaps these returnees from the northern tribes helped facilitate a relationship between Jerusalem and the Median diaspora community. Media was viewed as a very remote location by people in Judea, especially because the trip between Media and Jerusalem had to be made entirely by land.5 Still, there was regular communication back and forth between religious leaders in Judea and Israelites throughout the diaspora, including Media. One interesting example is a letter written by Gamaliel the Elder (the teacher of the apostle Paul) dealing with a calendar issue. Gamaliel's letter, which makes the announcement that an extra month is being inserted in the calendar that year, is addressed to "our brothers belonging to the exile of Babylonia and belonging to the exile of Media and all the other exiles of Israel." An attachment to Jerusalem among pious Israelites in Media is reflected in-and was probably promoted by-the Book of Tobit. At the beginning of the book, Tobit explains that his tribe of Naphtali had gone into captivity because it had abandoned Jerusalem and the Temple and fallen into idolatry (Tobit 1:4-5). He knows that Israel's exile resulted from its sins (3:4) and fulfilled prophecies of the scriptures (2:6), all of which God would faithfully carry out (14:4). Tobit finds hope in the prophecies, which also assert that Israelites will one day be able to return to Jerusalem, where all nations will worship the true God (13:1-17; 14:5-7). In the meantime, he advocates that his countrymen hasten the fulfillment of these prophecies by obeying God, in particular by being generous to the poor (13:6; 14:8-11). For Median Israelites who felt as Tobit did, there were several ways to express a connection with Jerusalem. One was to pay the annual half shekel temple tax. Josephus reports that this money was collected in the eastern diaspora at the cities of Nehardea and Nisibis, from whence it was transported to Jerusalem. In Jerusalem, sacrifices were offered on behalf of the people in the diaspora. Given sufficient funds, an Israelite could achieve a more direct connection with the Temple by personally undertaking the long trek to Jerusalem for Passover, Pentecost, or the Feast of Tabernacles. People who did so were again following the example of Tobit, who had faithfully journeyed to Jerusalem for the pilgrim festivals before he was taken into captivity (Tobit 1:6). Acts 2:9 mentions that the pilgrims who came to Jerusalem for Pentecost in the year of Christ's resurrection included Medes. Finally, there were a few who had the means and inclination to actually move to Jerusalem. One example preserved in Jewish tradition is Rabbi Nahum the Mede, who taught in Jerusalem during the final years of the Second Temple (see Nazir 5:4 in the Mishnah). Judging from his name, either he or his parents had moved from Media to Jerusalem. Bauckham observes that Nahum was an ideal name for a Median Israelite. The prophet Nahum had predicted the destruction of Nineveh, as emphasized in Tobit 14:4, 15. The fulfillment of this prophecy was very significant for the exiles in Media, because it provided evidence that God would also carry out his promises to bring them back from captivity. In addition, the name "Nahum" means "comfort" or "consolation." The corresponding verb is often used in the book of Isaiah in the expression of promises of the restoration of Jerusalem and the return of the exiles (Isa. 40:1; 49:13; 51:3,12; 52:9; 61:2; 66:13). By the first century, the words "comfort" and "consolation" had become synonymous with the deliverance brought by the Messiah. (For example, Simeon in Luke 2:25 looks forward to the consolation of Israel.) The parents of Nahum the Mede expressed their faith in the fulfillment of God's promises by giving their son the name Nahum. Based on all of this information, it seems quite plausible that Anna could have belonged to a family from the Median diaspora that at some point migrated to Jerusalem, as the family of Nahum the Mede had done. Anna the Mede? We have discussed two possible scenarios for the background of Anna the prophetess in Luke 2:36-38. Perhaps Anna's family hailed from the traditional territory of the tribe of Asher in Galilee. Or perhaps her family went into exile in Media, then later came back to Israel. Which is more likely? Here it turns out that Anna's name is an important clue that may help us decide the answer to this question. As far as we know, the name Anna/Hannah was not especially popular in Israel during the late Second Temple Period: "Of the 247 Jewish women in Palestine from the period 330 BCE-200 CE, whose names are known, our Anna is the only one who bears this name. On the other hand, there is reason to believe that the name Anna could have been popular among religious Israelites in the eastern diaspora, the people for whom the Book of Tobit was especially meaningful. In the Book of Tobit, Anna is the name of Tobit's wife! This fact helps tip the scale in favor of our second scenario, the one in which Anna comes from a family that moved back to Israel from Media. Just as it would be natural for such a family to name a son Nahum, so it would be natural for a family from this background to name a daughter Anna. While we are thinking about names, we should also consider the possible significance of Phanuel, the name of Anna's father. The name Phanuel was not a popular one, as far as we know. It appears in two biblical genealogies, one from the tribe of Judah (I Chron. 4:4) and the other from the tribe of Benjamin (I Chron. 8:25). Bauckham knows of only one other instance of this name besides the one in Luke 2. It appears on an ostracon (an inscribed piece of pottery) from Beersheba from the late eighth century B.C.  Would this name have had a special meaning for an Israelite from the Median diaspora? Phanuel means "face of God," which in the Hebrew Scriptures is a metaphor for the favor (or disfavor) of God. For example, a familiar line in the Aaronic benediction (Num. 6:24-26), "May the Lord make his face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you" is a prayer for God's favor. This metaphor often appears in the Hebrew Scriptures in connection with the themes of exile and return: · In Deut. 31:17-18; 32:20, a future captivity of Israel is described in terms of God hiding his face. · Psalm 80, a psalm that exiled Israelites could have sung as a prayer for return from captivity, has the following refrain: "Restore us, O God; make your face shine upon us, that we may be saved" (v. 3, NIV; cf. vv. 7, 19). · When King Hezekiah invited the people who remained from the northern tribes to his special Passover celebration, he exhorted them to repent so that their friends who were in exile would be able to come back (2 Chron. 30:6-9). God "will not turn his face from you, if you return to him," Hezekiah wrote (v. 9, NRSV). · In interceding for Jerusalem and for his people in exile, Daniel prays, "let your face shine upon your desolated sanctuary" (Dan. 9:17). These examples suggest that for Israelites in Media, the name Phanuel could have expressed a hope that God would show favor to his people and bring them back to the land of Israel. Similar "face of God" imagery appears in the Book of Tobit (3:6; 4:7; 13:16). The Annotated Anna We can now understand more fully what Luke intended to communicate in his brief passage about Anna in Luke 2:36-38. Phanuel and Anna came from a family of the tribe of Asher that had lived in the eastern diaspora in Media. Like other exiles from the northern tribes, they treasured the story of Tobit. Phanuel told this story often to his daughter, whom he named after Tobit's wife. Like Tobit, he longed for the time when the exiles in Media would be able to return home to Israel, so he was overjoyed when he was able to actually move to Jerusalem. He passed along to Anna his love for Jerusalem, the Torah, and the Temple. In her widowhood, Anna expressed this love in her continual worship at the Temple complex. When Anna met Joseph and Mary and God revealed to her that their baby was the promised Messiah, she rejoiced in the wonderful news. God had shined his face upon Israel, as her father's name expressed. He was fulfilling his promises and would surely bring his people back to the land of Israel. The accounts of Simeon and Anna in Luke 2 complement each other nicely. Simeon, a member of the House of Judah, highlights Israel's role as a light to the nations (2:30-32). Through the work of the Messiah, salvation would go out from Jerusalem to all the world. Anna, a member of the House of Israel, represents Israel in exile, scattered among the nations. Through the work of the Messiah, Israel one day would come back to Jerusalem. With his accounts of Simeon and Anna, Luke beautifully communicates the hopes of all Israel. There's a story preserved in the Talmud about a rabbi in Israel whose father lived in western Media. When the father died, his son didn't find out about his death until three years later. Shachar represents dawn and Shalim represents sunset or dusk The next paragraph is from the Canaanite/Ugaritic mythology. Although this is previous to the Israelite civilation we have to think that prophecies of a future Messiah & many other prophecies have been preached since the the time of of the first father Adam. With centuries they corrupted. That's why you find several similar believes in any culture of the earth. Israelite priest in the temple Shacar has a twin. Shalim (god of Dusk). Shachar represents dawn and Shalim represents sunset or dusk. They were one of the first sets of twin gods, the "children and cleavers of the sea." Their father was El, also known as Latipan and Dagon. Their mother was Athirat, the "lady of the sea." Some Israelite lands of promise according to LDS It is important for any reader of scripture or modern day prophets to understand that the Lord sees this world as a whole, and divides it into those areas where certain events are to, or did, take place. We have the original area after the Flood of the Hebrew or Jewish "Land of Promise,” the unknown lands of the Lost Ten Tribes; the “isles of the sea” Isaiah talks about, the “Land of Promise” given to Lehi, of which the Jaredites also laid claim, etc. When the angel was talking to Joseph Smith, he was referring to the latter area, the Land of Promise of the Western Hemsiphere, as opposed to the other areas of which the Lord has special interest, or at least as we know it from scripture. It is never wise to place a narrow restriction on the Lord or his messengers as to the meaning of their words. When the angle spoke to Joseph Smith of “the people on this land,” we know he was not referring to those in Jerusalem, those in the north countries, or those on the South Sea islands, etc. He was referring to the people of this continent, of this land, of the Western Hemsiphere, of the land that remained unknown to other natons of the world as the Lord promised Lehi. It is the height of “racial superiority” to lay claim to the belief that the Land of Promise is only the United States, as many North American theorists claim. When all is said and done, we will find that the Land of Promise spoken of and described in the Book of Mormon is the entire Western Hemisphere which “after the waters had receded from off the face of this land it became a choice land above all other lands, a chosen land of the Lord; wherefore the Lord would have that all men should serve him who dwell upon the face thereof” (Ether 13:2), and that in one portion of this land would be, “the place of the New Jerusalem, which should come down out of heaven, and the holy sanctuary of the Lord” (Ether 13:3), and where “New Jerusalem should be built upon this land, unto the remnant of the seed of Joseph” (Ether 123:6). All modern languages descend from the languages God gave to mankind at Babel All modern languages descend from the languages God gave to mankind at Babel. We do not know how many languages God gave then, but all modern languages have descended from them so there will surely be word similarities in many language groups today. The two families God chose, Israel and Judah Jeremiah 33:23-24 23-24 God’s Message to Jeremiah: “Have you heard the saying that’s making the rounds: ‘The two families God chose, Israel and Judah, he disowned’? And have you noticed that my people are treated with contempt, with rumors afoot that there’s nothing to them anymore? Were Joshua and Caleb, of all the Israelites who left Egypt, the only ones allowed to enter the Promised Land? The Israelites endured many tests and trials after leaving Egypt and often fell short of what was required of them. One test was to have serious consequences that would affect so many. That was when the spies were sent into Canaan.   In Numbers 13:1-2, we read: “And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, ‘Send men to spy out the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the children of Israel; from each tribe of their fathers you shall send a man, every one a leader among them.’” In the following verses, Moses “sent them from the Wilderness of Paran according to the command of the Lord, all of the men who were heads of the children of Israel.”  Their task was to spy out the land and to “see what the land is like: whether the people who dwell in it are strong or weak, few or many; whether the land they dwell in is good or bad; whether the cities they inhabit are like camps or strongholds; whether the land is rich or poor; and whether there are forests there or not” (verses 18-20). At first sight, this passage might imply that all the tribes, including the tribe of Levi, send out one man from each tribe to spy out the land. However, note the following comments by Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible, regarding Numbers 13:2: “Send thou men… of every tribe of their fathers shall ye send a man; excepting the tribe of Levi; the reason of which was because they were to have no inheritance in the land, [Deuteronomy] 10:9; but then, to make up the number twelve, the two sons of Joseph, Ephraim and Manasseh, are reckoned as two tribes…” We will address Gill’s rationale, excluding the Levites from the spying mission and God’s subsequent punishment, throughout this Q&A. The outcome of this spying mission was that the spies returned after 40 days (verse 25) and reported on their findings. Of the twelve spies, ten reported that “the people who dwell in the land are strong; the cities are fortified and very large; moreover we saw the descendants of Anak there” (verse 28). In spite of Caleb wanting to go and take immediate possession, the spies (except for Joshua and Caleb) were fearful: “We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we. And they gave the children of Israel a bad report of the land which they had spied out, saying, ‘The land through which we have gone as spies is a land that devours its inhabitants, and all the people whom we saw in it are men of great stature. There we saw the giants (the descendants of Anak came from the giants); and we were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight.’” Then we read, in Numbers 14:1-3, that all the congregation “lifted up their voices and cried, and the people wept that night. And all the children of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron, and the whole congregation said to them, ‘If only we had died in the land of Egypt! Or if only we had died in this wilderness! Would it not be better for us to return to Egypt?’” Joshua was, like Caleb, positive about what they could achieve with God’s help (verses 6-9), but the congregation “said to stone them with stones” (verse 10). Moses then interceded for the people (verses 11-19), and God said: “I have pardoned according to your word” (verse 20), but with the proviso that “they certainly shall not see the land of which I swore to their fathers, nor shall any of those who rejected Me see it” (verse 23).  We read that “all the children of Israel” complained against Moses, but we understand that in the Hebrew, the word for “all” (“kole”) does not have to mean, “every single one.”  It can also mean, “enough,” or “as many as.” We know that Joshua and Caleb did not complain, and there could have been others, such as Miriam, Moses’ and Aaron’s sister, or Eliazar, Aaron’s son. The word “all” can be used to mean a big majority or most of them. For example, when the children of Israel agreed to the conditions laid down by God in Exodus 19:8, “all the people answered together” that they agreed to the conditions. But it stands to reason that some of the constant troublemakers would not have done so. In Matthew 4:23 we read that “Jesus went about all Galilee.” As with the Hebrew word for “all,” the Greek word, “holos,” can also mean, “throughout.” Christ went throughout much of Galilee, but He did not necessarily visit every little spot in the region. Likewise, the Church of God is commissioned to preach the gospel in all the world as a witness, and then the end will come (Matthew 24:14). But this does not mean that every single person will have heard the message, as we also read that after Christ’s return, He will send his messengers to places on the earth that had not heard of Christ (Isaiah 66:19). God said to Moses that all those who had rejected Him would not see the Promised Land, but this could exclude the Levites, if they had not sent out a spy and if they had not rejected God by siding with those who brought an evil report over the land. In Numbers 14, verses 29-30, we read: “The carcasses of you who have complained against Me shall fall in this wilderness, all of you who were numbered, according to your entire number, from twenty years old and above. Except for Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun, you shall by no means enter the land which I swore I would make you dwell in.” These words are interesting, pertaining to those who would not enter the Promised Land: “… all of you who were numbered, according to your entire number, from twenty years old and above Except for Caleb and Joshua…”  Only those who were numbered and who were at least 20 years of age were not to enter the Promised Land. However, the Levites were not numbered (Numbers 1:47-50). Therefore, they were not included in God’s punishment, and apparently, as Gill’s Exposition surmised, they did not present a man to spy out the land.  The concept that Levi did not send a spy into the Promised Land is also confirmed by Rabbi Yitzchak Luria of Safed, stating the following: “The tribe of Levi was not meant to make their living by farming or pasturing the land; their ‘job’ was to serve as priests and Levites in the temple and teach the Torah to the rest of the people. They lived off their sacrificial dues in the Temple… and other tribes were required to give them (their tithes). They lived in special cities that were set aside for them, which were surrounded by parks, but they possessed no agricultural territory. Thus, since they were not ‘interested’ in the land per se, no representative of their tribe was sent to spy out the land.” God had delivered them out of Egypt with a tremendous display of His awesome power, but when He saw their negative attitudes and their lack of faith and belief in Him and His power, He made His pronouncement and told them that all of the men who had been numbered and who were 20 years and older would not enter into the Promised Land, due to their lack of faith and belief in Him. He said they would all wander in the desert for the next 40 years until they all literally died in the desert, something that they had in fact requested (Numbers 14:2). It is clear from the above that Joshua and Caleb and those who were under 20 years of age entered the Promised Land, but were these the only ones? In Numbers 1:2-3, the first census of Israel took place, “from twenty years old and above – all who are able to go to war in Israel.”  But remember that we read in verse 49 of the same chapter, that “Only the tribe of Levi you shall not number, nor take a census of them among the children of Israel.” It is also interesting that we are given some idea of the size of the tribe of Levi with the information that it had 22,000 male babies one month old and upward (Numbers 3:39), and 8,580 able-bodied priests from ages thirty to fifty (Numbers 4:47-48). Talking about the Levites, Matthew Henry’s Commentary states the following: “It was their further honour that as Israel, being a holy people, was not reckoned among the nations, so they, being a holy tribe, were not reckoned among other Israelites, but numbered afterwards by themselves… The service which the Levites were to do about the sanctuary is called (as we render it in the margin) a warfare, [Numbers] 4:23. And, being engaged in that warfare, they were discharged from military services, and therefore not numbered with those that were to go out to war.”   Therefore, the Levites would not have been included in the punishment of those who were numbered from twenty years and older. Eleazar who was a son of Aaron is a good example (Numbers 4:16). In verse 23, we read that those who performed service in the tabernacle had to be at least 30 years old. Therefore, he and other Levites older than 20 would also have been allowed to enter the Promised Land. We specifically read in Joshua 14:1 that Eleazar the priest distributed the countries of the Promised Land’s inheritance, together with Joshua, to the children of Israel. This means that Eleazar entered the Promised Land, even though he was at least 30 years old when God pronounced His punishment over those who had been numbered from “20 years and older.”  Still, he, as a Levite, entered the Promised Land because the Levites were excluded from the punishment of God. Why are jews not allowed to have tattoos? Where does it state that jewish people are not allowed to have tattoos? And why are jewish people not allowed to have tatoos? There is a debate about this and I wanted to know information from some folks there! In the Bible Old testament, Leviticus 18:26 or 29 says thou shalt not make any permanent matkings in your skin or somesuch, Orthodox Jews do not pierce their ears (or anything else). And under rabbinical law piercings and tattoos will keep you from being buried in a Jewish Cemetery. The law that makes tattoos taboo for Jews is Leviticus 19:28, which states: "You shall not make gashes in your flesh for the dead, or incise any marks on yourselves: I am the Lord." (This is also why Orthadox Jews do not allow piercings.) Judaism has always seen our bodies as a gift from God and believes that you should use your body as a house for your soul, keeping it in as pristine a condition as possible.  However, times are a-changin'. According to my Rabbi, these days a tattoo will not necessarily prevent you from being buried in a Jewish cemetary. It is becoming more and more commonplace and I was told that there have been Jews buried by our own synagogue that have had a few tattoos... and in a Jewish cemetery, no less. There are even Orthadox Jews that are getting tattooed discreetly for their own personal reasons. I know a Reform Rabbi that is getting a tattoo very soon... and I'm going along and getting one myself. I figure what's good enough for the Rabbi is good enough for me and I've wanted this since I was 14. I'll be 36 (double Chai) this year, so I figure I'm old enough.  My rabbi told me that the law was intended to stop the practice of cutting oneself when in mourning. That's why we cut our clothes instead. I figure if Jews with nose jobs can get buried in Jewish cemeteries, that Jews with tattoos should too.  Orthodox Jews do not go in for cosmetic surgery, but we allow reconstructive and other medically indicated surgeries. You and your Rabbi get to decide what is cosmetic and what is medicially necessary. I remember researching this back in college before I got my first tattoo...I seem to remember finding it referenced in a book on Talmudic law that referenced the "thou shalt not worship false idols" commandment. I think perhaps other cultures that existed during the time the law was created probably used tattoo as a form of carrying their "graven images" with them.  I wouldn't worry too much. They understand that you had a life before you decided to change your religion. Perhaps you could mention it to them beforehand with the intention of clarfying your understanding of halachic laws re: tattoos. You are a Noahide and it is natural and accepted to ask questions. Brutakhi The Brutakhi were a Jewish polity of uncertain location and origin during the early 13th century. Giovanni da Pian del Carpine, a 13th-century papal legate to the court of the Mongol Khan Guyuk, gave a list of the nations the Mongols had conquered in his account. One of them, listed among tribes of the Caucasus, Pontic steppe and the Caspian region, was the "Brutakhi, who are Jews." Some translations read "Comani Brutakhi", (Comani Brutachi, qui sunt Iudii) which seems to indicate an alignment with the Kipchaks; however, this reading has been challenged by many historians who have asserted that there should be a comma between the Comani and Brutakhi. However, earlier in the same list Giovanni refers to "Comania", leading some to regard the postulated comma as redundant and therefore highly suspect. The identity of the Brutakhi is unclear. Giovanni later refers to the Brutakhi as shaving their heads, a common Turkic custom. They may have been a remnant of the Khazar people. Alternatively, they may have been Kipchak converts to Judaism (possibly connected to the Krymchaks or the Karaims). Another possibility is that the Brutakhi are connected to the Mountain Jews of Daghestan, who are believed to have ruled independent states at points in their history. Some scholars have speculated that "Brutakhi" may be a corruption of "Brutas" or "Burtas", a steppe tribe of uncertain ethnic affiliation mentioned by other medieval sources. Yahshua the Rabbi became the moschiah (messiah) for possibly a majority of the people living in the province of Judea It was not the populous of the Jewish people who rejected the messiahship of Jesus. It was not the Jewish people who killed Jesus outside the walls of Jerusalem on 30 CE. It was not the Jewish populous of people who had any part of the death of the one whom most believed had become their messiah. Comprehending this fact also gives us insight as to the great power brokers who are trying to gain control of the whole earth and are using the “Jewish people” as their pawns, especially the Orthodox Observant Jews in Jerusalem and a majority of the Jewish population living within the Jewish settlements in Shomron and Judea.”  Priest Don Mauro Tranquillo - “The Jews are morally responsible for the deicide of Christ.” Does this suggest that the Jewish people living today are responsible for the actions of Jewish rulers 2000 years ago? Let us apply this same question to us today; are you willing as a citizen of the United States to admit that you are responsible for the foreign policy decisions of Obama, the Bushes, the Clintons and most infamous anti-Semite President of the United States; Jimmy Carter in how we have created a hot-bed of hostility by our fabricated “war against terror” in Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, Egypt and Libya in America’s bid to gain control of the oil reserves in the Middle East? A true analysis of the historical “Christ” differs from that which is revered by Petrucci and Tranquillo as Roman “Christians. The “Christ” in which they revere did not exist for there were not any “Christians” living in the Roman society culture during the reign of Nero. The historical Jesus again was a Jewish Rabbi who was of the lineage as a prince of the royal house of King David and Solomon and eligible to sit on the throne of David. As such, he was also eligible to be a Jewish messiah. If we listen carefully to his arguments with the Pharisees who ruled the synagogues in Judea at the time of his rabbinic ministry, his halakhic arguments clearly opposed the arguments of the Pharisees representing the Rabbinic School of Beit Shammai.  Yet, Rabbi Yahshua halakhic interpretations of the Torah Law represented more closely the Pharisees of the Rabbinic School of Hillel the Great in the numerous halakhic debates between Beit Hillel and Beit Shammai.   It was the early Roman Christians who first began to adapt the Jewish Rabbi called by them in the Greek language, Jesus Christ. They lifted him out of the matrix of the Hebrew Judaic culture where his life and philosophical culture was imbedded in the Torah given to them from the G-d of Israel upon the Mount called Sinai.  Two centuries later, the Roman Christian Church then placed Yahshua HaMaschiah (Jesus the Messiah) within the matrix of the Greco-Roman Hellenistic culture imbedded with the multiculturalism of a multitude of other pagan cultures and reinvented a Jesus Christ.   Even so today, the Jesus of Roman Christianity is depicted as a babe that was carried in-utero to a peasant Jewish family in Nazareth and was born in Bethlehem. The Roman Catholic clerics have even doubted that he could speak Hebrew, and as having been born in a poor Jewish peasant family no doubt never had any rabbinic education within the notable Jewish yeshiva’s within Judea in the 1st century CE. Does the Jesus of Roman Christianity have any reality to the historical Yahshua HaNotzri (Jesus the Nazarene) whom after his death upon a Roman cross became in the minds of millions of Gentiles around the world as Jesus of Nazareth.    The prophecies are clear that the G-d of Israel will fulfill what He has promised to fulfill so that peace can restored to all the earth.  The theme of the final conflict between the descendants of Isaac, Esau (Edom/Rome) and Jacob (Jews and Lost Tribes of Israel) is one of the ascending prophesies to be completed at this time.  In this series of articles, the days of pleasant homage to the Jews is over, and the virulent anti-Semitic persecution is about to erupt world-wide, not just to the Jews but all who seek to praise Israel and the Jews and seek to emulate themselves as wanna-be Jews, or wanna-be Israelites. They also will not be spared but will have to be counted as part of the brotherhood of the House of Jacob as though they were one with the Jews of Judah just as the Waldensians, the Huguenots, the Cathars, and the Albigenses were persecuted for allying themselves with the Jews over 300-700 years ago.      The role of prophetic understanding has now slipped away from Christian scholars as the Jews are now carrying the mantle of end-time prophetic understanding. One of the roles the Sages of Judah is to become the conduit for the Divine to give us hints as to HaShem's role in bringing forth the "Appointed Time" and the revealing of the Messiah. The great theme in all of this is the restoration of All Israel. This is not a conditional prophesy and neither is it a Jewish prophesy, but a Hebrew-Israelite prophesy. We will be restored back into brotherhood and fellowship with our cousins, the Jews of the House of Judah for that is G-d's will (Ezekiel 37). THE TWO HOUES OF ISRAEL: SO WHAT?  PAVES THE WAY FOR THE GLOBILIZATION OF HEBREW Hebrew will not be the global tongue again as it once was in the beginning until all of Israel's exiles or both houses are restored. The remnant of Israel coming out of the nations is a prerequisite for the restoration of the lashon kadosh. If the one house heresy is accurate and the House of Israel never returns, or has already been reunified with Judah, the Hebrew cannot be reestablished as the global tongue, replacing modern English. Zeph. 3:9 states that all nations or all goyim will revert to the Hebrew tongue. Since we know Ephraim to be in the nations, Ephraim and Judah must both be speaking Hebrew for the language to be restored as the true set apart global language. Those who love Hebrew will never see it globalize completely until Ephraim and Judah both are learning it. Therefore the re-globalization of the Hebrew language itself, awaits the two-house restoration of  Israel. REMOVES ALL PAST SECONDARY IDENTIFICATIONS Only through two house truth can all members of the body of Messiah be declared full members with full equality and be treated with equal weights and measures. In two-house theology all believers are considered to be Israelites thus negating any past secondary identifications such as Jew and Gentile, male and female, bond or free. Gal 3:28-29. All are considered Abraham's physical sperm thus fulfilling the many prophecies of physical multiplicity. Two-house revelation fully identifies the recipients of Yahshua's blood, as Hebrews and thus all believers are treated as Hebrews according to Heb: 8:8-9. THE COLLECTIVE POOL OF THE 144,OOO Two-house truth is the collective pool from which the 144,000 will be selected and appointed. The church remains largely unaware of their identity as containing many non-Jewish physical Israelites as well as believing the old Israel (Jews) to have been replaced. Messianic Judaism still believes that all Israelites today are called Jews. None of these movements have the teachings and correct identity doctrines in place that will be needed to awaken those who will surely be counted in the select 144,000 man-child 12-tribe company of Rev. 7:4 & Rev. 12. Only two-house theology keeps and guards the 12 tribes separately just as they were blessed and planted separately, (Genesis 49:1-33) and as they will be revealed separately by Abba Yahweh during the Great Tribulation. LAYS LEGITIMATE CLAIMS OF A "GREATER ISRAEL" FOR ALL OF JOSEPH'S MASSES The repossession of Lebanon, Damascus and Syria and Iraq and Iran, all Israel's land, will not be inhabited by the people of Israel, until both houses return in numerical splendor and unity. Any dreams of a greater Israel without returning Joseph are illegal, unscriptural and simply unwarranted! Yahweh will whistle for all Israel and then these ancient territories will be repatriated by Israel. Without two-house identification and restoration, the repatriation of greater Israel remains a political fantasy. Zechariah 10: 8-11. Six to sixteen million Jews can fit nicely into post 1967 Israel. The Jewish claim for more territory just for the sake of more territory will be seen by most global public opinion, as the colonial lust for more uninhabited land. With two-house truth and the prophesied returning masses of those who now fill all the world's nations, the claim to Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, parts of Iran and Egypt, would make political sense, in light of the sheer numbers that will soon need more land. UNVEILS THE MYSTERY OF THE "FULLNESS OF THE GENTILES" Two house truth properly reveals the mystery of Romans 11:25-26, where Rav Shaul refers to Gentiles or non-Israelites joining Israel. Gentiles joining with national Israel is not a new phenomenon and certainly not a mystery to Rav Shaul. Rather it is in the physical identity of these outward appearing "Gentiles" as the wild olive branch", or as the 10 tribes of returning Ephraim/Israel. Their identity is the great mystery never before known or revealed. Only two-house truth has finally put this mystery into the light of biblical revelation. Prophecy of the Ten Lost Tribes of Israel Belief in the continued existence of the "lost" ten tribes is maintained in the talmudic and midrashic literature. They were generally thought to reside on the other side of the legendary Sambatyon river, whose waters run regularly, though fiercely, during the week but rest on the Sabbath. Rabbis made attempts to identify the localities to which the ten tribes had been carried away. In the Jerusalem Talmud it is stated that only a third of the exiles live beyond the Sambatyon river, but all will eventually return. Particularly during appearances of false Messiah, though intermittently until today, reports have been received of the "discovery" of lost tribes. The ninth-century traveler Eldad ha-Dani claimed to be a member of the tribe of Dan. He is generally thought to have come from Ethiopia, though some scholars have associated him with Jews as far afield as China. In the second half of the 12th century, the Spanish traveler Benjamin of Tudela described the four tribes of Dan, Asher, Zebulun, and Naphtali as dwelling near the river Gozan. He also mentioned the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh as living in Khaibar in Yemen. Similar references are found in the letters of the legendary Christian figure Prester John. Reference to Prester John, the Sambatyon river, and the lost tribes can be found in a 1488 letter by R. Obadiah di Bertinoro. In the 16th century, David Reuveni, purportedly of the tribe of Reuben, claimed to be the descendant of King Solomon and the brother of Joseph, the king of the descendants of the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh, who were living in the desert of Khaibar (Habor) in Arabia. He claimed he was sent on a mission to Rome by the king of the "lost" Israelites in order to hasten the era of the redemption. In 1644, Aaron Levi de Montezinos reported to Manasseh Ben Israel in Amsterdam that the Indians in South America were of the lost tribes. Ben Israel used this, and reports of other Jews dispersed the world over, as an argument to Oliver Cromwell to allow Jews to live in England on the grounds that the dispersal of Jews to all countries would bring the Messianic return of Jews to the Holy Land. He disseminated the idea that the Twelve Tribes will be joined together in the Messianic age in his book Hope of Israel (1650). In the 19th century, many Jewish emissaries left Erets Israel for remote parts in order to search for the "lost" tribes. Noteworthy among these are Jacob Sapir (1822-1888), who visited Yemen and India and reported their dispersion in those countries, and Benjamin II (1818-1864), who emulated the medieval traveler Benjamin of Tudela. Today, legends of descent from the "lost" ten tribes abound. Jewish communities of Kurdish, Bokharan, and Indian (the Bene Israel) origin claim their forefathers were exiled from the Kingdom of Israel, while the Israel Chief Rabbinate has taken the position that the Jews of Ethiopia come from the tribe of Dan. In addition, a wide range of non-Jewish tribes and groups claim descent from the Israelites, ranging from sections of the Nigerian Yoruba tribe to the "Manipur Jews" from northeast India, who claim to belong to the tribe of Manasseh. Fifteen million Pathans spread over Afghanistan and Pakistan (and Kashmir) are divided into sub-tribal groupings with names like Reubeni (Reuben), Efridar (Ephraim), and Ashuri (Asher), leading to the suggestion that they come from the lost tribes. The British Israelites derive the word "British" from the Hebrew "berit-ish" (man of the covenant). They will come in the last days. How do we know we are in the "Last Days"? There are two significant prophetic events" that confirm with certainty that we are in the "Last Days". Israel is Born  1. The Physical Restoration of the Nation of Israel: (ie the Jewish people being re-established in her original land grant) This event was prophesied over and over both in the Tenach (Old Testament) and in the Brit Chadasha (New Testament). This was only to happen in the "Last Days" and indeed this was fulfilled in 1948 after almost 2000 years of exile, with the re-establishment of the State of Israel. Significantly, this is the only time in history that a nation was disbursed from its original homeland and later restored to the very same homeland as a people. This was indeed a miraculous prophetic fulfillment. 2. The Spiritual Restoration of Israel: The Jewish prophets foretell a massive spiritual awakening will sweep the nation of Israel in the "Last Days" and move our people to a place of right relationship with God. I believe that Messianic Judaism also known as the Messianic Jewish Movement is that revival. Why I believe Messianic Judaism is that revival? In 1967 there were fewer than 2000 Messianic Jews in the US. Today that number, according to Jewish population studies in the US, estimates the number at between one to two million in the US alone. In 1967 there were zero Messianic synagogues and today there are over 700 worldwide and those numbers are increasing faster than anyone can keep track. Consequently, I can confidently assert that since 1967, Messianic Judaism is the fastest growing stream of Jewish religious life on the planet today. This movement is not the product of any person or organization but simply the work of God's Spirit in fulfillment of prophecy according to God's purposes and plans. Having said all of the above you can see why the events and continuing conflict surrounding Israel are so important. The spiritual and physical restoration of Israel is central in God's prophetic plan for planet earth and the Messiah's second coming is inextricably and prophetically connected to Israel's restoration. Indeed Yeshua himself said that He will not return to Israel until the Jewish people say "Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord." What is Judaism? The Bible and the Law. The first five books of the Bible were given by Moses. This is the Chumash (Five), pronounced something like "K-h-oo-mash". The Chumash strictly speaking is what is also known as the Torah. The expression "Torah" literally connotes Instruction and  may also be used for all (or any) religious instruction. The Chumash is considered the main part of the Bible. All the other books are recognized as inspired but to a lesser degree. The other books derive their sanctity from the Chumash and must be understood as consistent with it. The Chumash contains the Law. Judaism is the Law given to the Children of Israel through Moses in its practical application. Moses received the commandments. There were very many of them. Some are quite detailed while others are only briefly referred to. Most of the commandments were to be carried out almost immediately while some were deferred until they entered the Land of Canaan (e.g. circumcision see Joshuah  5:7). These commandments can be quite complicated. At times they appear to contradict each other. Questions will also arise as what happens in exceptional circumstances. Since the commandments were performed it stands to reason that directions concerning their performance must have existed.  This was known as the Oral Law. The existence of the Oral Law is indicated in the Hebrew Bible (Deuteronomy 17:11). In addition Moses was commanded to appoint seventy elders to help him judge the people and instruct them as to how the Law was to be fulfilled [Numbers 11:16-17]. One of the commandments is that in case of doubt recourse should be had to a central body of elders who would explain how the Law was to be kept (Deuteronomy 17:8-12). Even if one disagreed with their decision (and thought them to be mistaken) there was still an obligation to obey them. Those who disobeyed could in extreme cases incur the death penalty (Deuteronomy 17:13).  This Oral Law in time grew greatly. At first it was transmitted through memory. At a later stage, here and there in a private capacity  notes were kept by some as memory aids. The Romans scattered the Jewish People and systematically attempted to erase the Jewish religion. There was a struggle for survival and a danger that knowledge of the Law would be lost. The existing traditions were therefore gathered together and presented in systematized form. This became the Mishnah. Later the Mishnah itself was not always clear or not sufficient in itself so additional material was added. This is know as the Gemara and together with the Mishnah it comprises the Talmud. A large corpus of Rabbinical Literature was added to the Talmud and out of the whole emerges Jewish Law. In order to reach decisions recourse was had to existing traditions alongside a rigorous analysis of the Hebrew Text of the Bible. Rules of Logic were also derived from Biblical Texts. These logical rules applied to apparently contradictory or obscure Biblical verses enabled the Sages to understand what the Law should be. Nowadays Rabbinical Students study this whole process and re-enact the evolution of decisions seeing how they all relate back to the Will of the Almighty as revealed in Biblical Texts. When new questions arise precedents are searched for, and decisions reached. Despite an argumentive nature, great dispersal, and otherwise overwhelming difficulties, Orthodox Jews throughout the world have maintained a remarkably unified consensus of opinion as to how the Law should be carried out.  Intellectual Spiritualism It is accepted that someone who wishes to reach spiritual heights will pray, do good deeds, study holy works, elevate their personal qualities, and otherwise endeavor to purify themself. This can lead to spiritual elevation but it is dependent on psychological effort. Not everyone can do this and even if they can any heights reached may be difficult to maintain. Not only that but the results differ from one individual to another. Judaism has developed another way which the Torah itself enveloped. In addition to the above there is the pathway of intellect which is to be adopted as part of the spiritual experience. By learning the Torah and delving into the process of deduction and induction etc concerning the Law the mind changes and the inner psychology of the student develops. A spiritual process takes place. The Divine Presence makes itself felt. This is Judaism. The Approach of Maimonides. We have explained the basis of Judaism above from the point of view of those who learn and learning Torah is of the upmost importance. Maimonides however, though he may have been one of the most learned of all time, would not necessarily have taken this position. Maimonides (1135-1204) was born in Spain but spent his later life in Egypt as physician to King Saladin. [Remember Robin Hood, King John and his brother King Richard? Saladin was the one Richard fought against.] Maimonides wrote a major encyclopedical legal work ("Mishneh Torah"), as well as Responsa on major questions, and his Guide to the Perplexed on philosophy. For Maimonides the intellectual process of reaching the decisions was much less important than the decisions themselves. These decisions became Laws and it is these that should be learnt. Each and every law in its practical sense and the learning of it is a stepping stone towards worship of the Almighty. The attitude of Maimonides permeates, and may also be a reflection of, the Sephardic (Eastern Jewish) approach. Differences between the Ashkenazim (Jews whose forefathers sojourned in Europe) and Sephardim exist. These however are not significant and leading authorities on both sides tend to borrow from and agree with each other. In general Jewish Understanding on the historical-philisophical level is that in Bible Times and the Temple Era the emphasis was on spiritual inspiration and guided intuition. Times changed and it was necessary to rely more on the intellect and ordered understanding of obligations. In the future matters will return to as they were in Biblical Times BUT what was acheived and understood in the itermediate "intellectual" state will be incorporated. The Curse of Ham Although it is clear that some Israelites married Canaanites. Rahab’s marriage to Salmon, of the tribe of Judah, is but one example. More importantly, the Genesis genealogical information makes it clear that the descendents of Ham regularly intermarried with the descendents of Shem. Since the rulers of the lines of Ham and Shem intermarried, the curse of Ham falls on the descendents of Shem as well. In this sense Noah’s curse falls upon both his Hamitic and Semitic descendents. THE GREAT ESCAPES IN THE BIBLE Some people might have escape from accidents, death, or even sickness but can we escape from the power and destiny of God? Let’s examine some of the great attempts to escape from the Lord and the consequences. Jacob   –Fled from his father-in-law, Laban after almost 20 years of service. The Effects- He allowed Jacob to return home for Isaac’s death and for reconciliation with Esau- Genesis 31:1-55. Moses- Fled Egypt after killing an Egyptian in defence of a fellow Israelite. The effect: saved his life and began another part of God’s training. Lesson: God fits even our mistakes into his plan. Exodus 2: 11-15 The Spies from Israel: Escaped searches in Jericho by hiding in Rahab house. Effects- Prepared the destruction of Jericho and preserved Rahab who would become one of David’s and Jesus ancestors. Lesson: Gods plan weaves lives together in a pattern beyond our understanding. Joshua 2:1-24 Israelites: Escaped Egypt after 430 years in slavery. Lesson: God will not forget his provider. Exodus 2:11-15 Samson: escape a locked city by ripping the gates from their hinges. Lesson without dependence on God even great ability are wasted. Judges 16:1-3 Elijah: Fled into the wilderness out of the few of Queen Jezebel. Lesson: Even at the moments of real succession or personal weakness and our greatest challenges. I Kings 19:1-18 Peter:  Freed from prison by an angel. Saved peter for God’s further plans for his life. Lesson-God can use extraordinary means to carry out his plan often after we least expect it. Acts 12:1-11 You are an Israelite. not a African American If Africa was our home, why then today, Africans and Niggas in America don't even mix and mingle like brothers and sisters? to be honest they hate us, they can't stand us, eventhough we paved the way for them to enjoy this land called America. they hate us. get a clue. Most of them are Muslims too. The ONLY land in Africa that truly represented for the Israelites was the Abyssinians aka Ethiopians. Africa , Land Of Biblical Traditions “Wherever I went, I found that my Master had been there before me.” So declared Dr. H. Ph. Junod, a missionary and researcher, after a 30- year sojourn in Africa. (From A History of Christianity In Ghana, p .1 under the heading “He came into His own Home”). In speaking of his experiences in Africa, Dr. Junod was not exaggerating nor was he romanticizing African beliefs and practices. The fact is, African culture resonates with Biblical traditions - what some scholars call “Hebrewisms”- which point up a strong Israelite identity. Among these traditions stands out the seventh-day Sabbath ordained by God as a perpetual sign between Himself and the children of Israel (and subsequently all true believers of all nationalities ) – Exodus 31:16 -17; Isa.56:1-5; Heb. 4:4, 9-10. And, indeed, from Jerusalem to Ethiopia to West Africa, the Sabbath truth occupies a pride of place in the culture of the people. The Ashantis of Ghana, for instance, possess such a profound and biblically apposite knowledge of the seventh day as “the Sabbath of the Lord” that they have made it part of the Creator’s Name. In Akan society ( the larger clan to which the Asante belongs), a boy or girl born a particular day of the week is given a name derived from that particular day. A boy born on Saturday, for example, is called “Kwame”, which means “God’s child.” Thus the Ashantis, in recognition of Saturday as the holy day dedicated to the worship of the Creator God, call the heavenly Father “Otwedeampong Kwame” which means “Almighty God of Saturday “. The Akan word for the seventh day itself leaves no doubt as to whom the day belongs. It is called “Memeneda,” which translates as “the day of the I AM.”(Exodus3:14). In the 1920’s, at a ceremony to present a wedding gift intended for princess Mary of England, Nana Serwaa Akoto, the then queenmother of Asante Mampong, made a speech which eloquently affirmed the Saturday- Sabbath tradition of the Asante nation: I place this stool in your hands. It is a gift for the king’s child, Princess Mary.  Asante stool makers have carved it and Asante silver-smiths have embossed it. … We pray that the great God Nyankopon, on whom men lean and do not fall, whose day of worship is Saturday, and whom the Asante serve just as she serves him, that He may give the king’s child and her husband long life and happiness.  (From the Asante Monarchy in exile by Ivor Agyemang–Dua, pp 27-28). Indeed as Charles E. Bradford observes in the introduction to his revealing book SabbathRoots: The African Connection, “The Sabbath has vital roots in Africa, an African connection, if you please, carried forward by a people who bear, in some mysterious way, visceral memories of the Sabbath, however faint.” (p 11). Well entrenched is the Sabbath tradition in Africa, but it’s by no means the only ‘Jewish relic’ showing a connection with ancient Israel. It’s only one of a number. Other Hebrew customs found in Africa include but not limited to:  24-hour day period reckoned from sunset to sunset instead of 12 . midnight to 12 midnight – Gen. 1;5; Lev. 23:32. Presentation of the right shoulder of the sacrificial animal to the priest or king [as obtains among the Akans of Ghana]- Lev. 7:32-34. The Royal Palanquin – Song of Solomon 3:9. The separation of women in their menses - Lev. 15:19-20; Ezek.18:6. The traditional Great Oath [as in Asante] - Judges 21:5. The Golden Stool [also in Asante] -1 Kings 10:18. The erection of statues of lions, symbolic of the Lion of the tribe of Judah, in front of traditional Palaces – 1 Kings 10:18-20. The Royal sword – Isa 1:20. The traditional blowing of 7 trumpets [as in Ashanti] – Joshua 6:6. The Royal sceptre – Gen.49:10. The use of the hyssop plant (in Akan “Adwera”) for purification –Ps.51:7. The Royal footstool - Ps.110:1-3; Isa 66:1. The African traditional musical instruments –Ps 150. The ‘Homowo’ festival of the Gas of Ghana corresponding to the Passover – Ex. 12. Traditional queen mothers avoiding the wearing of earrings – Ex. 21:6; 1 Pet.3:3-5. The above examples of cultural practices in Africa, and West Africa especially, are indisputably Hebraic in origin and character as the scriptural references clearly establish. Now arises the question : How did Africa come to possess such distinctive Hebrew customs if it were not related to Israel? Does the fact that some few elements of African culture are decidedly pagan suggest a mere coincidence? No. That even serves to put the connection with Israel in the appropriate historical and prophetic context. Biblical Israel for this very sin of idolatry and flirtation with paganism came under divine judgment, which among other punishments, led to their banishment from the Holy land as enemy troops overran the land and laid it to waste. In the ensuing flight from the enemy’s sword, historical accounts show that, many Jews came to mainland Africa resulting in Jewish communities springing up in North Africa. In the course of time, these Jewish escapees and their descendants, facing further waves of gentile persecution, fled southwards to the Western Sudan where they settled to building such great empires as the Ghana and Sonhay Empires.(Rudolph Windsor’s From Babylon To Timbuktu treats this subject in depth). Still unrepentant, divine visitation was not through with them, however. A series of invasions by Arab forces set the African Jews on another southward march, this time to the west coast of Africa. Today, under the onslaught of modernity and the imposition of European gentile traditions in the guise of religion, such as Sunday worship and Saturnalia (Christmas), the Hebrew cultural heritage of Africa appears to be on the wane. Nevertheless, it’s still recognizable. And God’s sentence for sin and covenant breaking remains in force. To this day, Africa still bears the scars of the curses prophesied to afflict Israel for her violation of God’s covenant. Deut. 28:15-68 gives the prophetic background to the many tragic episodes in the history of the Hebrew world community in general and the African Hebrew in particular. It foretold the slave Trade stating even the means by which the slaves would be carried off and sold in the gentile lands: “with ships” – vs 47-48, 68.  It foretold the colonization and exploitation of Africa – vs 49-51. It foretold the economic stagnation of Africa and its dependence on . foreign handouts – vs 43-44. It foretold the banishment of African Hebrew kings like Prempeh I of Asante – vs 36. It foretold the disease burden of Africa including diseases hitherto unknown, e.g. AIDS and Ebola - vs 58-61. It foretold hunger in Africa (vs 38 -39) and a host of other harsh realities that define life for millions of Africans today. The recent daring, but dangerous, attempts by hordes of hungry, unemployed African youths to cross the Mediterranean Sea to the supposed greener pastures of Europe - at risk to life and limb - illustrate once more the life of curse being lived in Africa. (Verses 29, 65-67). The sad reality is that even though Africa is the richest continent in terms of mineral resources, its people are among are the poorest in the world. Now we know why. It’s time Ethiopia stretched out her hands unto the Lord God of Israel (Ps 68:31). Gospel Message to Africa (GMA) calls the African Hebrew to his true roots. Rest is found only in Jesus, the seed of the woman who was ordained to bruise the head of the serpent who caused the first fall in Eden, which embraced Ethiopia or East Africa (Gen. 3:15; Gen. 2:13). In typical African fashion (where in a town or village plagued with curses refuse from the town are dumped on the town’s outskirts to signify the removal of the curses), Christ “suffered without [ie outside] the gate” of Jerusalem to remove all our sins and curses. (Hebrew 13:12, Gal. 3:13). He still calls: “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden [which is true for many Africans], and I will give you rest.” (Matt. 11:28). A genuine response to the call demands repentance and faith in Christ which entails the abandonment of all pagan beliefs and practices, ‘home–grown’ or otherwise. Christ is prepared to heal the land; He is prepared to RESTORE! (2Chron.7:14; Jer.6:16; Joel 2:25-26). Amen! Offshoots of Judaism Orthodox Jews. The Orthodox are Jews who believe in God and the Torah and endeavor to keep the commandments. Strictly speaking only Orthodox Judaism is Judaism and all other "branches" are assemblies to which Jews may belong. Most Jews are not observant.   In the State of Israel however a large number do keep the laws and even those who do not, on the whole, consider themselves as belonging to the Orthodox stream. Their position is: "The synagogue I never go to is an Orthodox one". Overseas most Jews are not Orthodox but are irreligious or belong to one of the break-off groups. These are: Conservative (Masorti) Judaism.  This is less important today than it used to be.  It still has importance not only for its own sake but also because it reflects attitudes also found found amongst some of the Orthodox and Reform. Their attitude is that Historical Judaism had great value, much of it should be preserved regardless of its Divine Sanction or lack of it. The Jewish Halachah should be preserved but adapted more to modern requirements. Reform Judaism. Includes Liberal and Progressive Judaism.  Many Reform Jews today would not be considered halachically Jewish.  Reform covers a great latitude of opinions and attitudes. On the whole they are extremely liberal: Believe in God, keep some Jewish customs, get together to sink a few hymns, hear a sermon and socialize, attend lectures on various topics, hold communal activities, and be socially aware. Neither Conservative Judaism nor Reform today believes officially in the Divine origin of the Torah. There is a joke that may help illustrate the differences between different branches of Judaism. At an Orthodox wedding the mother of the groom is pregnant. At a  Conservative wedding the bride is pregnant. At a  Reform wedding the rabbi is pregnant. Messianic Christian Jews. This is a group set up and funded by the Baptist Church in the USA. This reflects a Christian projection of themselves if they were to be also Jewish or of how they think Jews who become Christian could be. Messianic members are sometimes Jews, more often non-Jews with some Jewish ancestry, and sometimes non-Jews who declare themselves Jews and are accepted as such by fellow Messianic congregrants. Messianic Jews seem to be against the idea of the Lost Ten Tribes being in the west. Messianic Jewish meetings attract a great many non-Jews. These non-Jews are relegated to a secondary status. In reaction to this the Ephraimite movement began. Ephraimites. These were originally non-Jewish Christians who were disappointed with the Messianics. They set up their own groups.They adopted Jewish and Old Testament customs and practices but made changes and innovations of their own as to how to keep them. They began to re-interpret the New Testament as saying that all True Christians (such as themselves) were descended from Israel. Later they adopted from British Israelite groups, Steven Collins, Yair Davidiy (Brit-Am) and others the doctrine of the Lost Ten Tribes having gone to western countries. How strongly they believe in this is not certain. In the past some of them were strong supporters of Brit-Am but now on the whole they are not. A characteristic of the Ephraimites is their love-hate approach towards the Jewish people. They are also (like the Messianics) into Conspiracy Theories.   Ephraimites are also characterized by sympathy for the Karaite Heresy (which some support but do not understand), and schemes to settle in Israel. Ephraimites may be considered Gentile Messianic Jewish wannabees, or an imitation of the Messianic Jews. On the other hand, some of them are intensely religious, many know the Bible quite well, most seem genuine enough but confused over key issues. An Ephraimite leader told Yair Davidiy that only through the New Testament will the Lost Tribes message be received. This is mistaken but it reflects something about them. Psychologically they are adherents to Judaism (or to a Jewish type heresy such as Karaism) held back by belief in the Christian Messiah. [They themselves may disagree with this definition, and dispute it. Things are not so clear but basically such is the case.] There does however exist another aspect of Ephraimite Origins. Ephraimites reflect the general arousal amongst many Christians towards the Hebrew Roots of Christianity. The present US Evangelical support of the State of Israel is also a reflection of this movement. Nevertheless, in general, Ephraimites are to be considered primarily in the context of Judaism and offshoots of Jewish-Christianity and only secondarily as adherents of Lost Tribes belief. They do not reflect the masses of their brethren from the Ten Tribes. They do not really relate to their own Israelite peoples, are not interested in spreading the Ten Tribes message, and look for ways to force themselves on Judah and the State of Israel but on their own terms.  Brit-Am Comment: In many ways the Afro-American "Jewish" experience is parallel to that of the Ephraimite Movement.  Brit-Am. Brit-Am in many ways is a one-man show initiated by Yair Davidiy. Nevertheless it has many Jewish and non-Jewish adherents, sympathizers, and others who are interested. Qualitatively all of these are of high calibre. It also attracts a group of scholars of various backgrounds who in the world of ideas and information have made an impression, are still very important, and for the future have great potential. Brit-Am reaches out to Judah and to Joseph (the Ten Tribes) as distinct entities, each in its own space, with its own faults and lacks, and its own uniqueness. Brit-Am spreads the message of Israelite PHYSICAL descent and of concomitant personal and national obligation. Brit-Am wishes to emphasize the Tribal group and the individual as an expression of  the group. Brit-Am encourages Jews to be Orthodox, learn, and keep the Law.  Brit-Am is not against Christians. Brit-Am sees Christianity as a tool of Divine Providence to draw the Ten Tribes closer. Individual Christians should study the Bible, believe in God, and intensify their Israelite consciousness. In the same way as one does not need to change religion in order to join the Republican Party, so too with Brit-Am. The lion as a king & the olive tree as the House of Israel Is considering The lion as a king a concept that comes from the Bible, the Talmud or the Kabbalah? Genesis 49:9 9 Judah is a lion's whelp: from the prey, my son, thou art gone up: he stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up? Does the identification of the olive tree with the House of Israel come from the Bible, the Talmud or the Kabbalah? Jeremiah 11:16-17 16 The Lord called your name, Green Olive Tree, Lovely and of Good Fruit. With the noise of a great tumult. He has kindled fire on it, And its branches are broken. 17 “For the Lord of hosts, who planted you, has pronounced doom against you for the evil of the house of Israel and of the house of Judah, which they have done against themselves to provoke Me to anger in offering incense to Baal.” Judah is likened to a lion in Genesis 49:9 and Israel and Judah are likened to olives trees that went bad in Jeremiah 11:16-17. (Steve M.Collins)                                                                      See of Olives I think the answer to both your questions would be that their indications in Scripture with more explicit references in the Talmudic Literature. (Yair Davidy)                                        The seven covenants between God and man                                                       Beneath are the 7 Divine Covenants. The seven covenants between God and man are: The Adamic Covenant, the Noahide Covenant, the Abrahamic Covenant, the Mosaic Covenant, the Davidic Covenant, Messiah’s Renewed Marriage Covenant & the Everlasting Covenant. The so called Gay flag was meant to be a peace flag, that's why some versions of this flag have the word "Pace" or "peace" in Italian. The Rainbow symbol is reminder to humankind that God wouldn't flood the earth again as He did in Noah's time. The number seven is a divine number. It's no coincidence the Rainbow is a divine symbol with a divine number of colors, therefore although some wanna use a Rainbow as a symbol of the LGBT it's a God given symbol, so that flag should be considered for the actual divine meaning it has. Do we belong to Israel’s “olive tree” in a greater way than previously imagined? Ephraimite movement or Two=Houser, Anglo-Saxon-Israelism, British Israelism,  Hebrew Roots Movement/Two House Theory “Ephraimite Movement can be subsets of “British Israelism” without incorporating all tenets of BI. Even as Judah is beginning to see the Messiah, is the veil likewise being lifted from our “partially blinded” Israelite eyes? Do we belong to Israel’s “olive tree” in a greater way than previously imagined? (Isaiah 8:14; Romans 11:25; Jeremiah 31:18-19; 11:10, 16; 2:18, 21). Is that why we are feeling a longing in our hearts for “something more”? Genealogy According to a non-denominational Christian, as well as many other different sources, genealogical research has become one of the fastest growing hobbies in recent years. Various new software bundles are enabling every lay person to discover their distant ancestors. A total of US $2.4 billion is spent annually to trace ancestral roots. Thousands of DNA tests are carried out each year to uncover the ethnic lineage of people in search of their family's past. Then remarks the importance of the Old testament. Instead of a hobby Latter Day Saints would call it being touched by the Spirit of Elias, a prophet of the Old Testament. An Old Testament prophet, the said Elias, said that in the "Last Days" (Nowadays) the parents (ancestors) would get closer to the children (todays's people). This is the interpretation given by the Mormons (LDS). The fact is that Jews & Mormons have a similar taste for genealogy. Salt Lake City, Utah, USA, is the Mormon headquarters & holds the main & world's largest amount of genealogical files & data. Latter Day Saints also have one of the world's most important genealogical webs, "https://familysearch.org/", a website open to members & non-members of this Christian church. Freemasonry, Anglo-Israelism, Pyramidism, fringe religion, and the occult in general share some overlapping interests. Nevertheless Anglo-Israelism is not occultist. Rams of the Breed of Bashan There is a breed of sheep known as the “Merino” that originally came from Spain and then was developed in Australia. This made Australia a rich country. The Australians say they grew up as a nation “on the sheep’s back” due to the rich woolen fleece produced by the merino. The merino may have originated in the Land of Israel. The Mishna (ca 100 CE) refers to sheep as “Children of Meron”.  The sheep and horses of the ancient Scythians also came from Israel. So does the Arabian horse and the best European breeds of horses. A lot could be done on this topic. Indirectly it could provide yet another clue indicative of Israelite ancestry and the pathways of ancient migration. Breeds of cattle and their origins should also be examined. RAHAB'S SCARLET 'RED' THREAD Joshua 2:18 Behold, when we come into the land, thou shalt bind this line of scarlet thread in the window which thou didst let us down by: and thou shalt bring thy father, and thy mother, and thy brethren, and all thy father's household, home unto thee. Jos 2:19 And it shall be, that whosoever shall go out of the doors of thy house into the street, his blood shall be upon his head, and we will be guiltless: and whosoever shall be with thee in the house, his blood shall be on our head, if any hand be upon him. Jos 2:20 And if thou utter this our business, then we will be quit of thine oath which thou hast made us to swear. Jos 2:21 And she said, According unto your words, so be it. And she sent them away, and they departed: and she bound the scarlet line in the window.   Jos 6:17 And the city shall be accursed, even it, and all that are therein, to the LORD: only Rahab the harlot [inn keeper's daughter] shall live, she and all that are with her in the house, because she hid the messengers that we [Israelites] sent. Jos 6:23 And the young men that were spies went in, and brought out Rahab, and her father, and her mother, and her brethren, and all that she had; and they brought out all her kindred, and left them without the camp of Israel.  Jos 6:25 And Joshua saved Rahab the harlot alive, and her father's household, and all that she had; and she dwelleth in Israel even unto this day; because she hid the messengers, which Joshua sent to spy out Jericho. God will defend the Jewish nation This prophecy was precisely fulfilled in 1948 when the Jewish state was founded. Zechariah 12:2-3 prophesies that God will defend the Jewish nation. Zephaniah 2:1-8 also prophesied that the Jews would have their own nation again in the Promised Land just before the “Day of the Lord” arrives. Description of countries in the latter days The nations making up this confederation are listed in verses 6-8:  The tabernacles of Edom [modern Turkey], and the Ishmaelites [Saudi Arabia]; of Moab [southern Jordan], and the Hagarenes [Syria]; Gebal [Lebanon], and Ammon [northern Jordan], and Amalek [scattered in the Middle East]; the Philistines [Palestinian Arabs, including Gaza] with the inhabitants of Tyre [Lebanon]; Assur [Assyria, whose descendants now live in Germany] also is joined with them: they have helped the children of Lot [Jordan and western Iraq]. Pentecost (Feast of Weeks) /Shavuot Pentecost Means the fiftieth [day] & is the Greek name for the Feast of Weeks, a prominent feast in the calendar of ancient Israel celebrating the giving of the Law on Sinai. This feast is still celebrated in Judaism as Shavuot. Later, in the Christian liturgical year, it became a feast commemorating the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and other followers of Jesus Christ, (120 in all) as described in the Acts of the Apostles 2:1–31. For this reason, Pentecost is sometimes described by some Christians today as the "Birthday of the Church." Pentecost represents the giving of His Law (& First Fruits) & His Holy Spirit. Shavuot Is a Jewish holiday that occurs on the sixth day of the Hebrew month of Sivan (late May or early June). is a Jewish holiday that occurs on the sixth day of the Hebrew month of Sivan (late May or early June). Shavuot commemorates the anniversary of the day God gave the Torah to the entire nation of Israel assembled at Mount Sinai, although the association between the giving of the Torah (Matan Torah) and Shavuot is not explicit in the Biblical text. The holiday is one of the Shalosh Regalim, the three Biblical pilgrimage festivals. It marks the conclusion of the Counting of the Omer. The date of Shavuot is directly linked to that of Passover. The Torah mandates the seven-week Counting of the Omer, beginning on the second day of Passover and immediately followed by Shavuot. This counting of days and weeks is understood to express anticipation and desire for the Giving of the Torah. On Passover, the people of Israel were freed from their enslavement to Pharaoh; on Shavuot they were given the Torah and became a nation committed to serving God. The date of Shavuot is directly linked to that of Passover. The Torah mandates the seven-week Counting of the Omer, beginning on the second day of Passover and immediately followed by Shavuot. This counting of days and weeks is understood to express anticipation and desire for the Giving of the Torah. On Passover, the people of Israel were freed from their enslavement to Pharaoh; on Shavuot they were given the Torah and became a nation committed to serving God. Ruth in Boaz's Field The word Shavuot means weeks, and the festival of Shavuot marks the completion of the seven-week counting period between Passover and Shavuot. In Hasidic thought, the word Shavuot "Weeks" is interpreted as also an acronym for Shavuot, Bikkurim, Atzeret, Torah. Shavuot is one of the lesser known Jewish holidays among secular Jews in the Jewish diaspora, while those in Israel are more aware of it. According to Jewish law, Shavuot is celebrated in Israel for one day and in the Diaspora (outside of Israel) for two days. Reform Judaism celebrates only one day, even in the Diaspora. There are all kinds of sins, but “abominations” are an especially repugnant form of sin to the Creator The Bible states that homosexuality is an “abomination” to God (Leviticus 18:22, 20:13 and Romans 1:25-28). There are all kinds of sins, but “abominations” are an especially repugnant form of sin to the Creator. Certain Brotherhoods and Secret Societies have their annual reunions, like the one at Bohemian Grove in San Francisco, California, in which the Elite from around the world gathers to make sacrifices to the god Moloch, however according to what I have read and heard, unlike the card, you won’t catch a female around at their “Annual Conventions”, since homosexuality comes with worshiping false gods. Gog-Magog The Gog-Magog wars of Ezekiel 38-39 and Revelation 20 are two different wars. The Ezekiel 38-39 war occurs in the “latter days” prior to the millennium/Messianic Age, while the Revelation 20 war occurs at the very end of the millennium. The Ezekiel 38-39 war states the Gog-Magog alliance attacks the nations of the house of Israel while the Gog-Magog alliance attacks a city of righteous saints at the end of the millennium. These are clearly two different wars fought against two different targets approximately 1000 years apart from each other. Davidic Royal lineage David king of Israel, living from approximately 1040 to 970 BCE, had at least one daughter and 22 sons. King Solomon, David's son with Bathsheba, had 1,000 wives, plus a son with Makeda (Queen of Sheba) from Ethiopia. The descendants of the Davidic princes (exilarchs - nesi’im) fanned out across Egypt, Spain, Portugal and Italy to Europe. A ✡ star ✡ will come out of Jacob Numbers 24:17 “I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A ✡ star ✡ will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel. He will crush the foreheads of Moab, the skulls of all the people of Sheth. This star is the Star of David. The Star of David is also called that Magen David (Mogen Dovid), Seal of Solomon or Shield of David. It supposedly represents the shape of King David's shield; however, there is no support for that claim in rabbinic literature. In fact, the symbol is actually very rare in early Jewish literature, and the details of its actual evolution are long and complex. There are those that have attempted to attribute deep theological significance to the symbol. For example, some note that the top triangle strives upward, toward G-d, while the lower triangle strives downward, toward the real world. Some note that the intertwining makes the triangles inseparable, like the Jewish people. Some say that the three sides represent the three types of Jews: Kohanim, Levites and Israel. While these theories are theologically interesting, they have little basis in historical fact. So, where did the symbol come from? Intertwined equilateral triangles is a common symbol in the Middle East and North Africa, and is thought to bring good luck. In early usage, it was chiefly associated with magic or with the insignia of individual families or communities. Because of its geometric symmetry, the hexagram has been a popular symbol in many cultures from earliest times. Anthropologists claim that the triangle pointing downward represents female sexuality, and the triangle pointing upward, male sexuality; thus, their combination symbolizes unity and harmony. In alchemy, the two triangles symbolize "fire" and "water"; together, they represent the reconciliation of opposites. Some medieval alchemists even borrowed the talmudic pun - ish mayim, fiery water, and shamayim, heaven - to demonstrate the interpenetration of the two realms.  So how did it get associated with Judaism? The earliest known Jewish use of the hexagram was as a seal in ancient Palestine (6th century B.C.E.) and then eight centuries later in a synagogue frieze in Capernaum. But these early hexagrams may have been only ornamental designs; ironically, a swastika, another popular ancient motif, appears alongside the hexagram on the Capernaum synagogue wall. In the Middle Ages, hexagrams appear frequently on churches, but rarely in synagogues or on Jewish ritual objects. Note also that, during this time, Jews often were required to wear badges to identify themselves as Jews, much as they were in Nazi Germany, but these Jewish badges were not always the familiar Magen David. It was the menorah that served as the primary Jewish symbol from antiquity until the post-Renaissance period, not the "Jewish star." Although the original ring was inscribed with the Tetragrammaton, medieval amulets imitating this ring substituted the hexagram or pentagram (five-pointed star), often accompanied by rampant lions, for the sacred Name. The star inscribed on these rings was usually called the "Seal of Solomon." In addition to such legends about Solomon's ring, medieval Jewish magical texts spoke of a magic shield possessed by King David which protected him from his enemies. According to these texts, the shield was inscribed with the seventy- two letter name of G-d, or with Shaddai (Almighty) or angelic names, and was eventually passed down to Judah Maccabee. The 15th-century kabbalist, Isaac Arama, claimed that Psalm 67, later known as the "Menorah Psalm" because of its seven verses (plus an introductory verse), was engraved on David's shield in the form of a menorah.   Detail from Frankish, Saxon, or related (300s CE, Vermand, Northwest France) spear mount. Note the Magen David (Star of David) design and the Scythian-style coiled-up serpents.    Detail from a Christian tombstone in the Church of St. Tudno, Llandudno, North Wales   Detail from a Synagogue Wall in Eshtomoa, Southern Judah, 300s CE   Detail from a Synagogue Wall in Capernaum, Galilee, ca. 100-200s CE     Eight Campaign Stars of World War 11 of Great Britain all in the shape of the Star of David! Another tradition suggests that Isaiah 11:2, enumerating the six aspects of the divine spirit, was inscribed on the shield in the outer six triangles of the hexagram. In time, the hexagram replaced this menorah in popular legends about David's shield, while the five- pointed pentagram became identified with the Seal of Solomon. The hexagram was also widely regarded as a messianic symbol, because of its legendary connection with David, ancestor of the Messiah. On Sabbath eve, German Jews would light a star-shaped brass oil lamp called a Judenstern (Jewish star), emblematic of the idea that Shabbat was a foretaste of the Messianic Age. The hexagram was also popular among the followers of Shabbatai Tzevi, the false messiah of the 17th century, because of its messianic associations. Among Jewish mystics and wonderworkers, the hexagram was most commonly used as a magical protection against demons, often inscribed on the outside of mezuzot and on amulets.  In 1354, Emperor Charles IV of Prague granted the Jews of his city the privilege of displaying their own flag on state occasions. Their flag displayed a large six-pointed star in its center. A similar flag remains to this day in the Altneuschul, the oldest synagogue in Prague. From Prague, the "Magen David" spread to the Jewish communities of Moravia and Bohemia, and then eventually to Eastern Europe. The Magen David has achieved its status as the most common and universally recognized sign of Judaism and Jewish identity only since 1800. In the 17th century, it became a popular practice to put Magen Davids on the outside of synagogues, to identify them as Jewish houses of worship in much the same way that a cross identified a Christian house of worship. In Vienna, the Jewish quarter was separated from the Christian quarter by a boundary stone inscribed with a hexagram on one side and a cross on the other, the first instance of the six-pointed star being used to represent Judaism as a whole, rather than an individual community. With Jewish emancipation following the French Revolution, Jews began to look for a symbol to represent themselves comparable to the cross used by their Christian neighbors. They settled upon the six-pointed star, principally because of its heraldic associations. Its geometric design and architectural features greatly appealed to synagogue architects, most of whom were non-Jews. Ironically, the religious Jews of Europe and the Orient, already accustomed to seeing hexagrams on kabbalistic amulets, accepted this secularized emblem of the enlightened Jews as a legitimate Jewish symbol. The Magen David gained popularity as a symbol of Judaism when it was adopted as the emblem of the Zionist movement in 1897. Theodor Herzl chose the Star of David because it was so well known and also because it had no religious associations. In time, it appeared in the center of the flag of the new Jewish state of Israel and has become associated with national redemption. The symbol continued to be controversial for many years afterward. When the modern state of Israel was founded, there was much debate over whether this symbol should be used on the flag. During the Holocaust, the Nazis chose the yellow star as an identifying badge required on the garments of all Jews. After the war, Jews turned this symbol of humiliation and death into a badge of honor. Nowadays, the Star of David is the most universally recognized symbol of the Jewish People. Jews continue to use the Jewish star as it was used for centuries: as a magical amulet of good luck and as a secularized symbol of Jewish identity It's interesting to notice that this star is found in nature in different things: snow flakes, flowers... In many traditions, this star, composed of two overlapping triangles, represents the reconciliation of opposites -- male/female, fire/water, and so on. Their combination symbolizes unity and harmony. Is it by chance that there are so many Jewish Stars in nature? No! Flower Mandalas In the Jewish tradition, the six points of the Star of David are also said to stand for God's rule over the universe in all six directions: north, south, east, west, up and down. Carl Jung, one of the fathers of modern psychology, believed mandalas are a pathway to the essential Self and used them in his own personal transformation. In a small way, as both mandala artist and psychotherapist, I carry on Jung's tradition. I hope these images will further the process of harnessing the power of the mandala to heal.  Is the Magen David pagan?  We have spoken on this matter several times in the past. To my mind something should be considered "pagan" unless it is clearly recognizable as pagan, has a definite pagan origin, and has no other significance attached to it. According to this the magen david is not pagan. No-one seems to be sure what the origin of the Star of David is. In Hebrew it is called "Magen David" meaning "Shield of David" and may not represent a star at all. It is a common geometric symbol found in many cultures and could be ascribed significance by different groups for all kinds of reasons but this in itself should not necessary disqualify it.  The northern kingdom used a kind of rosette as a symbol of royalty and so did other ancient cultures in the area. The Magen David could have developed from this. Or in ancient Hebrew the name DAVID could CONCEIVABLY (but we have no proof) have been represented by two "D" letters (dalet) whose sign was a triangle that usually pointed to the left but could be pointed in any direction. The magen david is two triangles superimposed on each other. It therefore could be understod as an ideogram for DAVID the king of Judah and Israel.  Other explanations say that David El Roi a Jewish leader in Kurdistan adopted it as his symbol and it spread from there to other Jewish communities. The Christians in the Middle Ages forced the Jews to wear the symbol to distinguish them from their Gentile neighbors and the Jews later adopted it as "Jewish".  The Star of David is known by some as the "Hex of Solomon", hex being an abbreviation for hexagram. When you join all of the outside points with straight lines, the result is a hexagon.  If the diameter of a hexagon is 1 inch, then the distance around the hexagon is 3 inches. This can be expanded to the "molten sea" made of bronze by Hiram (I Kings 7: 23), which was 10 cubits in diameter and 30 cubits around. It was 5 cubits "high", which I interpret to be 5 cubits deep. The dimensions given describe half of a dodecahedron or half of a three dimensional star of David.  Here is some additional information, the hexagon is the only approximation of a circle where the pi (3.141) ratio is an even number. According to one scholar this approximation of pi was all that Solomon knew. Another author, however, has pointed out that the two pillars, Jachin and Boaz were 22 cubits high, excluding the uppermost 5 cubit high capitals. The pillars were 7 cubits apart (see verse 17), thus the pi ratio of 22/7, which is the best approximation of pi in even numbers. I realise this could be pure imagination given the obscurity of these verses. They must be clearer to one who understands Hebrew. We suggested in "The Tribes" that the Magen David represented the order and formation of the 12 tribes of Israel around the Tabernacle and this suggestion fits the description given (in Numbers) quite well. We adopted the Magen David  in blue and red intersecting colors on a white background as a Brit-Am symbol (see the symbol on the spine of our books) since this recalls Judah and the State of Israel and is also reminiscent of the Union Jack and even of the US flag. Red blue and white  were the dominant colors in the Tabernacle They are Israelite colors. [Numbers 24:17] I SHALL SEE HIM, BUT NOT NOW: I SHALL BEHOLD HIM, BUT NOT NIGH: THERE SHALL COME A STAR OUT OF JACOB, AND A SCEPTRE SHALL RISE OUT OF ISRAEL, AND SHALL SMITE THE CORNERS OF MOAB, AND DESTROY ALL THE CHILDREN OF SHETH.  Did Each Tribe Have a "Star" Symbol of its Own? Have you ever heard of different stars associated with the tribes of Israel. In other words, did each of the 12 tribes have have their own star as an identification on there shields, or was their just the Star of David?  This is an idea worth thinking about but we are not even sure if even the Star of David existed in ancient times as an Israelite symbol. "The Star of David" is not necessarily a "star". In Hebrew it is referred to as "Magen David" i.e. the "Shield of David". Only in English is it named a star apparently because of its appearance. I personally think the Star of David was in use amongst Israelites from the earliest days but most authorities would not agree with me. The Star of David actually consists of two letters "daleth" ("D") in the Ancient Hebrew alphabet superimposed on each other and therefore represents David.  The Babylonian Talmud teaches that the ten tribes ended up outside of the Middle East Part of the Jewish Babylonian Talmud (Mishnah) teaches that the ten tribes ended up outside of the Middle East: ...THE TEN TRIBES WILL NOT RETURN [TO PALESTINE], FOR IT IS SAID, AND CAST THEM INTO ANOTHER LAND, AS IS THIS DAY: JUST AS THE DAY GOES AND DOES NOT RETURN, SO THEY TOO WENT AND WILL NOT RETURN: THIS IS R. AKIBA'S VIEW. R. ELIEZER SAID: AS THIS DAY — JUST AS THE DAY DARKENS AND THEN BECOMES LIGHT AGAIN, SO THE TEN TRIBES — EVEN AS IT WENT DARK FOR THEM, SO WILL IT BECOME LIGHT FOR THEM. (Epstein I. Hebrew-English Edition of the Babylonian Talmud, Volume 1. Soncino Press, 1969. Original from the University of California, Digitized Jun 9, 2009, p. iii). What is the role of the Sanhedrin? How are we to celebrate the new moon? Should we follow the exile calendar? How was the new moon determined in the first century? What is the role of the Sanhedrin? Will we celebrate the new moon in the Messianic Era? How should we celebrate the new moon today. The nation of Israel is like the moon. Just as the moon goes through various phases of decline and renewal each month so does the nation of Israel. The rebirth of the moon is likened to us being 'born again' in Messiah. The rebirth of the moon is likened to the restoration of the tabernacle of David and the two houses of Israel.  Sanhedrin: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=vFnckQrgO7s The Messiah ben Yoseph  Will the Moshiah ben Yoseph Rebuild the Temple?  How is it that Mashiach ben Yoseph is suppose to lead the armies of the Kingdom of Israel to conquer the enemies of Israel and entire nations, while as yet, he is to rebuild the Beith HaMikdash? Will his hands be stained with blood? If so, how then is he permitted by Heaven to rebuild the Beith HaMikdash? Who is the Messiah ben Yoseph (MBJ)? The Mashiach ben Yoseph is not something expressly mentioned in the Bible. His future existence may be implied in some passages but no-where is he expressly mentioned. In the Dead Sea Scrolls, he appears in 4Q372 (c. 200 BCE) as a suffering righteous Joseph, who cries out to God in his death-throes as 'My father', citing Psalms 89 and 22, and predicts that he will arise to do justice and righteousness.[4] The poly-messianic Testimonia text 4Q175 (c. 100 BCE) presents him as a latterday Joshua, together with King Messiah, priest, and prophet figures.Apocrypha (Deuterocanon) In the Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs he is the spotless Josephite Lamb of God who destroys Beliar in dying for the ungodly (T. Benj. 3.8);[6] he forms a messianic trio with Judah and Levi, but his kingdom is temporary and he is borne heavenward from the Mount of Olives by a bull (T. Naph. 5:1-8; T. Jos. 19:11-12). In the Animal Apocalypse of 1 Enoch (c. 165 BCE), he is the white firstborn bull who transforms the beasts and birds of the heathen nations into his own image, and is then himself transformed into a sovereign aurochs (1 En. 90.37-38). In the Targum Tosefta to Zechariah 12.10, Messiah bar Ephraim is slain by Gog. In the Targum Pseudo-Jonathan to Exodus 40.9-11, on the other hand, he vanquishes Gog. The solution to the apparent discrepancy would appear to be that his death effects the final redemption.The same paradox is seen in the Babylonian Talmud (Suk. 52a), in the record of a dispute between R. Dosa ben Harkinas and other unnamed rabbis. R. Dosa takes Zechariah 12:10 to apply to the mourning for Messiah ben Joseph, while the rabbis think the mourning is for the evil inclination. In effect, both parties recognize two deaths in Zech 12:10, namely, the deaths of Messiah ben Joseph and of the Evil Inclination, but disagree over which death is mourned. The talmudic redactor sides with R. Dosa: the mourning is for Messiah ben Joseph. (Mourning the Evil Inclination, he adds, would be absurd.) The implication is that the death of Ben Joseph has opened the sin-purifying fountain of Zech. 13:1, slaying the Evil Inclination. The following passage (Suk. 52b) speaks of how Ben Joseph's death frightens Messiah ben David, so that he urgently prays for his life to be spared. Details about him are not found until much later, but he has an established place in the apocalypses of later centuries and in the midrash literature,  in Saadia's description of the future ("Emunot we-De'ot," ch. viii.) and in that of Hai Gaon (" a'am Ze enim," p. 59). According to these, Messiah ben Joseph will appear prior to the coming of Messiah ben David; he will gather the children of Israel around him, march to Jerusalem, and there, after overcoming the hostile powers, reestablish the Temple-worship and set up his own dominion. Thereupon Armilus, according to one group of sources, or Gog and Magog, according to the other, will appear with their hosts before Jerusalem, wage war against Messiah ben Joseph, and slay him. His corpse, according to one group, will lie unburied in the streets of Jerusalem; according to the other, it will be hidden by the angels with the bodies of the Patriarchs, until Messiah ben David comes and resurrects him (comp. Jew. Encyc. i. 682, 684 [ 8 and 13]; comp. also Midrash Wayosha' and Agadat ha-Mashia in Jellinek, "B. H." i. 55 et seq., iii. 141 et seq.). The Messiah ben Joseph, according to Rabbi Meir Leib ben Yechiel Michael Weiser ('MALBIM') (1809-1879 CE), will be the future leader of the Lost Ten Tribes when they return (see Malbim on Ezekiel 37 and Micah 5). The Messiah ben Joseph will initiate union with Judah who will be led by Messiah son of David. Later The Messiah son of Joseph is killed and Messiah son of David rules over all Twelve Tribes. Prior to the Malbim, it has been claimed, Messiah son of Joseph was not considered the future leader of the Ten Tribes, although twice it is mentioned that a part of the Ten Tribes will be found among those who will gather about his standard. The Book "Kol HaTor," attributed to followers of Eliyahu of Vilna, deals at length with Messiah son of Joseph and his role in bringing back the exiles and rebuilding the Land of Israel. How Sure are we Concerning MBJ? The Lost Ten Tribes will return.  Scripture indicates  that  the Tribes of Joseph before the Return will endure  Tribulations and fight wars. It may be that certain scholars were inspired to personify Joseph as an individual future leader known as MBJ. In effect   MBJ may be primarily a personification of the Tribes of Joseph in general. Since MBJ is not expressly mentioned in the Bible we do not have to take everything spoken about him literally. The Bible tells us: 1-Chronicles 22: 1 Then David said, 'Here shall be the house of the Lord God and here the altar of burnt-offering for Israel.'... 6 Then he called for his son Solomon and charged him to build a house for the Lord, the God of Israel. 7 David said to Solomon, ''My son, I had planned to build a house to the name of the Lord my God. 8 But the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 'You have shed much blood and have waged great wars; you shall not build a house to my name, because you have shed so much blood in my sight on the earth. 9 See, a son shall be born to you; he shall be a man of peace. I will give him peace from all his enemies on every side; for his name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and quiet to Israel in his days. 10 He shall build a house for my name. He shall be a son to me, and I will be a father to him, and I will establish his royal throne in Israel for ever.' .... Will MBJ Re-Build the Temple? What will the role of Edom be? Some sources say that the Messiah son of Joseph will help build the Third Temple: God says that HE will send HIS messenger before HIM to prepare the way and rebuild the Temple (Malachi 3:1). Malachi 3:1 See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple. The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, indeed, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. Rav Saadia Gaon (b. ca. 890 CE) and Iben Ezra (1080-1164 CE) said that the MESSENGER is the Messiah son of Joseph. The Messiah son of Joseph, according to the Malbim (1809-1879) will be the future head of the Lost Ten Tribes when they return to re-unite with Judah. At least one Midrash (Pesikta Zutratha Lekach Tov, Balak, Numbers 24;17) says that the Messiah Son of Joseph will rebuild the Temple. Rabbeinu Bachiya on leviticus/vayikra chapter 11 felt that Edom [i.e. Christianity in general?] would in the future help us rebuild the third Temple and that the forces in the past that were harmful to us would return together with other forces to help and support Israel... David because he had shed blood in warfare was debarred from building the Temple. The task, instead was given to his son Solomon. MBJ will fight wars and also shed blood. How then can he rebuild the Temple?  If David could not, why should he be allowed to do so? We do not really know. Maybe MBJ will not directly build the Temple but only help bring it about? Perhaps requirements concerning rebuilding the Third Temple will be  different from those in the First? King David prepared materials and plans etc for building the First Temple. His son, King Solomon carried the plans out and completed the project. The Babylonians destroyed the First Temple. The Second Temple  was rebuilt  on the foundations of the  First. This happened in the time of  Ezra from the  Tribe of Levi and Shaltiel from the House of David of Judah. Cyrus King of Persia had given permission and some material assistance for this. Cyrus was a Gentile but he may have been of Israelite Ancestry. We should believe in Messiah son of David. This is a Fundamental Principle of Judaism. There may also be a Messiah son of Joseph. Sources concerning MBJ are not as clear not as authoritative as we might like them to be. MBJ may lead the Ten Tribes when they return. He may also be instrumental in rebuilding the Temple. We do not however have to believe in this. It may be considered as optional and dependent on our own understanding Scripture and related sources. Messiah son of Joseph to Identify Individual Israelite Families?  Eisemann  quotes (Yechezkiel p.579) from a Midrashic source (Pirkei Heichalot 39:1) that due to the Messiah son of Joseph, all of Israel will be identified by their correct families. FRISIANS - SONS OF ISSACHAR ! Among the Celts, the Druids were the only teachers of religion, like the priests/Levites were in Israel. The Druids offered sacrifices as the priests did in Israel. Among pagan nations it is normally the civil government that judges criminals, especially so in murder cases but this was not the case amongst the Celts. Like the priests in Israel, it was the Druids, and not the kings or heads of tribes, that decided about life and death. The Ten Tribes Will Fly Back to Israel The Ten Tribes will return after the Coming of the Messiah Son of David. The Ten Tribes when they return will fly back (Isaiah 26:20 Yalkut Shimeoni on Isaiah 49:9 469 Pesikta Rabati 39:10). Isaiah 60:8 Who are these who fly like a cloud, And like doves to their roosts? 9 Surely the coastlands shall wait for Me; And the ships of Tarshish will come first,  To bring your sons from afar, Their silver and their gold with them, To the name of the LORD your God, And to the Holy One of Israel, Because He has glorified you.  The Prophesied Return in Ships as Slaves to Egypt Fulfilled in Judah!! The Israelites were warned that if they did not keep the Torah they would be punished (Deuteronomy 28:58) with a host of calamities.  These calamities included an attack by an enemy from a distant country who was compared to an eagle. [Deuteronomy 28:49] THE LORD SHALL BRING A NATION AGAINST THEE FROM FAR, FROM THE END OF THE EARTH, AS SWIFT AS THE EAGLE FLIETH; A NATION WHOSE TONGUE THOU SHALT NOT UNDERSTAND. The Romans used the Eagle as their symbol and as the sacred emblem of their legions. After the Ten Tribes were exiled it was as if they were temporarily suspended from membership in Spiritual Israel and for the time being not obligated by the Law (Jeremiah 3:8, Hosea 1:9, Isaiah 11:13). Judah however remained under the obligation to Keep all the Commandments and obey the Sages . If Judah would not so act then they were to be liable for punishments that included being taken captive, transported in ships, and sold as slaves into Egypt. [Deuteronomy 28:68] AND THE LORD SHALL BRING THEE INTO EGYPT AGAIN WITH SHIPS, BY THE WAY WHEREOF I SPAKE UNTO THEE, THOU SHALT SEE IT NO MORE AGAIN: AND THERE YE SHALL BE SOLD UNTO YOUR ENEMIES FOR BONDMEN AND SHALL BUY YOU. The Aramaic Translation known as "Targum Yonatan ben Uziel" paraphrases the above verse as saying: # And Hashem will exile you hack to Egypt in ships by way of the Reed Sea that you once crossed and concerning which I said: You shall not see it again! And there you will be sold into servitude to your enemies for large sums of money as crafts-men. And afterwards (you will be sold) cheaply as slaves and maidservants, until you will be cheapened (and try) to sell yourselves for nothing, and no one will take you in # (Deuteronomy 28:68). This punishment happened to the Jews at least twice, one at the fall of the Second Temple (ca. 66-70 CE) and again after the Rebellion of Bar Cochba. After the Fall of the Second Temple (70 CE) Josephus reports: # Because the soldiers were now growing weary of bloodshed, and survivors appeared constantly, Caesar orders to kill only those who offered armed resistance and to take alive all the rest. (415) The troops, in addition to those covered by their orders, slaughtered  the aged and infirm; people to their prime who might be useful they herded into the Temple area and shut up in the Court of the Women (lcl. (416) Caesar appointed one of his freedmen as their guard, his friend Fronto, to decide the fate appropriate to each. (417) All those who had taken part in sedition and brigandage (they informed against other) he executed. He picked out the tallest and handsomest of the lot and reserved them for the Triumph (418). Of the rest, those who were over seventeen he put in chains and sent to hard labor in Egypt  while greet numbers were presented by Titus to the provinces to perish in the theaters by sword or by wild beasts; those under seventeen were sold. # Josephus, "The Jewish Wars"; Book vi 9:2. After the Fall of Betar (135 CE) Cassius  (150-235 C.E.), a Roman historian, tells us, "Few Jews remained alive, 50 of their strongest fortified cities and 985 of the best towns and villages were demolished; 580,000 died on the battlefield, besides countless others who perished of hunger and pestilence .. the entire land of Judea was almost transformed into a barren wasteland." Munter -- Roman Historian # Now that Betar had been captured, everything came under Human control, while Palestine [Judah] was reduced to a desolate mound. Captives were sold into slavery in numbers too great to count. First they were brought to the grand annual market at the Terebinth-Eloh tree in Hebron, or in the words of Hyranumous, to the Tent-Ohel of Abraham near Hebron. Each slave sold for the price of a horse. Those captives who were not sold there were brought to the market place in Azza [Gaza] which, because of the great multitudes of slaves who were sold there, was called Hadrian's market place. And those who were still not sold there were herded into ships and were taken to Egypt. Many died in transit, whether by starvation or by shipwreck, while many also were killed by cruel masters. Munter, Primordia Eccl. Africanae, pp. 85f.,113. The toll of the Bar Kochba uprising was devastating both on the population and on the places of habitation. The numbers of dead were awesome, while multitudes of Jews were taken captive to fill the slave markets near and far. The slave market of the Terebinth of Hebron was particuIarly famous as a center where Jewish slaves, sent into captivity by Hadrian were sold. So many Jewish slaves were available that, recording  to one report, a Jew was sold for as little as the price of a portion of horse feed. # History of Am Yisrael in Ancient Days (Hebrew, Devir), 1971, p.321.                                 Innumerable was the multitude of those who were sold away as slaves. At the Annual market at Terehinth of Hebron they were offered fur sale in such numbers that a Jewish slave was of no more value then a horse. What could not be disposed of there was brought to Gaza and there sold or sent to Egypt, on the way to which many died of hunger, or of shipwreck. What Judaism Really Says About Joseph An early Jewish work called the Zohar, stated that Israel (10 tribes), isrepresented by a rose, the description of which represents the Tudor Rose of England. In contrast, the rose among the thorns (Song of Solomon 2:2), is said to be the full assembly of Israel (12 tribes) amongthe nations. Just as the rose petals are red and white among the thorns,all of Israel is dispensing a dual positive aroma of justice and mercyamong the gentiles. The Rose Of Israel is said to have 13 petals for the13 tribes including Levi, but the English Tudor Rose only has 10 petals. Why ten? The British Empire, dominated by the predominant tribe of Ephraim, is composed of ten tribes! The rabbis have confirmed that inthe precincts of the two ancient Temples on Mt. Moriah, was a specialrose garden situated between the current wailing wall and the actualtemples (Mishnah Middott ch.1). According to the ancients of Judah,this rose garden will have to be replanted when the third temple is built.Since many believe that the USA is primarily composed of Manasseh/Israelites, it is most interesting that there is a rose garden infront of the White House in America, named America according to manyJewish rabbis because of Machir, Manasseh¶s firstborn son. The Zohar also describes the future return of the ten tribes with theHouse of Judah. Rabbi Eliezer of Pirkei Avot fame stated "Every princeor great man that arose in Israel, was given the name Ephrati." Ephratiis defined as one who is an aristocrat or noble man. The Talmudbelieved that descendents of the House of Ephraim became noblearistocrats wherever they were scattered. In the Talmud YalkutShimeoni A77, commenting on First Samuel 1:1, Rabbi Raddak statesthat "Ephrati is taken to mean someone from the tribe of Ephraim and of noble birth." Zechariah 6:15 talksabout returning Ephraim as born again Israelite-Christians (non-Jewishbelievers) and Christian Zionists, who will rebuild the Hekel, or the thirdtemple on Mt. Moriah! In the clearest possible terms, Rabbi Abba andRabbi Shalom both talk about the returning Israelites, who will beRECONVERTED, REUNITED AND RESTORED as one withJewish/Israel!! Davidy refers to two contemporary rabbis, Dressler and Feld, who are both alive today. They both state that the reason that Yahweh did not allow the temple to be rebuilt by Judah in the 1967 recapture of Jerusalem, is because the tribes of Joseph (USA and Britain), did not have a Zionist movement of their own in that direction. These two influential rabbis conclude by saying "Judah needs participation of the lost ten tribes of Israel, in order for Hashem to allow the rebuilding of the third temple."  The movement to watch carefully right now is the Christian Zionist movement, which in actual fact contains large numbers of Ephraim/Israel! Christian Zionists long to return home. While the modern State of Israel generally does not take kindly to Messianic Jews, they openly welcome Christian Zionists, their monies and their tourist pilgrims, with open arms. This is no doubt a major first step to full restoration! Ephraim is to be regrafted back into the Olive Tree of Israel which they left in voluntary rebellion some 2000 years ago, to chase the Roman Pontiff and her crusading harlot daughters. In our time we see the literal fulfillment of Acts 3:20-21, the promised restoration of all things pertaining to Israel, spoken of by the (Israel's) prophets!  Ephraim (much of Christian Zionism), would not even be attracted to the land of Israel, if there had been no Jewish/Israelite presence preceding them in Israel. Isn't it amazing that the major supporters of Gershom Solomon and the dedicated and persecuted Temple Mount Faithful, are primarily Ephraimites (many Christian Zionists), not traditional Jews and not traditional Christians. As Rav Shaul reminds us in Romans 9:6, they are not all Israel who claim to be Israel. ONLY A REDEEMED, RUACH QUICKENED BORN AGAIN REMNANT FROM BOTH HOUSES, WILL BE THE FORERUNNING CATALYSTS, IN THE FULLNESS OF THE FATHER'S PLAN, FOR THE RESTORATION OF ALL ISRAEL!!! PEOPLES of the SEA We described the story told by Eldad the Danite, about the Tribe of Dan invading Egypt. A most unlikely story on its face. Further it supposedly took place at the time of Jeroboam which under conventional chronology was at the end of the 21st Dynasty of Egypt. There are no records in Egypt to confirm Eldad's account. If we survey the history of Egypt, we can find a record of an invasion by a people with a name very similar to the Tribe of Dan. They were called by the Egyptians the Denyen, Denen or Danu. Can it only be a coincidence that this invasion took place during the 8th year of the reign of Ramesses III, EXACTLY at the time it would be expected under the revised chronology? The description of the invasion can be found inscribed on the walls of the mortuary temple at Medinet Habu, on the outer wall of the second Pylon. Medinet Habu is located across the Nile from Luxor. We quote from the inscription. " As for the foreign countries, they made a (conspiracy) in their isles (rww). (Removed) and scattered in the fray were the lands at one time. No land could stand before their arms, from Hatti, Kode, Carcamesh, Yereth and Yeres on, (but they were) cut off at one time. A camp (was set up) in one place in Amor. They desolated its people and its land was like that which had never come into being. They were coming, while the flame was prepared before them, forward towards Egypt. Their confederation was the PELESET, TJEKKER, DENYE(n) and the WESHESH, lands united............" On the face of it this inscription causes a problem in that the Peleset are identified as the Philistines, but who were the Tjekker and the Weshesh. What was the Tribe of Dan doing teaming up with the Philistines? We need to go back in time to how the land of Canaan was divided up amongst the tribes of the Children of Israel. Four tribes were allotted land by the Sea, the half tribe of Manasseh, Judah, Asher and Dan. The latter two were well known for their sea-faring ways as evidenced in the Book of Judges in the "Song of Deborah". "And Dan, why did he abide with the ships? Asher sat still at the coast of the sea Settling down by his landings" (Judges 5:17) It would therefore be interesting to look at the coast of Israel shown in the map last week and compare it to the inscriptions of the Egyptians. The Egyptians have the land invaded by the Peleset, Danu, Tjekker and the Weshesh. The Coast has the Philistines, The half Tribe of Manasseh, Asher and Dan. Two out of four so far....can we identify Asher and Manasseh with Weshesh and Tjekker?   Jacob's Dream Symbolism Properly understood, Jacob’s dream at Bethel (Genesis 28:10-15) is one of the keys to understanding the secrets of the Holy of Holies (kodesh kodashim) in Solomon’s Temple, a room also known as the Most Holy Place, Inner Sanctum, or Shrine. The Temple itself was designed  in the hidden form of a tripartite man who is Jacob, the Levitical High Priest and King Messiah. Basically, the Temple was modeled after Jacob’s body as he slept at Bethel while using a stone for a headrest, or pillow stone, as some say. In view of this, 1) the Holy of Holies relates to the head, 2) the short stairway leading to the Holy of Holies to his neck/throat, 3) the Holy Place to his torso, and 4) the Temple’s twin pillars named Jachin and Boaz to his legs. The relation of his arms, hands and feet also appears below. The place where the dream occurred was named Luz, but Jacob renamed it Bethel (v. 19), meaning House (of) God, a later designation for the Temple. The Holy of Holies was built directly over the rock upon which Abraham nearly offered Isaac; and this rock is symbolized by Jacob’s “pillow stone”. And because the Holy of  Holies was over Isaac’s rock, its floor was somewhat elevated, requiring a short stairway or ramp to ascend, which  relates to Jacob’s neck or throat, as seen above. When Jacob arose, he said, “This is none other than the House of God and this is the gate to heaven,” 28:17. Since Bethel corresponds to the entire Temple, to what does the “gate to heaven  relate? – the golden doors of the Holy of Holies! What else? And this means that the stairway behind the golden doors also corresponds to Jacob’s ladder that was set on earth and whose “top reached heaven,” v. 12, which implies that the Holy of Holies depicts heaven, while the Holy Place relates to the earth below. And these two places – heaven and earth – are head and body; and that which joins or unites both, is the stairway, symbol of  a messianic office or task, as shown in the diagram below: The above also relates to Genesis 11:4 where disobedient mankind says, “Let us make for ourselves a city and a tower whose top is in the heavens” in order to avoid diffusing worldwide, as they had  been ordered. Except that in Jacob’s case, the stairway reaching up was the Lord’s doing, not the action of  rebels.                         Ascending Jacob's Ladder Man's Ultimate Goal - aka Spiritual Betterment According to I Kings 6:31, the entrance to the Holy of Holies was constructed of olive wood doors carved with palm trees, flowers and cherubim and then overlaid with gold. And behind these was a curtain of  blue, purple, crimson and fine linen (white), 2 Chronicles 3:14. These doors with their doorposts were Solomon’s version of Jacob’s “gate to heaven” which the patriarch had seen at Bethel. Moses’ tabernacle had only curtains, no golden doors. But because the Temple had curtains, some scholars say that the Chronicles writer added them to create agreement with the Torah, because the golden doors made the curtains unnecessary, they reason. This shows that some biblical scholars do not understand what they are reading. Solomon, rather, always intended having the curtains installed. But he also wanted to show that the way to a paradise (heaven) was open or could be so, just as it had been to his ancestor, Jacob. However, Mosaic law did not permit open curtains. What was the solution? The golden doors!  – because they always remained open. In this manner, the entrance was in  compliance with the law (curtains closed), while portraying an open and inviting way (golden doors open) to the Lord’s celestial paradise. The Ark’s Extended Poles and the Curtain You will notice that in the middle of the curtains there are two circular impressions. These are made by the twin poles of the Ark of the Covenant pressing against the other side of the curtains; the poles were intentionally drawn forward for this purpose. This what it means where we read that the the Ark’s poles could be seen from the Holy Place, I Kings 8:8; 2 Chronicles 5:9. How could they “be seen” if the curtain  blocked the view? The rabbis say this means the priests saw only the impressions made against the curtains by the tips or ends of the poles. Also, it is believed that during Solomon’s time the Ark was fitted with new, longer poles – long enough to reach the curtains. This is because the Holy of Holies of the Tabernacle was 10 x 10 cubits square, whereas the Temple’s was 20 x 20. The Ark was posted in the center of the Holy of Holies. The Baffling Golden Chains Across the Entrance We now pose a problem that has baffled biblical scholars: What was the purpose of the golden chains across the entrance to the Holy of Holies (I Kings 6:21)? There are various opinions, with some bordering on the ludicrous. The most popular is that they were security chains meant to keep the priests from going into the Holy of Holies, for only the High Priest could enter there and he only once a year on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. Of course, we could dismiss the whole question by claiming they were simply decorative, which in part they were; but this is not the whole answer. Whatever security they provided was incidental and minimal, keeping in mind that the Tabernacle’s Holy of Holies  did not have them at all, whether for security,  decoration  or any other purpose. So why did Solomon install them? The answer is in the Temple’s hidden human form, especially its messianic one. Since it has already been explained that the neck/throat is the ladder or stairway, it follows that the point where the stairway descends into and joins with the Holy Place, corresponds to the human collar, because that’s where the head (Holy of Holies) is joined to the human torso (Holy Place). Hence, the chains across the Holy of Holies entrance are not “security chains” but, rather, a necklace around the collar!  Why? – because such gold chains were worn by Ancient Mid-East monarchs and other important persons as signs of their office and/or authority. Here are two examples: After saving Egypt from disaster, Pharaoh puts a gold chain around Joseph’s neck and makes him second-in-command, Genesis 41:42, 43. And in Daniel 5:29, Belshazzar places a gold chain on the neck of Daniel the prophet and proclaims him as one of three rulers. Therefore, the golden chains across the Holy of Holies entrance depict a royal  necklace, revealing Temple Man as King Messiah, while signifying his future world rule and authority as the one who unites earth with heaven, as did Jacob’s stairway. The Holy of Holies Entrance, Larger View Below is a view of the Holy of Holy entrance as seen from the Holy Place, minus the golden Incense Altar. Please note a small place atop (red letters) that scholars call the attic, upper area, or upper chamber, II Chronicles 3:9. Below is a cut-away side view showing  the priestly cells and upper treasure rooms, a portion of the Holy Place with the Incense Altar emitting a cloud of sweet smoke, the stairway leading up to the Holy of Holies, the Ark with its poles extended forward and pushing against the curtain, the two large gold cherubim Solomon added, the Golden Attic and the Shekinah, also referred to as the Presence, Divine Spirit, Cloud or Glory Cloud. End-time prophecies Bible prophecy foretells that just prior to the return of Jesus Christ there will be a great politico-military union centered in Europe (Revelation 17:9-14). This power will be wielded by a man called “the king of the North” in Daniel 11, which also shows he will be a warrior and a conqueror. This end-time period before Christ’s second coming coincides with the time called “Jacob’s trouble” in Jeremiah 30:7, when the descendants of the “lost 10 tribes” of Israel, including many of the English-speaking nations of the world, will face destruction and ruin. Jesus said of this time of trouble: “For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened” (Matthew 24:21-22). The descendants of Israel will be particular targets in this catastrophic time. All this strongly indicates violent confrontation between the end-time power in Europe and the U.S. and Britain and related peoples. In the post-war years of strong alliance between these countries and the nations of Europe, it was hard to see how such a tectonic shift could come to pass. But the increasing isolation and disfavor, even hatred, of the United States is a strong portent of how this could occur. A gradual drifting apart of the U.S. and Europe, leading the latter to take a stronger role in its own military development, would be another such indication, a gradual setting of the stage for coming confrontation. Beyond the confrontation, there is hope—the sure hope of the return of Jesus Christ and the establishment of the Kingdom of God. So, the Bible warns that "Babylon the great" is bad, but will bring great wealth. The Beast of Revelation 13 is a leader of Babylon and is also called the King of the North in Bible prophecy During that time the Eighth and last Ecumenical Synod will take place, which will satisfy the contentions of the heretics...The Bible warns about a leader who “he shall think himself able to change times and laws” (Daniel 7:25, Douay-Rheims) Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and has become a dwelling place of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird! 3 For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich through the abundance of her luxury." 4 And I heard another voice from heaven saying, "Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues. 5 For her sins have reached to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities. (Revelation 18:2-5) So, the Bible warns that "Babylon the great" is bad, but will bring great wealth. The Beast of Revelation 13 is a leader of Babylon and is also called the King of the North in Bible prophecy. During that time the Eighth and last Ecumenical Synod will take place, which will satisfy the contentions of the heretics…The Bible warns about a leader who “he shall think himself able to change times and laws” (Daniel 7:25) Bernhardt Rembordt (18th century). "Cologne will be the site of a terrible battle...At that time France will be divided. The German Empire will choose a simple man as the Emperor, who will rule for a short time. His successor will be the man for whom the world has longed. He will be called a "Roman Emperor," and he will give peace to the world. A good and happy era will follow. God will be praised on earth, and war will be no more." (Dupont, pp.34-35) Werdin d' Otrante (13th century): "The Great Monarch and the Great Pope will precede Antichrist...All the sects will vanish. The capital of the world will fall...The Great Monarch will come and restore peace and the Pope will share in the victory.". Saint Cataldus of Tarentino (c. 500): "The Great Monarch will be in war till he is forty years of age....he will assemble great armies and expel tyrants from his empire. He will conquer England and other island empires" Merlin (7th century): After destruction of England...shall come a dreadful man...he shall set England on the right way and put out all heresies. St. Malachy (12th century): ... the English in turn must suffer severe chastisement. Ireland, however, will be instrumental in bringing back the English to the unity of Faith." Ancient Irish source: England will again injure the Irish...This will be a sign for the frightful punishment of England...England suffers the same degradation as she meted out to her neighbor, and for the same length of time. Not the smallest fraction of time in this long period shall be remitted...Never shall world power be hers again...France restores order in England. But I would like to emphasize for American and British Catholics that there are many private "Catholic" prophecies that tell of the rise of a militaristic leader who, along with a pope (an antipope) will change the Catholic religion and then destroy the American and British-descended peoples. This, sadly, is where the ecumenical discussions of the past couple of decade are leading to. Certain of the Eastern Orthodox are convinced that the Vatican will be part of an eighth (by their count) ecumenical council that will result in Rome changing many doctrines in order to unify with them (though many Orthodox, like Catholics, are not interested in unity at this time). This council will apparently accept certain doctrines by those now also considered to be heretics. The Tribe of Manasseh (Bnei Menashe) in India: the First-fruits of the Lost Tribes of Israel are Returning Home  In the far reaches of the Indian continent to the northeast in the land mass border states of Manipur and Mizoram between Myanmar (Burma) and Bangladesh, there lives a tribe of over 9,000 people who claim to be the sons of Manasseh (Menasseh), one of the Lost Ten Tribes of the House of Israel. They call themselves Bnei Menashe, literally meaning the “sons of Manasseh. (Hebrew בני מנשה) Here were people, who claim to be descendants of Joseph, the great Hebrew Viser of Egypt and his wife, Asenath, the daughter of Potipherah an Egyptian priest of On (Genesis 41:50-52) whom the Pharaoh of Egypt gave to Joseph to be his wife.  What is even more amazing is that this small group of people have for over 27 years been practicing Judaism including keeping the Seventh-day Sabbath. Though recently proselytized, they have not converted to Christianity neither to any other “new” religions. Manasseh, the eldest son, was born in Egypt just before Joseph’s brothers, the first Hebrews that were the eleven sons of their Patriarch, arrived in Egypt.  They were seeking grain to save their family of seventy from famine in the land of Canaan. (Genesis 48:5). According to the Hebrew texts, Yacov, the ancestral Patriarch of the Jews called Jacob, later adopted the two sons of Joseph to share equally with the other eleven in the tribal inheritance of Jacob that was first given to his grandfather, the Patriarch called Abraham. (Genesis 48:5) Today, Manasseh is counted as the Patriarchal father of the Israelite Tribe of Manasseh, recognized as the twelfth and thirteenth tribe of Israel. Even though the eldest son, Manasseh was not given the tribal blessing of Jacob, but rather his younger brother, Ephraim, (Genesis 48:20) Manasseh was given the blessing that his descendants would become a “great nations” which Jewish scholars and rabbis accept as the United States of America. Now today, Shavei Israel, a non-profit organization founded by Micheal Freund, an immigrée from the United States has brought about 1,700 Bnei Menashe already to Israel.  The remaining part of 7,232 today are in India waiting for their soon to be immigration (“aliyah”) so that they can return “back home” to the land of their forefathers. Over the years, Michael Freund with “Shavei Israel” have dedicated themselves to reaching out to “hidden Jews” such as the Bnei Anousim of Spain, Portugal and South America, the Subbotnik Jews of Russia and the Chinese Jews of Kaifeng, plus the Jewish remnant of the Holocaust in Poland. According to tribal legends, the Bnei Menashe known as the “Sinlung” tell of their exile from the lands near Samaria to the land of the Medes. From there, they wandered along the famous “Silk Road to China” and ended up settling in the Chinese province of Yunnan.  From there, they became part of the Tibet-Burma migrations from East Asia to the Northeastern region of India and Myanmar.  They recognized themselves in their ancestral stories as being called the Tibeto-Burmans who belonged to the peoples of that region called; the Mizo, Kuki, Zomi and the Chin (in Burma). It is interesting to know that the Chin-Kuki-Mizo peoples prior to their conversion to Christianity in 1894 were known as headhunters and animists who carried with them legends that spoke of a beloved homeland that was called Sinlung/Chhinlung. Yet, it was in 1951 that a tribal leader called Challianthange had a dream that his people had returned to the Land of Israel.  He shared that information with his people of whom many accepted the Jewish faith and traditions as Messianic Jews. By 1980, their first contact was made with Israel. The Bnei Menashe believe that the traditional Mizo-Kuki harvest festival song ‘Sikpui Hla (Sikpui Song)’ which features events paralleled in the Book of Exodus, such as enemies chasing them over a red-colored sea, harvesting quails, a pillar of cloud by day and a cloud-fire at night depicts clear evidence of their Israelite ancestry. As the lyrics are translated: Sikpui Song – “While we are preparing for the Sikpui Feast (SIKPUIRUOI), ‘The big red sea becomes divided; as we march along fighting our foes.  We are being led by pillar of cloud by day,’ and pillar of fire by night. Our enemies, O ye folks, are thick with fury, Come out with your shields and arrows. Fighting our enemies all day long, We march forward as cloud-fire goes before us.’” The enemies we fought all day long. The big sea swallowed them like wild beasts. Collect the quails, and draw the water that springs out of the rock.’” The Jewish redemption of the Lost Tribes of Israel began with Rabbi Eliyahu Avichail of the “Elijah Project” who began searching for these lost “Jews” of which many were actually remnants of the “Lost Ten Tribes of the House of Israel”.  They were part of the Shinlung tribe numbering over 1-2 million living in India and Burma, of which one group, the Bnei Menasseh (Menasheh) trace their history first being exiled to the region of Persia (Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan) and later driven eastward to China until persecutions, around 600 CE forced them to flee again from China to Viet Nam where there they lived in caves, hence their names, “Shinlung” as “cave-dwellers”. Eventually their wandering of progressive and continuous exiles, they were forced out of Viet Nam, wandering throughout Thailand and Burma until they crossed over the Irrawaddy River and found their last home in exile in Northeastern India. In the late 19th century, the Shinlung were contacted by British Christian missionaries, who noted to their amazement that here was a tribe following Jewish customs. About 90% of the Shinlungs were “forced converted” into Christianity by the British missionaries who also were Lost Tribers and were carrying a certain distain for Hebrew cousins, the Jews and Judaism. With the British military, these Christian missionaries took away their sacred religious treasures and refused to allow them to practice their primitive form of Judaism.  As written by the Elijah Project: Elijah Project – “At some point in the early 1950s, a Shinlung farmer named Chala awakened from a dream in which he believed he had been told that the Shinlung were the lost Israelite tribe Menasheh, and that they had to return to the land of Israel. Other members of the Shinlung had heard such stories. They knew their customs could be considered Israelite in origin. They knew their ancestor was named "Menase," which in fact sounded a lot like Menasheh. They called their Supreme Being "Y'wa." They had feast days that corresponded to various Jewish holidays, and a system of animal sacrifices similar to the ones in the Bible. They practiced burial with no cremation, sanctified a newborn boy on the eighth day of his life, and slaughtered an animal and drained its blood prior to eating it, among other customs... This story was duplicated in part as noted in the histories of the 15 million members of the Pathan tribe in Afghanistan and Pakistan who drove out the British in the 19th century, the Russians in the Soviet Union in the 1980s, and now appear to be succeeding in the driving out the NATO/Americans in 2011-2012.                                                                         Pashtun girl As BibleSearchers Reflections in the series of articles, titled, “The Divine Mission to Restore the Lost Sheep (Tribes) of the House of Israel”, we find that today, the Islamic Pashtuns living in Northern Iran, Eastern Afghanistan and Western Pakistan  today keep in part many of the Jewish-Israelites customs, such as; naming their tribes from the Lost Tribes of Israel including; the Pathan Tribes of the Rabani (like Reuven), Shinwari (Shimon), Daftani (Naftali), Ashuri (Asher), and Yusef-sai (sons of Joseph). Their Pashtun grandmothers still light candles on Friday evening to bless the Shabbat, wearing the “Star of David” They even called themselves the Bnei Yisra’el or the “Children of Israel”. The Pashtun men “wear four-cornered garments called Gutwani” plus wear hair side-locks on both sides of their face.  They circumcise their young boys on the eighth day and call themselves by numerous childish names. Similar peoples around the world carry also certain affinities. Some relate more to the Jews of the House of Judah and others, to the Lost Tribers of the House of Israel. Yet there are still others around the world that are “Hidden Jews” or “Hidden Israelites” Descent from the House of Judah Beta Israel in Ethiopia – are Jews. Persian and Bukharan Jews in Isfahan, Iran – are Jews. Igbo of Nigeria – are Jews. Samaritans in Israel - are Jews. Lemba tribe in South Africa – religious practice similar to Jews. House of Israel in Ghana – are Jews. Chinese Jews of Kaifeng – are Jews. Descent from the House of Israel Pashtuns or Pathans in Afghanistan/Pakistan who identify with the Muslims. Kashmiris in Indo-Pakistan who identify with the Muslims. Bene-Ephraim in Southern India who identify with the Jews. Bnei-Menashe in Northeast India who identify with the Jews. Today of the initial 1,700 members of the Bnei Menashe tribes in Northeastern India who made “aliyah”  to Israel, over 96% of the Bnei Menashe immigrants are employed in the Jewish State economy, self-supporting themselves and their families. They are known to be a valuable contribution to the Jewish State and less than 4% are reliant upon the social welfare system. A majority of the young men are drafted into the Israeli army as a majority of them serving in some form of a combat role with recent; the first Bnei Menashe as commissioned as an officer in the IDF. Many of them are in pursuit of higher education in the Israeli colleges and universities, and several have received their rabbinic ordination. In the month of June, the momentum turned the tide to bring the rest of the Bnei Menashe home to Israel. The ministerial committee headed by Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, submitted a draft resolution to sent to the Israeli cabinet to complete the process of bringing the rest of the Lost Tribers of the House of Israel home from the regions of Northeastern India.  This would fulfill the dream and wish of the Sephardic Chief Rabbi Shlomo Amar, who stated in 2005 that the Bnei Menasha as the Zera Yisrael, or the "seed of Israel," and said they should be brought to the Jewish state. As Michael Freund with Shavei Yisra’el wrote: Michael Freund – “This means we are just one month away from an historic turning point, one that will restore 7,232 precious souls to the Jewish people. But there are obstacles that may still stand in the way. The Treasury is likely to object, not wanting to spend a shekel more than it deems necessary. And then there are the naysayers and post-Zionists who have lost sight of Israel's mission to serve as the homeland for all Jews." We cannot allow them to prevail. There is simply no good reason for this aliya to be stymied. The Bnei Menashe are part of the extended Jewish family. They are committed Zionists who observe the Torah and its commandments, and who are reaching out across the centuries to reconnect with our people. We need to extend a welcoming hand back, and bring them to Jerusalem. I urge all people of faith and goodwill, Jew and Christian alike, to pray for this undertaking to succeed. Write the premier, contact MKs, and tell them in no uncertain terms: Bring the lost tribe of Bnei Menashe home now! This past Monday, as I listened to the committee approve its decision, I truly felt as if I was standing on the banks of the Red Sea, watching the waters begin to part. Soon enough, I am sure, the Bnei Menashe will cross the sea, reuniting with the Land and people of Israel after a remarkable journey. Just as the prophets foretold, Manasseh's children are at last coming back.”  To all Lost Israelite Tribers living in Europe, American and their colonies, the story of the redemption of the Lost Tribes of the House of Israel is best comprehended in the “Parable of the Prodigal Son”.  As told by the Nazarene Messiah who stated that He was “sent by His Father only to the Lost Sheep of the House of Israel, the symbolism as the Prodigal Son being the Lost Tribes of the House of Israel, the Elder “Faithful Son” being the Torah Observing Jews and the “Father” as the G-d of Israel, the meaning becomes very clear. As OvadYah Avrahami, the director of “Kol Ha Tor Vision” wrote concerning the redemption and restoration of the Lost Tribes of Menasha back to live in Israel: OvadYah Avrahami – “We can learn something from this:  WHY are they (Bnei Menashe) received back (to Israel)?   Because they continued in Jewish Torah Service of some form, sufficient enough to satisfy the Rabbis that they are “Jewish” – and the confusion with them being “Jews” are obvious from the wording of this article.  This means that if one identifies with Judaism (even ‘unofficially’), Judah’s heart is open to receiving them Home!  It simply is the story of the ‘Prodigal Son” in true format.  The Faithful Son has no problem with the Prodigal that respects and clings to his Father’s Faith and House, never mind wanting to drag him (the Faithful Son) into the Prodigal’s pigsty faith.” It humbles us to consider that the Prodigal Lost Triber gathers his inheritance and squanders it spiritually away as most Christians have done and are doing so today. They are turning away from the beauties of Torah law, into ecumenical spiritualism and Jewish anti-Semitism.  The “Pigsty” interpreted as a “dirty and very untidy place” can easily be seen as Christian Orthodoxy and her Protestant Christian daughters whose spiritual houses become the last place of habitation for the Prodigal “Son” Lost Tribes of the House of Israel before they come to their senses that something is better for them living in their Father’s House (All Israel); the empowered halakhically spiritualized Judaism of Rabbi Jesus the Nazarene.  If you have wondered how biblical prophecy fits into your life, and how it will affect the Return of the House of Israel, then the G-d of Israel is beginning his “call” to bring you home, too.  You might desire to reconnect with the Biblical portrayals on what is and may be happening in your near future. Assad’s Chemical Weapons and the Fall of ancient Biblical Babylon, Assyria and Persia  “According to a former top Bush administration official, Russian special forces teams moved weapons of mass destruction out of Iraq to Syria. “I am absolutely sure that Russian Spetsnatz units moved WMD out of Iraq before the war,” stated John Shaw, the former deputy undersecretary for international technology security… According to Shaw, Russian units hid Saddam's arsenal inside Syria and in Lebanon's Bekáa valley… Moscow made a 2001 agreement with Saddam Hussein to clear up all Russian involvement in WMD systems in Iraq,” stated Shaw.  Shaw's assertions match the information provided by U.S. military forces that satellite surveillance showed extensive large-vehicle traffic crossing the Syrian border prior to Operation Iraqi Freedom… One U.N. bioterrorism expert announced that Russia has been Iraq's “main supplier of the materials and know-how to weaponize anthrax, botulism and smallpox.” Writing in the Wall Street Journal, Robert Goldberg cited former U.N. weapons inspector Richard Spertzel, who stated that Moscow supplied Baghdad with fermentation equipment to produce biotoxins…Goldberg noted that no country has “done more to rebuild” Saddam's chemical and biological weapons programs or “been more aggressive in helping hide the truth” than Russia... Saddam was in debt to Moscow for over $8 billion for the arms he purchased from Russia when he was captured by U.S. forces. The primary Iraqi chemical weapons were VX nerve gas and mustard gas, a blistering agent, both obtained from Russia. The arming of Iraq with such weapons had a direct impact on events today in the Middle East. The presence of former Iraqi WMD systems in Lebanon raised serious questions surrounding the February 14 (2005) assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. Many blamed Syria for Hariri's murder. However, the possibility that Hariri discovered the location of the Iraqi WMD systems inside his country lends some credible backing to a Syrian assassination effort to silence him.   There is no question that the Russian effort to remove Iraqi WMD systems was the most successful intelligence operation of the 21st century. The Russians were able to move hundreds of tons of chemical, biological and nuclear materials without being discovered by CIA satellites or NSA radio listening posts. ‘There is a clear sense on how effective they were,’ noted Shaw. ‘The fact that the CIA did not know shows just how successful the Russian operation was,’ he concluded.’” In May 2003, just as major combat operations in Iraq were winding down, new reports surfaced in Israel, this time alleging that convoys of Iraqi water tankers carrying WMD components crossed the border into Syria repeatedly between Jan. 10 and March 10. The tankers reportedly were met by Syrian Special Forces and escorted to the heroin poppy fields of a Syrian-controlled area in Lebanon’s Bekáa Valley, where their contents were dumped into specially prepared pits and buried… Again, INR discounted the reports, U.S. officials tell Insight. The Mountains of Lebanon where part of Hussein’s Chemical Weapons are Stored         Tunnels dug under the town of al-Baida near the city of Hama in northern Syria. These tunnels are an integral part of an underground factory, built by the North Koreans, for producing Syrian Scud missiles. Iraqi chemical weapons and long-range missiles are stored in these tunnels. The village of Tal Snan, north of the town of Salamija, where there is a big Syrian air force camp. Vital parts of Iraq’s WMD are stored there. Najoef writes that the transfer of Iraqi WMD to Syria was organized by the commanders of Saddam Hussein’s Special Republican Guard, including General Shalish, with the help of Assif Shoakat, Bashar Assad’s cousin. Shoakat is the CEO of Bhaha, an import/export company owned by the Assad family.” Holocaust Rescue: Rescue of Danish Jews Denmark was the only occupied country that actively resisted the Nazi regime's attempts to deport its Jewish citizens. On September 28, 1943, Georg Ferdinand Duckwitz, a German diplomat, secretly informed the Danish resistance that the Nazis were planning to deport the Danish Jews. The Danes responded quickly, organizing a nationwide effort to smuggle the Jews by sea to neutral Sweden. Warned of the German plans, Jews began to leave Copenhagen, where most of the 8,000 Jews in Denmark lived, and other cities, by train, car, and on foot. With the help of the Danish people, they found hiding places in homes, hospitals, and churches. Within a two-week period fishermen helped ferry 7,220 Danish Jews and 680 non-Jewish family members to safety across the narrow body of water separating Denmark from Sweden. Denmark was the only occupied country that actively resisted the Nazi regime's attempts to deport its Jewish citizens. On September 28, 1943, Georg Ferdinand Duckwitz, a German diplomat, secretly informed the Danish resistance that the Nazis were planning to deport the Danish Jews. The Danes responded quickly, organizing a nationwide effort to smuggle the Jews by sea to neutral Sweden. Warned of the German plans, Jews began to leave Copenhagen, where most of the 8,000 Jews in Denmark lived, and other cities, by train, car, and on foot. With the help of the Danish people, they found hiding places in homes, hospitals, and churches. Within a two-week period fishermen helped ferry 7,220 Danish Jews and 680 non-Jewish family members to safety across the narrow body of water separating Denmark from Sweden. Danish fishermen (foreground) ferry Jews across a narrow sound to safety in neutral Sweden during the German occupation of Denmark. Sweden, 1943. The clandestine rescue of Danish Jews was undertaken at great personal risk. The boat pictured below and several others like it were used by one of the earliest rescue operations organized by a group of Danes code-named the “Helsingor Sewing Club.” The escape route they provided, named the “Kiaer Line” after Erling Kiaer, founder of the “Helsingor Sewing Club,” enabled several hundred Jews to escape across a narrow strait to the Swedish coast. On each trip, the boat carried 12-14 Jewish refugees. Kiaer himself was betrayed and arrested in May 1944. The boat looks a Noah's Ark, but instead of rescueing from the great fish or great waves it rescued them from the Nazi tyrants. The Danish rescue effort was unique because it was nationwide. It was not completely successful, however. Almost 500 Danish Jews were deported to the Theresienstadt (Terezin) ghetto in Czechoslovakia. Yet even of these Jews, all but 51 survived the Holocaust, largely because Danish officials pressured the Germans with their concerns for the well-being of those who had been deported. The Danes proved that widespread support for Jews and resistance to Nazi policies could save lives. The terms “fire and sword” are often used together in the scriptures The symbolism of “fire” is used in the New Testament as a symbol for afflictions and trials (I Peter 1:7 and Revelation 3:18), but the word “fire” (in either testament) should always be placed in the context that each scripture gives it. Let’s look at one biblical prophecy as an example: fire could be meant as a symbol of the West’s counterattacks against Magog in Ezekiel 39:6 and 9 (since God calls on the Israelite nations to use their “swords” against the Gog/Magog alliance when it attacks the Israelite nations in the latter days), it could simply refer back to the divine fire which God Himself will send on the Gog/Magog alliance (Ezekiel 38:22) or it could have both meanings. Fire was also sometimes a consequence of warfare in ancient prophecies. Jeremiah 21:10 and 34:2 are examples of such prophecies. These prophecies were given by Jeremiah about the fate of Jerusalem after the Babylonians came to conquer it. The terms “fire and sword” are often used together in historical accounts as the burning and razing of cities was common after besiegers would take over an attacked city. However, I wouldn’t go so far as to say that fire always means warfare when used in a prophecy. It is always vital to check the overall context of a prophecy to determine whether the word “fire” meant warfare, a direct consequence of warfare or something else.  Talmud & Mishnah From Moses time there was an oral interpretation & the Talmud & the Mishnah, although written many centuries later, derived from it. They are considered to be divinely inspired by many, but also many consider them also to be very influenced by the work of man, therefore they can’t be put as scriptures in the same level as the Bible. Pondering the Ancestral Roots of Thanksgiving: Our lost Israelite Heritage  “The Heritage of the Feasts of Tabernacles with the Puritans and the Pilgrims” Zechariah 8:23 –“Thus said HaShem, Master of Legions: ‘In those days it will happen that ten men (Ten Lost Tribes of Israel) of all the [different] languages of the nations, will take hold, they will take hold of the corner of the garment of a Jewish man, saying, ‘Let us go with you, for we have heard that G-d is with you!” Every year in America there is celebrated a traditions that is as American as is “Apple Pie”; Thanksgiving. Yet the tradition of Thanksgiving has been woven in the mists of legends that has eluded scholars for centuries.   Why, because it is woven around a deeper mystery of the Legendary Lost Ten Tribes of the House of Israel. As the dawn awakens from east so the heritage of the forefathers of the Great American Republic was awakened within the 13 Original Colonies. The amazing links of the 13 Tribes of Israel, with the House of Joseph received a double portion with his sons, Ephraim and Manasseh with 13 Original Tribes was not just Providential but an amazing testimony of the hand of G-d guiding and protecting His lost Children of Israel. When the American Declaration of Independence was written, the world saw the creation of a “New Nation under G-d” that would also write for the first time a Constitution that based upon the premises of Torah Law. Even though the G-d remained hidden to the Lost 10-Tribes and not realized in His fullest spiritual reality, the hints and traces that He left with them would create in the future some of the most blessed and creative social cultures this world has ever seen in Europe, their colonies plus America.  Considering the Abrahamic Blessing that the world would be blessed by his ‘chosen’ descendants, was it any wonder that in 2010, “The World's Happiest Countries were Settled by the Twelve Tribes of Israel; the Descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob” with the exception of Costa Rica who tied with New Zealand as #6 in the Top 10. It all began with the Rebellion of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, who in their own autonomous, independent way chose to go alone, secede from the Kingdom of Judah and chart their own history over the next 2,700 years. They were sent into exile by the G-d of Israel to the Land of Media known in history as Khurasan in the region of Northern Iran, Eastern Afghanistan and Western Pakistan. Today, the largest tribe of these peoples are known as the “Bani-Israel” (sons of Israel), with the Pashtun Tribes of Afghanistan and Pakistan. They gave us as one of their son, the enlightened ruler of Cyrus the Great from the Pasar-Gadae tribe of Gad, and his general, Gobryas, a Governor of the Tribe of Gutium (Gatti, Cutti), also of the Tribe of Gad, defeated King Belteshazzar in a drunken feast and took possession of the most impregnable city of the ancient world, Babylon, without shedding one drop of Jewish blood. There in this same region in Media, the Lost Ten Tribes settled and prospered in a beautiful land looking upon the mountain vistas of the Himalayas today called the Northwest Frontier Provinces whose administrative capital is Peshawar just to the east of the Khyber Pass. Within those regions each of the ten tribes found homelands and set up ten tribal regions where they were able to preserve their own tribal and  religious identities. They became known as “G-d’s Battle Axe” and over the centuries defeated, repulsed or drove out those imperial forces that sought to dominate them. Jeremiah 51:19-21 – “The Portion of Jacob is not like them, for he is the Maker of all things; and Israel is the tribe of His inheritance. The L-rd of hosts is His Name. You (Israel) are My “battle ax” and weapons of war: for with you I will break the nation in pieces; with you I will destroy kingdoms; with you I will break in pieces the horse and its rider; with you I will break in pieces the chariot and its rider…” First they killed their own son, the Persian Shah, Cyrus the Great, who returned to Media to subdue the tribes. They later halted the lightning forces of Greece with the death of Alexander the Great possible by the poisoned cup of a Pashtun chamberlain. Later they repulsed away the “iron man” forces of the Romans, drove out the British imperial forces, destroyed the forces of Russia, and will soon declare victory as the American Empire prepares to leave soon the regions of their tribal dwelling. According to the Islamic traditions in the Muslim Hadiths, out of the loins of the Pashtun Tribes will arise the first Islamic Messiah, the Mahdi. It will be the destiny of the Mahdi to save the family of Muhammad and even set up the Vice-regent rule of the al-Mahdi within an Islamic Caliphate. It will also be the Mahdi, who will raise an army to fight the anti-Messiah called the Dijall, identified as the Jesuit control forces of NATO and the United States, conquer Constantinople and remove Turkey from the grips of the European Union and NATO. Over the centuries, the Lost Ten Tribes of the House of Israel began to wander across the face of the globe. We find hints of them in China. A greater multitude headed north through the region of the State of George, who once had a monarchy of the lineage of King David. They did not stop nor tarry for the Lost Tribes of Israel continued to wander the northern corridor over the Black Sea, as they followed the footsteps of their brother tribe, Dan. They crossed the Don (Dan) River, the D(a)nieper, the D(a)niester, and then west-northwest up the Danube towards Denmark (Danmark). One of the tribes called the Getae (meaning “wanderers”) lived along the Danube River at a place called Arsereth, named in the Book of Esdras. Here also lived the Royal Scythians who later became the leading warrior tribe of the Scandinavian Vikings. Another branch of the Lost Ten Tribes headed west to Europe below the Black Seas. They were called the Sacae-Suni (sons of Isaac), the Khumri or Ghomerians named after King Omri, the father of King Ahab, of the Beth-Khumri (House of Omri). The Khumri later known as the Cimmerians arrived into Northern Europe in Gaul and afterwards called the Celtic and Cymric peoples. They colonized central and northern Europe in the region called Gaul in what was called the Hallstatt and La Tene cultures, which today are known to be of the Lost Israelite tribes of peoples.                                            The Lost Israelite Fall Feast of Thanksgiving The Lost Ten Tribes then fanned out over Northern Gaul before settling into the Isles of the West, the northern Scandinavian countries, Northern France Germany and Switzerland, plus the lowlands of the Netherland and Belgium. The last of the Lost Tribes who made inroads into European Gaul, were the Germanic tribes of the Ostrogoths, the Visigoths, and the Vandals. Though late starters, the Germanic tribes carried the Divine mantle as “G-d’s Battle Axe” for they alone were the only peoples who toppled the brutal iron empire of Rome, not once but twice. In the Destination Yisra’el blog titled, “The Lost Tribes of Israel as G-d’s Emissary of Divine Judgment upon Rome”, we learned the city of Rome was never conquered except twice, when it was sacked by the Gothic Visigoths and the Vandals in the early and mid 5th century CE.  In a spellbinding account, these ancient warriors were like none other which the Roman legions feared most, for every time the encountered the Germanic tribes, they lost entire legions of Roman soldiers. This fact was most depicted in the 2nd century BCE when the wandering Israelite Scythians met for the first time the Roman legions in the year of 113 BCE.  Called the Kimbri Celts, the Scuths (Scythians also known as the Kimmerian or the Kimbri Celts) met the Roman army under the command of the Roman Consul Cn. Papirius Carbo.  They were received with a great reception, sent on their way in a false direction and then the Roman legions sought to ambush them. As the history was told; the Kimbri Scythians Israelites “resisted boldly and at length the betrayed defeated the betrayer.” In the midst of a great thunderstorm the Roman army was routed in the midst of great darkness and was routed and scattered. As the great classical Roman historian and Nobel Laureate in Literature, Theodor Mommsen (1817-1909), wrote in his “History of Rome”: Theodor Mommsen – “That storm alone prevented the complete annihilation of the Roman army.” It was in the hands of the Israelite-Kimbri Celts that they could have advanced into Rome and taken possession of that city, but the hand of the Lord used its restraining power for, “the Fourth Empire (of Daniel’s apocalypse) was not yet ripe for its final doom.” (Christian Matthias Theodor Mommsen, “History of Rome”, cited by John Heywood, “Israel’s Wanderings” pg. 79, cited by Ingersol, “Lost Israel found in the Anglo-Saxon Tribe, Chapter 5”) At that time the Israelite Kimbri Scythians were more powerful than Rome. As reported by John Heywood and reported in Gibbon’s “Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire”, the Israelite-Kimbri-Celts were again on excursion this time into the region of southern Gaul. This Kimbri tribal envoy requested of the Romans to provide them land in which to settle and live peacefully within the region. This request was “contemptuously rejected”. Not only was the Kimbri request spurned but they were attacked by the Roman legions under the command of General M. Junius Silanus. The Roman army was crushed and disseminated and the entire Roman camp was taken in the Israelite Kimbri possession. (John Heywood, “Israel’s Wanderings” pg. 80)  Five hundred years before the Visigothic Israelites sacked the city of Rome, the Scythian Israelite warriors called the Kimbri could have easily moved south at this time and taken possession of the city of Rome but the guiding hand of the Divine put their attentions elsewhere. Is was John Heywood who wrote: John Heywood – “These battles, commonly ascribed to the "Goths and Vandals," together with many more by the same people, are now known to have been fought by the Anglo-Saxons, then called Scuths, Kimbri, Sacra, and Engel all of which names are appropriated solely by the "Lost Tribes of Israel." And it is especially remarkable, that in all these twelve or thirteen battles, Israel was triumphant in all save one, which was said to have been a "drawn battle," "the time of Rome's utter fall having not yet come." (John Heywood, “Israel’s Wanderings” pg. 65, ch. VIII, and ch. X, p. 77, also ch. XI, pg. 84; cited by Ingersol, “Lost Israel found in the Anglo-Saxon Tribe, Chapter 5”) It was later in the year of 9 CE, that once again the Lost Tribes of Israel engaged the Romans in a military engagement. Again they whipped and destroyed the Roman legions and thereby eroded the invincible power of the Roman Empire in the Germanic forest of Europe. Once again this fact was written with the greatest of clarity by John Heywood John Heywood – “In reviewing this subject I cannot refrain from giving a brief account of a battle of these very Israelites, called by the Romans the "Cherusi." The scene of this battle was between the headwaters of the Ems and Weser (Rivers), and called Saltus Teutobergiensis. This battle has been narrated by Sir E. Creasy, "as one of the decisive battles of the world." The leaders in this battle, A. D. 9, were Quintilius Varus, of the Roman legions, and Arminius, the leader of the Cherusi (the Israelites.) This battle, which lasted two days, was so fatal to the Romans that the tidings of it filled all Rome with an agony of terror. Caesar Augustus was so alarmed that he often beat his head against the wall and exclaimed, "Qaintilius Varius, give me back my legions." The blow struck by Arminius was never forgotten." Four hundred years later, the Visigoths and later the Vandals sacked the city of Rome, they seemed indifferent to the glories of a military victory than any other warrior cultures. The Visigoths selectively took everything of gold within the city, and then left. Fifty years later, this occurred again with the Vandals when they entered the city of Rome. As written in the Destination Yisra’el blog titled, “The Legacy of the Visigoths and the Vandals upon Protestant Christianity” Destination Yisra’el – “Forty five years earlier when the Vandal’s tribal Israelite kin, the Visigoths, sacked Rome in 410 CE, they plundered the city for only three days and then left. It was as though they had one purpose; to gain possession of something of enduring value. It also showed the Roman citizens a rare sense of honor to the human peoples that even their own Roman rulers failed to comprehend. During the Visigoth sacking of Rome, it is believed by numerous scholars that the Visigoths took with them the 9,000 pounds of gold already given to King Alaric I for bribes to originally keep them out of Italy and Rome. Yet, the most enduring legends surround the “Treasures of Solomon” that Rome had confiscated from the Temple of Herod in 70 CE plus other cultural treasures of Jerusalem. They took these treasures with them, never to be seen again. These treasures were one thousand years later still remembered as the “Treasures of the Visigoths”. As stated, the Visigoth Israelites stayed in Rome only three days yet the Israelite Vandals stayed for two weeks. The Vandals already knew what had been taken by their tribal brethren and so had to spend longer time to glean from the archives of Rome those objects of value including the ‘repossession’ or ‘redemption’ of the Treasures of the Ancient Israelites of the United Kingdom of David and Solomon. These two noble kings of antiquity, King Alaric I of the Visigoths and King Genseric of the Vandals were also genetic descendants of the Royal Scythian Israelites from the ancient Kingdom of Northern Israel, and thereby tribal cousins to the Jews of the Southern Kingdom of Judah. This may not have been the Vandal’s conscious intent to redeem the “Treasures of the Temple of King Herod” but it came through as their destiny imbedded by the Holy One of Israel in their collective subconsciousness. According to historical sources, the Imperial Roman Palace was sacked and loaded upon the ships to be taken across the Mediterranean Sea to adorn the royal residence of the Vandals in Carthage. The Temple of Jupiter Capitolinus had the gilded roof stripped away. The golden vessels of Solomon’s Temple used by the Babylon’s King Belteshazzar in his final feast were taken into the Vandal possession. These golden vessels of Solomon’s Temple, taken as plunder by the Babylonians under King Nebuchadnezzar, later were returned to Jerusalem by the Israelite Persian Shah Cyrus the Great of the Israelite Tribe of the Pasargadaes. They became a part of the sacred vessels in the Temple of Zerubabbel in Jerusalem that was enlarged and expanded later into Herod’s Temple; the largest and most opulent temple in the then known world.  These sacred vessels plus many other treasures were later taken by the Roman General Titus (later Emperor) to Rome. Now they were been ransomed and redeemed by the Lost Vandal Israelites. Yet, the Christian churches and basilicas were virtually untouched. They had no value or meaning to the Israelite “barbarians”. Unlike Rome’s plundering and desecration of the peoples they conquered, the Israelite Vandals had a certain respect for human life. The populations of the Roman peoples were mercifully spared in honor by the Vandal King Genseric to the appeal of Pope Leo I not to destroy the city of Rome and show clemency to the Roman people. Roman historians are virtually unanimous that what was also conspicuously absent in the Vandal and Visigoth sackings of Rome was ‘murder’ and incendiary (torched by fire) destruction of Roman homes and buildings for the purpose of wanton destruction and desecration to either humans, buildings or works of art. Yet, the Romans later, to their shame, changed the history of the Roman sacking by the Vandals to one of destruction.” A Bountiful Lost Israelite Thanksgiving Feast  So what was to important to the Lost Israelite Visigoths and Vandals, that they appeared to attack even with massive forces not for power, greed, and control, but for something within their historical culture that appeared to be stated by the G-d of Israel that needed to be redeemed and replaced back into the hands of G-d, even those who abominated G-d Holy Name and whom to most people appeared to be “lost” and not “redeemable”. This answer was provided in part by Destination Yisra’el in the following report: Destination Yisra’el – “It is historically documented that the Goths called the Vandals, had prior intercourse with their tribal brethren, the Goths called the Visigoths. It was they who took over the land of Hispania (Spain). The region today called Andalusia was in those days while under the rule of the Vandals; called Vandalusia. The Visigoths during these same years migrated over to live in ancient French Aquitaine as a move by Rome to get them as far away from Italy as possible. The Vandals later migrated and moved out of Spain and moved across the Strait of Gibraltar and conquered and took possession of Northern Africa, while their cousins came into Spain in the era called Visigothic Spain. Did the Visigoth and the Vandal chieftains compare “notes’ with each other? Did the Visigoths tell them what they saw in Rome, and what part of “Solomon’s Treasures” they recovered? Did the Visigoths inform the Vandal chieftains what treasures were left in Rome? Is it possible that the Visigoths selectively targeted the possession of “King Solomon’s Gold” and deliberately left after they had taken all the “Treasures of King Herod’s Temple” before a counter-revolution in Rome would rise up against them? What we do know is that the legends of the “Treasures of King Solomon” were specifically tied with the Visigoths and their sack of Rome in 410 CE. Yet, the legends of the Vandals are associated with the recovery and repossession of the “Treasures of King Herod’s Temple”. Yet the story does not end here. The Visigoths and the Vandals also disappeared in history as the military antagonists of Rome, who sacked the city of Rome not once, but twice. Yet, the people’s that remained as the legacy of the Visigoths and the Vandals appeared also to appear from nowhere yet their legacy was also tied to the protection of the Lost Treasures of Solomon. As stated of another peoples called the Cathars, the “Pure Ones” in the Languedoc Province of southwestern France. The history continues that when the forces of Alaric left the city of Rome, the Treasures of Solomon’s Temple became a part of their tribal possession. After that day, they headed to towards the Walled Fortress City of Carcassonne that was located in the Languedoc Province in the southwestern region of France. There in the foothills of the Pyrenees Mountain, the Visigoths made their “Masada” called the Castle Stronghold of Montségur. Hanging like a bird’s nest on a mountain cleft along the numerous 11,000-foot peaked ranges between France and Spain is a virgin territory today of innumerable caves like Qumran near the Dead Sea, where even Adolf Hitler was convinced was the Treasures of the Hebrew kings, and spend innumerable energy and finances seeking to find. According to the Visigothic legends, the Treasures of Solomon were secreted in the grottos near Sabarthea, or in another legend, the Grotto of Ornolac or Fontanet. Then there were the legends about the cavern called “The Cathedral” or the chamber called “The Tomb of Hercules”. Even so, the “Treasures of the Visigoths” appeared to be much larger than the “Treasures of Solomon” for the Visigothic Treasures included the two bribes of 4,000 pounds of gold, and later the 5,000 pounds of gold that were given the Visigoths to keep them from destroying the City of Rome. One thing is known, these “Treasures of the Visigoths” were within site of the “Eagle Nest” Citadel of the Cathars at Montségur and the nearby village of Rennes-le-Chateau near Couiza. It was in the 12th to the 16th century, the Cathars and later the Huguenots and the Waldensians came to be the “hunted ones” of the Roman Catholic Inquisition in Southern France. Tens of thousands were captured and destroyed by the most ignoble of means, by the Catholic Inquisition. They again morphed again with the arrival of the great Protestant reformer, John Calvin, who for the first time, spoke to his audiences of the Lost Tribes of Israel, that they had divine destiny. And that they did for the prophecy as given by Hashem, the G-d of Israel to Ezekiel the prophet in chapter 36, was to be fulfilled centuries later as their prophecy of destiny. The Cathars, and later the Huguenots, and the Waldensians, now infused with destiny by John Calvin and the Calvinists became the Puritans who as political activists sought to change the monarchy of England. Those that gave up the concept of reforming the monarchy of England became the Pilgrim separatists and founded the Plymouth Colony in the 17th century in America, the New World. It was their English Celtic and Anglo-Saxon cousins in Great Britain and the United States that later became the American and British missionaries of the 19th century during the height of England’s Victorian Era. Yet, it was after the height of the Inquisition’s annihilation of the Cathars in the Pyrenees of Southern France (12th c.); and the Inquisition’s expulsion of the Sephardi Jews from Spain in 1492 that the witness of the Huguenots and the Waldensians in the Alps of Switzerland and Northern Italy were now willing to die for their testimony to the Messiah called “The Nazarene” who claimed that his sole mission of the life was to “Find the Lost Sheep of the House of Israel.” Is it not a remarkable fact of history that truly it was the “Lost Sheep of the House of Israel”, were the first converts in England and Northern Europe. It took the Catholic massacres of the Waldensians who lived across the English Channel in Provence, France in 1545 who began to polarize the Europeans between those who would follow the path of Edomite Rome and the Northern European Lost Israelites. As early as 1631, the Protest-ant scholars began to regard the Waldensians as the early forerunners (13th century) of the Protest-ant Reformation, a mantle that would later be given to John Wycliffe (14th century) and Jan Hus (15th century). They were all directly targeted by the Roman Catholic Church, and the latter burned at the stake. Thanking G-d for the Blessing of Life at Thanksgiving The facts that the Reformation took its greatest hold upon the minds and souls of the populous living in Northern Europe, suggests that they truly were the Lost Ten Tribes of the House of Israel. Somehow in their “collective mind”, they knew that they were different when they arrived in the virgin forests of Northern Gaul, has been the testimony of numerous antiquarian researchers. These archives have then have been collected and collaborated with modern Jewish historical scholarship such as Yair Davidiy with Brit-Am, whose research on the Lost Tribes of Israel has been intensively documented and published in numerous historical volumes, that the nations of Northern Europe were colonized by the Lost Tribes of Israel known in history as the Celtic, Anglo-Saxons, the Vikings, along with the incoming waves of the Germanic tribes called the Ostrogoths, Visigoths, and the Vandals. Even today, the Mechoqeck of Judah, the judiciary trained Jewish rabbanim called the “Lawgiver”, have now taken up the mantle of historically of the truth and verity of the return of the Lost Tribes of Israel. This testimony is especially affirmed by the Jerusalem based Rabbi Avraham Feld, founder of Kol Ha Tor, based upon the analysis and affirmation of the extensive documentation left by the ancient Hebrew prophets; that it is a biblical mandate that the Northern Kingdom of Israel will be redeemed and restored at the time of the end. It is a biblical mandate that the descendants of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, that were exiled, will, at the end of day, restored and redeemed. It is also amazing that the Protest-ant reformers that were viewed as rightist seditionists in medieval Catholic Europe have the same patriotic spiritual “ideology” as those attacked by the international press called the Orthodox Jewish “settlers” who are living upon the same land inhabited by the Northern Ten Tribes of Israel. It is these Jewish youth who live on the tribal lands of the House of Joseph through the descendants of his youngest son, Ephraim, who was given the tribal blessing. Both groups, four hundred and fifty years apart, had a dominate sense of “destiny” and “chosenness” and both of them believed in the G-d of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The Mérindol Massacre in 1545 targeting the Waldensians hiding in the mountains of Provence just seventy-five years before the Puritan Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock. This massacre became the lynchpin that shook European minds that humans had the indelible right to freedom of worship and speech. It was reported that hundreds to thousands were massacred and tortured for their emuna or faith in the G-d of Israel. These memories were already sealed in the minds of the Pilgrims before they set sail on the Mayflower and traveled over the Atlantic to the New World. So as we celebrated Thanksgiving, we also must be reminded that it was not just an happenstance that it was at the First Thanksgiving that an American Indian called Squanto saved the lives of the Israelite Pioneering Puritan political activists and the Pilgrims Calvinist Separatists. By the Providence of the Divine, the finger of the L-rd, who was hiding from His “lost” but still “chosen” children was also guiding their lives to a “New Land” in a “New World” that would be a beacon of light to the world for the next 400 years. In that era, at the time of the end, event would unfold called the “Guela” (Redemption) that would herald the Kingdom of G-d on earth would be revealed by the Maschiah ben Dovid (Messiah son of David). Four Hundred years later after the day that Squanto arrived to meet the Pilgrims, saved their lives and then celebrated with the Puritans and the Pilgrims the First Thanksgiving, 312 million Americans from every religious belief, every pagan background, and every social or political culture around the world celebrate yearly a harvest feast festival called Thanksgiving; reminiscent of the one given to the Hebrews at the Mount called Sinai called Succot (Festival of Dwellings). Where did all of these “Americans” hear of such a strange idea?  Why do they, as one huge family get together and pray to the G-d of Israel in Thanksgiving during the fall?  It was a small “Golden Cord” of truth carried by the Lost Sheep of the Ten Tribes of Israel, who first rebelled, were sent into exile, and then continued to desecrate the Holy Name of G-d throughout 3,300 years of wandering. They did continue onward until they found their own resting place in Northern Europe. They fought each other, created nations with borders, created empires and colonies, and before the Maschiah of Israel (Messiah of Israel) will be fully revealed, they will be redeemed where the Maschiah (Messiah) will teach them the “ways of salvation”. Isaiah 2:3 – “It will happen in the end of days: The mountain of the Temple of HaShem will be firmly established as the head of the mountain, ad it will be exalted above the hills, and all the nations will stream to it. Many peoples will go and say, ‘Come, let us go up to the Mountain of HaShem, to the Temple of the G-d of Jacob, and He will teach us of His ways and we will walk in His paths.’ For from Zion will the Torah come forth, and the word of HaShem from Jerusalem. He will judge among the nations and will settle the arguments of many peoples. They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks; nation will not lift sword against nation and they will no longer study warfare.” The Ashes of Waco The scene outside Waco, Texas, on February 28, 1993 - when dozens of federal law enforcement agents in full combat gear stormed the Branch Davidian compound - could have been cast in England before the Quakers and Pilgrims fled to America, or in the colonies at Salem, or in the new Republic during the nineteenth century, when descendants of the Quakers and Pilgrims turned their suspicions on the early Mormons. The elements that these very American crusades had in common were, on one hand, a group of people with beliefs incomprehensible to the majority of the population, and on the other, police agencies whose operatives could not distinguish custom from law, idiosyncrasy from threat. The line between churches, which Americans believe should be protected from government interference, and cults, which most Americans hold in disdain, has nothing to do with the Constitution-the First Amendment in theory shields both-and everything to do with the prejudices of a nation that has grown fearful of the diversity that made it unique. The residents of Mt. Carmel were instantly convicted of sin and lawbreaking by the kind of gossip that unites remote hamlets and electronic villages alike... The Amazing Convergence of Thanksgiving and Hanukkah and its implications upon Diaspora Jews           Thanksgivukkah, a Celebration between the Jews and the Lost Tribes of Israel  In a world that is being transformed into a “world community”, the identity of one’s individuality and the spiritual awareness of one’s neshama soul is quickly being transformed into a new awareness. The evidence that the G-d of Israel is wooing both of His children from the House of Judah to the Lost House of Israel back home is alive and well and increasing every day. Is it not amazing that for the first time in 125 years, since the year of 1888 that the Festival of Hanukkah and the Festival of Thanksgiving coincided like a solar eclipse at noonday.  It also comes at a time in that there is becoming a heightened awareness that the Lost Ten Tribes are no longer lost, but are “coming home to roost” for the final grand reunion of Klal Yisrael (All Israel). Called “Thanksgivukkah” by many Jews living in America, the eve before both Thanksgiving and Hanukkah began with challah bread and latke-crusted turkey. This also included pumpkin donuts, and pumpkin kugel mimicking the traditional Jewish noodle casserole. Is this a coincidence or is the G-d of All Israel (Klal Yisrael) stating that He is in control and that He will not longer remain hidden from our spiritual Israelite and Jewish neshama souls. So what will we think of the merging of these two great holidays of festivities? To the Lost Ten Tribes of the House of Israel, the American festivity of Thanksgiving was a true outreach by the Pilgrims and Puritans who fled from Europe in the wake of four centuries of pogroms by the Roman Catholic Inquisition between the 15th and the 18th centuries against Jews and Lost Israelites alike. As Destination Yisrael wrote about the decades during the rise of the Inquisition and its affect upon the Lost Tribes that came out of the rise of the Protest-ant counter-revolt, title, “King Henry VIII, the Catholic Inquisition and the Puritan’s Visigothic Lost Israelite Ancestors; the Cathars, the Huguenots, and the Waldensians”, we read how it wiped out millions of Lost Israelites during the Albigensian Catholic pogroms. So when these descendants of the  Cathars, Huguenots, and the Waldensians reached the New Land, Thanksgiving became symbolic of tying the knot to two great traditions between the Jewish peoples, and the Lost Ten Tribers from the House of Manasseh in the United States of America. It was the Roman Catholic Christian Albigenses Inquisition whose pogroms during the 14th to the 19th centuries in Europe against Jews and Lost Israelites alike wiped out millions of Lost Israelites in southern Europe. The Cathars, and later the Huguenots, and the Waldensians, now infused with destiny by John Calvin and the Calvinists became the Puritans who as political activists sought to change the monarchy of England. Those that gave up the concept of reforming the monarchy of England became the Pilgrim separatists and founded the Plymouth Colony in the 17th century in America; the New World. It was their English Celtic and Anglo-Saxon cousins in Great Britain and the United States that later became the American and British missionaries of the 19th century during the height of England’s Victorian Era. Yet, it was after the height of the Inquisition’s annihilation of the Cathars in the Pyrenees of Southern France (12th c.); and the Inquisition’s expulsion of the Sephardic Jews from Spain in 1492 that the witness of the Huguenots and the Waldensians in the Alps of Switzerland and Northern Italy gave up their lives in testimony to the messiah called “The Nazarene” who claimed that his only mission in life was to find the “Lost Sheep of the House of Israel”, Was it not amazing that the “Lost Sheep” were living the New England and Northern Europe? It was during the infamous era of the mid-16th century that Queen Mary I became known in her five year rule (1553-1558) over the English people as “Bloody Mary”. Under her rule, the Church of Rome returned to England to rule through bloody oppression under the rule of power, greed and control, rather than to guide the English people in the ways of G-d’s righteousness. For five bloody years, “Bloody Mary” carried the torch of Roman Catholicism as she had 280 religious dissenters burned at the stake in what has been called the Marian Persecutions. It took the Catholic massacres of the Waldensians who lived across the English Channel in Provence, France in 1545 who began to polarize the Europeans between those who would follow the path of Edomite Rome and the Northern European Lost Israelites.  As early as 1631, the Protest-ant scholars began to regard the Waldensians as the early forerunners (13th century) of the Protest-ant Reformation, a mantle that would later be given to John Wycliffe (14th century) and Jan Hus (15th century). They were all directly targeted by the Roman Catholic Church, and the latter burned at the stake. The facts that the Reformation took its greatest hold upon the minds and souls of the populous living in Northern Europe, suggests that they were the Lost Ten Tribes of the House of Israel.  Somehow in their “collective mind”, they knew that they were different when they arrived in the virgin forests of Northern Gaul, has been the testimony of numerous antiquarian researchers. These archives have then have been collected and collaborated with modern Jewish historical scholarship such as Yair Davidiy with Brit-Am, whose research on the Lost Tribes of Israel has been intensively documented and published in numerous historical volumes, that the nations of Northern Europe were colonized by the Lost Tribes of Israel known in history as the Celtic, Anglo-Saxons, the Vikings, along with the incoming waves of the Germanic tribes called the Ostrogoths, Visigoths, and the Vandals. Even today, the Mechoqeck of Judah, the judiciary trained Jewish rabbanim, have now taken up the mantle of historically documenting the truth and verity of the return of the Lost Tribes of Israel. This testimony is especially affirmed by the Jerusalem based Rabbi Avraham Feld, founder of Kol Ha Tor, based upon the analysis and affirmation of the extensive documentation left by the ancient Hebrew prophets;  that it is a biblical mandate that the Northern Kingdom of Israel will be redeemed and restored at the time of the end. It is a biblical mandate that the descendants of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, that were exiled, will, at the end of day, restored and redeemed. So this rare convergence of two holidays of Thanksgiving on the 4th Thursday of November stretches to the limits the lunar Jewish calendar year on the night of November 27. This is also about as early in the solar Gregorian calendar year that the Festival of Hanukkah can be celebrated.  What many fail to comprehend is the fact that these two festivals were conceived by the descendants of the Hebrews called the Children of Israel, today known as the Jews of the House of Judah, and the Lost Ten Tribes of the House of Israel. As Destination Yisrael wrote about Thanksgiving a year ago on November 25, 2012 in the blog titled, “Pondering the Ancestral Roots of Thanksgiving: Our lost Israelite Heritage”: Even though the G-d remained hidden to the Lost 10-Tribes and not realized in His fullest spiritual reality, the hints and traces that He left with them would create in the future some of the most blessed and creative social cultures this world has ever seen in Europe, their colonies plus America.  Considering the Abrahamic Blessing that the world would be blessed by his ‘chosen’ descendants, was it any wonder that in 2010, “The World's Happiest Countries were Settled by the Twelve Tribes of Israel; the Descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob” with the exception of Costa Rica who tied with New Zealand as #6 in the Top 10. It all began with the Rebellion of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, who in their own autonomous, independent way chose to go alone, secede from the Kingdom of Judah and chart their own history over the next 2,700 years. They were sent into exile by the G-d of Israel to the Land of Media known in history as Khurasan in the region of Northern Iran, Eastern Afghanistan and Western Pakistan. Today, the largest tribe of these peoples are known as the “Bani-Israel” (sons of Israel), with the Pashtun Tribes of Afghanistan and Pakistan. They gave us as one of their son, the enlightened ruler of Cyrus the Great from the Pasar-Gadae tribe of Gad, and his general, Gobryas, a Governor of the Tribe of Gutium (Gatti, Cutti), also of the Tribe of Gad, defeated King Belteshazzar in a drunken feast and took possession of the most impregnable city of the ancient world, Babylon, without shedding one drop of Jewish blood. There in this same region in Media, the Lost Ten Tribes settled and prospered in a beautiful land looking upon the mountain vistas of the Himalayas today called the Northwest Frontier Provinces whose administrative capital is Peshawar just to the east of the Khyber Pass. Within those regions each of the ten tribes found homelands and set up ten tribal regions where they were able to preserve their own tribal and  religious identities. They became known as “G-d’s Battle Axe” and over the centuries defeated, repulsed or drove out those imperial forces that sought dominate them.” Jeremiah 51:19-21 – “The Portion of Jacob is not like them, for he is the Maker of all things; and Israel is the tribe of His inheritance. The L-rd of hosts is His Name. You (Israel) are My “battle ax” and weapons of war: for with you I will break the nation in pieces; with you I will destroy kingdoms; with you I will break in pieces the horse and its rider; with you I will break in pieces the chariot and its rider…” What is of interest is the fact that this convergence of the two festivals also occurred in the year of 1888. Yet, according to the American physicist Jonathan Mizrahi at the Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, N.M., this overlapping of Jewish and Israelite festivals will not occur again for about 78,000 years into our future. In the year of 2070 and 2165, the first night of Hanukkah will overlap with Thanksgiving night. So why is this such a special event today? Today and 125 years ago in the year of 1888, the Lost Ten Tribes in America celebrated their freedom on Thanksgiving from religious oppression on the same day as the Jewish people shared their freedom from religious annihilation on Hanukkah. The Lost Tribers were celebrating religious and spiritual freedom one with another, whether they knew it or not, simultaneously as the Jewish people celebrated the resistance of the Jews against the Syrian King Antiochus Epiphanes IV. It was he who sought to destroy the foundation of Judaism by forbidden circumcision and the reading of the Torah which led to the rebellion of a group of Maccabee priests along with Jewish farmers who drove Antiochus and the Syrian army from Judea. They restored the desecrated Temple of Zerubabbel, relit the temple menorah that miraculously remained lit for seven additional days with one day worth of oil. Yet, what happened again in 1888? Asher Zvi Hirsch Ginsberg (18 August 1856 – 2 January 1927), better known as an essayist by his penname, Ahad Ha’em, became one of the foremost pre-state Zionist thinker of his era. As such, Ahad Ha’em became known as the founder of cultural Zionism. In the year of 1888, he disbanded the Bnei Moshe society and began to promote Jewish education and the rise of the national consciousness of Zionism. He has vision of a Jewish “spiritual center” being in the land of Israel (Roman Palestine in those days). His goal was to revive Hebrew and the Jewish culture not only in Palestine but all around the Jewish Diaspora in contrast to the era of the rise of Political Zionism in the 1897 Congress by Theodor Herzl who had no real no use for the Hebrew language. It was Herzl who wanted German to be the language of the new future Jewish State. As such, the final merger of the State of Israel, with a Hebrew culture is only coming into its own after 125 years. It was estimated that before World War II over 90% of all Jews were Ashkenazim. At the end of the 19th century a large majority of Ashkenazim were in the Russian empire and its periphery. Yet beginning with the year of 1888, there was a mass migration of Jews from that part of the world who emigrated to the United States of America and scattered elsewhere around the world. Was the G-d of Israel directing that migration of Jewish people in the late 19th century? We accept the affirmative, and the fact that HaShem is also directing the affairs of the nations today. He is preparing for the mass migration of the Jewish peoples from the diaspora along with the return of the Lost Ten Tribes of Israel now returning to the land of their forefathers in preparation for the rise of Klal Yisrael (All Israel). Together they will await the era of the Messiah when HaShem working through Greater Israel will bring a millennium of peace when the Jewish peoples will finally become a “light to the nations”. They will teach the nations of the world about the elevated state of Torah consciousness that will raise the spiritual consciousness of all peoples that are left after the catastrophes heralding the revealing of the messiah in the “world to come”. Here is where we will be introduced to a revolutionary world of “Spiritual Technology”. So maybe the G-d of Israel is again reaching into the minds of the American Lost Israelites and assimilated Jews for together they have one destiny; return to the Land of Israel in aliyah and complete the final tikun and rectification by raising both the human spiritual consciousness of the Diaspora Jews and the Lost Israelites. Thanksgiving holiday commemorating the Mayflower & the Pilgrims’ day Speaking of the Thanksgiving holiday commemorating the Mayflower Compact and the Pilgrims’ day of thanksgiving 392 years ago, President Uchtdorf remarked, “What a wonderful legacy for building a people and a great nation under God. It is very similar and comparable to the faith in every footstep of the early Mormon pioneers, who built the LDS Church and this great state of Utah.“ Some today think Thanksgiving Day should not be connected to God, he said, but only to country and history. In contrast, he quoted from George Washington's October 3, 1789, Thanksgiving Day Proclamation that specifically references gratitude to God. ”With all the busyness and business going on during this time of year, it is easy to focus on the feasting and not so much on prayer and praise!“ he commented. He said gratitude is one of the most important human virtues and one of the most common human deficiencies. ”Gratitude does not develop without effort.“ CIRCUMCISION (; in Biblical Hebrew, ="the cutting away" of the ="foreskin").  A religious rite performed on male children of Jews on the eighth day after birth; also on their slaves, whether born in the house or not. It was enjoined upon Abraham and his descendants as "a token of the covenant" concluded with him by God for all generations, the penalty of non-observance being "karet," excision from the people (Gen. xvii. 10-14, xxi. 4; Lev. xii. 3). Aliens had to undergo circumcision before they could be allowed to partake of the covenant-feast of Passover (Ex. xii. 48), or marry into a Jewish family (Gen. xxxiv. 14-16). It was "a reproach" for the Israelite to be uncircumcised (Josh. v. 9; on "the reproach of Egypt" see below).  Hence the name "'arelim" (uncircumcised) became an opprobrious term, denoting the Philistines and other non-Israelites (I Sam. xiv. 6, xxxi. 4; II Sam. i. 20; compare Judges xiv. 3; I Sam. xvii. 26), and used synonymously with "tame" (unclean) for heathen (Isa. lii. 1). The word "'arel" (uncircumcised) is also employed for "unclean" (Lev. xxvi. 41, "their uncircumcised hearts"; compare Jer. ix. 25; Ezek. xliv. 7, 9); it is even applied to the first three years' fruit of a tree, which is forbidden (Lev. xix. 23). Attention has also been called to the peculiar attitude of Deuteronomy and the Prophets toward circumcision. Deut. x. 16 (compare ib. xxx. 6 and Jer. iv. 4) says, "Circumcise the foreskin of your heart," thus giving the rite a spiritual meaning; circumcision as a physical act being enjoined nowhere in the whole book (see Geiger, "Urschrift," ii. 79, and Montefiore, "Hibbert Lectures," 1892, pp. 229, 337). Jer. ix. 25, 26 goes so far as to say that circumcised and uncircumcised will be punished alike by the Lord; for "all the nations are uncircumcised, and all the house of Israel are uncircumcised in heart." Obviously, the prophetic view of the sacredness of the rite differed from that of the people. After the settlement of the Israelites in Palestine, the rite was transferred to the eighth day after birth. In fixing the time of the initiatory rite at an age when its severity would be least felt, the Mosaic law shows its superiority over the older custom. Explanations which find the origin of circumcision in hygienic motives, suggested first by Philo and Josephus, then by Saadia and Maimonides, and often repeated in modern times, from Michaelis down to Rosenzweig, who recommends its introduction into the Prussian army, have no other than a historical value. During the Babylonian exile the Sabbath and circumcision became the characteristic symbols of Judaism. This seems to be the underlying idea of Isa. lvi. 4: "The eunuchs that keep my Sabbath" still "hold fast by my covenant," though not having "the sign of the covenant" (Gen. xvii. 11, Hebr.) upon their flesh. Contact with Grecian life, especially at the games of the arena, made this distinction obnoxious to the Hellenists, or antinationalists; and the consequence was their attempt to appear like the Greeks by epispasm ("making themselves foreskins"; I Macc. i. 15; Josephus, "Ant." xii. 5, § 1; Assumptio Mosis, viii.; I Cor. vii. 18; v:shapes="_x0000_i1028">, Tosef., Shab. xv. 9; Yeb. 72a, b; Yer. Peah i. 16b; Yeb. viii. 9a). All the more did the law-observing Jews defy the edict of Antiochus Epiphanes prohibiting circumcision (I Macc. i. 48, 60; ii. 46); and the Jewish women showed their loyalty to the Law, even at the risk of their lives, by themselves circumcising their sons. The Book of Jubilees (xv. 26-27), written in the time of John Hyrcanus, has the following: "Whosoever is uncircumcised belongs to 'the sons of Belial,' to 'the children of doom and eternal perdition'; for all the angels of the Presence and of the Glorification have been so from the day of their creation, and God's anger will be kindled against the children of the covenant if they make the members of their body appear like those of the Gentiles, and they will be expelled and exterminated from the earth" To be born circumcised was regarded as the privilege of the saints, from Adam, "who was made in the image of God," and Moses to Zerubbabel nd great importance was laid upon the shedding of a drop of blood as a sign of the covenant when a child or a proselyte born circumcised was to be initiated into Judaism. Uncircumcision being a blemish, circumcision was to remove it, and to render Abraham and his descendants "perfect" . "Isaac should be the offspring of the consecrated patriarch" (Gen. R. l.c.). He who destroys the covenant sign of Abraham (by epispasm), has no portion in the world to come According to the same Midrash, Pharaoh prevented the Hebrew slaves from performing the rite, but when the Passover time came and brought them deliverance, they underwent circumcision, and mingled the blood of the paschal lamb with that of the Abrahamic covenant, wherefore (Ezek. xvi. 6) God repeats the words: "In thy blood live!" In the wilderness, however, the Israelites omitted only the peri'ah, according to R. Ishmael; according to the other rabbis, they did not circumcise their children on account of the fatigue of the journey. According to Sifre, Beha'aloteka, 67, and Ex. R. xix., the tribe of Levi was the only one that "kept the [Abrahamic) covenant" (Deut. xxxiii. 9).  Unlike Christian baptism, circumcision, however important it may be, is not a sacrament which gives the Jew his religious character as a Jew. An uncircumcised Jew is a full Jew by birth A non-Jewish physician may, according to R. Meïr, in the absence of a Jewish expert, perform the ceremony, as may women, slaves, and children, although the more rigorous Shammaite rule was forced by the Amoraim. Circumcision must, whenever possible, take place on the eighth day, even when this falls upon the Sabbath. The Samaritans and the Karaites, however, dissent from this rule (see Karaites and Samaritans); if by reason of the child's debility or sickness the ceremony is postponed, it can not take place on the Sabbath. It is the duty of the father to have his child circumcised; and if he fails in this, the bet din of the city must see that the rite is performed. The rite of circumcision appears to be both the oldest and the most widely spread surgical operation known. According to Andree, it is still practised by more than two hundred million people, which is quite a conservative estimate, since the followers of Islam alone are reckoned at about 1.6 billion followers or 23% of earth's population. Though not a principle or religious duty, it is spread throughout the Mohammedan world; consequently both the age at which the operation is performed and the mode of treatment vary among Turks, Persians, Algerians, and Arabs. Among the Arabs circumcision seems to be a test of endurance. Philostorgius found it practised by them as early as 342 B.C. A much earlier instance, however, among Egyptian mummies, is that of Amen-en-heb, (lived between 1614 and 1555 B. C.), which H. Welcke has found to be a true case of circumcision. The practise extends over part of the Balkans, Asia Minor, Persia, part of India, and the Malay Archipelago, besides practically the whole of North Africa. Nor can this be due to Mohammedan influence, as it occurs quite as frequently among the tribes of the east and west coasts of Africa which have not been in contact with Islam. Even the Christian Abyssinians, the Bogos, and the Copts, the first of whom probably learned it from Jews, still observe the rite. Indeed, so universal is the practise in Africa that it would be simpler to give a list of the tribes that do not circumcise than to enumerate all those that do. The possibility of an Egyptian origin for circumcision is, however, completely disproved by the extent of the practise in Australia. The Australian evidence is of particular interest, the operation being performed there with a stone knife, as is recorded of the Israelites (Spencer and Gillen, "Tribes of Central Australia," p. 323; compare Ex. iv. 25). The practise is almost equally wide-spread among the islanders of the Malay Archipelago. For America the evidence is somewhat scanty, and relates chiefly to the central part of the continent, though Petitot reports the practise among the Athapascans and McKenzie among the Dog River Indians. An analogous practise is reported by Squier among the inhabitants of Nicaragua, who draw blood from the organ and sow corn dipped in it. In Mexico a similar practise was found by Cortez, according to the report of Garcia de Palacio (1576); but the blood drawn was offered at the altar. Las Casas reports it among the Aztecs; and the Mayas of Yucatan still have an analogous practise. The Caribs of the Orinoco and the Tacunas of the Amazon practise the rite, as well as the Automecos, the Salivas, and the Guemos, who perform it on the eighth day, the earliest time recorded among savage tribes. The subject can not be adequately treated without a reference to the analogous operation of clitoridectomy performed on girls of nubile age, sometimes accompanied by the so-called "infibulation" of the adjacent parts. According to Ploss, this occurs among the S. Arabs, in Egypt, in Abyssinia, among the Gallas, the Susus, the Mandingos, the Masai, and the Waknosi (all of whom likewise circumcise their boys), as well as in Peru and on the banks of the Ucayale River. The operation is in nearly every case performed simultaneously on males and females, though they are kept separate during the periods of preparation and operation. One sect of Jews, the Falashas, also circumcise both sexes; it is probable that this practise has been adopted from the surrounding Abyssinians. The instrument with which the operation is performed is in almost every case an ordinary knife of iron or steel; but, as stated above, the Australians use stone knives, as the Jews and the Egyptians (Pliny, "Hist. Nat." xxxv. 46) did formerly, and as the North-American Indians and the Abyssinian Alnajas still do. A case in which a stone knife was used by Jews is mentioned by Schudt as late as 1726. Mussel-shells are used in Polynesia. The Marolongs of South Africa used a "fire-stone" (meteorite), but now circumcise with an assegai.                                                        Stars fall (meteorite in England) Much variety is found in the age at which the rite is performed among different tribes. The earliest occurs among the Jews, on the eighth day after birth (Falashas even on the seventh), and among the southwestern Arabs, who perform the rite on the seventh, fourteenth, twenty-first, or twenty-eighth day. The Susus near Timbuctoo and the Guemos of South America are also said to perform the rite on the eighth day. In East Africa the Mazequas perform it between the first and the second month. The Persian Mohammedans circumcise in the third or fourth year; the Christian Copts, between the sixth and eighth. The Fijians perform the operation in the seventh year, as do also the Samoans. But, apart from these instances, all the tribes who perform this rite do so at the age of puberty, which is of course a very significant fact. The exceptional position of the Jews in this regard has to be emphasized in any discussion of the light which ethnology can throw upon the Biblical command. The act of circumcision is generally accompanied by some special ceremonial. In Samoa it takes place when the youth is named; but most often it forms a part of the general set of ceremonies initiating the young of both sexes into mature life. This is generally accompanied by trials of endurance for the lads or young men; and from a certain point of view circumcision may be regarded as one of these tests, as is definitely the case among the Jauf of South Arabia (Halévy). Among the Falashas three old women perform the rite, possibly because it is practised on girls as well as boys. Occasionally, however, the operation is performed by the priest; and in the New Hebrides a distinctly mystic character is imparted to the ceremony, no woman being allowed to be present. Similarly, Livingstone found it impossible to obtain access to the "boguera" of the Bechuanas. Among the Borana the lads are kept apart in a special hut; and on the day of circumcision an ox is sacrificed, and all smear themselves with its blood. Among the Sulus the blood is received in a cup of ashes and buried, while with the Marolongs the removed foreskin is buried. The rite is mostly common to the whole population, but occasionally, as in Rook Island, it is performed on the rich only, while in Celebes it is only resorted to in the case of princes who have no children. In Mexico it seems to have been a prerogative of the upper classes. There are certain indications which seem to show that primitive peoples adopt or drop the practise without much ado, possibly because it is not regarded as definitely religious. The Zulus and the Gallas have discarded the custom since Europeans have become acquainted with them, and Reinach gives reasons for believing that the Philistines, though specifically mentioned as uncircumcised (Judges xiv. 3; I Sam. xvii. 26, 36; xviii. 25; Ezek. xxxii. 30), had adopted circumcision by the time of Herodotus  and Aristophanes —i.e., between 575 (Ezekiel) and 445 B.C. (Herodotus)—while the Idumeans, who appear to have been circumcised in the time of Jeremiah (Jer. ix. 26), had entirely discarded the practise by the time of John Hyrcanus, who forcibly reintroduced it among them. The sacrificial theory, which sees in circumcision an offering to the deity of fertility, has to draw for illustration from the practises of Yucatan and Nicaragua, where the custom itself is only in a stage of survival, if it exists at all. Others regard it as a substitute for human sacrifice. The practise is either common to all the tribe or is reserved for the upper classes, as in Mexico, the Celebes, and Rook Island, tells strongly against this last form of the sacrificial theory. According to the wise custom among savages of initiating their youth into all the duties of the mature life, the elders prepare the lads for their marital life at this time; and circumcision, often of both sexes, is resorted to as part of the preparation. The only ancient legend about Zipporah circumcising Moses (as would seem to be implied by her exclamation, Ex. iv. 25, 26) confirms Ploss's view to some extent; but the exceptionally early age at which Jews perform the rite takes it entirely out of the category of initiation ceremonies among them, and proves it to be of a religious or symbolic nature, as indeed is expressly claimed for it. Circumcision varies considerably as practised by the Jews and by the Mohammedans. Among the Jews it means not only the excision of the outerpart of the prepuce, but also a slitting of its inner lining to facilitate the total uncovering of the glans. The Mohammedans pursue the simple method of cutting off the integumental portion of the foreskin, so that almost all of the inner layer remains, and the glans continues covered. Implements and Accessories of Circumcision (18th Century). 1. Cup of benediction. 2. Shield. 3. Knife. 4. Spice-box. 5. Tape. 6. Cotton and Oil. 7. Sand. 8. Powder.(From Bodenschartz, "Kirchliche Verfassung," 1748.) The operation up to very recent times was exclusively performed by laymen, to whom the act had been taught by others who, by experience, had acquired the necessary knowledge and skill. The tests of a good operator, or "mohel" (circumciser), were that he should perform his work quickly, safely as to its immediate effect, and successfully as to the condition which the parts would permanently assume. As a rule, the majority of these operators developed great dexterity; and accidents were remarkably rare. In case the glans was not sufficiently exposed after the healing process was completed, much anxiety was occasioned; for in some exceptional instances a second operation was resorted to. The operation consists of three parts: "milah," "peri'ah," and "meẓiẓah." The difference of opinion which prevails among the historians and traditionalists as to the character of the rite before Mohammed, prevails also as to the age at which circumcision had to be performed. According to Josephus, the Arabs circumcised after the age of thirteen, "because Ishmael, the founder of their nation, was circumcised at that age". Ibn al-Athir and many other Arabic authorities assign different ages. It is probable that there existed no regulation as to age; and each locality followed its own custom. Thus, in Yemen, where Jews exercised great influence, the Arabs circumcised their children on the eighth day after birth. The Mohammedan law recommends circumcision between the ages of seven and twelve years, but it is lawful to circumcise a child seven days after its birth. The circumcision of females is also allowed, and is commonly practised in Arabia. The ceremonies preceding circumcision give to this act the character of a religious initiation. After having performed the prescribed ablutions, the candidate makes his confession before the imam, and a new name is added to his former one. As among Jews, circumcision is followed among Mussulmans by feasting and rejoicing. The custom among Orthodox Jews in Russia and Poland, of inviting pious men to spend the night preceding circumcision in prayer and study in the house in which the ceremony is to take place, finds a striking parallel in that current among the Mussulmans of Egypt, where priests are hired to recite prayers in the house of the candidate the night before the ceremony. That night is called "lailah al-kabirah" (the great night), in opposition to the preceding night, "lailah al-ṣaghirah" (the small night), in which an entertainment is given to friends. The Bible Belt & the Mormon Belt In the USA there are two main conservative Christian areas: one spans several states of the Far West (Utah especially) & the other spans the Old South's states (called Dixieland or simply Dixie). The Conservative area in the west is called the Mormon Belt, after their scriptural book, The Book of Mormon (companion to the Bible). Their official name is Latter-day Saints (LDS). The conservative area in the south is called the Bible Belt. They are Protestant & mostly Baptist.                                         Mormon Belt & Bible Belt in the USA

 The Liberal Holland has a Bible loving conservative area as well & it's also called Bible Belt.

                                                       Dutch Bible Belt

Khazaria (586-1083 AD)

Khazaria served as the western anchor of the northern Silk Road for several centuries, specifically 7th through 10th, as well as a major buffer state between the Christian and Islamic worlds. However, by a combination of both accident and design, knowledge of this early medieval empire was lost to the world until very recently. The famous and comprehensive Victorian "Wall Chart of World History," originally published in 1890 and now housed in the Library of the British Museum in London, does not even mention the Khazars. And yet, Arab records note that in the 9th Century the Caliph in Baghdad set up a throne room with four thrones representing the four major imperial figures of the world at that time, i.e., (1) himself as leader of the Islamic Empire, (2) Charlemagne of Western Christendom, (3) the Emperor of China, and (4) the Qaghan of the Khazars. The Byzantine Emperor was not considered worthy of inclusion!

Initially a confederation of Turkic tribes with the good fortune to be situated along the Silk Road, the Khazars evolved from their closed nomadic society into a pluralistic, urban and agrarian society as they absorbed Jews escaping Byzantine and Arab persecution, other non-Muslims fleeing the Arab Conquest, Arabs from the east, Slavs from the north, and other nomadic tribes. As the country prospered, others came to expand their trading networks, and to seek new manufacturing and agricultural opportunities. Khazaria was ruled (at least symbolicly) by the Khagan (also Kagan or Gaghan) who hailed from a "royal" Khazarian lineage. Actual power was wielded by the Beg (or Bek), who was the senior general and statesman of the empire, chosen by proven success on the battlefield to serve as the supreme leader of the standing regular army, and who also managed all diplomatic relations, as well as internal governmental administration. An analogy can be made to medieval Japan and the respective roles of the Emperor and the Shogun. Power was also wielded in varying degrees by the various tribal chieftains.

Only very recent exploration and research has brought to light the unique nature and full extent of Khazarian civilization. A surprisingly tolerant and pluralistic society, even its army incorporated relatively harmoniously Jews, Christians, Muslims and Pagans at a time when religious warfare was the order of the day around the Mediterranean and in Western Europe. By welcoming educated and worldly Jews from both Christian Europe and the Islamic Middle East (even to the point where these proto-Turks converted to Judaism in the 8th century), the Khazars rapidly absorbed many of the arts and technologies of civilization.

As a direct result of this cultural infusion, they became one of the very few Asian steppe tribal societies that successfully made the transition from nomad to urbanite. Settling in their newly created towns and cities between the Caspian Sea and the Crimean Peninsula on the Black Sea, they became literate and multi-lingual agriculturalists, manufacturers and international traders. Even the great city of Kiev is now thought by many scholars to have been founded by the Khazars under its earlier name of Sambata (sounds like a deviation from Sambatyon & therefore Sabbath). They also rapidly evolved a relatively sophisticated military establishment (compared to other "hordes" such as the Ghuzz, Pechenegs, Bulgars, etc.).

Their first military appearance in recorded history of any significance occurred in 627 C.E., when 40,000 Khazar horsemen, under a formal military alliance with the Byzantine Emperor Heraclius, joined a campaign against Sassanian Persia.  Greatly weakened by this war with Byzantium and its allies, the Sassanids rapidly succumbed to the subsequent onslaught of Islamic Arabs, which allowed the Khazars to seize lands in the Transcaucacus region.

As an indicator of Khazarian military capabilities, they are noted as having utilized artillery, such as catapults and ballistae, as early as the Arab-Khazar wars in the 7th century. Later in their history, in the early 9th century, the Khazars employed Byzantine engineers to build a major brick fortress on the lower Don River, at a site that became known as Sarkel (a Turkish word meaning "White Fortress"). Architecturally, Sarkel was a combination of Turko-Iranian (Iranian in this time & area is usually Iranian speaking Israelite) and Byzantine technological characteristics.

The advance of the Arab Conquest forced the Khazars to abandon Derbent (661), but around 685 the Khazars counterattacked south of the Caucacus, seizing large portions of Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan. Armenia became the principal battleground between the two empires in the 720s, with the tide gradually shifting back toward the Arabs. In 737 AD, the Arabs defeated the Khazars and drove them north of the Caucacus. An Arab army then sacked the Khazarian capital at Itil before withdrawing south of the Caucacus, effectively establishing that mountain range as their boundary.

Although losing ground, Khazaria by its determined resistance effectively stopped the new Islamic Empire from flanking Christendom in the east at a time when Europe was in disarray. In fact, Khazaria "was the only credible rival to the caliphate in the Near East during the seventh and eighth centuries".

Thwarted in the south, the Khazars turned their attention to the west, extending their domain from the Caspian Sea and the lower Volga in the east to the north shore of the Black Sea as far as the Dnieper River in the west. They extracted tributes from the Alans, the Magyars, the Goths, the Greeks of the Crimea, and the Volga Bulgars. However, the rise of the Pechenegs in the north and the arrival of the Rus in Kiev greatly diminished Khazarian influence. The campaign of Prince Svyatoslav of Kiev effectively broke the back of the Khazarian empire in 965 AD, although a portion of the kingdom continued until at least 1030 AD and references to the Khazars appear as late as the 12th Century as they migrated westward.

The Khazarian War Wagon was used to transport and protect the Khagan if/when he deigned to appear on the battlefield and can be compared to the Italian carrioco. It was a defensive device, not a mobile missile-firing platform. The balance of Cavalry and/or Light Horse would be comprised of Khazarian horse archers, Torkils and Burtas tributaries and levies/allies drawn from subject Alans, Bulgars, and/or Magyars. The Arsiyah Cavalry units in this army, which formed the regular standing army of the Khazars, were primarily mercenary, non-Arab Muslims from Khwarizm and the various Central Asian city-states located along the Silk Road.

The Burtas were Turkish tribal folk who lived in tents just north of the Caspian Sea, maintaining a somewhat nomadic existence according to the requirements of seasonal grazing on the steppes. Be sure you get some fairly scruffy figures when you build this unit. Torkils were another Khazar tributary tribe very similar to the Burtas, and located so as to be a buffer against the Pechenegs. The Khazars did make use occasional use of Artillery. 

The  enemies of Khazaria included the Sassanid, Bulgar, Slav, Ghuzz, Arab, Byzantine, Magyar, Russ, Pecheneg, Ghaznavid, and Georgian armies.

This is one army where the usage of the Star of David as a shield emblem is most appropriate. Both textual and archeological evidence has shown that most of the Khazars converted to Judaism between the years 750 to 860, and that the Star of David was a popular decorative motif in that culture.

JACHIN AND BOAZ

"And he reared up the pillars before the temple, one on the right hand, and the other on the left; and called the name of that on the right hand Jachin, and the name of that on the left Boaz." (II Chron. 17.)

Very likely some of us have wondered what was the meaning of these two mysterious pillars set up by Solomon in front of his temple, and why they were called by these strange names; and then we have dropped the subject as one of those inexplicable things handed down in the Bible from old time which, we suppose, can have no practical interest for us at the present day. Nevertheless, these strange names are not without a purpose. They contain the key to the entire Bible and to the whole order of Nature, and as emblems of the two great principles that are the pillars of the universe, they fitly stood at the threshold of that temple which was designed to symbolise all the mysteries of Being.

In all the languages of the Semitic stock the letters J and Y are interchangeable, as we see in the modern Arabic "Yakub" for "Jacob" and the old Hebrew "Yaveh" for "Jehovah." This gives us the form "Yachin," which at once reveals the enigma. The word Yak signifies "one"; and the termination "hi," or "hin," is an intensitive which may be rendered in English by "only." Thus the word "Jachin" resolves itself into the words "one only," the all-embracing Unity.

The meaning of Boaz is clearly seen in the book of Ruth. There Boaz appears as the kinsman exercising the right of pre-emption so familiar to those versed in Oriental law--a right which has for its purpose the maintenance of the Family as the social unit. According to this widely-spread custom, the purchaser, who is not a member of the family, buys the property subject to the right of kinsmen within certain degrees to purchase it back, and so bring it once more into the family to which it originally belonged. Whatever may be our personal opinions regarding the vexed questions of dogmatic theology, we can all agree as to the general principle indicated in the role acted by Boaz. He brings back the alienated estate into the family--that is to say, he "redeems" it in the legal sense of the word. As a matter of law his power to do this results from his membership in the family; but his motive for doing it is love, his affection for Ruth. Without pushing the analogy too far we may say, then, that Boaz represents the principle of redemption in the widest sense of reclaiming an estate by right of relationship, while the innermost moving power in its recovery is Love.

This is what Boaz stands for in the beautiful story of Ruth, and there is no reason why we should not let the same name stand for the same thing when we seek the meaning of the mysterious pillar. Thus the two pillars typify Unity and the redeeming power of Love, with the significant suggestion that the redemption results from the Unity. They correspond with the two "bonds," or uniting principles spoken of by St. Paul, "the Unity of the Spirit which is the Bond of Peace," and "Love, which is the Bond of Perfectness."

The former is Unity of Being; the latter, Unity of Intention: and the principle of this Dual-Unity is well illustrated by the story of Boaz. The whole story proceeds on the idea of the Family as the social unit, the root-conception of all Oriental law, and if we consider the Family in this light, we shall see how exactly it embodies the two-fold idea of Jachin and Boaz, unity of Being and unity of Thought. The Family forms a unit because all the members proceed from a common progenitor, and are thus all of one blood; but, although this gives them a natural unity of Being of which they cannot divest themselves, it is not enough in itself to make them a united family, as unfortunately experience too often shows. Something more is wanted, and that something is Love. There must be a personal union brought about by sympathetic Thought to complete the natural union resulting from birth. The inherent unity must be expressed by the Individual volition of each member, and thus the Family becomes the ideally perfect social unit; a truth to which St. Paul alludes when he calls God the Father from Whom every family in heaven and on earth is named. Thus Boaz stands for the principle which brings back to the original Unity that which has been for a time separated from it. There has never been any separation of actual Being--the family right always subsisted in the property even while in the hands of strangers, otherwise it could never have been brought back; but it requires the Love principle to put this right into effective operation.

When this begins to work in the knowledge of its right to do so, then there is the return of the individual to the Unity, and the recognition of himself as the particular expression of the Universal in virtue of his own nature.

These two pillars, therefore, stand for the two great spiritual principles that are the basis of all Life: Jachin typifying the Unity resulting from Being, and Boaz typifying the Unity resulting from Love. In this Dual-Unity we find the key to all conceivable involution or evolution of Spirit; and it is therefore not without reason that the record of these two ancient pillars has been preserved in our Scriptures. And finally we may take this as an index to the character of our Scriptures generally. They contain infinite meanings; and often those passages which appear on the surface to be most meaningless will be found to possess the deepest significance. The Book, which we often read so superficially, hides beneath its sometimes seemingly trivial words the secrets of other things. The twin pillars Jachin and Boaz bear witness to this truth.

196:1 The following comment was made by Judge Troward, after the publication of this paper in Expression:

"The Two Pillars of the Universe are Personality and Mathematics, represented by Boaz and Jachin respectively. This is the broadest simplification to which it is possible to reduce things. Balance consists in preserving the Equilibrium or Alternating Current between these two Principles. Personality is the Absolute Factor. Mathematics are the Relative Factor, for they merely Measure different Rates or Scales. They are absolute in this respect. A particular scale having been selected all its sequences will follow by an inexorable Law of Order and Proportion; but the selection of the scale and the change from one scale to another rests entirely with Personality. What Personality can not do is to make one Scale produce the results of another, but it can set aside one scale and substitute another for it. Hence Personality contains in itself the Universal Scale, or can either accommodate itself to lower rates of motion already established, or can raise them to its own rate of motion. Hence Personality is the grand Ultimate Fact in all things.

"Different personalities should be regarded as different degrees of consciousness. They are different degrees of emergence of The Power that knows Itself."

Israel and the White Race (Brit-Am)

The Ancient Egyptians were Africans. Their physical type varied. Some could be quite light-skinned, others very dark, most were probably of a darker Mediterranean type as revealed by archeological findings.

We do not know what Asenath looked like nor what color she was. [I personally do not really care.] Even if she was dark her descendants could still be quite light due to genetic drift and environmental influence.

At other times family members of the ruling dynasties upon occasion appear to have been relatively light skinned. There were periods when the Egyptians placed guards at the frontier and forbade the entrance of black Nubians. At other times we find Nubian regiments and police force serving in Egyptian employ along with black slaves and servants in the royal palace.

Asenath could have been of almost any color though statistical probability is that she was of a darker Mediterranean type.

Apart from that one should forget the stereotypes. Scandinavians are on the whole quite light and so are most Dutch People and the Irish but even these groups contain quite a few darker brunette types some of whose ancestors may well have been much darker than they are. Technically according to the old system of physical classification at least 50% of the inhabitants of the British Isles were considered of Mediterranean type. The other ca. 50% are mainly of the Nordic type which in turn is considered a more robust lighter offshoot of the Mediterranean.

In our opinion many Afro-Americans are of Israelite Descent.

The Black Afro-Americans in Prophesy

It was prophesied [Isaiah 45:14] that slaves from Africa would be taken to the USA  where the Lost Ten Tribes were to be found in the Latter Days... That is one of our proofs that the Lost Ten Tribes today are to be found in North America as well as regions from which most of its early settlers derived. 

Isaiah (45:14) says: That which comes to Egypt [via the Suez  Canal], the trade of India [Cush], and of the Sabeans [of negro Africa], shall come over [the sea] unto you. They will be yours, in chains they will come unto you. This was fulfilled by the British and Americans.

In the future these descendants of slaves will acknowledge the God of Israel and the People of Israel.

Isaiah 45:14 Thus says the LORD: The labor of Egypt and merchandise of Cush. And of the Sabeans, men of stature, Shall come over to you, and they shall be yours; They shall walk behind you, They shall come over in chains; And they shall bow down to you. They will make supplication to you, saying, 'Surely God is in you, And there is no other; There is no other God. 15 Truly You are God, who hide Yourself, O God of Israel, the Savior! 

Is Obama Legitimate?

President Obama may well be a Kenyan of Canaanite origin and forbidden according to the US Constitution to fulfill the role he does.

We are commanded not to put foreigners in command of us: Deuteronomy 17:15 you shall surely set a king over you whom the LORD your God chooses; one from among your brethren you shall set as king over you; you may not set a foreigner over you, who is not your brother.

Alien control of Israelites is described as punishment to be avoided.

Deuteronomy 28:43 The alien who is among you shall rise higher and higher above you, and you shall come down lower and lower.

Color overlaps with Racial Distinctions but does not determine them. Theoretically it is posssible for people of the same color to belong to different races. Not all black people are necessarily descended from Ham though most may be.

A person is born in the situation they would have chosen to be born in; knowing the options that were open to them. We are what we are because our souls agreed to us being that way. We each have a task in life and us being who we are most suits us towards fulfiling that task.

The Tribes of Israel on the whole, as far as we can tell, belonged to the White Race. This does not mean that that we may automatically conclude that someone who is colored does not descend from Israel.

We simply do not know. The bottom line is determined by how one acts and feels. The Lost Ten Tribes according to our findings are today to be found concentrated amongst certain Western Nations. We are therefore justified in concentrating our efforts amongst the peoples in question. It may be that descendants of Judah and/or Israel are also to be found elsewhere and if so they too will return with the others. Our conclusions are valid on the general level. An individual who feels part of Israel but does not pertain to any of the groups Brit-Am concentrates upon should attach themselves to one of the Israelite Peoples or to Judah.

The Scattering Of Israel

Deuteronomy 31:16-18  And the Most High said to Moses: "You are going to rest with your fathers, and these people(Israel) will soon prostitute themselves to the foreign gods of the land they are entering. They will forsake Me and break the covenant I made with them.-On that day I will become angry with them and forsake them; I will hide my face from them, and they will be destroyed. Many disasters and difficulties will come upon them, and on that day they will ask, 'Have not these disasters come upon us because our Yah is not with us?'-And I will certainly hide my face on that day because of all their wickedness in turning to other gods.

Who is Israel today?

The so-called African America a.k.a. Negro 

The West Indies of Afro descent 

Jamaicans of Afro descent

Haitians of Afro descent

Dominicans of Afro descent

Puerto Ricans of Afro descent   

Mexicans of Afro descent

Brazilians of Afro descent

Cubans of Afro descent

And all those that are scattered around the world of Afro and Native American descent not of Hamitic bloodline but are the descendants of Jacob (Israel) through the line of Shem, Abraham, and Issac.  

African, Colored, Negro, Black, Afro-American, African American…

The terms used to refer to Black Americans. Also Afro and Negro is a term used to refer to those that came from the Trans Atlantic Slave Trade and are not of Hamitic bloodline.

Understand not all people that are dark and brown skinned are from the line of Ham. Noah had 3 sons Shem, Japheth, and Ham. Jacob / Israel = The first Israelite, and the progenitor of the Black Hebrews. Jacob is from the line of Shem. The line of Shem is of a dark skinned people and look like Ham in appearance. 

The Africans come from Ham. 

Zondervan Bible Dictionary: Ham: 1.The youngest son of Noah born probably about 96 years before the Flood; and one of eight persons to live through the Flood. He became the progenitor of the dark races; not the Negroes, but the Egyptians, Ethiopians, Libyans and Canaanites. 

Noticed the phrase,"not the Negroes"? The question is then who are the Negroes if they are not from Ham? The Negroes are from the line of  Noah's son Shem. 

The Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade of Israel, was the enslavement and transporting of Israelites as cargo. This cargo was shipped over by the Portuguese (and Brazilians), the British, the French, the Spanish, the Dutch, and the North Americans. From the 16th century to the 19th century Israelites were shipped mostly from the coast of  West Africa to the Americas and some parts of Europe.  It is estimated that between 10 to 12 million Israelites arrived in the New World.  About 1/4 to 1/3 of Israelites were lost to the sea through disease and harsh treatment by the crew members aboard the cargo ships. 

Sir John Hawkins and the “Good Ship Jesus” of 1562

Hawkins was the first slave-ship captain to bring Israelites to the Americas. Hawkins was a religious gentleman who insisted that his crew “serve God daily” and “love one another”. Being a religious man he felt the need to name is cargo ship of human (Israelites) slaves the “Good Ship Jesus”.

In his first voyage, he was granted permission from Queen Elizabeth in October 1562. Hawkins acquired three hundred blacks in his possession, claiming to have captured them “partly by sword and partly by other means.”

  John Hawkins Coat of Arms arrogantly adorns a bound slave. Off the coast of Africa, near Sierra Leone, Hawkins captured 300-500 slaves, mostly by plundering Portuguese ships, but also through violence and subterfuge promising Africans free land and riches in the new world. He sold most of the slaves in what is now known as the Dominican Republic. He returned home with a profit and ships laden with ivory, hides, and sugar. Thus began the British slave trade.

On his return to England Queen Elizabeth, livid, assailed Hawkins charging that his endeavor, ", was detestable and would call down vengeance from heaven upon the undertakers." When Elizabeth became fully aware, however, of the profits to be made she joined in partnership with Hawkins.

  

A later slaving expedition in 1567, consisting of five ships and the "Jesus of Lubeck," met with resistance from the Spaniards at St Juan d'Ulloa in Mexico. Since the slave trade was illegal Spanish colonists usually required a charade of force from British ships, after which they would buy slaves at a discount. This time, however, the Spanish attacked the British ships and the "Jesus of Lubeck," cumbersome and difficult to maneuver, was sunk and the crew slaughtered. Hawkins escaped with Drake on a smaller ship.

Exodus 23:13 - And in all things that I have said unto you be circumspect: and make no mention of the name of other gods, neither let it be heard out of thy mouth.

Once you become enlightened to the truth, you can't continue to worship the Most High in ignorance by cleaving to that which is not Yah. 

John 4:24 - Yah is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth(law). 

 Israel were a Hebrew speaking people, before they fled out of Jerusalem in 70CE running from Roman Persecution. They ran into Africa and arrived on the Ivory Coast of West Africa, such as Ghana and Nigeria and Sierra Leone. Having no desire to mingle with other nations Israel didn't go into the parts of Africa that Hamitic people lived such as Egypt, Libya, Ethiopia. Israelites stayed in Africa for 1300 years until the Africans conspired with the Arabs and sold Israel to the Europeans such as Sir John Hawkins of The British empire. 

The Trans-Atlantic slave trade was a fulfillment of scripture to a disobedient people that had forsaken there God. The Israelites were being punished for there disobedience of Yah's laws and commandments.    

Deuteronomy 28:64   And the Most High shall scatter thee among all people, from the one end of the earth even unto the other;...

Drunkards of Ephraim 

Isaiah 28:2 refers to the Lost Ten Tribes in their places of Exile as the Drunkards of Ephraim. This means they must be found in alcohol consuming countries. The USA, Australia, Britain, and related nations fit the bill along with other attributes unique themselves.

Alcohol Isaiah described the drunkards of Ephraim (28:1, 3). This has been explained by others as figurative and refers to Ephraim being drunk with power and success. A literal explanation, however, is also possible. The two explanations are complementary. The literal sense was apparently intended. The British, Americans, and Australians are amongst the foremost consumers of alcohol in the world both in absolute numbers and per capita consumption. 

This proof may seem a little trifling at first but there is something to it. The Lost Ten Tribes especially those of Joseph will be excessive consumers of alcohol. 

Jews do not drink to excess on the whole. At Jewish functions you will find wine and even vodka and whisky freely available. Drunkenness does occur but it is rare. Jews do not have the same thirst in this regard as many Gentiles (How 'bout Russians & Latinoamericans?) do. 

Moslems do not drink alcohol. 

The Lost Ten Tribes must therefore be found amongst those Gentile nations that drink a lot of alcohol. When this proof is considered together with all the others and all taken as a comprehensive whole then it does say something.

 I grew up in Australia. Some of my friends had mild drinking problems. I almost had one. I would say that the source of this is lack of social priorities. Young People should be encouraged to take responsibility, get on in life, get married as soon as they can and set up a family. Youthful energy and aggression should be channeled into spiritual, positive social and intellectual activities combined with sport and exercise: Everybody according to his individual proclivities. 

Alcohol- It has been reported that the first European settlers in Australia drank more alcohol per head of population than any other community in the history of mankind. 

* In 1954, Bob Hawke was immortalised by the Guinness Book of Records for sculling 2.5 pints of beer in 11 seconds. Bob later became the Prime Minister of Australia. 

*Sir John Robertson, five times premier of New South Wales, drank a pint of rum every morning for 35 years. Later said: 'none of the men who have left footprints in this country have been cold water men.'

Consider extracts from  our past commentary on the relevant passages in Isaiah:

 [Isaiah 28:1] WOE TO THE CROWN OF PRIDE, TO THE DRUNKARDS OF EPHRAIM, WHOSE GLORIOUS BEAUTY IS A FADING FLOWER, WHICH ARE ON THE HEAD OF THE FAT VALLEYS OF THEM THAT ARE OVERCOME WITH WINE! 

<<DRUNKARDS OF EPHRAIM>>: the British drink a lot, Australians drink more than anybody else except Russians, North Americans drink a lot. Jews (from Judah) are not usually great drinkers but alcohol is freely available at Jewish functions and in religious ceremonies etc. Jewish alcoholics exist but on the whole Jews have an exceptional tolerance for alcohol: Everything is relative. WINE in Biblical terms can mean any alcoholic beverage. Perhaps by DRUNKARDS drug and other addicts are included?

 Amos Chacham understands DRUNKARDS OF EPHRAIM to be also figurative and connoting drunk with richness and power. On the one hand we say that physically the Tribe of Ephraim is more amongst the British than the Americans who are more dominated by descendants of Menasseh. Even so on the other hand many from Ephraim are in America. Ephraim in Prophecy also connotes the Lost Ten Tribes in general. In this sense we can understand the rebuke directed at Ephraim to apply at least in equal measure to Israelite descendants in America. 

[Isaiah 28:2] BEHOLD, THE LORD HATH A MIGHTY AND STRONG ONE, WHICH AS A TEMPEST OF HAIL AND A DESTROYING STORM, AS A FLOOD OF MIGHTY WATERS OVERFLOWING, SHALL CAST DOWN TO THE EARTH WITH THE HAND. 

The enemy shall overcome Ephraim and cast him down like pouring rain in a thunder storm, a hurricane-like destructive wind, and an overflowing flood of waters. Ephraim shall be overcome and brought down.  

 [Isaiah 28:3] THE CROWN OF PRIDE, THE DRUNKARDS OF EPHRAIM, SHALL BE TRODDEN UNDER FEET: 

<<THE CROWN OF PRIDE, THE DRUNKARDS OF EPHRAIM>>: Physiologically alcohol reduces inhibitions and can enhance self-esteem. It enables pride to take over. In practice someone who is drunk often demeans himself and is treated with contempt by others. Nevertheless drunkenness and pride are linked and an overduly proud person can act as if he were drunk and vice-versa.  

 [Isaiah 28:4] AND THE GLORIOUS BEAUTY, WHICH IS ON THE HEAD OF THE FAT VALLEY, SHALL BE A FADING FLOWER, AND AS THE HASTY FRUIT BEFORE THE SUMMER; WHICH WHEN HE THAT LOOKETH UPON IT SEETH, WHILE IT IS YET IN HIS HAND HE EATETH IT UP. 

<<AS THE HASTY FRUIT BEFORE THE SUMMER>>: Referring to the fruit of the fig which gives forth individual first fruits that fully ripen before most of the others. These are usually purple in color and ooze with natural fruit sugar. Someone who plucks them just cannot resist swallowing them up on the spot. So too when the enemy comes he will devour the riches of Ephraim. One can picture hordes and hordes of deprived poverty-stricken foreign peoples swarming over our cities taking whatever they can like locusts. The Germans were not poverty-stricken but in Eastern Europe in the Second World War they would often take away everything they could possibly have any use of leaving the conquered peoples with less than they needed to ensure survival. The Russians in their turn in some cases acted similarly. They and most other peoples would all do the same thing to us if they only could. Let there be no delusions on that score. Even the most cultured people cannot always resist taking advantage of vulnerability in others, especially when they feel they can get away with it.

In most cases, If you run away from an aggressive dog the dog will probably run after you whereas if you stand up to it chances are it will go away or at least back off. It depends. In some exceptional cases you should run, though most times it is a mistake to do so. Even so: He who fights and runs away lives to fight another day.  

 [Isaiah 28:5] IN THAT DAY SHALL THE LORD OF HOSTS BE FOR A CROWN OF GLORY, AND FOR A DIADEM OF BEAUTY, UNTO THE RESIDUE OF HIS PEOPLE, 

But those who remain will be saved and guided by the Almighty.   

[Isaiah 28:6] AND FOR A SPIRIT OF JUDGMENT TO HIM THAT SITTETH IN JUDGMENT, AND FOR STRENGTH TO THEM THAT TURN THE BATTLE TO THE GATE. 

Ephraim will make a comeback and drive the enemy out to the gate. Ephraim(i.e. the Tribes of Joseph or the Lost Ten Tribes in general) will also succeed out of nothing to re-institute a rule of justice and righteousness amongst those who remain of his own peoples. The course of battle will be turned around. When things look most black then we will repent and immediately things will change as we could not have thought possible. Never give up!  

 [Isaiah 28:7] BUT THEY ALSO HAVE ERRED THROUGH WINE, AND THROUGH STRONG DRINK ARE OUT OF THE WAY; THE PRIEST ANDTHE PROPHET HAVE ERRED THROUGH STRONG DRINK, THEY ARE SWALLOWED UP OF WINE, THEY ARE OUT OF THE WAY THROUGH STRONG DRINK; THEY ERR IN VISION, THEY STUMBLE IN JUDGMENT. 

Before the return even those who should lead us will be found wanting just like we are. 

[Isaiah 28:8] FOR ALL TABLES ARE FULL OF VOMIT AND FILTHINESS, SO THAT THERE IS NO PLACE CLEAN. 

Throughout the Bible there is a theme that unrighteous behavior often brings its own punishment in its trail without God having to intervene.   

[Isaiah 28:9] WHOM SHALL HE TEACH KNOWLEDGE? AND WHOM SHALL HE MAKE TO UNDERSTAND DOCTRINE? THEM THAT ARE WEANED FROM THE MILK, AND DRAWN FROM THE BREASTS. 

<<WEANED FROM THE MILK>>: Instruction should be given and Leadership should be chosen from amongst those who exhibit some restraint, maturity, and self-denial when necessary.  

From the above sources we see that The Lost Tribes will be drinkers of alcohol and in many cases to an excessive degree. This does not mean that they will all be drunkards or that there will not be teetotallers amongst them. It does mean at the least that alcohol-consumption will be socially acceptable and cases of excess not unknown. This criteria effectually eliminates all Muslim nations and most Asian ones. It fits those peoples identified as Israelite by Brit-Am and is one sign of distinction that may be taken into consideration as part of the comprehenisive whole body of evidence.

This is also incidentally an additional sign that the Lost Ten Tribes are still divided from Judah and not to be considered as part of them. Jews on the whole traditionally do not drink to excess. Jews may have other faults but in general drinking is not one of them. It will however be a problem for "Ephraim" meaning the Lost Ten Tribes in general. 

Is the Rune Alphabet Related To Paleo-Hebrew?

I was watching a video about the Hebrew alphabet and noticed in the drawings of the Paleo-Hebrew, that there was something familiar, as though I had seen it somewhere before and remembered that I had seen the Rune Alphabet and noticed similarity between the two. 

The Hebrew letters we see took shape during the time of the exile to Babylon, the letters in which Amos transcribed the books he had that eventually were included in the Bible. 

Hebrew reads right to left, and Vikings read the Rune Alphabet as we do, left to right, the same as the Romans and Greeks did. 

Rune Alphabet

 Paleo-Hebrew alphabet

And something else struck me as similar, one letter is called Kenaz, and I had remembered that was in the Bible, and it is the name of three individuals... 

Kenaz or Knaz - hunter - is the name of several persons in the Hebrew Bible. קְנָז "Hunter", Standard Hebrew Knaz, Tiberian Hebrew Qənaz / Qənāz A son of Eliphaz and a grandson of Esau. He was an Edomite leader. (Genesis 36:11, 15, 42). He may have been the ancestor of the Kenezites. Caleb's younger brother, and father of Othniel (Josh. 15:17; Judg. 1:13; 1 Chr. 4:13), whose Judahite family was of importance in Israel down to the time of David (1 Chr. 27:15). Nothing more is said of Kenaz in the Hebrew Bible, but Pseudo-Philo (written c. AD 70) makes this Kenaz the first judge of Israel after Joshua, and includes several chapters of narrative about his supposed judgeship of 57 years. Caleb's grandson. (1 Chr. 4:15)

But what is even more interesting is that while the Runes are supposed to reference trees and Norse Gods, there is also one rune letter for Ash...we know one of the descendants of Noah, called Ashkenaz, settled in Europe and is the basis for Ashkenazi Jew, or the Jewish person living in Europe. 

The meaning of the name Kenaz is Bright. The origin of the name Kenaz is Hebrew.

Kenaz – Literally: “Torch” – Esoteric ‘Ken’ or Knowledge Key Concepts: torch as a symbol of knowledge and intellect, illumination, searching for enlightenment, shedding light on matters, quest for truth, skills and abilities, creativity, art, craftsmanship, cunning, acquisition and application of knowledge, occult female secrets, intuition, enthusiasm in teaching/learning, study, kin-fire, opportunity, playfulness

It is important to understand the symbology. The judges in the Bible were to use intellect and knowledge, knowledge is understood in our time, that we derive from the ancient concepts, is to be enlightened. I do not think this Rune Alphabet just simply came about by those people who worshiped nature.

The Rune letter Ash means god. We know that in the ancient world, one of the goddesses worshiped was Ashtoroth, or could it be Ashtoroth? This became Ishtar the world is more familiar with. Many Rune Alphabet users apply the letter to Odin, and reverse is Loki. 

We have two letters Ash and Kenaz, if we put them together, they become Ashkenaz, which would mean God of Kenaz, or God of Light. 

OK, OK, so you will say to me the letters are in different orientation, but suppose that is just the way the particular person wrote it, and it became stylized. Is that possible? Yes, we do it today. Now suppose this, the Vikings may have been the original Sea Peoples that invaded Egypt.

The Sea Peoples were a confederacy of seafaring raiders of the second millennium BC who sailed into the eastern Mediterranean, caused political unrest, and attempted to enter or control Egyptian territory during the late 19th dynasty and especially during year 8 of Ramesses III of the 20th Dynasty. The Egyptian Pharaoh Merneptah explicitly refers to them by the term "the foreign-countries (or 'peoples') of the sea" (Egyptian n3 ḫ3s.wt n p3 ym) in his Great Karnak Inscription. Although some scholars believe that they invaded Cyprus, Hatti and the Levant, this hypothesis is disputed.

OK, so the Vikings came much later...but suppose they were not called the Vikings yet. But even so, the Vikings did raid very far from their immediate neighbors...

Runestones attest to voyages to locations such as Bath, Greece, Khwaresm, Jerusalem, Italy (as Langobardland), London, Serkland (i.e. the Muslim world), England, and various locations in Eastern Europe.

My theory is that the Rune Alphabet is the same as Paleo-Hebrew. 

I figured this out about 3 years ago when I was looking at the Shield of David. 

The Viking link came much later (IMHO) when the Diaspora occurred during the Assyrian captivity. 

The Sea peoples were most likely the displaced people of Santorini when Thera blew up. There is a letter from the King of the country (now known as Turkey) to the pharoah Amenhotep 3rd, father of Ankhenaten, saying that a coastal village had been swept away by the sea, 30 years before Akhenaten came to power. 

So this volcanic event caused the displacement of the Minoans, who already had trading relations with the Egyptians. There was a village that was totally abandoned on Santorini about 30years before the main volcanic event of Thera. These people are thought to be the 'Sea peoples' or the 'Philistines'. 

The Vikings are thought to be the tribe of Benjamin. I married one and he totally looks like a viking. Benjamin was a big drinker apparently, as he was of a bigger build. It took more beer to get him drunk. 

One day we will have all the correct knowledge and I am looking forward to that day. 

In Norse mythology, Ragnarök (typically spelt Ragnarǫk in the handwritten scripts) is a series of future events, including a great battle foretold to ultimately result in the death of a number of major figures (including the gods Odin, Thor, Týr, Freyr, Heimdallr, and Loki), the occurrence of various natural disasters, and the subsequent submersion of the world in water. Afterward, the world will resurface anew and fertile, the surviving and reborn gods will meet, and the world will be repopulated by two human survivors. Ragnarök is an important event in the Norse canon, and has been the subject of scholarly discourse and theory.

He is describing the Apocalypse, he is a watcher that blows the trumpet at the beginning of the Apocalypse. If the legend says he is a watcher, we can find that in the Bible and the Book of Enoch. There are so many things going on here, it will take some time to get through it, but there seems to be a lot of reference found in Hemidallr and the Book of Enoch. It appears his Apocalypse is the flood story, and if it is, the Rune alphabet is telling that story.

Considering that when the Assyrians invaded in 740-725 B.C.E. in a series of raids and carried off alot of Israelites to every corner of the assyrian empire i'd say it's a pretty damned good chance some of them went on an adventure and got lost somewhere in Europe. Not to mention the decendants of the jews who were carried off as slaves to Rome in 70 A.D. and 135 A.D. after the 2 failed jewish revolts. 

HOW THE LORD DISCLOSED THE IDENTITY OF "EPHRAIM" AFTER 2,600 YEARS

CLEON SKOUSEN - THE ORIGIN OF EPHRAIM

When the Gospel was restored in modern times, we gained an additional insight into one of the most perplexing riddles of Bible history: "Whatever happened to the Lost Ten Tribes of Israel?" We are far from having the whole answer, but at least we have located two important segments of the Lost Tribes -- the Ephraimites in America and Europe and the people of Manasseh among the aborigines of America and the Pacific Islands. Since Isaiah 11:13-14 speaks of Ephraim and Judah combining together in the performing of a special work, it is particularly significant to have the Lord bring Ephraim out of hiding. 

In America and Europe the restored Gospel acted as a magnet to draw out of the Gentile nations a remnant of Ephraim which had been scattered among them during a period of many centuries. These Ephraimites constituted the vast majority of the Church membership during the first 100 years of its existence. But what of the other tribes? That remains as deep a secret as ever. All the Lord has told us is that, wherever they are, the Lost Tribes have prophets among them who are preparing them to come down from the "north countries" and that he will raise up a mighty highway in the "midst of the great deep" which will permit them to come to Zion when the time is right so they can receive the Endowment and other blessings under the hands of Ephraim.1 But as to their present whereabouts, we know nothing for certain. Our research is therefore limited to the task of tracing the history of that remnant of Ephraimites who somehow made their way to Europe and then to America or other parts of the world. To do this, let us go back to the 8th century B.C., when the Ephraimites and the rest of the Ten Tribes first disappeared. 

As we have noted in the 9th and 10th chapters of Isaiah (2 Nephi 11 and 20), the Assyrians began their final attack on the Northern Ten Tribes in 727 B.C. and by 721 B.C. they had destroyed or carried off practically the entire population. The Bible says the Israelites were taken to "Halah, and Habor, and Hara, and to the river Gozan."2 This means that they were scattered along the upper Tigris and its tributaries. It was just a little over a century later that the Assyrians suddenly found themselves being conquered by the Babylonians so this presented an opportunity for the Israelites to band together and slip away to the north. Thereafter, they became "lost" to the knowledge of mankind. 

The logical route for the fleeing Israelites as they went "northward," would have been through the passes of the Caucasus Mountains which stretch from east to west between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea. Then they would have spilled over onto the steppes of what we know today as southern Russia. However, that territory was already occupied, so they may have proceeded on. Some of the earliest inhabitants of that region had been the Cimmerian people, but around 700 B.C. the Scythians suddenly appeared on the scene and captured most of this territory. The Scythians spoke an Iranean or Persian dialect but the Greek historians said they came from elsewhere, possibly upper Asia, beyond the Volga River. Other students have suggested that the Scythians might have been the Ten Tribes of Israel. Certainly this was the time when the Israelites are believed to have fled into this very region. In either event, the Scythians disappeared around 200 A.D., so they also became a "lost" people whether they were Israelites or not. What remains significant, however, is the fact that we now know that a remnant of Ephraimites who later showed up in Europe were, for many centuries, established in this very region. They called themselves the "Ynglings" from which the modern word, "English" has its derivation. But of course these Ephraimites were scattered over a far broader section of Europe than just England. 

It was early in the expansion of the Roman Empire (probably the second century B.C.) that the ancestors of what turned out to be the Ephraimite nations of Europe say they left southern Russia. Their historical traditions were fixed in memorized ballads and poems and were finally written down in the eleventh and twelfth centuries A.D. These may be found in Volume 1, Second Edition, of Samuel Laing's The Sagas of the Norse Kings, 2nd edition, Vol. 1, published in New York by Scribner and Welford in 1889. A copy of this work is in the library of the Brigham Young University.

The original home of the Ynglings is described in sufficient detail so that scholars had little difficulty locating it in the region east of the Don River and just north of the territory lying between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea. In fact, down through the centuries the Ynglings referred to the Black Sea by that name so this provided a point of reference from which rivers, mountains, and other geographical points could be identified even though they carried different names. As one would expect, the traditions of the Ynglings contain the typical factual flaws which centuries of re-telling are bound to accumulate, but the essential thread of historical narration remains readily apparent and therefore tentatively credible. 

The ruler who brought the Ynglings from southern Russia to Europe was Odin (whom all Scandinavians later worshipped as a god). The Bible student will recognize a number of interesting qualities and practices attributed to Odin: "It was the belief of his people that victory belonged to him in every battle. It was his custom when he sent his men into battle, or on any expedition, that he first laid his hand upon their heads, and called down a blessing upon them; and then they believed their undertaking would be successful."3 The Sagas say that the Ynglings felt compelled to move when "the Roman chiefs went wide around the world." It says that Odin, "having foreknowledge, and magic-sight, knew that his posterity would come to settle and dwell in the northern half of the world." Therefore, he "with all the Gods (other leaders who later became deified) and a great many other people, wandered out, first westward to Gardarike (Russia) and then south to Saxland (Germany)."4 Actually, they would have traveled more north than west to reach western Russia and more west than south to reach Germany. The directions are therefore general rather than specific.  

Upon arrival in their new home, the Sagas explain that Odin "... had many sons; and after having subdued an extensive kingdom in Saxland, he set his sons to defend the country. He himself went northward to the sea, and took up his abode in an island which is called Odinse, in Frey (Odense in Denmark)." Apparently Odin remained on the island which still bears his name for several years. During this time he dispatched expeditions to settle the island to the east, Zealand, where Copenhagen is located; to the peninsula of northern Germany called Jutland which is part of Denmark today; to Norway; and to Sweden. Southern Sweden was already occupied by the Goths, but these were eventually overcome and the Ynglings established their ancient capital at Uppsula which still exists and is located just a few miles north of modern Stockholm. Odin was living at Uppsula when he died. It was the custom to send the spirit of the departed to Valhala either by burning the body or burying it in a pit and building a huge mound over it. In Uppsula today there are over 200 huge cairns or burial mounds which mark the graves of the ancient, heroic dead of the Ynglings. 

So the Sagas say this is how it all began. From the original mass migration of the Ynglings there developed several well-known branches; the Engels, Saxons, Jutes, Danes, Norwegians and Swedes. So far as we can tell, it was from these sources that the Ephraimite blood was sprinkled among the Gentile nations of Europe. How this happened is an interesting story in and of itself. 

As soon as the Roman empire collapsed in the fourth and fifth centuries A.D., the Norsemen moved in on England. For the next five hundred years there was one wave of conquest after another until England was virtually saturated with a Scandinavian population. The Engels came first with the Saxons and Jutes right behind them. Then the whole east side of England was conquered by the Danes and for a while bore the name of Danelaw or Daneland. In the eighth century a new wave of conquests began as the vikings from Denmark and Norway conquered their English cousins and for awhile a single king ruled all three of them. Meanwhile, a whole province of Norsemen had settled in northern France (Normandy) and in 1066 these came across the channel under William I to conquer England for the last time and set up a royal house which still prevails. 

But England was not the only territory to be innoculated with a Yngling strain. We sometimes forget that from the eighth to the eleventh centuries A.D., the most volatile seapower and military force in Europe was the Scandinavian vikings. They had the only ships which could sail the open seas. They often attacked with highly organized armies of several thousand, and used assault tactics similar to those developed by the Romans. Their fleets ran into the hundreds of ships (in 885 A.D., over 700 ships came up the Seine to conquer Burgundy!). They could navigate in heavy weather with the sun behind a cloud-cover because they had discovered a transparent crystal called a "sun stone" (cordierite) which turned from yellow to dark blue when its natural molecular alignment was held at right angles to the plane of polarized light from the sun. Thus the sun could be located by rotating a chunk of cordierite until it turned dark blue.5 

The Ephraimite vikings were pagans but not barbarians. They were extremely rough and sometimes crude, but had established systems of law and a stable, well-defined culture. They had a system of functioning government with community elections and a parliament which fostered a sense of freedom and democracy that was virtually non-existent in the rest of Europe. Wherever they settled there was a definite pattern of civilization which nearly always flourished into a strong kingdom. They displayed a virility which could survive against tremendous odds. They built a tradition of survival where others failed and prided themselves in displaying a persistent fighting spirit when it came to tilling the ground, building up their flocks and establishing a rugged type of frontier security where others were afraid to live. 

Europe, during the period of 800 to 1100 A.D., was extremely unstable and the Scandinavians took advantage of this to impose marriages and alliances on the leading families of nearly every existing kingdom. This gave a viking ancestry to practically all of Europe's nobility. By the end of the eleventh century here is what the Ephraimite Scandinavians had done: 

1. Conquered and reconquered England until the blood-lines of the population were predominantly Anglo-Saxon or of closely related Scandinavian descent. 

2. Conquered all of Ireland.

3. Conquered Northern France. 

4. Discovered Greenland. 

5. Settled Iceland. 

6. Discovered Vinland in North America (the ruins of which were discovered in 1963 by Dr. Helge Ingstad near L'anse aux Meadows in Newfoundland). 

7. Settled Novgorod in Russia and set up the first royal house of Russia. (The Swedish vikings were known as Rhos or Rus which gave the slavic kingdom its new name.) 

8. Sent out expeditions which succeeded in raiding Spain, Italy and Constantinople. 

9. Viking troops were hired as mercenaries and became the elite guard of the Byzantine Empire at Constantinople. 

10. At one point the famous viking king, Canute, was the king of England, Denmark, and Norway. 

11. By intermingling with the Teutonic tribes, the Scandinavian blood had penetrated the Lowlands, Belgium, Germany and Switzerland, in addition to those already mentioned. 

12. In 300 years the Ephraimite Scandinavians had gone from pagans to devout Christians and were recognized as loyal "defenders of the faith." 

After that, the Lord was about ready to reveal to the world who the Ephraimites really were. 

The discovery of the western hemisphere in 1492 brought the Spanish to America during the 1500's, the French in the 1600's, and the English in the 1700's. It is interesting that the Ephraimite nations of northern Europe were used almost exclusively to settle the United States and Canada where the restored Gospel was to be exposed to modern men for the first time. 

The next nation to get the impact of the Restoration was England, followed closely by the Scandinavian countries together with Germany, Holland, Switzerland and France. It is interesting that during the first 100 years of the Church's existence these few countries with relatively small populations provided the overwhelming majority of the Church members. Here was the "Ephraim" Isaiah was talking about. To the amazement of the new converts to the Church they learned from their patriarchal blessings that almost without exception they were all descendants of Joseph through Ephraim. These were gathered together to form a hard core in Zion and when this was accomplished the word was sent forth that the converts should no longer "gather" but remain in their native lands to build up the kingdom there. 

Once Ephraim began to be "recovered" the prophecy of Isaiah made it clear that Judah also had to be restored to her former inheritance and purged of the many centuries of persecution and darkness so that she could be called a "delightsome" people.6 Church history tells us that almost immediately after the Gospel was sent forth among the Gentiles (with their sprinkling of Ephraimites) the Lord began laying the foundation for the "return" of the Jews. What has happened since then is turning out to be an astonishing miracle which this generation of Ephraimites is getting a chance to see fulfilled right before their eyes. 

1. D&C 133:26-30.

2. 1 Chronicles 5:26; 2 Kings 15:29.

3. Samuel Laing, The Sagas of the Norse Kings, 2nd edition, Vol. 1, p. 271.

4. Samuel Laing, The Sagas of the Norse Kings, 2nd edition, Vol. 1, p. 274.

5. Time magazine, July 14, 1967.

6. 2 Nephi 30:7.

I remember some allusions to European blood being heavily "Ephraimized" but not with this much detail and study backing it up! I have always wondered about the significance of Russia in the lost tribes; often feel that there was some quiet reason for my affinity towards the Russian people. I will soon be brushing up on my Russian language skills in an attempt to share the marvels of essential oils with a people that is already used to using natural medicine as a result of never having had a great or sophisticated healthcare system even close to being comparable to ours! I must note that even though the Russian people have been subject to one totalitarian group of thugs after another for over a thousand years, they are very religious by nature and very many clung to their Christian faith throughout the years of communism.

Even the Koran Affirms Jews' Rights to Yerushalayim

Muslim critics of Israel often say that Yerushalayim's holy sites must be transferred to Muslim control, because of the central role they play in Islamic theology. For instance, the Dome of the Rock was built on the site where Mohammed is believed to have ascended to Heaven to receive the revelation of the Koran.

However, these people seldom actually quote the Koran itself. This is probably because the Koran actually supports Jewish claims.  Here are several quotes straight from the Koran:

 -Mohammed in Sura 5:21 quotes Moses telling the Jews to "enter into the holy land which Allah has assigned to you". While Mohammed later criticizes the Jews for their sins and their refusal to accept Mohammed's message, henever says that, as punishment, Allah has revoked their title to the land. Hence the title still stands, and Muslim anti-Zionists are apostates.

 -A case could even be made that Israel's victory over the Arabs in the 1948 war was a judgement by Allah against the Arabs for their apostasy in opposing the Jews. This would be their just reward for transgressing Sura 2:190, which says, "Fight in the way of Allah against those who fight against you, but begin not hostilities."

 -Moreover, Sura 60:9 forbids aiding the enemies of the Muslim people. Contrast this with the Palestinians' continued support of Saddam Hussein, whose hands are red with the blood of Iranian, Kurdish, and Kuwaiti Muslims.

 -The Jews' return from 19 centuries of exile is actually the fulfillment of Islamic prophecy. Sura 17:104 says that "when the promise of the Hereafter comes to pass, We [Allah] shall bring you as a crowd gathered out of various nations".

 -Sura 17:4 says, "And We [Allah] gave (clear) warning to the children of Israel in the Book, that twice would they do mischief on the earth and be elated with mighty arrogance (and twice would they be punished)!" The succeeding verses tell us that the punishment referred to was banishment from the land. But "twice" means twice, not three times; hence the Jews, having been banished from the land once by the Babylonians and a second time by Rome, will never again be banished from the land. According to the Koran, Israel is an eternal nation.

 -Sura 83:1 says, "Woe to those that deal in fraud"; yet Yasser Arafat reneged on his promise to guard Joseph's Tomb in Nablus after the Israeli troops withdrew.

 -The Palestinians deny that there ever was a Jewish Temple in Yerushalayim. But Sura 17:7 records the destruction of the First Temple by Babylon and the Second Temple by Rome, and Mohammed never contests the Bible's claim that the Temples were in Yerushalayim.

THE OTHER REFUGEES: JEWS OF THE ARAB WORLD

16 Sivan 5748 / 1 June 1988

One Million Jews in the Muslim World / The Political Climate Changes / Anti-Jewish Pogroms in the 1940s / Mass Escape to Israel / Hardship for Those Who Remained / The Situation Today / The Jewish Claim for Restitution

[Editor's Note: After nearly three decades during which "Middle East refugees" seemed to be synonymous with "Palestinian refugees," Jews from Arab countries living in both Israel and the diaspora formed the World Organization of Jews from Arab Countries (WOJAC) in 1975 to make certain that any "just settlement of the refugee problem" recognizes those Jews who were forced to flee from lands where they had lived for centuries. This Jerusalem Letter is based on a presentation prepared for the Third International Conference of the World Organization of Jews from Arab Lands held in Washington, D.C., October 26-28, 1987.]

One Million Jews in the Muslim World

Jews have lived in the Arab-speaking countries of western Asia and North Africa for millennia. Indeed, in certain countries such as Iraq, Yemen and Morocco, Jewish communities can be traced back to the period of the first exile, following the destruction of the Temple by the Babylonians in 586 BCE. If one includes the Muslim but non-Arab countries of Iran and Turkey, more than one million Jews lived in this region before the establishment of Israel in 1948. Today only 75,000 remain in Muslim countries." If we exclude Turkey and Iran and concentrate on the Arab countries, the contrast appears even sharper. As against some 880,000 Jews living in Arab countries on the eve of the creation of the State of Israel, today fewer than 25,000 remain, more than half in Morocco.

Although they are protected by the king and officially enjoy full rights, their numbers continued to dwindle through gradual emigration. The second largest community, of 4,000 to 5,000 is in Syria (with the current civil war this situation have changed probably). There the number remains relatively constant only because the Syrian authorities forbid all Jewish emigration. Even to visit relatives abroad, Syrian Jews must leave a large financial deposit and close family members behind as hostages for their return. Jews caught trying to flee the country are subject to brutal interrogation and imprisonment for six months or longer.

The Political Climate Changes

Why did the overwhelming majority of the Jews in the Arab world "vote with their feet" and leave their homes during the past 40 years? For some there was the positive attraction of political Zionism: the rebuilding of an independent Jewish state in the land of Israel. For others, such as the Yemeni Jews who were flown to Israel in "Operation Magic Carpet," the return to Zion on "the wings of eagles" appeared as the marvelous fulfillment of biblical prophecy and an age-old Jewish longing.

But in the great majority of cases it was a combination of negative forces in their countries of residence -- push factors -- that impelled them to leave their homes, sometimes at great personal peril. These historical forces were:

1. The breakdown of the Ottoman Empire and traditional Islamic society.

In the multi-ethnic and multi-religious Ottoman Empire -- a "world state" of 400 years duration -- Jews had enjoyed a large measure of autonomy in their communal and religious life. Sovereignty, however, and participation in the ruling elite, were traditionally reserved to Muslims. Although Jews and Christians had a second class and inferior position in the Islamic order, they had a clearly defined status. Under benevolent rulers, Jews and other minorities enjoyed affluence and even achieved positions of prominence. Under fanatical or arbitrary rulers they were severely restricted and discriminated against, and at times of political instability suffered murder and pillaging at the hands of Muslim mobs.

During the 19th and early 20th centuries, the Ottomans tried to reform their empire. Two attempts at constitutionalism, with Western encouragement, tried to broaden citizenship to include the minorities on an equal footing. But these attempts were resisted by traditional Islamic elements. They succeeded only in undermining the old Islamic basis of political stability and coexistence.

2. The domination of the Middle East by Western colonial powers and the rise of Arab nationalism.

With the decay of Ottoman power in the 19th century, Britain, France, and Italy seized large areas of the Arab world, a task they completed at the end of World War I. From this time onward, Jews, as well as some of the Christian minorities, played a disproportionately large role in the commercial, professional, and administrative life of these countries. Their knowledge of Western languages, inculcated by the educational efforts of their Occidental co-religionists, and their commercial contacts abroad, facilitated ties between local Jews and the colonial powers." Local Arab nationalism developed in part as a reaction to foreign rule. Since Jews were visibly associated in trading and administrative relationships with the hated foreign rulers, especially in Iraq, Syria, and Egypt, it was simple for Arab nationalists to scapegoat Jews as tools of the imperialists. As proponents of a new educated, urban class, Arab nationalists were at times jealous of the wealth and position attained by some Jews in administrative and economic life. As they sought wealth and position for themselves through government channels, their policy of "Arabization" became a convenient justification for limiting and ultimately supplanting Jews in these places.

3. Resentment over the development of Jewish nationalism and its political manifestation in the Zionist movement.

With the issuance of the Balfour Declaration on November 2, 1917, the awarding of the Mandate over Palestine to Britain after World War I, and the subsequent increase in Jewish immigration to Palestine, Arabs within the Mandate and in the surrounding countries felt politically threatened. Zionist efforts increasingly clashed with Palestinian and pan-Arab nationalism. There was rioting in Palestine in 1921, 1929, and throughout the period of 1936-39. Pro-Palestinian sympathy in Arab countries led to demonstrations which sometimes spilled over into attacks on local Jews, as in Syria in 1936.

It must be noted that although a limited amount of Zionist activity -- usually clandestine -- took place among Middle Eastern Jewries in those years, it was neither widespread nor prevalent enough to warrant being called "Jewish provocation.

4. The readiness of political movements and unpopular regimes to scapegoat the local Jews for political purposes. The new Arab states, politically weak autocracies emerging from imperialist domination, would at times persecute their Jews, or allow others to do so, to divert public attention from their own failings in the political, military and economic spheres. This trend reached a fever pitch directly after the unexpected defeat of the Arab armies in Palestine, during the first Arab-Israeli war, but in some instances it began well before 1948. The chosen governmental methods of persecution were unjust arrests, imprisonment and torture, discriminatory legislation, confiscation of property, and agitation in the press and radio. Members of the Jewish communities were scapegoated as being Communist or Zionist (sometimes both), and imprisoned and despoiled of their property for belonging to these movements that were anathema to Arab regimes. Notorious examples of these practices occurred in Iraq during the 1940s, Egypt during the Nasser era, and Syria since its independence after World War II.

Moreover, pan-Arab and pan-Islamic parties and movements in almost every Arab state have fomented mob violence against Jews, in part to undercut the authority of these very same regimes, as well as in revenge for Israeli victories in the several Arab-Israeli wars. Indeed one might characterize these assaults as a veritable war against the Middle Eastern Jews. In Aleppo, Syria in 1947, much of the Jewish quarter was set ablaze. In 1948, bombs were found in numerous locations in the Jewish quarter of Damascus; in August 1949, more bombs in the same neighborhood killed and wounded scores. In Cairo in 1945, mobs in the Jewish quarter burned a synagogue, a hospital, and numerous homes and shops; on June 20, 1949, bombs in the Jewish quarter killed 34 and wounded 80. Eighty-two died in a riot in Aden in 1947. These are just a few of the examples that can be cited from this notorious and bloody catalogue.

As one European observer of these disturbances, Victoria d'Asprea, put it rather bluntly, "of all the non-Moslems, the Jews are the safest targets. They are considered to be Europeans and as such any 'barefoot' Mohammedan is glad to shoot at them. They are not supported by a powerful empire and attacks on them do not create diplomatic incidents. Moreover, they are 'infidels,' which make them particularly attractive victims of the more fanatical Mohammedans. They are Jews, which satisfies those who are more specifically anti-Semitic.

Anti-Jewish Violence in the 1940s

All these factors combined over the past century to weaken the traditional position of the Jewish communities in Arab lands. But it was the last set of factors, the state-sponsored discrimination and pogrom-like mob violence, that precipitated the rapid dissolution of these ancient Jewish communities. As a result of these events, the Jews of Arab countries in effect became political refugees, that is, persons who had a well-founded fear of persecution and consequently fled untenable, often life-threatening, political situations in their countries of origin. Within a four-year period, from 1948 to 1952, 127,000 Jews escaped from Iraq, almost 50,000 from Yemen and Aden, 36,000 from Libya, and perhaps another 100,000 from French-controlled North Africa. Violence, discrimination, and in some cases expulsion brought about what was euphemistically called "whole community transfer."

In Iraq, for example, a large Jewish community having roots dating back to biblical Babylonia was decimated in less than a year, in a particularly illuminating case study of several of the trends listed above. A weak, unpopular monarchy installed by the British Mandatory power in the 1930s faced subversion by radical pan-Arabist forces, violence and discrimination against Jews were rife from an early period, well before the establishment of the State of Israel.

The most notorious example of this violence was the Farhud (breakdown of law and order), a two-day pogrom in Baghdad in June 1941. In a spasm of uncontrolled violence, between 170 and 180 Jews were killed, more than 900 others were wounded, and 14,500 Jews sustained material losses through the looting or destruction of their stores and homes.

Although the government eventually restored order, the general position of the Jewish community continued to deteriorate as anti-foreign sentiment mounted and Iraq and the states bordering Palestine -- Egypt, Syria, Jordan and Lebanon -- became increasingly involved in the Arab-Jewish struggle. Jews were squeezed out of government employment, limited in schools, and subjected to imprisonment, heavy fines, or sequestration of their property on the flimsiest charges of being connected to either or both of the two banned movements. Indeed, Communism and Zionism were frequently equated in the statutes. In Iraq the mere receipt of a letter from a Jew in Palestine was sufficient to bring about arrest and loss of property.

On November 2, 1945, the anniversary of the Balfour Declaration became the occasion for widespread rioting, murder, and destruction of synagogues and Jewish property in Aleppo, Syria; Cairo, Egypt; and Tripoli, Libya. The Libyan Jewish community was particularly hard-hit, losing 130 people in the Tripoli area in three days of wanton violence. As in the earlier Farhud, the pogrom had been fomented by extreme nationalist elements who were intent on undercutting the British occupation of the country. The British troops in control of Tripoli waited days before restoring order, with an unconcern reminiscent of their conduct in the Iraqi massacre. As in the Iraqi case, the Tripoli massacre inaugurated a train of events that would demoralize and in a relatively short time dissolve the Libyan Jewish community.

After the first Arab-Israeli war broke out, the belligerent Arab governments lost all incentive to continue what little protection they had afforded their Jewish communities. Egypt, Syria, and Iraq took active measures against Jews under the guise of emergency regulations. Arrests, torture, and sometimes hangings of Jews, severe restrictions on travel, and sequestration or confiscation of Jewish property were imposed when these countries sent armies to prevent the establishment of the Jewish state on May 15, 1948. A climate of fear prevailed in these communities as sporadic attacks against Jews mounted.

Mass Escape to Israel

After the defeat of the Arab armies, immigration of Jews from these countries increased until it became a flood. In the first years of Israel's existence, its government arranged a variety of rescue operations from these countries either extra-legally or with the Arab governments' tacit agreement. Operations "Ezra and Nehemiah" in Iraq and "Magic Carpet" in Yemen airlifted many tens of thousands of Jews to their new homes. Jews from other countries fled through ports along the Mediterranean. Whatever their method of escape, Middle Eastern Jews were required to leave behind Jewish communal holdings, and their real property and immovable goods, which were taken over by their home governments. In the case of Iraq, where many Jews had been involved in banking and finance, liquid assets were also frozen. The effect of these measures was that large numbers of Jewish refugees from Arab countries arrived in Israel penniless.

It must be noted that certain Arab states or governments refrained from the discriminatory behavior manifested by their more belligerent counterparts and enacted measures to protect their Jewish communities. In these states, notably Morocco, but to a large extent also in Tunisia, the exodus was more gradual. the continued existence of the small but vital Moroccan Jewish community attests to the modus vivendi achieved by this state and its Jews wherein Arab-Israel problems are held separate from the relations of the state with its indigenous Jews.

Hardship for Those Who Remained

The Jews that remained within the confines of other Arab states after the mass exoduses of the late 1940s and early 1950s experienced periods of marked hardship, violence and discrimination interspersed with periods of relative quiet, mirroring the ebb and flow of the Arab-Israeli conflict and the domestic political and economic situations. Iraq and Syria both saw frequent coups d'etat in the late 1950s and throughout the 1960s, which fostered insecurity. Each new dictator, for better or for worse, could not be counted upon to continue the policy towards the local Jews of his predecessor.

Egypt, under the stable dictatorship of the pan-Arabist and Arab socialist Gamal Abdul Nasser, set about expropriating and nationalizing Jewish property along with that of other Egyptian minorities. In truth little difference can be discerned between the treatment of the Jews in the so-called socialist states of the period and that of the right-wing dictatorships. In Libya, where Jews had extracted guarantees of protection at the advent of independence under King Idris in 1952, restrictions on Jewish commerce, licenses, and holding of property were gradually imposed under nationalist pressure.""Meanwhile, the propaganda arms of the confrontation states, (Syria, Egypt, Jordan, and Iraq), but particularly Nasser's influential Sawt al-Arab min al-Kahira (The Voice of the Arabs from Cairo) beamed anti-Israeli and anti-Jewish propaganda on the airwaves all across the Middle East. This inflammatory campaign reached unprecedented proportions in the weeks preceding the June 1967 war. When in this poisoned atmosphere news came of the unexpected and swift Arab defeat by Israeli forces in the Six-Day War, mob violence broke out: riots against Jews in Libya, Syria, Tunisia, and Yemen. In Morocco and Tunisia the governments struggled to protect the Jews, but in Egypt and Syria the governments themselves unleashed fresh anti-Jewish measures. Cairo arrested some 500 Jewish men and held them for months in terrible conditions. They were told that they would be released only if they forfeited their citizenship and property and agreed to be expelled from Egypt. Riots in Libya were so severe that virtually all of the remaining Jews in the country -- slightly more than 4,000 -- were evacuated to Italy with the help of concerned Italian and American diplomats.

The Situation Today

In the period since the 1967 war up to the present day, there has been a continuing decline in the number of Jews in the Arab world. Draconian government restrictions, sporadic popular assaults, and murderous, often unexplained and unprosecuted individual attacks have contributed to a sense of insecurity in the countries ruled by military dictators. It is thought that today between 200 and 300 Jews live in Iraq, mostly elderly. Few are permitted to travel. Some 250 Jews live in Egypt, also mostly elderly. But in contrast to Iraq and Syria, their situation has brightened. The Egyptian-Israeli peace treaty of 1979 has enabled them to resume open contact with their relatives in Israel.

The 5,000 Jews of Syria are a cause of continuing concern for Jews everywhere. Now that the U.S. Ambassador has returned to Damascus, efforts to gain permission for them to emigrate should be high on the agenda of American-Syrian relations. The estimated 1,200 to 2,000 Jews scattered in villages in Northern Yemen are virtually cut off from the outside world. They may not travel or even maintain normal postal ties with relatives abroad. the only periodic contact with the community is maintained by two anti-Zionist rabbis from Brooklyn. Efforts by Yemeni Jews in the United States to organize a visit to their co-religionists in Yemen have been systematically rebuffed by the authorities.

The remaining Jews of Lebanon, who had been protected by successive Christian-dominated governments there, began to emigrate after the 1967 war, with this trend accelerating after the current civil war broke out in 1975. Today fewer than 100 remain, mostly in Christian-held East Beirut.

The kidnapping of four Lebanese Jews at the end of March 1985, provides tragic evidence of the extent to which even Lebanon, which had long been the most tolerant country in the Arab world, has been engulfed by fanaticism and wanton violence. Christian and Muslim officials, including Nabih Berri, the leader of the Amal, the mainstream Shi'ite militia in Lebanon, condemned the kidnapping of the Jewish leaders in Beirut. In February 1986, a new radical Shi'ite group, the "Organization of the Oppressed in the World," claimed responsibility for the kidnappings and threatened to abduct and kill other Lebanese Jews unless Israel withdrew from "all of the occupied territories" and freed all Lebanese and Palestinian detainees. Eight Lebanese Jews have thus far been murdered by this terrorist group, which is ideologically linked to the pro-Iranian Hezbullah (the Party of God).

As of October 1987, nothing was known of the fate of Isaac Sasson, president of the Lebanese community, kidnapped in March 1985, and Salim Jammous, secretary-general of the community, who had been abducted in August 1984. The bodies of only three of the victims have been recovered and given a Jewish burial. The kidnappers refuse to release the others until their demands against Israel are met.

In North Africa the situation is somewhat different. The roughly 10,000 remaining Moroccan Jews, as mentioned earlier, are fairly secure under the benevolent rule of King Hassan. The 2,800 Jews of Tunisia face uncertain times owing to the presence there since 1982 of the PLO headquarters, as well as the death of Tunisian president Habib Bourguiba, their traditional protector. A trend toward instability and rising Islamic fundamentalism has left its mark on the community. In 1983, a suspicious fire that completely destroyed the synagogue in the town of Zarzis was viewed by local Jews as the work of Palestinian extremists.

In October 1985, on the holiday of Simhat Torah, a crazed guard assigned to protect the Jewish community killed three and wounded eight others in the historic La Ghariba synagogue on the island of Djerba. According to Tunisian government sources, the Libyans also indoctrinated Tunisian workers in Libya (there's no one Jew in Lybia now) with anti-Semitic sentiments. Some 30,000 were expelled back to Tunisia only weeks before the synagogue attack. The Tunisian government had early expressed its outrage to the Libyan government when it was discovered that a pirate radio station based in Libya, "Radio of Vengeance and Sacred Hate," was broadcasting calls to overthrow the pro-Western regimes and to massacre North African Jews.

Barely half a dozen Jews remain in Libya. In a 1970 law nationalizing the assets of some 600 Libyan Jews, the Libyan government explicitly committed itself to issue fifteen-year bonds to pay full and fair compensation. Nevertheless, the July 21, 1985 deadline passed without any action by Colonel Muamar Qadhafi to fulfill this pledge.

In the section on Libya in the U.S. State Department's report on human rights practices during 1985, the contradictions in the Libyan policy are pointed out: "Qadhafi has stated that he is opposed to Zionism, not Judaism, and that Arab nations should welcome Arab Jews who wish to return o their countries of origin. But in a speech in June 1985 he cited the Prophet Muhammed as stating that Judaism and Islam cannot coexist in the land of the Arabs, and in September 1985, virulently anti-Jewish broadcasts on Libyan radio called for anti-Jewish violence in Tunisia within broadcast range.

Only 300 Jews are thought to live in Algeria, most having left earlier because of the hostile popular climate attendant to this state's radical stance on Arab-Israeli matters.


The Jewish Claim for Restitution

The Jews of Arab countries naturally consider themselves victims of the Middle East conflict and seek restitution for their confiscated properties -- both personal and communal -- from the governments involved. In this quest they have significant basis in international law, the UN Charter and conventions dealing with human rights. Indeed, the arbitrary decrees against the Jews in many cases run counter to the fine principles enunciated in the much abused constitutions of their countries of origin.

Since 1967 they have also received official United Nations recognition of their claims: United Nations Security Council resolutions 237 and 242. Resolution 237, of 14 June 1967, concerns itself with the safety, welfare, and security of the inhabitants of the areas where military operations had taken place in the 1967 Arab-Israeli war and also with the protection of minorities in the states involved in the conflict. UN Secretary-General U Thant sent his special representative, Nils-Goran Gussing, on a special mission to the Middle East to implement the resolution. The Secretary-General stated expressly that the provisions of the resolution dealing with minorities "might properly be interpreted as having application to the treatment, at the time of the recent war and as a result of that war, of both Arab and Jewish persons in the States which are directly concerned because of their participation in that war.

The Israeli government had expressed its concern about the treatment of Jewish minorities in the Arab states since the outbreak of hostilities.

Gussing met with officials of the Egyptian government and raised the subject of the treatment of the reported 500 Jewish prisoners and the confiscation of the property of Egyptian Jews. He also met with the Syrian authorities to investigate the restrictions placed on the Jews of that country. Moreover, the questions concerning Egyptian Jewry were taken up by the Secretary-General with the United Arab Republic's (Egypt) permanent representative to the UN in New York.

Resolution 242, still considered the primary vehicle for resolving the Arab-Israel conflict, stipulates that a comprehensive peace settlement should necessarily include "a just settlement of the refugee problem." Justice Arthur Goldberg, the American delegate who was instrumental in drafting the unanimously adopted resolution, has pointed out that the adjective "Palestinian" or "Arab" was deliberately omitted from the resolution to indicate that the claims of the Jewish refugees from Arab lands need also to be addressed.


This diplomatic activity did not produce results at the time, but it established the claims of Jewish refugees from Arab lands and the treatment of the Middle Eastern Jewish minorities as concerns of the international community. Following these developments, the Egyptian-Israeli peace treaty also provided for a joint commission to handle the claims of the Egyptian Jewish refugees. These precedents are important, as are the International Conferences of the World Organization of Jews from Arab Lands which seek to focus attention on the communal and personal losses suffered by these Jewish communities. A just settlement of the Middle East conflict must entail protection of the rights of Jewish minorities remaining in the Arab world and a fair handling of the claims of the Jewish refugees.

Sambation

According to rabbinic literature, the Sambation is the river beyond which the Ten Lost Tribes of Israel were exiled by the Assyrian king Shalmaneser V.

In the earliest references, such as the Targum Pseudo-Jonathan, the river is given no particular attributes, but later literature claims it rages with rapids and throws up stones six days a week, or even consists entirely of stone, sand and flame. For those six days the Sambation is impossible to cross, but it stops flowing every Shabbat, the day Jews are not allowed to travel; some writers say this is the origin of the name.

Pliny the Elder, writing in the mid-1st century, mentions that there is a river in Judaea that dries up every Shabbat. His younger contemporary Josephus speaks of the Sabbatical River (Σαββατικον) that he claims was called after "the sacred seventh day of the Jews" and that he locates between Arka (in the northern Lebanon range) and Raphanaea (in Upper Syria), although according to his account it is dry for six days and flows only on Shabbat. The Sambation was also a popular subject in medieval literature, for instance, some versions of the Alexander Romance have Alexander the Great encounter the river on his travels. Others have said it is an active volcano (which explains the rapids, stones, fire and smoke) which rests on the Sabbath.

In 1280, Abraham Abulafia (1240 – c. 1291), a mystic and Kabbalist, set out to find the Sambation. He stopped in Rome to see Pope Nicholas III. The meeting never took place; Abulafia was jailed. The purpose of his attempted meeting is unknown, but Abulafia apparently believed he was the Messiah. Nahmanides identifies the Sambation with the Guzana River mentioned in II Kings, located in Medes.

An Ashkenazi Jewish tradition speaks of the Lost Tribes as Die Roite Yiddelech, "The little red Jews", cut off from the rest of Jewry by the legendary river Sambation "whose foaming waters raise high up into the sky a wall of fire and smoke that is impossible to pass through".

Obadiah ben Abraham writes that he was informed by Adeni Jews in Jerusalem, that they had heard from Muslim merchants that the river was located about a five days' journey from Aden. The river, which flows with rocks for six days a week, completely surrounded a land inhabitied by Jews who could not ever leave, for by doing so, Shabbat would be desecrated. These Jews were all the offspring of Moses and were as holy as angels and sinless.


In modern literature, the Sambation appears prominently in Umberto Eco's novel Baudolino, whose protagonists manage to cross the raging river of stones - but find on the other side, not the Lost Ten Tribes but the Kingdom of Prester John of Christian myth.

Christ's Flag

The Celtic / Saxon flags with their upright and diagonal crosses are the flags of the ten "lost" tribes of Israel; of which the Union of Jack|ob / Israel's flag is Christ's own personal flag, just as the British Throne Jack|ob's Pillar / Bethel / the Lia Fail / Stone of Destiny is shortly to become Christ's Throne.

This fact about Christ's flag is confirmed in Holy Scripture in Genesis 49:10 "The sceptre (sovereignty) shall not depart from Judah [to Joseph], nor a law-giver from between his feet, UNTIL Shiloh (Christ) comes [from Joseph-Ephraim v 22-24 & 48:16-19]; and unto him [shall] the gathering (Union) of the people (of Jackob / Israel) [be]."

Surely, to despise such a heritage as God and Christ's flag and protection is the greatest folly of all time. It is worse, for even if this generation cares nothing for it themselves, by what right do they take it from their children and their children's children?

It should be considered carefully that by this action Ireland, like Canada; South Africa and others (as some Australians are now proposing to do); has rejected Christ; insulted God and lost God's covering shield by which He marks and protects His own people.

That God does, at times, put a protective mark on His Own is definitely stated in the 9th chapter of Ezekiel. There we see that just before the destruction of ancient Jerusalem and its people by the Babylonians in 588 B.C., God sent an angel to put a mark on the forehead of all those including His Prophet Jeremiah (buried in Cairn T at Loughcrew, Co. Meath) and His Chosen Seed Teia Tephi (buried in a secret tomb in the Hill of Tara), who, despite the prevailing wickedness, had remained faithful to Him so that Tephi was brought to Ireland by Jeremiah and became the queen of Ireland, on the 21st of June in 583 B.C. The purpose of this mark was to ensure that they would not be harmed in the coming slaughter of the City's inhabitants. Thus the command to those in control of the attackers was "Smite . . . but come not near any upon whom is the mark."

This raises a most interesting question. What was this protective mark that the angel put on the foreheads of those who were to be saved from the coming destruction? The command, as it appears in our Bible is "Set a mark", but the literal translation is "Mark a mark". In the Hebrew usage of that day, this mark would be a "tau", the last letter of the alphabet and so, what in English is "Mark a mark" in Hebrew would be "Tau a tau".

In the original Hebrew alphabet this letter "tau" appears as an upright cross + and, consequently, as the only possible way to "tau a tau", or "cross a cross", is to put one cross diagonally over the other, we see that the protective mark placed on the foreheads of those to be saved from the destruction of ancient Jerusalem must have been identical with the crossed cross of the Celtic / Israelite flags of Northern Spain, Britannia's Shield and Christ's flag the Union Jack.

It is also interesting with this in mind to observe what Christ said to the four angels who are to punish the inhabitants of the Earth in the Apocalypse / Revelation and see the similarity between then and the very near future:-

Apocalypse / Revelation 7:1 And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the Earth, holding the four winds of the Earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree. 7:2 And I saw another angel ascending from the East, having the seal of the Living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, 7:3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.

As this crossed cross was the mark or covering by which God protected His Own in that day, is it just a coincidence that under that same mark the British nation has remained unconquered and free for almost 3000 years? Even the Romans, with the military might of the whole known world at their command, were never able to establish themselves in Ireland and more than a part of what is now England, and even this they held by treaty and not by conquest. Caradoc (Caractacus) was betrayed not conquered.

With this in mind, let us now consider the statement made by the Lord as recorded in the Book of Revelation / Apocalypse where, in referring to Himself He says: "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the First and the Last". The significance of this is that alpha and omega are the first and the last letters in the alphabet of the Greek language in which the New Covenant / Testament was written, and by using them as a name for Himself the Lord is emphasizing His identity with the One eternal and everlasting God, the First and the Last of all things.

In the Apocalypse / Revelation, chapters 17 and 18, Christ also warned His Own people to come out of the Babylonian Market-system and Church built on seven mountains that He has sworn to destroy, so His Own people shall not be partakers of her plagues and punishment.

Apocalypse / Revelation 18:4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, COME OUT of her, MY people, that ye take not part in her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues (punishment). For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her inequities.

Yet the use of the first and the last letters of the alphabet to express the name of God is far older than the Lord's use of it in the Book of Revelation / Apocalypse. In the Old Covenant / Testament we often find God referring to Himself as "the First and the Last" and, from the time of Noah, and probably from the time of Enoch, this concept of God as the Eternal One was symbolised by a monogram formed of the first and the last letters of the ancient Hebrew alphabet.


These two letters are "aleph" and "tau", and in the original Hebrew alphabet aleph appears as a diagonal cross x and tau as an upright cross +. Thus, when combined as a symbol to express the idea of the Eternal God, they would appear like the protective mark referred to above, which is identical with the crossed cross of Britannia's shield (shown below); the flags of the Celtic / Israelites in Northern Spain and Christ's flag the Union Jack.

Picture of Britannia (Britannia symbolises the ancient sixth century B.C. "War Queen of Ireland" - queen Teia Tephi holding the Olive from Jerusalem and the Trident she took from Neptune's Porch [Gibraltar] on her way to Ireland). The Union of Jack|ob Flag

 And so, in humble and reverent awe, perhaps you will come to the wondrous realisation that the Union Jack, in addition to being Christ's own personal flag and the protective mark which God places on His Own people, is actually the symbolic monogram or name of God Himself. Shielded by that name, a nation is safe from destruction under God's promise "No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper" (Isa. 54:17), whilst they serve Him. And it is this symbol of God's Name and Protection which Ireland; Canada and South Africa have now discarded as their national emblem.

In thinking of this, we should never forget that twice within this century the Forces of Evil set out to conquer and enslave the world and that, despite tremendous military power, they failed primarily because the British Celto-Saxon Nations, united under the symbol of God's Name and in allegiance to His Throne, were able to act instantly and as one in opposing them. Obviously then, as they prepare for another and far greater attempt, we must expect that the Forces of Evil are doing everything in their power to see that that unity and symbol does not stand in their way again.

Could it be then that this is why these Israelite nations rejected Christ's flag, the Union Jack; that as they prepare for this great and final attempt to conquer the world, the Forces of Evil have been able to exert enough influence in Ireland; Canada and South Africa to bring about the rejection of the symbol of that unity which has defended them so often in the past? And will the Throne; Jacob's Pillar - the Lia Fail / Stone of Destiny be next?

In any event, the enormous folly of this action is clearly evident in the ominous trend of world events. Today, as never before in all history, the world is filled with turmoil; trouble; strife; genocide; destruction of the environment with the climatic changes it has caused, and when these conditions are studied in the Light of Bible Prophecy, there can be no doubt that we are rapidly approaching that great and final struggle between the Forces of Good and of Evil, commonly called Armageddon.

The reality of this danger becomes even more evident when we recognise that the Celto-Saxon peoples are the continuation of God's servant race and nation Israel (the ten "lost" tribes), and that, consequently, it is both our duty and our destiny to defend the Right, and to act as His battle-axe and weapons of war in opposing the Forces of Evil (Jeremiah 51:20). This has been our inescapable role all through the ages and especially so in modern times when, twice within this century, the Forces of Evil failed to conquer the world because God used the nations of Celto-Saxondom to defeat them.

But what of the next time without God's Protection because the Celto-Saxon race has entered the "Time of Jacob's Trouble" and is going to be severely punished; by defeat and slavery to the Forces of Evil because you have never kept The Covenant that you made with God, under which He guaranteed your protection? Some even having rejected His flag. JAH


The symbol of the pre-Yesu Druidic faith was also the crossed-cross of Britannia's shield.

GADITE TERRITORY

Gadite Territory

We also read about the petition to settle on the East side of the Jordan.

Num. 32:1-5 Now the children of Reuben and the children of Gad had a very great multitude of cattle: and when they saw the land of Jazer, and the land of Gilead, that, behold, the place was a place for cattle; The children of Gad and the children of Reuben came and spake unto Moses, and to Eleazar the priest, and unto the princes of the congregation, saying, Ataroth, and Dibon, and Jazer, and Nimrah, and Heshbon, and Elealeh, and Shebam, and Nebo, and Beon, Even the country which the LORD smote before the congregation of Israel, is a land for cattle, and thy servants have cattle: Wherefore, said they, if we have found grace in thy sight, let this land be given unto thy servants for a possession, and bring us not over Jordan. 

Deut. 3:12, 16-17 And this land, which we possessed at that time, from Aroer, which is by the river Arnon, and half mount Gilead, and the cities thereof, gave I unto the Reubenites and to the Gadites… er Arnon half the valley, and the border even unto the river Jabbok, which is the border of the children of Ammon; The plain also, and Jordan, and the coast thereof, from Chinnereth even unto the sea of the plain, even the salt sea, under Ashdothpisgah eastward. 

Deut. 29:8 And we took their land, and gave it for an inheritance unto the Reubenites, and to the Gadites, and to the half tribe of Manasseh.

In the following Passage we are given territorial boundaries of Gad during the time of Joshua and the Judges.

Josh. 13:24-28 And Moses gave inheritance unto the tribe of Gad, even unto the children of Gad according to their families. And their coast was Jazer, and all the cities of Gilead, and half the land of the children of Ammon, unto Aroer that is before Rabbah; And from Heshbon unto Ramathmizpeh, and Betonim; and from Mahanaim unto the border of Debir; And in the valley, Betharam, and Bethnimrah, and Succoth, and Zaphon, the rest of the kingdom of Sihon king of Heshbon, Jordan and his border, even unto the edge of the sea of Chinnereth on the other side Jordan eastward. This is the inheritance of the children of Gad after their families, the cities, and their villages. 

I Chron. 5:11-17 And the children of Gad dwelt over against them, in the land of Bashan unto Salcah: Joel the chief, and Shapham the next, and Jaanai, and Shaphat in Bashan. And their brethren of the house of their fathers were, Michael, and Meshullam, and Sheba, and Jorai, and Jachan, and Zia, and Heber, seven. These are the children of Abihail the son of Huri, the son of Jaroah, the son of Gilead, the son of Michael, the son of Jeshishai, the son of Jahdo, the son of Buz; Ahi the son of Abdiel, the son of Guni, chief of the house of their fathers. 

Gad held land from the bottom of the Sea of Galilee to almost the Northern tip of the Dead Sea. Some of their major cities included; Lo-Debar, Jabesh-Gilead, Peneul, Mahanaim which was a Levitical City (Josh. 21:7) and also the place where Jacob once was and had a vision.

And Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him. And when Jacob saw them, he said, This is God's host: and he called the name of that place Mahanaim. – Gen. 32:1-2

Other cities with in the Territory of Gad was; Ramoth-Gilead which was a City of Refuge (Josh. 20:8-9, 21:38). Jazer, Succoth and Abel-Shittim were Gadite cities as well. 

We know that in Succoth Jacob resided there at one time (Gen. 33:17) and it was the site of Israel’s first camp during the Exodus (Exd. 12:37).

Gad, being a mighty “troop” voluntarily and covenantally agreed to fight west of the Jordan on behalf of the other tribes who have not yet secured their allotment of inherited land. Gadites are like the Royal Marines of Israel, they are the first to be called into battle, they are on the front lines of the fighting (Josh. 4:12). 

Num. 32:16-32 And they came near unto him, and said, We will build sheepfolds here for our cattle, and cities for our little ones: But we ourselves will go ready armed before the children of Israel, until we have brought them unto their place: and our little ones shall dwell in the fenced cities because of the inhabitants of the land. We will not return unto our houses, until the children of Israel have inherited every man his inheritance. For we will not inherit with them on yonder side Jordan, or forward; because our inheritance is fallen to us on this side Jordan eastward. And Moses said unto them, If ye will do this thing, if ye will go armed before the LORD to war, And will go all of you armed over Jordan before the LORD, until he hath driven out his enemies from before him, And the land be subdued before the LORD: then afterward ye shall return, and be guiltless before the LORD, and before Israel; and this land shall be your possession before the LORD. But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out. Build you cities for your little ones, and folds for your sheep; and do that which hath proceeded out of your mouth. And the children of Gad and the children of Reuben spake unto Moses, saying, Thy servants will do as my lord commandeth. Our little ones, our wives, our flocks, and all our cattle, shall be there in the cities of Gilead: But thy servants will pass over, every man armed for war, before the Lord to battle, as my lord saith. So concerning them Moses commanded Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun, and the chief fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel: And Moses said unto them, If the children of Gad and the children of Reuben will pass with you over Jordan, every man armed to battle, before the LORD, and the land shall be subdued before you; then ye shall give them the land of Gilead for a possession: But if they will not pass over with you armed, they shall have possessions among you in the land of Canaan. And the children of Gad and the children of Reuben answered, saying, As the LORD hath said unto thy servants, so will we do. We will pass over armed before the LORD into the land of Canaan, that the possession of our inheritance on this side Jordan may be our's. 

Josh. 4:12-13 And the children of Reuben, and the children of Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh, passed over armed before the children of Israel, as Moses spake unto them: About forty thousand prepared for war passed over before the LORD unto battle, to the plains of Jericho.

Josh. 22:1-8 Then Joshua called the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh, And said unto them, Ye have kept all that Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you, and have obeyed my voice in all that I commanded you: Ye have not left your brethren these many days unto this day, but have kept the charge of the commandment of the LORD your God. And now the LORD your God hath given rest unto your brethren, as he promised them: therefore now return ye, and get you unto your tents, and unto the land of your possession, which Moses the servant of the LORD gave you on the other side Jordan. But take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law, which Moses the servant of the LORD charged you, to love the LORD your God, and to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and to cleave unto him, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul. So Joshua blessed them, and sent them away: and they went unto their tents. Now to the one half of the tribe of Manasseh Moses had given possession in Bashan: but unto the other half thereof gave Joshua among their brethren on this side Jordan westward. And when Joshua sent them away also unto their tents, then he blessed them, And he spake unto them, saying, Return with much riches unto your tents, and with very much cattle, with silver, and with gold, and with brass, and with iron, and with very much raiment: divide the spoil of your enemies with your brethren. 

Nelsons Illustrated Bible Dictionary says of Gad, “…The territory this tribe inhabited, often referred to as Gilead (Num. 1:14). The territory of Gad lay east of the Jordan River between the half-tribe of Manasseh to the north and the tribe of Reuben to the south. Its western boundary was the Jordan River; on the east it faced the territory of Ammonites.”

John Bright said in his book, A History of Israel 2nd Ed., “…The population of the highlands of Gilead – a mixture of Gadite and Josephite elements (Num. 23:39f; Josh. 13:24-31; etc.) – was designated as the clan Gilead (Judg. 5:17; 11:1.f; etc.).”

We also read in I Chron. 5:14 that Gilead was a chief in the tribe of Gad, so if you are from Gilead you are likely a Gadite, but if you are a Gileadite this means you are from Manasseh, this according to Num. 26:29, Josh. 17:1, Jud. 10:3, 11:1, 40, for Machir son of Manasseh, his clan was known as Gileadites.

There are several differing maps in regards to Gad’s territory and as one will see if they study these differing maps is that Gadite territory often blends in with the territory of Manasseh and vice versa. As a result Northern Gilead was full of Gadites and those from Manasseh’s tribe and southern Gadite territory sometimes known as southern Gilead was a blend of Gadites and Reubenites. 

Now we see a totally different territory and land allotment for the tribes in Ezekiel 48 Which speaks of the millennial reign of Messiah before the coming of the New Heaven and New Earth and here we see Gad’s allotment is West of the Jordan in the south below the Dead Sea with a  very important place being Tamar.

From the east side unto the west side, Gad a portion.  And by the border of Gad, at the south side southward, the border shall be even from Tamar unto the waters of strife in Kadesh, and to the river toward the great sea. – Ezek. 48:26b-27

When Messiah Yeshua re-gathers all the Tribes of Israel, the Tribes will settle in their Ezekiel assigned settlements in the Promised Land. From North to South the allotments are; Dan, Asher, Naphtali, Ephraim, Reuben, Judah, Levi occupying a place between Judah and Benjamin, then we have Simeon, Issachar, Zebulun and Gad. This order does not correspond to any known previous order of the Tribes such as in the encampments, marches, Levitical Breastplate, the New Jerusalem Gates, etc. 

And he provided the first part for himself, because there, in a portion of the lawgiver, was he seated; and he came with the heads of the people, he executed the justice of the LORD, and his judgments with Israel.  – Deut. 33:21

It should be noted here that the mystical phrase which is underlined in the passage above, “a portion of the lawgiver,” has a fascinating interpretation in regards to the Gadite land Ezekiel envisioned. We know one known as the Lawgiver in Israel is Moses and we know Scriptures tells us we do not know the exact location of his gravesite, but tradition says that it is believed Moses is buried somewhere in the Ezekiel’s Territory of Gad! 

The Land of the Gadarenes

Matt.8:18, 23-34, Mark 4:35-5:20, Luke 8:22-39

The land of the GADarenes in the Gospels is Gadite territory. You may recall this is the place where Yeshua (Jesus) cast out the Legion of demons from the man who lived among the tombs and allowed them to go into the herd of swine which them, like lemmings, took a fatal swan dive over the cliff and into the sea where they drown.

There is a preposterous barrage of purposeful misinformation by Jewish Archeologist Simcha Jacobovici to try and plant seeds of doubt within the mind of the believer who says Yeshua (Jesus) went to Spain and that is where he cast out the Legion of demons from the demoniac, but if that were so, that would mean the Scriptures are in error and we know the Scriptures are inerrant.  

Mr. Jacobovici says that there are three places in Israel which are traditionally said to be the place where Yeshua cast out the demons from the possessed man; Kursi, Hippos and Gadara. His requirements as he reads these gospel accounts are that there must be cliffs and tombs nearby. Kursi has cliffs but no tombs, Hippos has no cliffs but tombs and though Gadara meets the criteria he says the cliffs are too far away due to Marks account which seems to indicate the tombs and cliffs were side by side. However, cliffs are not a requirement for in the Greek and Aramaic of the Gospels a steep hill is indicated (Matt. 8:32) and not necessarily a sheer cliff as he assumed. He also argues that the boats used on the Sea of Galilee were too small for Yeshua (Jesus) to fall asleep in. But there were yacht-like boats with small cargo holds where on could sleep in. the Gospel accounts indicate that smaller vessels accompanied the larger one Yeshua was in (Mark 4:35-38). The Gospel language in the Greek, Hebrew and Aramaic in Matthew 8:18 clearly indicate the crossing of a small body of water, the “Sea” (really more of a Lake) of Galilee and not the vast expanse of the Mediterranean Ocean!

Some cite the inconstancy of the number of demoniacs Yeshua dealt with, was it one or two? Matthew says two, Mark and Luke only speak of one. The answer is simple, there were two as Matthew said, but the main focus was on only one of the two demoniacs, one was more prominent than the other. 

So it is believed that the main demoniac that was dealt with was a Gadite. By this time the tribes have been scattered due to disobedience to the Torah and many of the 10 tribes would have assimilated into the pagan peoples around them, thus living in places where unclean pigs are raised. It is believed that this demoniac was a Gadite because he resided in the Gadite territory of Gadara and that this man was prone to violence as a warrior would be and that his possession was not a simple one, but the demons said, “we are Legion, for me are many,” and recall Gad means troop, or we could say, a legion! 


Mark 5:20 says the formerly demon possessed man gave his testimony of deliverance in Decapolis, but didn’t we say he was a Gadarene? Decapolis means, “10 cities,” So Decapolis was a region and not a city itself, but a territory of cities, one of which was Gadara known today as Umm Qais. The other cities of the Decapolis are; Gerasa in Jordan, Scythopolis (Beth Sheam), Hippos, Pella, Philadelphia (Amman in Jordan), Capitolias (Beth Ras), Canatha (Qanawat), Raphana and Damascus. 

Judaism & Rastafarianism: A study of the Falashas

In this research paper I will discuss the ethnic groups of Africans in the Caribbean and Jews in Ethiopia. Jews in Ethiopia call themselves Beta Israel which means `house of Israel.' They are also known as the Falashas. Falasha means `stranger' or `immigrant' in the classical language of Ethiopia (the Ge'ez tongue). I will also describe the culture of the African people displaced into the Caribbean who identify themselves as the Rastafarians and the connections I have made between them and Judaism. I believe that these connections between Judaism and Rastafarianism are more than just similarities that can be found between any two Bible- following religions. I choose the Falashas as the topic for personal, religious and spiritual reasons. I was born into a Jewish household, rich in the traditions and customs of my Hebrew ancestors. I grew up however in the Caribbean, home of the unique culture known as the Rastafari. Throughout my life I have felt a deep connection between Judaism and Rastafarianism. In this paper I seek the origins and history of the connection that I feel in my heart. I believe that the Falashas are the bridge between these two cultures.

The connection of the Rastas to Ethiopia is a deep and mystical one. It would take hundreds of pages to illustrate the connections of this culture to Israel. In briefly describing their culture I attempt to illustrate what sparked my attention about the similarities between Jews, Falashas, and Rastas. The Rastas believe that they are originally and ancestrally Ethiopians. They were stolen from their homeland in times of slavery and brought to the `New World'. To say the least, the Rastafarians believe in many of the similar concepts that Jews do. However, the spiritual beliefs of the Rastas differ slightly from that of modern day Jews. While Jews are still waiting for the messiah, Rastas believe that the messiah has already come (and, unfortunately, gone) in the form of the last Emperor of Ethiopia, His Imperial Majesty, Haile Selassie I."Today man sees all his hopes and aspirations crumble before him. He is perplexed and knows not whither he is drifting. But he must realise that the solution of his present difficulties and guidance for his future action is the Bible. Unless he accepts with clear conscience the Bible and its great message, he cannot hope for salvation. For myself, I glory in the Bible."- Selassie I

Emperor Haile Selassie is a direct descendant of King Salomon and the Queen of Sheba; not surprisingly the African people of the Caribbean looked to Selassie as their savior. They were taken from their motherland, Africa, in times of slavery and sought repatriation. Their situation made belief in a white god unrealistic. Selassie I was their Savior. It was on the day of November 2, 1930, when Selassie was crowned Emperor, that he assumed his name meaning"the power of the Holy Trinity". Since then, he has been called many names including King of Kings, Lord of Lords, and the Conquering Lion of Judah - all of which are taken from the book of Revelations. Before he was emperor, he was Ras Tafari, (Rosh Tiferet in Hebrew) which translates to"Crown Prince."A psalm in the Bible predicted"a crown prince shall come forth from Kush."This meant that when Haile Selassie was crowned emperor, in Jamaica they believed he was their savior. This linked in with Marcus Garvey's philosophy that Jamaica was Babylon and a savior would lead the slaves back to their Promised Land. A strong influence in the repatriation movement was Marcus Garvey, a philosopher who is famous for the philosophy"One God, One Aim, One Destiny"and"Africa for Africans at home and abroad."The connections between Rastas and Ethiopia are so strong that it seems as if the slaves that were brought to Jamaica were born in Ethiopia themselves.

Many aspects of Ethiopian culture portray Judaic influence. The Old Testament stimulates a connection between Rastafarianism and Judaism. Both cultures study this ancient text, yet I think all people could benefit from the teachings that the Bible has to offer. Jewish people believe that they are the chosen race, essentially from the story that God made a covenant with our ancestors and agreed to give us the Torah  because we agreed to teach it to our children. I am an example of this covenant. As a child I went to Hebrew school to learn to read and write in Hebrew and to study the Torah. Most Jewish children attend Hebrew School until they are bar/bat mitzvahed once they turn 13. Bar/bat mitzvah means literally son/daughter of the torah. A bar/batmitzvah is a unique Jewish rite of passage, like many other traits shared by the different sects of Judaism.

Another aspect of the Falasha and Rastafarian culture that shows Judaic influence is the observance of the Sabbath. The Sabbath is seen as a day of rest, set aside by God. The Sabbath is a time of study and relaxation, to be spent with one's family. It starts at dusk on Friday and runs until dusk on Saturday. Yet another key connection lies in dietary laws. The Torah dictates an extensive number of laws concerning food, which are known as the laws of Kashrut. Foods that are not `kosher' to eat include swine, birds of prey, and fish that do not have gills. These rules may seem random and illogical but they are not, they actually make perfect sense concerning the cleanliness and safety of eating meat. The Rastas have a different word for kosher. The Rastas say `ital'. Ital means vital, specifically the foods vital for survival. Rastafarians are vegetarians, which means they `keep' kosher.

Rastas are most easily distinguished by their unique hair style. Most, but not all Rastas, wear dreadlocks. This comes from their interpretation of the bible. Hassidic Jews also have a unique hairstyle that separates them from everyone else. In Reggae music, the word"bald head"is a word which opposes the white man's oppression felt by the Rasta, in addition to what the Bible says in Leviticus 21:5 of how one is not to cut their hair. Nevertheless, it is clearly evident that both the Rastafarians and Hassidic Jews share this Biblical influence in contrast to a bald- headed Babylonian. My personal observation on these cultures is that they are mystical religions. Each person reads his or her own interpretation of the faith. Because the Falashas were in isolation, theory believed that they were the only Jews left. Unlike other Jews, the Falashas have no knowledge of Hebrew. Their sacred texts are written in Ge'ez, a language that only the priests can understand. The Falashas practice"Old Testament pre-Exilic Judaism, based on a literal obedience to the Pentateuch"(Operation Moses, 19). Accordingly, they adhere strictly to the biblical laws concerning the Sabbath, dietary laws, circumcision, and other religious rituals.

Jewish temples around the world face the direction of Israel. In North America it happens to be East. Falasha Jews have the same custom."Whenever a Falasha Jew prayed, he would first turn in the direction of Jerusalem, and Falasha literature and prayers deal constantly with such themes as the `return' to Zion and the re-establishment of priestly worship in the temple. The love of Zion is no different, in essence, to that of any other Jewish group throughout the Diaspora". An important aspect of Falasha culture was a stress against assimilation. This helped to isolate the Falashas from the other societies that surrounded them."Until very recently, when a Falasha happened to touch a non-Falasha he was considered impure until he had bathed himself".

                                                                      Eldad the Danite

It is hard to say exactly how Jews made it into Ethiopia. It is possible that they are descendants of the tribe of Dan. History tells us that there were twelve tribes of Israel. They are named after the children of Jacob. The tribes are: Reuben, Simeon, Levy, Judah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Ephraim, Manasseh, and Benjamin. The theory that the Falashas were descendants of the tribe of Dan comes from the story of Eldad ha-Dani. This ninth century tradition says that during the rift between Rehoboam (son of Solomon) and Jeroboam (son of Nebat), the Danites resettled to avoid the impending civil war. The Danites resettled in Egypt. Once there, they continued to move southward up the Nile to the historic land of Kush. This land was then rich in resources. Eldad ha-Dani himself was probably from this area. According to his story, members of the tribes of Naftali, Gad, and Asher lived together with the Danites. Eldad himself could trace his roots back to Dan, the son of Jacob. The theory that the Jews in Ethiopia were descendants of the tribe of Dan can also be found in other medieval and biblical sources.

Approximately one century before the first temple was destroyed and Judah was exiled, the Prophet Isaiah prophesied the End of Days. This is when the dispersed people of Israel and Judah would come together from their places of exile. Kush is one of the places mentioned."And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord will set His hand again the second time to recover the remnant of His people, that shall remain from Assyria and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands in the sea. And he will set up an ensign for the nations, and will assemble the dispersed of Israel, and gather together the scattered of Judas from the four corners of the earth."-Isaiah 11:11-12

The prophesies of Isaiah describe the return of people living"beyond the rivers of Abyssinia"to"the place of the name of the Lord of Hosts". This is found in detail in Isaiah 18 and Zephania 3:10. Sources sufficiently demonstrate Jewish presence in Ethiopia towards the end of the First Temple period. Other similarities in traditions and customs support the evidence of a link between the ancient Egyptian Jews and those of Ethiopia.

Ethiopian Jewry is partly a mystery. Relatively little is known about the origins of the community. We do know that it represents one of the oldest Diaspora communities. It is believed that they adopted Jewish beliefs around the second or third century B.C.E. The Jewish Oral Law was codified in the third century AD, it is presumed that the migration of people or ideas took place before this time because there are no elements in Falasha Judaism that reflect knowledge of rabbinic Judaism."The Falashas themselves like to maintain that they descended from the Jews who came to Ethiopia with King Menelik, who is thought by Ethiopians to be the son of King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba." Over time many Ethiopian Jews came under the influence of Christianity (which is the religion of most of the country). The few who remained Jewish had little contact with the outside Jewish world. This isolation caused them to not include the later Rabbinical laws and commentaries. Jewish settlement in Ethiopia is concentrated in the mountainous Gondar Province around Lake Tana in the Tigre Province, which is the area where the Danites settled (Kush). From 1935 until 1941, during the Italian occupation, the small Jewish communities of Addis Ababa and Diredawa were disbanded. Many of the Falashas took part in the struggle against Italian occupation and lost their lives. Israeli and Jewish organizations provided help throughout the succeeding decades in terms of education and welfare. In 1975 the Israeli Rabbinate recognized the status of Ethiopian Jews which paved a way for mass exodus to Israel. Aided by recent events, the world is growing more aware of Ethiopian Jews.

On May 25, 1991, nearly 15,000 Ethiopian Jews were airlifted to Israel. This constituted almost the entire Falasha population. The massive airlift took place in less than 36 hours. The distance from Ethiopia is more than 1,500 miles. It took 40 flights to complete the mission. The Israeli Air Force said that it took 35 civilian and military planes including one Ethiopian airliner. According to the New York Times, at one point there were 28 planes in the air. The planes were loaded far beyond their normal carrying capacity, often there was 2-3 people in a seat. An El-Al 747 cargo plane carried more than twice as many passengers as it was designed for. A crew of doctors and paramedics were on board for every flight. Five babies were born aboard the planes. Nurses waited as the planes landed to take sick people to hospitals and put newborn babies in incubators. In addition, 16,000 Ethiopian Jews were airlifted in secret in 1984.

Most of the airlift took place on the Sabbath. (Sundown Friday to sundown Saturday.) There were no complaints from any religious authorities though. The torah actually encourages the breaking of the Sabbath if it is to save a life, and because of the political situation in Ethiopia, the religious officials considered the operation to be life-saving. Being that it was on the Sabbath made the mission easier because most of the planes were idle anyway. The entire operation was censored for protection, so the media was notified of this operation after the fact. When the plan to evacuate all the Ethiopian Jews leaked out to the press, the Ethiopian Government was somewhat embarrassed and halted further departures. The exodus was only finalized after President Bush sent Ethiopian officials a message asking them to let the Jews leave all at once. The Ethiopian President Mengistu Haile Mariam had"used the Ethiopian Jews essentially as bargaining chips, seeking to exchange their controlled departure for Israeli arms and perhaps aid from Washington"(New York Times, May 26, 1991). Rebels had seized the vital port and capital, Addis Ababa. Foreign embassies were evacuated and residents were cautioned.

Operation Moses was a very significant and spiritually charged event, not only for the Falashas but for the State of Israel as well. Israel was formed with the spiritual intention of bringing together all the Jews. The airlift of the Falashas was a manifestation of Israel's primary mission. The exodus was equally important to the Falashas."They are ending a trip of 3,000 years"Israeli journalist Chaim Gouri said."We've stood up to our obligation and completed the operation bringing all the Jews: It gives us a feeling of strength"Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir stated.

A recent issue concerning the Ethiopian population in Israel was the discarding of Ethiopian's blood donations by the national blood bank. The blood bank had made it a policy to discard the blood because of fear of AIDS. This resulted in a violent protest outside of Prime Minister Shimon Peres' office. There was much anger and tension that had been building for years, and it came to a head outside the compound where the cabinet was holding its weekly meeting. The police used tear gas and water cannons to hold back protesters."The use of gas was the only means by which I could prevent them from bursting into the prime minister's office and perhaps attacking the ministers,"Jerusalem Police Chief told reporters. The protesters believed that the actions of the blood bank were racist. They carried posters that read"Apartheid in Israel"and"Although our skin is black, our blood is as red as yours and we are just as Jewish as you are."After several hours of violent demonstration Peres met a delegation of protesters. His office announced that they would set up a committee to look into the complaints. Peres apologized on behalf of the government, and praised the Ethiopian immigrants. He did however condemn the violence that resulted in the injuries of soldiers and policemen. The blood bank did confirm the newspaper report that it routinely discarded Ethiopian blood out of fear of AIDS contamination. The actions of the blood bank humiliated and enraged the Ethiopian community."Unity is the world's key, and racial harmony. 

The actual religion of the Rasta is quite complicated to decipher, due to the oral nature of the Rastafarian tradition. There are various sources that have dealt with the nature of the religion, but what is astonishing is how diverse the variation of ideas and concepts are amongst the different texts. The religion differed in all of my sources and none of the texts confronted the issue of conflict in the written transmission of the religion. Through a long process of filtration of the many sources and discovery through my own personal experiences with the Rastafarian tradition, the following analysis focuses purely on the nature of the religion. It will be based on the essence of the teachings as practiced by the most religious upholders of the true meaning of what `Rastafari' stands for as a movement for humanitarianism opposed to a movement based upon notions of superiority to an inferior white race. The notion of superiority having been a motive for the Rastafarians in the actions of reclaiming their identity would only have served to mirror the evil ways of those who oppress them. In addition, if the Rastafarians meant to employ the ideologies and concepts used by their white European oppressors in their savage attempt to destroy non-white people, that would only prove the success of the long lasting internalizing achievements of the Imperialist's implementation of initiations. Leonard Barrett states in his book, The Rastafarians, that the inception of the movement is grounded in some key verses of the Old and New Testament, although not all of the contents of the Bible are deemed acceptable by the Rastafarians. They believe just as the Jews had that the Bible had fallen victim in its processes of translation to the many corruptions that,"enhance the philosophy of the slave masters." The Rastafarians feel that they have discovered ways in which to reveal the truth from the underlying corruption. In Jewish philosophy, a philosopher known as Moses Maimonides in his Guide to the Perplexed discussed thirteen principles of faith. He believed that there were two levels in which to comprehend the Bible and reveal its hidden messages. One way was on an"exoteric"level, understanding on a literal level, while the other way was on an"esoteric"level, intellectual understanding of the many metaphors. The Rastafarians uphold the holy Bible and believe it contains certain collections of Rastafarian wisdom which can be extracted through the processes of esoteric and exoteric modes of overstanding.

I truly feel that the Falashas are the bridge between the Jews and the Rastafarians. I have come to the conclusion, after finding countless connections between the Jews and the Ethiopian Jews, and the Ethiopian Jews and the Rastafarians, that Rastafarianism can actually be considered a sect of Judaism. (Just picture a Falashan Rabbi: a rasta in good clothes! Leonard Howell against the Jamaican government is just like David against Goliath!)

All the Israelites Will Come Back!

Completeness of Resettlement in the End Times?

Will all Israel return to the Holy Land? Will there be enough room for all of them? 

           This is a question that has received many controversial answers. Some scholars say that it will hardly be possible to accommodate a multi- hundred million people from the Ten Tribes of Israel in the 'tiny' territory of the ancient Promised Land. They accept the idea that many representatives of all twelve Tribes will settle in the Biblical Land of Israel in their tribal allotments in the Messianic Era, but not all Israelites will return to the Land of their fathers. Is the ancient Biblical Land of Israel really that small? We do not think so.

                                                                          Nile to blood

The expanded Land of Greater Israel from Nile to Euphrates has enough territory to settle all the Israelites together with the strangers amongst them! There is an opinion that the entire population of the world could be placed in the State of Texas, which consist of 268,820 square miles or 696,200 square kilometers. By comparison, the Biblical Land of Israel is not 'tiny' at all. Its borders will include the Eastern part of Egypt, Sinai, Jordan, the Arabian Peninsula, parts of Syria, Lebanon, Kuwait, Iraq and Turkey. It is estimated that the Promised Land is eight times the size of Texas. The total population of all the children of Israel is much less than that of the whole world. It would be no problem to accommodate all Israelites on their Land. Especially, as the prophets say, all  the Arab and Muslim enemy-nations surrounding Israel will have been defeated. Their lands will be repossessed by Israelites.

 'Those who laid you waste depart from you. They that swallowed thee up shall be far away' (Isaiah 49:17, 19). 

'They shall devour all the people round about, on the right hand and on the left' (Zechariah 12:6).

'Those who harass Judah shall be cut off' (Isaiah 11:12).

        The proponents of the opposite idea put forward a few Biblical verses trying to prove that it was divinely foreseen that a huge portion of the Israelite population will remain in the countries of their present dwelling. They do not realize or ignore the fact that the prophecies, they rely on, are all about the past. They have been fulfilled at other times. They do not directly relate to the prophecies of final reunification, ingathering and redemption on Mountains of Israel.

          Here are some examples:

                'Thou shall spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south' (Genesis 28:14).

          Similarly, God said of Joseph: 'Joseph is a fruitful bough by a well; whose branches run over the wall' (Genesis 49:22).

          These verses are quoted as confirmation of the theory that not all the Israelites will be resettled in the Promised Land; plus Genesis 48:19 where it is said that Ephraim will be greater than Manasseh, and his seed shall become a multitude (Commonwealth) of nations, whereas Manasseh will become the single most powerful nation on  earth. The revisionist "scholars" maintain that these prophecies pertain to the future, and, therefore, a large chunk of the Israelite population will continue to live in their various countries abroad even in the time of the Messianic Era. 

          The simple and plain truth of the above mentioned prophecies is the fact that all of them have been fulfilled precisely at various times in the past! Yes, the Twelve Tribes of Israel and Judah were sent by God into exile to the four corners of the World. Yes, the descendants of Joseph were world colonizing people: Manasseh did become that singular most powerful nation of America, and Ephraim- the very populous Commonwealth of Nations of Great Britain. So what? Where do you learn from this that even a single prophecy indicates that not all Israel will be returned to the Holy Land?

          On the contrary; after dispersion to the lands of their enemies, the Almighty on a quite a few occasions reassured His People that He will return them to the Holy Land at the appointed time, all of them.

          'Behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places wither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this Land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of' (Genesis 28:15). 


Another so called 'proof', introduced by some theologians, that many Israelites will not return to the Promised Land and will continue live in their 'appointed places' outside the Land is found in the verse 2 Samuel 7:10:

          'I will appoint a place for My people Israel and will plant them, so that they may dwell in their own place and be disturbed no more. Evil nations will not oppress them as they have done in the past,'

          By adding a few key words such as 'new appointed place', Israel's 'future location', 'move no more', these scholars have argued that there is not enough space to accommodate the vast multitudes of the Twelve Tribes of Israel on the territory of the ancient Promised Land, therefore God appointed them  'new' places outside the borders of the Land of Israel, in the countries where the Ten Tribes in exile have been resident, so that they may live in the place of their own and 'move no more'.

          This interpretation of the Prophecy is wrong. Words were taken out of the contest with intention to change the meaning of the verse. If one were to continue to read the next verse, 2 Samuel 7:11, it will have become clear that the previous verse is a continuation of the present one: There is no such things as a 'new place' and 'new future location' for Israel. The intention of the Prophet's words are very different from this kind of understanding. The plain meaning of the Prophecy is that God was pleased with King David that he had in heart to build a house for Him. God therefore told David that He has it in His heart to make him a house and establish a place of his own.

          ''since the time I appointed Judges over My people Israel. And I will give rest from all your enemies. Also the Lord declares to you that He will make a house for you' (Verse 11).

          The difference between verses 10 and 11 is that in the times of the Judges the Israelites were greatly afflicted and suffered from the hands of the evil nations around them; but now, God declares, He will put an end of it. The land of Canaan will be entirely free of enemy-nations. The Israelites will possess it for themselves, a place of their own. God promises them quietness, peace, prosperity and independence in the Kingdom of Israel under the leadership of Kings David and his son Solomon. That is all. 

There are dozens upon dozens prophecies in the Hebrew Scripture that speak of this same theme of the  Ingathering of all Israel into the God-given Land.

          'Behold, I will take the children of Israel from among the heathen, whither they be gone, and will gather them on every side, and bring them into their own Land; and I will make them one nation upon the Mountains of Israel' (Ezekiel 37:21-22).

          If these quoted verses of the Bible still do not satisfy some of our readers that all the Twelve Tribes of Israel will return to the ancient Promised Land, then the following verses definitely nail it:

          'Then shall they know that I am the Lord their God, which caused them to be led into captivity among the heathen: but I have gathered them unto their own Land, and have left none of them any more there' (Ezekiel 39:28). 

              'I will multiply people on you [Mountains of Israel], all the house of Israel, all of it' (Ezekiel 36:10). 

          It is just amazing how God repeatedly stresses the very point that not only the Ten Tribes of Israel alone will return to the Promised Land, but all the Twelve Tribes together, all of them will return! The Almighty knew precisely that there would be controversies about the Babylonian Captivity's return and the Last and Final Exodus. Make no mistake, said the Lord, I will gather all My people from their countries in exile, and will have left none of them any more there. End of discussion!

         In the beginning stage of the process of  Ingathering, it seems that there will not be enough room for all the newcomers: 'This place is too small for us; give us more space to live in' (Isaiah 49:20; Zechariah 10:10).

          God advises His People what to do: 'Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes' (Isaiah 54:2). In other words, go ahead, enlarge the curtains of your habitation, bring 'the fist of My Judgments' on the enemy-nations round about and establish the boundaries of the Promised Land, according to My Word.  Israel will have obeyed  perfectly the directives of God and will restore the borders of the Holy Land from the Nile to the Euphrates. As the Lubavitch Rabbi, M.M. Schneerson, said, these Biblical 'Occupied Territories' belong to Israel. There will be more than enough space for all the families of Israel together with the strangers living amongst them. 

Regardless of how many nations and countries belonging to Israel exist in their places of exile and how many hundreds of million they may number, after the defeat of Gog and Magog, the Messiah, son of David, will complete the process of the total ingathering of all the Children of Israel to the Holy Land. This will proceed as part of the final redemption of the whole house of Jacob, and they will know their God, all of them. The Twelve Israelite Tribes will have become one nation again, a nation of priests, a light to the World. It will be their Divinely ordained task and destiny to teach and guide the nations by demonstrating righteousness, holiness, kindness, and love of the Almighty to all inhabitants of the earth.


          God will have left none of them any more there. No one member of the Israelite family will be left behind in the countries of their exile!