Highlights of Jeremiah from a Brit-Am Perspective by Yair Davidiy [For a more comprehensive commentary to the Book of Jeremiah see: Jeremiah.doc] We went through the whole Book of Jeremiah. Some parts we examined in detail and some parts we kind of skimmed over but we did obtain an overall picture of the book. Jeremiah on the simple level is occupied with events occurring in his own time or in the future mainly to Judah but he does speak of the Lost Ten Tribes and their return. He also extorts all of us to better ourselves and repent and his message has pertinence to every person everywhere. Below are most of those extracts from our Commentary that were more directly concerned with Brit-Am themes per se. 1. Jeremiah 1: The “Josiah Link”. 2. Jeremiah 3: Re-unification and Captive Jews see also 17. Jeremiah 50 3  Jeremiah 9: Baal in the west 4. Jeremiah 15: King Menasseh of Judah and Menasseh of the USA 5. Jeremiah 17: Menasseh ben Israel 6. Jeremiah 22: Reason for Division: Israel and Tyre 7. Jeremiah 30: The End Time Return 8. Jeremiah 31: Christians, North Country, coasts of the earth, Israel, Ephraim, and "Isles afar off", Angles, Prince Ephraim, west, dolmens, new covenant. 9.  Jeremiah 33: Descendants of King David 10. Jeremiah 34: Slavery, Migration. 11. Jeremiah 41: Baasha of Israel 12. Jeremiah 43: Daphne and Ireland 13. Jeremiah 45: Baruch and Tea Tephi 14. Jeremiah 46: The Israelite Circumnavigation of Africa: The balm of Gilead; Spain and Gaul 15. Jeremiah 47: Caphtor, Cyprus, and Scandinavia 16. Jeremiah 49: Edom and Germany 17. Jeremiah 50: Re-unification see 2. Jeremiah 3: Re-unification and Captive Jews; the youngest tribes of the flock take revenge. 18. Jeremiah 51: Israel is the Battleax of God 1: The “Josiah Link”. [Jeremiah 1:1] THE WORDS OF JEREMIAH THE SON OF HILKIAH, OF THE PRIESTS THAT WERE IN ANATHOTH IN THE LAND OF BENJAMIN: Jeremiah was a “Cohen” meaning a Priest descended from Aaron and belonging to the Tribe of Levi. Anathoth was just north of Jerusalem.                     [Jeremiah 1:2] TO WHOM THE WORD OF THE LORD CAME IN THE DAYS OF JOSIAH THE SON OF AMON KING OF JUDAH, IN THE THIRTEENTH YEAR OF HIS REIGN. King Josiah son of Amon (628-609) ruled AFTER the Lost Ten Tribes had been exiled in the period ca.730-720 BCE. [We are using conventionally accepted dating even though we do not really accept it]. King Josiah instituted a religious reform and began to bring the people of Judah back to Torah. He also established contact with the Lost Ten Tribes in their places of Exile. In his reign a few of the exiled Israelites returned temporarily. They made some attempt to re-establish settlements in their former lands. The Lost Ten Tribes are identifiable as Scythians.  Under King Josiah Beth-Shean in northern Israel became a Scythian center. Colonies of Judaeans and Israelites were also established in the coastal areas of the south and east. The Philistines had contested these regions. During the reign of King Josiah (or shortly before it) the Scythians took effective control over much of the Assyrian Empire. It will be remembered that The Northern Israelites had been exiled. They had become identified with part of the Cimmerian, Scythian, and Gothic forces. Most of The Cimmerians moved into Europe while the Scythians and Gothics remained together for a period in the Middle East. They rebelled against Assyria who came to terms with them. From allies of Assyria the Scythians proceeded to take partial control of the Assyrian Empire. Towards the end of the reign of King Josiah the Scythian hold on the Empire began to weaken. The Medes and Babylonians formed an alliance against Assyria. The Scythians (“Umman-Manda”: = People of Menasseh) moved to assist the Assyrians but were persuaded to change sides. Nineveh was conquered in 612 BCE with the Scythians playing the major role in the destruction of the city. Remnants of the Assyrian military retreated westward to Haran. Harran was captured and destroyed by the Scythians in 610 BCE.  The Assyrians retreated further to Carchemish where they attempted to recoup. They formed an alliance with Pharaoh Necho of Egypt who agreed to come to their aid at Carchemish. Carchemish was in northwest Syria near the coast. King Josiah of Judah attempted to stop Pharoah Neco from advancing northward. He was killed in the attempt in ca. 605 BCE. Pharoah Neco continued northward where a mainly Babylonian force under Nebuchadnezzar defeated him. King Josiah had met the Egyptian forces at Megiddo where he was slain. He was killed fighting on behalf of his Scythian Israelite allies. After his death the small incipient Israelite-Scythian settlements were abandoned and their inhabitants mostly returned to their places of exile.   It says in the Book of Kings:                    <<NOW THE REST OF THE ACTS OF JOSIAH, AND ALL THAT HE DID, ARE THEY NOT  WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF THE CHRONICLES OF THE KINGS OF JUDAH?                       <<IN HIS DAYS PHARAOHNECHOH KING OF EGYPT WENT UP AGAINST THE KING OF   ASSYRIA TO THE RIVER EUPHRATES: AND KING JOSIAH WENT AGAINST HIM; AND HE SLEW HIM AT  MEGIDDO, WHEN HE HAD SEEN HIM>>[2-Kings 23:28-29].                       In the Book of Chronicles it relates: <<AFTER ALL THIS, WHEN JOSIAH HAD PREPARED THE TEMPLE, NECHO KING OF EGYPT CAME UP TO FIGHT AGAINST CHARCHEMISH BY EUPHRATES: AND JOSIAH WENT OUT AGAINST HIM. <<BUT HE SENT AMBASSADORS TO HIM, SAYING, WHAT HAVE I TO DO WITH THEE, THOU KING OF JUDAH? I COME NOT AGAINST THEE THIS DAY, BUT AGAINST THE HOUSE WHEREWITH I HAVE WAR: FOR GOD COMMANDED ME TO MAKE HASTE: FORBEAR THEE FROM MEDDLING WITH GOD, WHO IS WITH ME, THAT HE DESTROY THEE NOT. <<NEVERTHELESS JOSIAH WOULD NOT TURN HIS FACE FROM HIM, BUT DISGUISED HIMSELF, THAT  HE MIGHT FIGHT WITH HIM, AND HEARKENED NOT UNTO THE WORDS OF NECHO FROM THE MOUTH OF GOD, AND CAME TO FIGHT IN THE VALLEY OF MEGIDDO>> [2-Chronicles 35:20-2].     Note that the word of God was speaking through Pharoah and that Josiah was told that he had come against “THE HOUSE WHEREWITH I HAVE WAR”, i.e. another  “HOUSE”.  We have the House of Judah over which Josiah ruled and the Scythian  House of Israel with which Pharaoh went to war. 2. Re-unification [Jeremiah 3:6] THE LORD SAID ALSO UNTO ME IN THE DAYS OF JOSIAH THE KING, HAST THOU SEEN THAT WHICH BACKSLIDING ISRAEL HATH DONE? SHE IS GONE UP UPON EVERY HIGH MOUNTAIN AND  UNDER EVERY GREEN TREE, AND THERE HATH PLAYED THE HARLOT.   This refers to the Lost Ten Tribes who committed idolatry and went in the ways of the nations around them. This is described in detail, in 2-Kings chapters 17 and 18. In the time of Josiah the Lost Ten Tribes were already in Exile BUT they had contact with Josiah and Josiah attempted to bring at least some of them back. He only succeeded to a small degree and even that was only temporary. The above verse suggests that Exiled Israelites in their places of Exile were still committing idolatry and perhaps even to a greater extent as they had previously. This was despite the attempts of Josiah and of Jeremiah. The Talmud says that Jeremiah went out of Israel for a time to the north to bring the Lost Ten Tribes back. A few returned but after King Josiah was killed by the Egyptians they returned to their places of exile.                    [Jeremiah 3:7] AND I SAID AFTER SHE HAD DONE ALL THESE THINGS, TURN THOU UNTO ME. BUT SHE RETURNED NOT. AND HER TREACHEROUS SISTER JUDAH SAW IT. [Jeremiah 3:8] SHE SAW THAT FOR ALL THE ADULTERIES OF THAT FAITHLESS ONE, ISRAEL, I HAD SENT HER AWAY WITH A DECREE OF DIVORCE; YET HER FALSE SISTER JUDAH DID NOT FEAR, BUT SHE TOO WENT AND PLAYED THE HARLOT. LOST TEN TRIBES NOT LEGALLY OBLIGED BY   MOSAIC LAW AT PRESENT!  There follows is a very important point in our studies: Jeremiah (3;8) said“I HAD SENT HER AWAY WITH A DECREE OF DIVORCE”: They were cut off. Their membership in the spiritual body of Israel, of the People of God was as if to say suspended. cf. “THEN SAID GOD, CALL HIS NAME LOAMMI: FOR YE ARE NOT MY PEOPLE, AND I WILL NOT BE YOUR GOD” [Hosea 1:9]. Loammi means Lo (=not) ammi (= my people). “YET THE NUMBER OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL SHALL BE AS THE SAND OF THE SEA, WHICH CANNOT BE MEASURED NOR NUMBERED; AND IT SHALL COME TO PASS, THAT IN THE PLACE WHERE IT WAS SAID UNTO THEM, YE ARE NOT MY PEOPLE, THERE IT SHALL BE SAID UNTO THEM, YE ARE THE SONS OF THE LIVING GOD” [Hosea 1:10]. The Northern Ten Tribes were “divorced”, they were to be termed (for a period) “Not My People”. The Talmud (Yebamot 17) says that the Lost Ten Tribes are legally considered to be non-Jews even though in the future THEY WILL RETURN and the covenant with them will be renewed. This is the bottom line in a legal sense and is consistent with Scripture even though many people (including religious Jews) have a conceptual difficulty to comprehend it. Both “Judah” and “Israel” at this stage need to show compassion, patience and empathy towards each other. The Lost Ten Tribes are not Jewish in a legal sense even though they once were “Legally” and in the future will once more be so! [By “Jewish” I mean here someone obligated by the Laws of Moses as given in the Torah]. At present in the West there is a return to Hebrew roots. There is a renewed interest in Hebrew and Jewish religious practices. This is a prior arousal amongst people of Israelite descent who instinctively realize that the time is drawing near when they will have to return to their roots and Renew the Covenant. [Jeremiah 3:12] GO AND PROCLAIM THESE WORDS TOWARD THE NORTH, AND SAY, RETURN, THOU BACKSLIDING ISRAEL, SAITH THE LORD; AND I WILL NOT CAUSE MINE ANGER TO FALL UPON YOU: FOR I AM MERCIFUL, SAITH THE LORD, AND I WILL NOT KEEP ANGER FOR EVER.    “THE NORTH”: Most of the Lost Ten Tribes are in the North when the Land of Israel is taken as the reference point. They are being called upon to repent.                    [Jeremiah 3:13] ONLY ACKNOWLEDGE THINE INIQUITY, THAT THOU HAST TRANSGRESSED AGAINST THE LORD THY GOD, AND HAST SCATTERED THY WAYS TO THE STRANGERS UNDER EVERY GREEN TREE, AND YE HAVE NOT OBEYED MY VOICE, SAITH THE LORD. The Lost Ten Tribes relatively speaking may have fulfilled at least part of the task that was laid upon them but they are still lacking. They must repent of their idolatry.                      [Jeremiah 3:14] TURN, O BACKSLIDING CHILDREN, SAITH THE LORD; FOR I AM MARRIED UNTO YOU: AND I WILL TAKE YOU ONE OF A CITY, AND TWO OF A FAMILY, AND I WILL BRING YOU TO ZION: This could mean several things: It could be that only a minority will return. Zechariah 13;8 indicates that there will be some kind of calamity and that only a third will survive:  “AND IT SHALL COME TO PASS, THAT IN ALL THE LAND, SAITH THE LORD, TWO PARTS THEREIN SHALL BE CUT OFF AND DIE; BUT THE THIRD SHALL BE LEFT THEREIN” [Zechariah 13:8].  It could mean something else. Jeremiah is speaking of a return to Zion. “Zion” according to the simple meaning is another term for Jerusalem meaning Judah in the religious sense. It could be that a relatively small portion (“ONE OF A CITY, AND TWO OF A FAMILY”) will be called upon to return in the religious sense prior to the Messianic Era.                                   [Jeremiah 3:15] AND I WILL GIVE YOU PASTORS ACCORDING TO MINE HEART, WHICH SHALL FEED YOU WITH KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING.   The word for “PASTORS” is “Royim” meaning shepherds. We need leaders and instructors. We should strive to merit good leaders who will be shepherds after God’s heart.                     [Jeremiah 3:16] AND IT SHALL COME TO PASS, WHEN YE BE MULTIPLIED AND INCREASED IN THE LAND, IN THOSE DAYS, SAITH THE LORD, THEY SHALL SAY NO MORE, THE ARK OF THE COVENANT OF THE LORD: NEITHER SHALL IT COME TO MIND: NEITHER SHALL THEY REMEMBER IT; NEITHER SHALL THEY VISIT IT; NEITHER SHALL THAT BE DONE ANY MORE.   The Divine Presence will be felt everywhere. We will no longer feel the need for an Intermediary between the Almighty and ourselves.                     [Jeremiah 3:18] 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.    The Midrash says: “Behold thou art fair, my love, yea pleasant, also our bed is green” (Song of Solomon 1;16). “Israel says: Behold thou art fair, my love When you will take retribution from the worshippers of idols. Yea pleasant when you pay the reward of those who fear you. Also our bed…: These are the “Ten Tribes.” [In Hebrew bed is “eres” while ten is “eser” and uses the same letters, and “our bed” (erseynu) sounds like “our ten” (esereynu).] They are those who were exiled beyond the Sambation River. The exiles of Judah and Benyamin [i.e. the present-day “Jews”] are destined to go unto them and bring them back in order to merit with them the Messianic Era and life in the World-To-Come. This is as it says, “In those days the house of Judah shall go unto the house of Israel and they shall come together out of the land of the north unto the land that I have given for an inheritance unto your fathers” (Jeremiah 3;18). -Yalkut Shimeoni, Song of Solomon 905.                     OK. The verse should be read according to the above as: “THE HOUSE OF JUDAH SHALL GO UNTO [rather than “WALK WITH”] THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL”.  People from Judah and Benjamin (i.e. legal Jews) shall go unto the Lost Ten Tribes who are beyond the Sambation River. In our works (“Ephraim” and “The Tribes”) we explained that the Sambation River means Israelite Exiles who migrated to the west. The simple meaning is that Jews from Judah will go unto the Lost Tribes to bring them back. It could be said that the Jewish members of Brit-Am Israel is doing this to some degree. There is an additional explanation. Captive Jews Since beginning this project and making contact with numerous people who are interested in the subject and studying it we have noticed an interesting phenomenon. Many non-Jews (“Genitles”) who agree with us that the Lost Ten Tribes are in the West and feel an inner urge to learn this message and in some cases help spread it also believe they have Jewish origins. Sometimes this belief of Jewish origins is based on known facts concerning one or other of their ancestors.  In other cases the feeling of Jewish origins is based on flimsy evidence but nevertheless the feeling exists. Such feelings do not appear from nowhere and probably derive from an inner awareness of their true ancestry. The people in question are often those who are now helping spread knowledge and attitudes that will lead to the Return of the Lost Ten Tribes. The role of these people in future will increase. These “Lost Jews” are also fulfilling the Prophecy of Jeremiah (3:18). They have gone out from Judah to Israel and they are beginning to bring Israel back from the Land of the North. We refer to these people as “Captive Jews” though “Lost Jews” may be more appropriate. We used the term “Captive Jews” (rather than “Assimilated Jews or something similar) since in many cases Jews were forced or heavily pressured to change their religion and cease being Jewish against their will. Descendants of these “Lost Jews” or “Captive Jews” are often the leaders who are bringing their fellow Captive Jews as well as the Lost Tribes back to their source. [Jeremiah 3:19] BUT I SAID, HOW SHALL I PUT THEE AMONG THE CHILDREN, AND GIVE THEE A PLEASANT LAND, A GOODLY HERITAGE OF THE HOSTS OF NATIONS? AND I SAID, THOU SHALT CALL ME, MY FATHER; AND SHALT NOT TURN AWAY FROM ME.                           "THOU SHALT CALL ME, MY FATHER": i.e. we shall realize as fact that our Father is the God of Israel. [Jeremiah 3:22] RETURN, YE BACKSLIDING CHILDREN, AND I WILL HEAL YOUR BACKSLIDINGS. BEHOLD, WE COME UNTO THEE; FOR THOU ART THE LORD OUR GOD.     God is calling to the Lost Ten Tribes of Israel to return to HIM.                   3. Baal in the west [Jeremiah 9:14] BUT HAVE WALKED AFTER THE IMAGINATION OF THEIR OWN HEART, AND AFTER BAALIM, WHICH THEIR FATHERS TAUGHT THEM:     The Ancient Israelites worshipped Baal and also applied the name Baal to God Himself as reported by Hosea.                   [Hosea 2:16] AND IT SHALL BE AT THAT DAY, SAITH THE LORD, THAT THOU SHALT CALL ME ISHI; AND SHALT CALL ME NO MORE BAALI.  [Hosea 2:17] FOR I WILL TAKE AWAY THE NAMES OF BAALIM OUT OF HER MOUTH, AND THEY SHALL NO MORE BE REMEMBERED BY THEIR NAME. The Celtic Inhabitants of Britain called themselves Iberi, or Iberni, or Hiberni which as all names meaning Hebrew. They also worshipped “Baal” whom they referred to as “Bel”.                     4. Jeremiah 15: King Menasseh of Judah and Menasseh of the USA [Jeremiah 15:4] AND I WILL CAUSE THEM TO BE REMOVED INTO ALL KINGDOMS OF THE EARTH, BECAUSE OF MANASSEH THE SON OF HEZEKIAH KING OF JUDAH, FOR THAT WHICH HE DID IN                      JERUSALEM.                       This prophecy on the superficial level refers to Judah just before the Babylonian Exile. Judah was about to be conquered by the Babylonians, the Temple destroyed and the people sent to Babylon. For the sake of perspective it should be recalled that first the people of Israel split into two: Israel in the north, Judah in the south. The Kingdom of “Israel” consisted of Ten Tribes who were exiled by the Assyrians. The Assyrians also exiled many from Judah in the south. The Kingdom of Judah consisted of the Tribes of Judah, Benjamin, and Levi plus many refugees from the Northern Kingdom of Israel. After the Assyrians had exiled the Ten Tribes the exiles rebelled and achieved their independence. The Israelite Scythians, Babylonians, and Medes eventually destroyed the Assyrian Empire. The Babylonians and Medes betrayed the Scythians and began driving them to the north. The Babylonians and Medes divided the former Assyrian Empire between them.  The Babylonians were then to conquer Judah and exile its inhabitants. Meanwhile the Persians took over from the Medes, conquered the Babylonians and allowed the Exiles of Judah to return and rebuild the Temple. Only a portion of the people of Judah returned the rest remained in Babylon and from there spread out to other areas. This was the beginning of the Jewish Dispersion (Diaspora) as Jeremiah predicts in the above verse: “AND I WILL CAUSE THEM TO BE REMOVED INTO ALL KINGDOMS OF THE EARTH”.  Jeremiah was prophesying just before the Babylonians conquered Jerusalem. Menasseh was the son of King Hezekiah of Judah. King Menasseh had put idols in the Temple:  [2-Kings 21:1] MANASSEH WAS TWELVE YEARS OLD WHEN HE BEGAN TO REIGN, AND REIGNED  FIFTY AND FIVE YEARS IN JERUSALEM. AND HIS MOTHER'S NAME WAS HEPHZIBAH.                       [2-Kings 21:2] AND HE DID THAT WHICH WAS EVIL IN THE SIGHT OF THE LORD, AFTER THE  ABOMINATIONS OF THE HEATHEN, WHOM THE LORD CAST OUT BEFORE THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL.                       [2-Kings 21:3] FOR HE BUILT UP AGAIN THE HIGH PLACES WHICH HEZEKIAH HIS FATHER HAD  DESTROYED; AND HE REARED UP ALTARS FOR BAAL, AND MADE A GROVE, AS DID AHAB KING OF ISRAEL; AND WORSHIPPED ALL THE HOST OF HEAVEN, AND SERVED THEM.                       [2-Kings 21:4] AND HE BUILT ALTARS IN THE HOUSE OF THE LORD, OF WHICH THE LORD SAID, IN JERUSALEM WILL I PUT MY NAME.                       [2-Kings 21:5] AND HE BUILT ALTARS FOR ALL THE HOST OF HEAVEN IN THE TWO COURTS OF THE HOUSE OF THE LORD.                       [2-Kings 21:6] AND HE MADE HIS SON PASS THROUGH THE FIRE, AND OBSERVED TIMES, AND USED ENCHANTMENTS, AND DEALT WITH FAMILIAR SPIRITS AND WIZARDS: HE WROUGHT MUCH WICKEDNESS IN THE SIGHT OF THE LORD, TO PROVOKE HIM TO ANGER.                       [2-Kings 21:7] AND HE SET A GRAVEN IMAGE OF THE GROVE THAT HE HAD MADE IN THE HOUSE, OF WHICH THE LORD SAID TO DAVID, AND TO SOLOMON HIS SON, IN THIS HOUSE, AND IN  JERUSALEM, WHICH I HAVE CHOSEN OUT OF ALL TRIBES OF ISRAEL, WILL I PUT MY NAME FOR EVER:                       [2-Kings 21:8] NEITHER WILL I MAKE THE FEET OF ISRAEL MOVE ANY MORE OUT OF THE LAND WHICH I GAVE THEIR FATHERS; ONLY IF THEY WILL OBSERVE TO DO ACCORDING TO ALL THAT I HAVE COMMANDED THEM, AND ACCORDING TO ALL THE LAW THAT MY SERVANT MOSES COMMANDED THEM.    The Land cannot be kept unless the people dwelling in it keep the Law of Moses. This was eventually to become the specific task of Judah whereas the Lost Ten Tribes had their spiritual obligations in this regard temporarily suspended but at some stage the suspension will come to an end and the obligation will return. Nowadays most of the Jews in the Land of Israel do not try to keep all the commandments and this may be one reason why the Jews are in danger. On the other hand most of the Jews in Israel feel some attachment to the Law. In the past there used to be atheists and freethinkers who very prominent in Israeli society. They turned denial of the Law into a quasi-religious belief, a kind of idolatry. Nowadays these people are not heard from and not listened to. It can be said that despite everything Israeli society does not altogether deny the Law. They do not keep it all due to the pull of the flesh and not because they are ideologically against it. Also in the present State of Israel thousands of scholars study the Law day and night and they are supported by the State. No one makes serious protests against this or if they do they are not taken seriously. More Jews now learn Torah fulltime than perhaps at any other time in history. There is a feeling that by virtue of this learning God has protected us in the past and that even now miracles still happen for us daily.  If we had have been a little bit better the disasters that did come upon us would not have occurred.                   King Hezekiah had reigned during the time when the Assyrians were taking the northern tribes away. Hezekiah was followed by Menasseh, he by Amon, then Josiah, then Jehoiakim, then Zedekiah. Jeremiah prophesied in the times of Josiah, Jehoiakim, and Zedekiah (Jeremiah 1:1-3). Hezekiah apparently named his son Menasseh in memory of the Tribe of Menasseh that had been exiled. The Tribe of Menasseh in many ways was actually the leading Tribe amongst the ten northern tribes that were exiled. King Menasseh reigned after the Ten Tribes of the Northern Kingdom of Israel had all been exiled. He had been named in their memory. Regarding the future, could the Prophecy somehow be hinting at the Tribe of Menasseh? We have identified the USA with Menasseh due to the fact that: 1. Groups identified with Menasseh in Britain (and maybe also in Holland and Germany at that time) dominated the immigrants to the USA at an early stage of its formation. 2. The USA has aspects of Menasseh including an emphasis on responsible representative government. 3. The name America is a Latinised version of the Hebrew “Ha-Machiri”. Machir was the firstborn son of Menasseh. “Machir” in Hebrew can also denote the principle of Capitalism. Together with this the USA also contains a large contingent from Ephraim as well as many non-Israelites. In Biblical times the territory of Menasseh also held a segment from Ephraim, groups from other Israelite Tribes and numerous non-Israelites. It appears that in the south of the USA the dominant element was Ephraim. The American Civil War may be seen as Menasseh asserting himself over Ephraim. Brit-Am representative in South Carolina, Mark Mosley, pointed out that the first battle of the Civil War was at Menasses, i.e. at a place named after Menasseh! Yehonatan David White saw the Civil War as a kind of replay (or “rectification”?) of the original split between Judah and Israel. In the first split the Tribes of Benjamin and Judah had been in the south under the House of David whereas the Tribes in the north split away. In the American Civil War the south was led by Jefferson Davis (of the House of David? Davis is short for David’s son) and by a man of Jewish birth named Judah Philip Benjamin Secretary of State of the Confederate Sates of America (1862-1865), later queen’s counsel in England. The South was more aristocratic and Ephraim was associated with aristocracy many of whom already in Biblical times had intermarried with the House of David. Date: Mon, 11 Feb 2002 06:24:43 -0800 (PST) From: William Rasmussen <brasshalom@yahoo.com> Subject: Re: Jeremiah 15 no.1 To: Yair Davidi <britam@netvision.net.il> iPlanet-SMTP-Warning: Lines longer than SMTP allows found and truncated. Shalom Yair:  Excellent piece on Manassas.  It is interesting to note that the North [Yankees], called the first battle "Bull Run".  It was named after a creek that was in the vicinity of Manassas.  The symbol of Ephraim is a bull.  The South [Confederates], called the battle "Manassas" after the nearby town.  One wonders why the South who was made up of Ephraim would call the battle "Manassas" and the North who was made up of Manasseh, would call the battle "Bull Run".  There is a juxtaposition here and perhaps an unwitting acknowledgement of the two tribes by both the North and the South.  Keep up the fascinating articles.  Shalom, Bill Rasmussen In the first division the northern tribes led by Ephraim split away from Judah and Benjamin under the House of David. In the second case Ephraim under Davis with Judah Benjamin attempted to split away but were prevented from doing so by a man named after Abraham the first Patriarch of the Hebrew nation. We have identified Britain as dominated by Ephraim and in the American Civil War Britain did back the Confederate side and considered intervening militarily on behalf of the Confederates. 5. Jeremiah 17: Menasseh ben Israel [Jeremiah 17:13] O LORD, THE HOPE OF ISRAEL, ALL THAT FORSAKE THEE SHALL BE ASHAMED, AND THEY THAT DEPART FROM ME SHALL BE WRITTEN IN THE EARTH, BECAUSE THEY HAVE FORSAKEN THE                      LORD, THE FOUNTAIN OF LIVING WATERS. “THE HOPE OF ISRAEL” in Hebrew “Mikveh Yisroel”: “Mikveh” in Heebrew means both “hope” and “pool of water” used for purification. The Rabbis used this play on words to say that God is the ONE who purifies Israel from all their impurities. “THE HOPE OF ISRAEL” was the title of work written by Rabbi Menasseh ben Israel (1604-1657).  Menasseh was born in Portugal and was descended from Jews who had been forced to convert to Catholicism. He moved to Holland re-affirmed his Judaism and became the leading Rabbi of Holland. He was very learned and acquainted with all the Classical Writers as well as with all aspects of Jewish studies. He was against the philosopher Spinoza who was excommunicated for writing against the Bible. Menasseh corresponded with John Sadler in England who greatly admired him. John Sadler announced in the English Parliament that the English were descended from Israel and he wrote “The Rights of the Kingdom” tracing Old English laws back to Hebrew sources finding parallels in Talmudic Literature. John Sadler was a friend of Oliver Cromwell who appears to have shared similar views. Oliver Cromwell allowed the Jews to return to England (they had been expelled in 1290) and he brought Menasseh ben Israel over for w visit to England. Menasseh published  “THE HOPE OF ISRAEL” (in Hebrew “Mikveh Yisroel”) in 1652. In this book Menasseh speaks of the Lost Ten Tribes. He discusses reports (extant in his day) that the Lost Ten Tribes had been found amongst the Red Indians in North America and amongst the natives of South America. He quotes from Ortellius who related the tradition that Dan and Napthali were in Scythia or Tartary. [The passage from Ortellius was explained and translated in our work “The Tribes” by Yair Davidy.] On the whole menaseh comes down strongly as declaring that various areas of Scythia were important areas of Exile. In Isaiah 60;9 it is predicted that the Lost Ten Tribes will return in “ships of Tarshish”.  Using Talmudic and Biblical sources we explained this to mean that the meaning was ships from the Atlantic Ocean area. Menasseh reached the same conclusion but he suggests that the meaning was from somewhere around the West Indies. It should be remembered that in his time the USA did not exist, the colonization of North America was just beginning and Menasseh was attempting to explain the passage according to the reality of his own time. Menasseh does not try to say anything really definite about the Lost Ten Tribes in his book but discusses various reports and legends. He discusses the possibility that the Lost Ten Tribes are in India, Ethiopia, perhaps in Persia. He identifies the “Isles of the Sea” linked with the Lost Tribes in Isaiah 11;11 with the Americas.  The purpose of the book was to show that the Jews (including in his definition The Lost Ten Tribes) had been scattered all over the world and that they had to be in every place before the Messiah could come. He quotes from Isaiah 11:12 HE WILL RAISE AN ENSIGN FOR THE NATIONS, AND WILL ASSEMBLE THE OUTCASTS OF ISRAEL, AND GATHER THE DISPERSED OF JUDAH FROM THE FOUR CORNERS OF THE EARTH.   Menasseh this verse as meaning that the Lost Ten Tribes are     the OUTCASTS OF ISRAEL who must be at the ends of the earth gathered together in specific areas whereas the Jews (Judah) are THE DISPERSED OF JUDAH i.e. the Jews who are scattered all over the world. Menasseh thought that this verse must be fulfilled literally and that Jews would have to be found in every nation before the Messianic Age.  The idea was to make the re-entrance of the Jews to England acceptable to the English since it would seem that if the Jews did not return to England the Messiah would be delayed. Menasseh was not interested in this work in saying that the English were descended from Israel since that would defeat the whole purpose of his argument. Nevertheless Menasseh is frequently quoted as being one of the original proponents of the belief in the Hebrew origins of the English people. It may be that the book really was written with this principle in mind but no-where does it say so expressly.  Menasseh was friendly with both Sadler and Cromwell who both appear to have had this belief. In the work “The Hope of Israel” are several insights of great potential importance to Brit-Am and we will speak of them at another time.  Menasseh wrote other works. He wrote the Conciliator that reconciles apparent contradictions in Scripture and also contains insights and sources of importance to Brit-Am. He also wrote a work on the re-incarnation of the soul in which he believed (as did the ancient Druids and the Pharisees) and other works.        6. Jeremiah 22: Reason for Division [Jeremiah 22:13] WOE UNTO HIM THAT BUILDETH HIS HOUSE BY UNRIGHTEOUSNESS, AND HIS CHAMBERS BY WRONG; THAT USETH HIS NEIGHBOUR'S SERVICE WITHOUT WAGES, AND GIVETH HIM NOT FOR HIS WORK;                       Jehoiakim became king and apparently forced his subjects to build buildings and public works and did not pay them. Incidentally it appears that King Solomon towards the end of his reign had began to worship other gods or had tolerated the worship of other gods by his foreign wives and their attendants. Solomon had also built a palace and neighborhood in Jerusalem and other considerations elsewhere for his wife the daughter of Pharoah king of Egypt. Solomon had used a levy (semi-forced conscription) from the Tribe of Ephraim for these works. Solomon had received as a dowry the city of Gezer from the King of Egypt. Gezer was not in the south but in the north in the region of Ephraim. It was an enclave of Canaanites in the Land of Ephraim who in the past had been conquered by Ephraim but later had asserted their independence. Pharaoh conquered Gezer and handed it over to Solomon. Solomon apparently had been justified in using people from Ephraim to rebuild Gezer but he had then “extended” their usage into further works on behalf of the daughter of Pharoah as if it was owed to her. Jeroboam the son of Nebat had been appointed over the workmen from Ephraim who felt misused. Led by Jeroboam the workmen rebelled, the rebellion was put down and Jeroboam fled to Egypt which now was [probably?] ruled by someone else. When Solomon died Jeroboam came back and was appointed as a spokesman for Ephraim and for all Israel in a delegation to Rehoboam the son of Solomon. The delegation requested that Rehoboam agree to be less oppressive that Solomon towards the end of his life had been. Rehoboam refused and so the northern Ten Tribes rebelled and set up their own kingdom with Jeroboam at its head. A few centuries later this independent kingdom of “Israel” was conquered and all its people exiled. Their identity was lost and they became the Lost Ten Tribes of Israel.   [Jeremiah 22:14] THAT SAITH, I WILL BUILD ME A WIDE HOUSE AND LARGE CHAMBERS, AND CUTTETH HIM OUT WINDOWS; AND IT IS CIELED WITH CEDAR, AND PAINTED WITH VERMILION.                       [Jeremiah 22:15] SHALT THOU REIGN, BECAUSE THOU CLOSEST THYSELF IN CEDAR? DID NOT THY FATHER EAT AND DRINK, AND DO JUDGMENT AND JUSTICE, AND THEN IT WAS WELL WITH HIM?                       [Jeremiah 22:16] HE JUDGED THE CAUSE OF THE POOR AND NEEDY; THEN IT WAS WELL WITH HIM: WAS NOT THIS TO KNOW ME? SAITH THE LORD.        He is referring to King Josiah the son of Amon who was a good king and attempted to reconcile the exiled northern tribes and resettle some of them in the northern parts of Israel. A few did return but after Josiah was killed they appear to have left once again and rejoined their brothers in exile. See “The Tribes” and “Lost Israelite Identity”.                [Jeremiah 22:17] BUT THINE EYES AND THINE HEART ARE NOT BUT FOR THY COVETOUSNESS, AND FOR TO SHED INNOCENT BLOOD, AND FOR OPPRESSION, AND FOR VIOLENCE, TO DO IT.                       [Jeremiah 22:18] THEREFORE THUS SAITH THE LORD CONCERNING JEHOIAKIM THE SON OF JOSIAH KING OF JUDAH; THEY SHALL NOT LAMENT FOR HIM, SAYING, AH MY BROTHER! OR, AH SISTER!  THEY SHALL NOT LAMENT FOR HIM, SAYING, AH LORD! OR, AH HIS GLORY!                       [Jeremiah 22:19] HE SHALL BE BURIED WITH THE BURIAL OF AN ASS, DRAWN AND CAST FORTH BEYOND THE GATES OF JERUSALEM.                       [Jeremiah 22:20] GO UP TO LEBANON, AND CRY; AND LIFT UP THY VOICE IN BASHAN, AND CRY FROM THE PASSAGES: FOR ALL THY LOVERS ARE DESTROYED.    The Ten Tribes had been exiled from Lebanon and Bashan (Syria); under King Josiah there had been a chance that the exiles would return but now since the sons of King Josiah did not continue in his path this chance was lost.                    [Haggai 2:23] IN THAT DAY, SAITH THE LORD OF HOSTS, WILL I TAKE THEE, O ZERUBBABEL, MY SERVANT, THE SON OF SHEALTIEL, SAITH THE LORD, AND WILL MAKE THEE AS A SIGNET: FOR I HAVE CHOSEN THEE, SAITH THE LORD OF HOSTS. Here Haggai is indicating that the future Messianic ruler will be a descendant of Zerubabel son of Shaltiel son of Jehojacin. Haggai says concerning Zerubabel and his future descendant “WILL MAKE THEE AS A SIGNET: FOR I HAVE CHOSEN THEE”. This is in juxtaposition to what Jeremiah said above about Jehojacin:  [Jeremiah 22:24] AS I LIVE, SAITH THE LORD, THOUGH CONIAH THE SON OF JEHOIAKIM KING OF JUDAH WERE THE SIGNET UPON MY RIGHT HAND, YET WOULD I PLUCK THEE THENCE;   Jeremiah 22 – addenda: We have a principle that all Prophecy that was necessary both for its own time and for the future was written and that which was not pertinent to the future was not written. By the future is meant the time of the Messianic Era and the Period preceding it. We are somewhere in this period, maybe at the very beginning or maybe well along the way.  The Book of Jeremiah was intended primarily as Prophecy not history. As a Prophet Jeremiah wrote in terms of events of his own time or about to happen shortly after but even so he also intended another meaning for the future, for us. Jeremiah himself may well not have been conscious of the full future significance of his own words. Let us briefly re-examine Jeremiah chapter 22 and perhaps receive a glimpse of what Jeremiah (unbeknown to himself?) was trying to tell us. Jeremiah says: [Jeremiah 22:6] FOR THUS SAITH THE LORD UNTO THE KING'S HOUSE OF JUDAH; THOU ART GILEAD UNTO ME, AND THE HEAD OF LEBANON: YET SURELY I WILL MAKE THEE A WILDERNESS, AND CITIES  WHICH ARE NOT INHABITED.     He associates the body spoken to as Gilead and Lebanon: THOU ART GILEAD UNTO ME, AND THE HEAD OF LEBANON: As we explained in  “Joseph” Gilead was the area east of the Jordan in which dwelt the Tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half-Menasseh. Menasseh was divided into two portions, one-half west of the Jordan and the other half east of it. The half of Menasseh east of the Jordan was dominated by clans of Machir the first-born son of Menasseh. “America” is a name derived from a Latinised form of the Hebrew “Ha-Machiri” which in Biblical Hebrew meant “The Machirities” and in Medieval Hebrew could be used to mean “He who belongs to Machir”.  The area of Menasseh east of the Jordan was known as Gilead and as Bashan or Gilead and Bashan were separate regions though the distinction is not clear. Descendants of Gilead of Menasseh were especially important in the settlement of the south and west of the USA though the name in Prophecy could perhaps be applied to the USA in general.     “Lebanon” can refer to Britain. The name “Albion” is a nickname for Britain and this name means the same as “Lebanon”, i.e. whiteness and may well be another form of this name, i.e. Lebanon = Liban = Alban = Albion. Ephraim dominates Britain. In ancient times Ephraim dwelt primarily in the center of the Land of Israel west of the Jordan but segments of the tribe did move northwards. The famous explorer Nahum SLOUSCHZ (Nahum SLOUSCHZ, "Les Hebreo-Pheniciens. Introduction a ire Des Origines de la Colonisation Hebraique dans les Pays Mediteranee,". Paris 1909) opined that mercenaries from Ephraim served in the forces of the Phoenician city  of  Tyre in Lebanon. This was hinted at by Hosea: [Hosea 9:13] EPHRAIM, AS I SAW TYRUS, IS PLANTED IN A PLEASANT PLACE: BUT EPHRAIM SHALL BRING FORTH HIS CHILDREN TO THE MURDERER. “TYRUS” (in Hebrew:  “Tsor”) i.e. the Phoenician city of Tyre. Ephraim was associated with Tyre who betrayed them and assisted the Assyrians in exiling them to the west as referred to by Amos:     "...FOR THREE TRANSGRESSIONS OF TYRE ...I WILL NOT TURN AWAY THE PUNISHMENT THEREOF: BECAUSE THEY DELIVERED UP THE WHOLE CAPTIVITY TO EDOM, AND REMEMBERED NOT THE COVENANT OF BROTHERS" (Amos 1;9). Ephraim is destined to return and colonize the Lebanon and Gilead (Syria and Jordan) as indicated by Zechariah: [Zechariah 10:7] AND THEY OF EPHRAIM SHALL BE LIKE A MIGHTY MAN, AND THEIR HEART SHALL REJOICE AS THROUGH WINE: YEA, THEIR CHILDREN SHALL SEE IT, AND BE GLAD; THEIR HEART SHALL REJOICE IN THE LORD.                       [Zechariah 10:8] I WILL HISS FOR THEM, AND GATHER THEM; FOR I HAVE REDEEMED THEM: AND THEY SHALL INCREASE AS THEY HAVE INCREASED.                       [Zechariah 10:9] AND I WILL SOW THEM AMONG THE PEOPLE: AND THEY SHALL REMEMBER ME IN FAR COUNTRIES; AND THEY SHALL LIVE WITH THEIR CHILDREN, AND TURN AGAIN.                       [Zechariah 10:10] I WILL BRING THEM AGAIN ALSO OUT OF THE LAND OF EGYPT, AND GATHER THEM OUT OF ASSYRIA; AND I WILL BRING THEM INTO THE LAND OF GILEAD AND LEBANON; AND PLACE SHALL NOT BE FOUND FOR THEM.                           The whole of Jeremiah 22 may be understood as in one sense referring to the USA and Britain. References to the House of David in this chapter may also refer to the ruling classes of Britain and America many of whom may well be descended from the House of David. Descendants of David intermarried with leading houses in the Northern Kingdom of Israel before its exile and settled amongst them.     The area east of the Jordan was also known as Bashan and Jeremiah refers to this area: [Jeremiah 22:20] GO UP TO LEBANON, AND CRY; AND LIFT UP THY VOICE IN BASHAN, AND CRY FROM THE PASSAGES: FOR ALL THY LOVERS ARE DESTROYED.    also cf. [Jeremiah 22:23] O INHABITANT OF LEBANON, THAT MAKEST THY NEST IN THE CEDARS, HOW GRACIOUS SHALT THOU BE WHEN PANGS COME UPON THEE, THE PAIN AS OF A WOMAN IN TRAVAIL!    As we explained in our work “Joseph” there is a tradition that descendants of Gilead from east of the Jordan will be the first of the Lost Ten Tribes to return. According to our studies descendants of “Gilead” are now to be found in the “Bible Belt” of the USA!                    7. Jeremiah 30: The End Time Return  [Jeremiah 30:1] THE WORD THAT CAME TO JEREMIAH FROM THE LORD, SAYING,                       [Jeremiah 30:2] THUS SPEAKETH THE LORD GOD OF ISRAEL, SAYING, WRITE THEE ALL THE WORDS THAT I HAVE SPOKEN UNTO THEE IN A BOOK.                       [Jeremiah 30:3] FOR, LO, THE DAYS COME, SAITH THE LORD, THAT I WILL BRING AGAIN THE CAPTIVITY OF MY PEOPLE ISRAEL AND JUDAH, SAITH THE LORD: AND I WILL CAUSE THEM TO RETURN TO THE LAND THAT I GAVE TO THEIR FATHERS, AND THEY SHALL POSSESS IT.                       Jeremiah is prophesying about the Lost Ten Tribes and Judah, i.e. “THE CAPTIVITY OF MY PEOPLE ISRAEL AND JUDAH”: They will return. This is what God has promised. [Jeremiah 30:4] AND THESE ARE THE WORDS THAT THE LORD SPAKE CONCERNING ISRAEL AND CONCERNING JUDAH.                       God spoke about the Lost Ten Tribes and about the Jews as two separate entities that nevertheless on a spiritual psychological level are connected. [Jeremiah 30:5] FOR THUS SAITH THE LORD; WE HAVE HEARD A VOICE OF TREMBLING, OF FEAR, AND NOT OF PEACE.                       [Jeremiah 30:6] ASK YE NOW, AND SEE WHETHER A MAN DOTH TRAVAIL WITH CHILD? WHEREFORE DO I SEE EVERY MAN WITH HIS HANDS ON HIS LOINS, AS A WOMAN IN TRAVAIL, AND ALL FACES ARE TURNED INTO PALENESS?                       The effects of nuclear radiation or of biochemical warfare could produce the described reactions. When I was young I had peritonitis (an appendix that exploded) so I have an inkling of what could happen. [Jeremiah 30:7] ALAS! FOR THAT DAY IS GREAT, SO THAT NONE IS LIKE IT: IT IS EVEN THE TIME OF JACOB'S TROUBLE, BUT HE SHALL BE SAVED OUT OF IT.                           According to the Zohar on this verse: The Messiah will be revealed in the Galilee, wars will be stirred up in the world; all the nations of the earth will join together to drive the Daughter of Jacob (i.e. Israel and the Jews) out of the world i.e. out of existence). cf. also: Midrash HaGadol (VaYatzei p.539): <<IT IS EVEN THE TIME OF JACOB'S TROUBLE, BUT HE SHALL BE SAVED OUT OF IT. There is no harder time for Israel than the War of Gog and Magog. There is no trouble like it, as it says about it: IT IS EVEN THE TIME OF JACOB'S TROUBLE, BUT HE SHALL BE SAVED OUT OF IT. They will not be saved at that time other than by virtue of Joseph>>. [Jeremiah 30:8] FOR IT SHALL COME TO PASS IN THAT DAY, SAITH THE LORD OF HOSTS, THAT I WILL BREAK HIS YOKE FROM OFF THY NECK, AND WILL BURST THY BONDS, AND STRANGERS SHALL NO MORE SERVE THEMSELVES OF HIM:                           “I WILL BREAK HIS YOKE FROM OFF THY NECK”: The Idol Worshippers will no longer oppress Israel (Rashi). [Jeremiah 30:9] BUT THEY SHALL SERVE THE LORD THEIR GOD, AND DAVID THEIR KING, WHOM I WILL RAISE UP UNTO THEM.                       “DAVID THEIR KING”: Some say it means a resurrected David; others say a descendant of David; others say there will be a future Messiah descended from David who will rule alongside a resurrected David who will serve as his deputy. In my opinion it means a physical descendant of David who will be the very personification of David and maybe even in some way a reincarnation of him. [Jeremiah 30:10] THEREFORE FEAR THOU NOT, O MY SERVANT JACOB, SAITH THE LORD; NEITHER BE DISMAYED, O ISRAEL: FOR, LO, I WILL SAVE THEE FROM AFAR, AND THY SEED FROM THE LAND OF THEIR CAPTIVITY; AND JACOB SHALL RETURN, AND SHALL BE IN REST, AND BE QUIET, AND NONE SHALL MAKE HIM AFRAID.                       Here “Israel” and “Jacob” are juxtaposed. This usually denotes both the Lost Ten Tribes and Judah together. [Jeremiah 30:11] FOR I AM WITH THEE, SAITH THE LORD, TO SAVE THEE: THOUGH I MAKE A FULL END OF ALL NATIONS WHITHER I HAVE SCATTERED THEE, YET I WILL NOT MAKE A FULL END OF THEE: BUT I WILL CORRECT THEE IN MEASURE, AND WILL NOT LEAVE THEE ALTOGETHER UNPUNISHED.                       The scattered of Israel usually refers to the Jews of Judah. The Jews were scattered all over whereas the Lost Ten Tribes were cast out as a group to a few areas, e.g. [Isaiah 11:12] HE WILL RAISE AN ENSIGN FOR THE NATIONS, AND WILL ASSEMBLE THE OUTCASTS OF ISRAEL, AND GATHER THE DISPERSED OF JUDAH FROM THE FOUR CORNERS OF THE EARTH.                       OUTCASTS OF ISRAEL, = The Lost Ten Tribes who will be found gathered together in specific areas. THE DISPERSED OF JUDAH i.e. the Jews who are scattered all over the world. All those who oppressed the “scattered” of Judah in her time of Exile will be punished. [Jeremiah 30:12] FOR THUS SAITH THE LORD, THY BRUISE IS INCURABLE, AND THY WOUND IS GRIEVOUS.                       [Jeremiah 30:13] THERE IS NONE TO PLEAD THY CAUSE, THAT THOU MAYEST BE BOUND UP: THOU HAST NO HEALING MEDICINES. [Jeremiah 30:14] ALL THY LOVERS HAVE FORGOTTEN THEE; THEY SEEK THEE NOT; FOR I HAVE WOUNDED THEE WITH THE WOUND OF AN ENEMY, WITH THE CHASTISEMENT OF A CRUEL ONE, FOR THE MULTITUDE OF THINE INIQUITY; BECAUSE THY SINS WERE INCREASED.                       [Jeremiah 30:15] WHY CRIEST THOU FOR THINE AFFLICTION? THY SORROW IS INCURABLE FOR THE MULTITUDE OF THINE INIQUITY: BECAUSE THY SINS WERE INCREASED, I HAVE DONE THESE THINGS UNTO THEE.                       [Jeremiah 30:16] THEREFORE ALL THEY THAT DEVOUR THEE SHALL BE DEVOURED; AND ALL THINE ADVERSARIES, EVERY ONE OF THEM, SHALL GO INTO CAPTIVITY; AND THEY THAT SPOIL THEE SHALL BE A SPOIL, AND ALL THAT PREY UPON THEE WILL I GIVE FOR A PREY.                       [Jeremiah 30:17] FOR I WILL RESTORE HEALTH UNTO THEE, AND I WILL HEAL THEE OF THY WOUNDS, SAITH THE LORD; BECAUSE THEY CALLED THEE AN OUTCAST, SAYING, THIS IS ZION, WHOM NO MAN SEEKETH AFTER.                       [Jeremiah 30:18] THUS SAITH THE LORD; BEHOLD, I WILL BRING AGAIN THE CAPTIVITY OF JACOB'S TENTS, AND HAVE MERCY ON HIS DWELLINGPLACES; AND THE CITY SHALL BE BUILDED UPON HER OWN HEAP, AND THE PALACE SHALL REMAIN AFTER THE MANNER THEREOF. <<Rabbi Yochanan said: Jerusalem is destined to reach the gates of Damascus, “THE CITY SHALL BE BUILDED UPON HER OWN HEAP” (Yalkut Shimeoni 2; remez 312). [Jeremiah 30:19] AND OUT OF THEM SHALL PROCEED THANKSGIVING AND THE VOICE OF THEM THAT MAKE MERRY: AND I WILL MULTIPLY THEM, AND THEY SHALL NOT BE FEW; I WILL ALSO GLORIFY THEM, AND THEY SHALL NOT BE SMALL.                       [Jeremiah 30:20] THEIR CHILDREN ALSO SHALL BE AS AFORETIME, AND THEIR CONGREGATION SHALL BE ESTABLISHED BEFORE ME, AND I WILL PUNISH ALL THAT OPPRESS THEM.                       [Jeremiah 30:21] AND THEIR NOBLES SHALL BE OF THEMSELVES, AND THEIR GOVERNOR SHALL PROCEED FROM THE MIDST OF THEM; AND I WILL CAUSE HIM TO DRAW NEAR, AND HE SHALL APPROACH UNTO ME: FOR WHO IS THIS THAT ENGAGED HIS HEART TO APPROACH UNTO ME? SAITH THE LORD. [Jeremiah 30:22] AND YE SHALL BE MY PEOPLE, AND I WILL BE YOUR GOD.                       First Israel will begin to acknowledge God and become His people then God will acknowledge them and make Himself known unto them. [Jeremiah 30:23] BEHOLD, THE WHIRLWIND OF THE LORD GOETH FORTH WITH FURY, A CONTINUING WHIRLWIND: IT SHALL FALL WITH PAIN UPON THE HEAD OF THE WICKED.                       [Jeremiah 30:24] THE FIERCE ANGER OF THE LORD SHALL NOT RETURN, UNTIL HE HATH DONE IT, AND UNTIL HE HAVE PERFORMED THE INTENTS OF HIS HEART: IN THE LATTER DAYS YE SHALL CONSIDER IT. This will all happen in the Latter Times. Jeremiah 31 [In our previous post we spoke of “Jeremiah and the Ten Tribes”. We mentioned “The coming chapter 30”. In stead of chapter 30 we should have said chapter 31. Parts of the following commentary on Jeremiah 31 are adapted from the book “Ephraim” by Yair Davidi. We have since gone through additional commentaries and reconsidered the sources. New evidence has been added that strengthen our initial conclusions. I repeat this chapter is very important and contains within vital information for Brit-Am] 8. Jeremiah 31: Christians, North Country, coasts of the earth, Israel, Ephraim, and "Isles afar off", Angles, Prince Ephraim, west, dolmens, new covenant.  [Jeremiah 31:1] AT THE SAME TIME, SAITH THE LORD, WILL I BE THE GOD OF ALL THE FAMILIES OF ISRAEL, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE. This is referring to the time of reconciliation when God will once again acknowledge the Lost Ten Tribes as HIS people and they will return and accept HIM. [Jeremiah 31:2] THUS SAITH THE LORD, THE PEOPLE WHICH WERE LEFT OF THE SWORD FOUND GRACE IN THE WILDERNESS; EVEN ISRAEL, WHEN I WENT TO CAUSE HIM TO REST.                       Isaac Abarbanel (1435-1509): <<The prophecy from the expression FOUND GRACE IN THE WILDERNESS (31:2) to HEAR THE WORD OF THE LORD, O YE NATIONS deals with the Future Redemption. It may be divided into three parts: (1) from its beginning till the end of [Jeremiah 31:22] speaks of the ingathering of the Ten Tribes and their return to settle in their land, (2) The second part from [Jeremiah 31:23] THUS SAITH THE LORD OF HOSTS, THE GOD OF ISRAEL; AS YET THEY SHALL USE THIS SPEECH IN THE LAND OF JUDAH till the end of (31:26) speaks of the Redemption of Judah. (3) The third part from [Jeremiah 31:27] BEHOLD, THE DAYS COME, SAITH THE LORD, THAT I WILL SOW THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL AND THE HOUSE OF JUDAH till the end of (31:37) speaks of the unification of the two kingdoms of Israel and Judah.>> [Jeremiah 31:3] THE LORD HATH APPEARED OF OLD UNTO ME, SAYING, YEA, I HAVE LOVED THEE WITH AN EVERLASTING LOVE: THEREFORE WITH LOVINGKINDNESS HAVE I DRAWN THEE.                       [Jeremiah 31:4] AGAIN I WILL BUILD THEE, AND THOU SHALT BE BUILT, O VIRGIN OF ISRAEL: THOU SHALT AGAIN BE ADORNED WITH THY TABRETS, AND SHALT GO FORTH IN THE DANCES OF THEM THAT MAKE MERRY.                       [Jeremiah 31:5] THOU SHALT YET PLANT VINES UPON THE MOUNTAINS OF SAMARIA: THE PLANTERS SHALL PLANT, AND SHALL EAT THEM AS COMMON THINGS.                       [Jeremiah 31:6] FOR THERE SHALL BE A DAY, THAT THE WATCHMEN UPON THE MOUNT EPHRAIM SHALL CRY, ARISE YE, AND LET US GO UP TO ZION UNTO THE LORD OUR GOD.                       The Lost Ten Tribes from the “Mountain” of Ephraim will decide to return to Zion and to their God, the God of their fathers, i.e. the God of Israel. Buleh (“Daat Mikra”) points out when the Northern Ten Tribes under Jeroboam split away from Judah their going up to Jerusalem was forbidden, e. g. <WHEREUPON THE KING [i.e. Jeroboam] TOOK COUNSEL, AND MADE TWO CALVES OF GOLD, AND  SAID UNTO THEM, IT IS TOO MUCH FOR YOU TO GO UP TO JERUSALEM: BEHOLD THY GODS, O ISRAEL, WHICH BROUGHT THEE UP OUT OF THE LAND OF EGYPT>> [1-Kings 12:28].       According to tradition the last King of Northern Israel, Hoshea, allowed those of his people who wished to make the pilgrimage to Jerusalem to do so. By that time however it was too late and most of his people did not return. In the future this will change and the Lost Ten Tribes will want to return. The word translated above as “WATCHMEN” (THE WATCHMEN UPON THE MOUNT EPHRAIM in Jeremiah 31:6) in Hebrew is “Notsrim”. This term in Hebrew came to mean “Christian” and Jeremiah was in fact prophesying that the Lost Ten Tribes in the latter Times would be Christians prior to their return, as explained at length in “Ephraim” by Yair Davidi chapter nine.  [Jeremiah 31:7] FOR THUS SAITH THE LORD; SING WITH GLADNESS FOR JACOB, AND SHOUT AMONG THE CHIEF OF THE NATIONS: PUBLISH YE, PRAISE YE, AND SAY, O LORD, SAVE THY PEOPLE, THE REMNANT OF ISRAEL.                       [Jeremiah 31:8] BEHOLD, I WILL BRING THEM FROM THE NORTH COUNTRY, AND GATHER THEM FROM THE COASTS OF THE EARTH, AND WITH THEM THE BLIND AND THE LAME, THE WOMAN WITH CHILD AND HER THAT TRAVAILETH WITH CHILD TOGETHER: A GREAT COMPANY SHALL RETURN THITHER.                           “FROM THE NORTH COUNTRY”: Most of the Lost Ten Tribes will be in the North, i.e. BUT, THE LORD LIVETH, THAT BROUGHT UP THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL FROM THE LAND OF THE NORTH, AND FROM ALL THE LANDS WHITHER HE HAD DRIVEN THEM: AND I WILL BRING THEM AGAIN INTO THEIR LAND THAT I GAVE UNTO THEIR FATHERS” [Jeremiah 16:15]. They will be mostly to the North of the Land of Israel but also in other places. We pointed out that to the north meant Northern Europe and North America that was referred to as ‘The Great North Land” in Phoenician writings according to Barry Fell. The Lost Ten Tribes would also be ingathered “FROM THE COASTS OF THE EARTH”. The word translated as “COASTS” in Hebrew is “Yarctei” meaning literally thighs. Buleh points out that this word is synonymous with “ends of the earth”. It was prophesied frequently that the Lost Tribes would be in the “ends” or geographical extremities of the Continental masses, as indeed they are in every case, e.g. Western Europe, Scandinavia, Britain, North America, Australia, South Africa. It may be a bit fanciful to mention but if you look at a map of North America it does look somewhat similar to a thigh.     They will return by plane and by ship. It may well be similar to how the Ethiopian Jews returned to Israel. We saw pictures of women who had given birth in flight: i.e. HER THAT TRAVAILETH WITH CHILD. This type of transport in which everybody could be safely conducted was not possible until modern times.     “North Country” and “Coasts of the Earth” regarding the Latter Day Era of our own time refers to North America, Western Europe, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and like places. Even in the time of Jeremiah these expressions could refer to areas in Northern Europe. A related expression connected with the Lost Ten Tribes is “ends of the earth” (Genesis 33;13, Isaiah 41;8,9,13). This expression too in ancient times could relate to northern regions:     <In innumerable places Egyptian, Hebrew, Babylonian, Greek, and Latin writings refer to the most northerly lands as ‘the ends of the earth’> (Jurgen p. 28).     “The Egyptians saw the world as divided into nine bows which correspond roughly to the modern concept of meridians of latitude…. Pliny the Elder said that the ninth division of the world goes ‘across the Hyperboreans’ (i.e. the Cimbrian peninsula present-day Jutland [in Denmark]).. ‘with a seventeen hour day’ (at its longest). F.A. Ukert pointed out long ago that this method of dividing the world was taken from the Egyptians and that the ‘ninth bow’ corresponds to the area between latitudes 52 and 57…Between these latitudes lie north Germany, Denmark, and southern Scandinavia” (Jurgen p.29). . [Jeremiah 31:9] THEY SHALL COME WITH WEEPING, AND WITH SUPPLICATIONS WILL I LEAD THEM: I WILL CAUSE THEM TO WALK BY THE RIVERS OF WATERS IN A STRAIGHT WAY, WHEREIN THEY SHALL NOT STUMBLE: FOR I AM A FATHER TO ISRAEL, AND EPHRAIM IS MY FIRSTBORN.                       <<I AM A FATHER TO ISRAEL, AND EPHRAIM IS MY FIRSTBORN>>: God will return and acknowledge the Lost Ten Tribes as His people alongside Judah. This will be known to all. The Lost Ten Tribes will no longer be “lost”. At present they are “Lost”: Most of them are not aware of their true Israelite identity and this identitiy is not known to others. <<God says to Israel, You are my sons and I am your father, as it says [Deuteronomy 14:1] YE ARE THE CHILDREN OF THE LORD YOUR GOD. I am your father as it says, I AM A FATHER TO ISRAEL. It is honorable for the children to be with their father and it is an honor for the father to be with his children>>. (Shemot Rabah 34;4). [Jeremiah 31:10] HEAR THE WORD OF THE LORD, O YE NATIONS, AND DECLARE IT IN THE ISLES AFAR OFF, AND SAY, HE THAT SCATTERED ISRAEL WILL GATHER HIM, AND KEEP HIM, AS A SHEPHERD DOTH HIS FLOCK.                       [Jeremiah 31:11] FOR THE LORD HATH REDEEMED JACOB, AND RANSOMED HIM FROM THE HAND OF HIM THAT WAS STRONGER THAN HE.     Notice the linkage of North Country, coasts of the earth, Israel, Ephraim, and "Isles afar off". [Jeremiah 31:12] THEREFORE THEY SHALL COME AND SING IN THE HEIGHT OF ZION, AND SHALL FLOW TOGETHER TO THE GOODNESS OF THE LORD, FOR WHEAT, AND FOR WINE, AND FOR OIL, AND FOR THE YOUNG OF THE FLOCK AND OF THE HERD: AND THEIR SOUL SHALL BE AS A WATERED GARDEN; AND THEY SHALL NOT SORROW ANY MORE AT ALL.                       [Jeremiah 31:13] THEN SHALL THE VIRGIN REJOICE IN THE DANCE, BOTH YOUNG MEN AND OLD TOGETHER: FOR I WILL TURN THEIR MOURNING INTO JOY, AND WILL COMFORT THEM, AND MAKE THEM REJOICE FROM THEIR SORROW.                       [Jeremiah 31:14] AND I WILL SATIATE THE SOUL OF THE PRIESTS WITH FATNESS, AND MY PEOPLE SHALL BE SATISFIED WITH MY GOODNESS, SAITH THE LORD.                           Jeremiah (31;15-17) below speaks of Rachel, the mother of the Tribes of Joseph and Benjamin who is pictured as having wept when her descendants were taken into exile from Rama in the territory of Ephraim. She is told to be comforted for the work has been done. The historical task of the Lost Ten Tribes in exile will have been fulfilled. The children will be coming home to their own territory from the land of the enemy.          [Jeremiah 31:15] THUS SAITH THE LORD; A VOICE WAS HEARD IN RAMAH, LAMENTATION, AND BITTER WEEPING; RAHEL WEEPING FOR HER CHILDREN REFUSED TO BE COMFORTED FOR HER CHILDREN, BECAUSE THEY WERE NOT.                       The Lost Ten Tribes were exiled and did not return to the Land of Israel. Neither were they re-united with Judah. They lost their Identity. In the End Times they will return. [Jeremiah 31:16] THUS SAITH THE LORD; REFRAIN THY VOICE FROM WEEPING, AND THINE EYES FROM TEARS: FOR THY WORK SHALL BE REWARDED, SAITH THE LORD; AND THEY SHALL COME AGAIN FROM THE LAND OF THE ENEMY.                       [Jeremiah 31:17] AND THERE IS HOPE IN THINE END, SAITH THE LORD, THAT THY CHILDREN SHALL COME AGAIN TO THEIR OWN BORDER.    The Tribes of Israel will return to the inheritances of their forefathers. Malbim: << AND THERE IS HOPE IN THINE END: There is hope for the Last Days, in the End Time. THY CHILDREN SHALL COME AGAIN TO THEIR OWN BORDER: Meaning that even though the Lost Ten Tribes who were exiled will not return themselves, their descendants in the End Time will return to their boundary. Here it does not say they will return from THE LAND OF THE ENEMY [as it does for Judah in Jeremiah 31:16 above] for the Ten Tribes are not in the Land of the enemy but they dwell alone in a land faraway from their boundary. They will return at the last to their border.>> [Jeremiah 31:18] I HAVE SURELY HEARD EPHRAIM BEMOANING HIMSELF THUS; THOU HAST CHASTISED ME, AND I WAS CHASTISED, AS A BULLOCK UNACCUSTOMED TO THE YOKE: TURN THOU ME, AND I SHALL BE TURNED; FOR THOU ART THE LORD MY GOD.                           The word used for "young bull" (i.e. "bullock") in Hebrew is "AEGEL". Historically this very name "Aegel" was a diminutive (favorite nickname) for the ethnic term "Angle". The Angles gave England (i.e. “Angle-land”) its name. Together with the Saxons, Jutes, Vandals, and others the Angles conquered from the Celts the land that was later named England.  The Angles were also called “Aegels”. The appellations “Angle” and “Aegel” were employed interchangeably. The Hebrew word for young bull is "Aegel". Rashi (Rabbi Shlomo Yistchaki 1040-1105 CE) was the foremost Medieval Jewish Commentator. In commentating on this verse (Jeremiah 31;18) Rashi states that the Hebrew word “Aegel” (Young Bull) was a name applied to Ephraim. This was another name applied to the English. The English now nickname themselves "John Bull". This is an important point: the verse is strongly indicating that the English (Angles) are to be identified with Ephraim.     Ephraim shall return. The process of return, it is inferred, will begin when a feeling of the need for repentance will just begin to be aroused. This feeling will make itself felt in great intensity after the return is under way. Ephraim reproaches himself for the sins of his youth.   [Jeremiah 31:19] SURELY AFTER THAT I WAS TURNED, I REPENTED; AND AFTER THAT I WAS INSTRUCTED, I SMOTE UPON MY THIGH: I WAS ASHAMED, YEA, EVEN CONFOUNDED, BECAUSE I DID BEAR THE REPROACH OF MY YOUTH.     Buleh points out that in one’s youth a person often does things he later regrets. When he gets older and wiser he realizes the depth of his mistakes. This happens to many people and it is the way of the world to be forgiving towards the mistakes of youth when the offender is repentant. At least it is expected that some understanding be shown and youthful offences forgiven, cf. <<REMEMBER NOT THE SINS OF MY YOUTH, NOR MY TRANSGRESSIONS: ACCORDING TO THY MERCY REMEMBER THOU ME FOR THY GOODNESS' SAKE, O LORD>> [Psalms 25:7].                       <FOR THOU WRITEST BITTER THINGS AGAINST ME, AND MAKEST ME TO POSSESS THE INIQUITIES OF MY YOUTH>> [Job 13:26]. [Jeremiah 31:20] IS EPHRAIM MY DEAR SON? IS HE A PLEASANT CHILD? FOR SINCE I SPAKE AGAINST HIM, I DO EARNESTLY REMEMBER HIM STILL: THEREFORE MY BOWELS ARE TROUBLED FOR HIM; I WILL SURELY HAVE MERCY UPON HIM, SAITH THE LORD.                       <EPHRAIM MY DEAR SON. Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi said: [the word “Ephraim” means] someone who grew up in a palace [i.e. a noble]. Rabbi Yehoshua ben Nachman said: [the word “Ephraim” means] a master and governor. Said Rabbi Pinchas, our forefather Jacob when he passed away coronated Ephraim with a crown and made him the head of the tribes, the chief of the assembly, the most handsome and exalted of my descendants will be called by his name.>> (YaYikra Rabah 2;3). W This Midrash refers to the fact that the very name “Ephraim” connotes nobility (as explained at length in our work “Ephraim”) whereas “Menasseh” connotes representative Accountable Democracy. Ephraim dominates Britain and Menasseh is prevalent in the USA. Ephraim (nobility, the aristocratic principle of government) still prevails in Britain whereas the democratic Principle is paramount in the USA. <IS EPHRAIM MY DEAR SON?>> In Hebrew “HaBen Yakar li Ephraim” and this verse is the theme of a very beautiful song. “A PLEASANT CHILD” in Hebrew “Yeled HaShashuim”, the child of delights, of playing; also translatable as “playboy”. Ephraim was a sinner but he had an historical role to play and very often he played it well.     The following verse (31;21) in Jeremiah refers to dolmens which are large stones set table fashion over others and often covered by large piles of rocks and stone. The dolmens and other related stone monuments form a connecting  link between Israel, Britain, West France, and Scandinavia. More dolmens (over 5000!) have been found in Denmark than in any other country. On the other hand the oldest dolmens are believed to be those of Israel. More than 20,000 megalithic monuments of all types (including dolmens) have been found in the Land of Israel especially on the eastern "Jordanian" side since for various reasons those on the west were destroyed by local inhabitants. The verse in effects links “dolmens” with “Ephraim”. [Jeremiah 31:21] SET THEE UP WAYMARKS, MAKE THEE HIGH HEAPS: SET THINE HEART TOWARD THE HIGHWAY, EVEN THE WAY WHICH THOU WENTEST: TURN AGAIN, O VIRGIN OF ISRAEL, TURN AGAIN TO THESE THY CITIES.                           Hofman (“Olam HaTanach”): <<The Prophet calls upon the Exiles to indicate withspecial signs their pathway into Exile, in order that they may quickly return to the land by the path they went in. This method of marking a pathway is practiced unto this day…How would they know to find the way in Biblical Times? How would they describe the way of journey or the border line? It appears that in Biblical times to was accepted practice to make note of prominent features…>> Abarbanel: <<The prophet therefore spoke concerning the Kingdom of Israel [of the Ten Tribes] SET THEE UP WAYMARKS saying that when you g into Exile make signs by the routes and waymarks like piles of rocks [i.e. cairns] or stone monuments [Hebrew: Matzavah, i.e. dolmen] so that you may set your heart to the route and remember in order that you may return in the way you went in, return to your city.>> The “WAYMARKS” the Prophet is referring to were megalithic monuments. These monuments we believe were set up by Israelites and we have some proof for this belief. Even however if the monuments in question were not set up by Israelites but had existed previously the fact remains that they happened to all lie along the path of Israelite migration westward. It is this fact that Jeremiah is telling the Israelites (i.e. he is telling us) to take note of.     The word translated above as "WAYMARKS" in the original Hebrew is "Tzionim" which strictly speaking means "signs" but in spoken Hebrew is usually used to denote a stone erection marking a grave or event.     The most literal explanation of this verse amongst the Classical Authoritative Rabbinical Commentators is that given by the "Radak" (Rabbi David Kimchi, 1157-1236) of Narbonne, France. The Radak says:     "SET YOURSELF UP WAYMARKS" (Jeremiah 31): This was directed to the Community of Israel, that in the generation when they would be exiled they should set up waymarks [i.e. "tsionim"] such as PILED-UP STONES OR STONE MONUMENTS. The purpose of these monuments was to mark the paths [of migration for the sake of future recognition]. The meaning was to say that even though you will be exiled, hope is not lost and you are still destined to return to these your cities. "MAKE YOURSELF HIGH HEAPS" [Hebrew: "tamrurim"]. The same message is repeated though the wording is changed since both "tamrurim" [i.e. "high heaps"] and "tsionim" (i.e. "waymarks") connote elevated-height [from the root "tamar"]...     Bearing in mind that according to the previous verse (31;20) Jeremiah is addressing himself to Ephraim, the verse in Jeremiah 31;21 may therefore be understood to say:     "Set yourself up stone monuments [menhirs, dolmens] and high heaps of stones [cairns] [i.e. “Megalithic” monuments!]. Set your heart towards the prepared way: The way in which you went. Turn back o virgin of Israel, return unto these cities of yours.     The mode of expression employed by the Prophet should be understood differently from that used by Moses. When Moses gave a commandment it had to be obeyed. When the prophets issue an order concerning future action it means they are predicting what will happen. They are telling us what must be learned from this action. Jeremiah is saying that (for whatever reason) the exiled Israelites will have stone monuments set up. Through these monuments Jeremiah predicts that it will be possible in the future to learn of the Israelite paths of migration away from the Land of Israel.  Once this is learned it will serve as a means by which they may be persuaded to return. The inferred commandment to the exiles to erect "Tsionim" is therefore applicable to the dolmens and other so called "Stone Age" ("Megalithic") monuments. Many of these monuments date from the Bronze and Iron Age periods. They are mentioned in the Bible as being set up by the Hebrew Patriarchs and Judges as well as by others.     The ancient Israelites were always familiar with bronze and iron utensils but it should be noted that in some cases the use of stone only was enforced. An altar had to be erected of whole unhewn stones (Exodus 20;22); "An altar of whole stones over which no man hath lift up any iron" (Joshua 8;31). Joshua was commanded to circumcise Israelites born in the wilderness with "knives of flint" (Joshua 5;2-3). The Hebrew has "Charvoth Tsurim" which the KJ imprecisely translates as "sharp knives". "Tsur" means flint or sharp stone.     Dolmens and related monuments are found in the Land of Israel, in Jordan, in the Caucasus, in Spain, Brittany (France), Britain, and Scandinavia.     There are several types of dolmens and examples have also been reported from Ethiopia, Japan and India. Eastern dolmens are somewhat different from those of Israel and the west. Even so in India the dolmens are linked with legends of green-eyed Vikings and with the Lost Ten Tribes. The type of dolmen found in the area of ancient Israel (on both sides of the Jordan River) is the same as that found in Western Europe:     "The megalithic dolmens found in the Golan and Galilee are table like structures composed of two vertical basalt blocks roofed by large rock slabs. A heap of stones usually covered the dolmens, creating a tumulus. Such structures are known in Transjordan from the Chalcolithic period, but in the Golan and Galilee they definitely date to EB [i.e. Early Bronze] IV /MB [Middle Bronze] I...These dolmens recall similar megalithic burial structures known throughout Europe in the Bronze Age, but the significance of this resemblance is unclear". A. MAZAR, Archaeology of the Land of the Bible, U.S.A. 1990.    p.160.     The conventional dating applied in Europe to dolmens and the like is too early. Most Megaltihic monuments in Western Europe were erected in the Late Bronze or Early Iron Age after the Israelites had been exiled. People of Israelite origin erected them! In archaeological and historical studies of Western Europe dolmens are associated with the Celtic Druids. Wherever Celts and Druids were found together, so too, were there dolmens.      Iron age artifacts are frequently found together with or in the vicinity of dolmens. Iron was largely introduced to Europe after 700 BCE with the coming of the Celts.     Through Dolmens a good case may be made for tracing the migrations of the Lost Ten Tribes to Western Europe. The quoted verse of Jeremiah may well be understood in this sense.      The word "Tamrurim" used by Jeremiah (translated here as "high heaps") in Modern Hebrew is the word used for "Traffic sign" or "wayfare indicator". WAYMARKS, as noted, equal dolmens. The verse (Jeremiah 31;12) may therefore in the Hebrew be understood further as saying:     "Establish waymarks [i.e. "Tsionim" =dolmens] for yourself, set up for yourself high-heaps [i.e. cairns, "Tamrurim" = wayfare markers]: put your heart [i.e. pay attention] to the pathways you went by and return, O virgin of Israel, come back to these cities of yours.        Some understand the above verse in a partly figurative sense but taken literally according to the Radak (Kimchi) it means that a trail of megalithic monuments should be traceable along the paths of migration as indeed it is. Megalithic Monuments begin in the land of Israel on both sides of the Jordan. They have offshoots of uncertain nature into Asia but exact reproductions are fund in the Caucasus, in Bulgaria, in Spain, West France, the Netherlands, Scandinavia, Britain, and Ireland. They describe two main migratory paths from Israel to Western Europe. These paths show us how the Lost Ten Tribes left their land and where they went to. Jeremiah the Prophet transmits the command of God telling us to take heed of the paths we went in, the monuments we set up, and the way leading back to the cities of our forefathers in the Land of Israel. [Jeremiah 31:22] HOW LONG WILT THOU GO ABOUT, O THOU BACKSLIDING DAUGHTER? FOR THE LORD HATH CREATED A NEW THING IN THE EARTH, A WOMAN SHALL COMPASS A MAN.                       Abarbanel on this verse says it refers to the Ten Tribes who at first would be weak like a woman but later would gain strength like a man and overcome the Gentiles. Radak: <<A WOMAN SHALL COMPASS A MAN: It is the way of the world that a man goes after and hangs around a woman, as the sages said: “Someone who has lost something seeks after what he is lacking”. Here the female goes after and around the man, that is the Children of Israel will repent and return to their God who will redeem them>>. The expression A WOMAN SHALL COMPASS A MAN is considered an allegory to the Children of Israel attempting to return to God, as if Israel is symbolized by a female wooing her man who is the God of Israel. For the last few years I have been studying the Book of Jeremiah in a weekly class given by Rabbi Mordecai Machles in Jerusalem. Rabbi Machles has pointed out that today it is becoming acceptable for a female to initiate courtship with a male. In the past this was unthinkable. Rabbi Machles suggests that this development is connected with the expression in Jeremiah, A WOMAN SHALL COMPASS A MAN, and that this is a sign that the prophecies of Jeremiah are about to be fulfilled. “A WOMAN SHALL COMPASS A MAN”: In Hebrew it can be said to mean that a woman shall surround a man. The Rabbis said (Yebamot 62) that a person should get married. “Every one without a wife dwells without happiness; without blessing, without goodness etc. In Israel they said, without Torah, without a wall [to protect him from temptation] as it says, A WOMAN SHALL COMPASS A MAN”. [Jeremiah 31:23] THUS SAITH THE LORD OF HOSTS, THE GOD OF ISRAEL; AS YET THEY SHALL USE THIS SPEECH IN THE LAND OF JUDAH AND IN THE CITIES THEREOF, WHEN I SHALL BRING AGAIN THEIR CAPTIVITY; THE LORD BLESS THEE, O HABITATION OF JUSTICE, AND MOUNTAIN OF HOLINESS.                       Judah and Israel in the future will practice true justice and be a holy people. [Jeremiah 31:24] AND THERE SHALL DWELL IN JUDAH ITSELF, AND IN ALL THE CITIES THEREOF TOGETHER, HUSBANDMEN, AND THEY THAT GO FORTH WITH FLOCKS.                       [Jeremiah 31:25] FOR I HAVE SATIATED THE WEARY SOUL, AND I HAVE REPLENISHED EVERY SORROWFUL SOUL.                       [Jeremiah 31:26] UPON THIS I AWAKED, AND BEHELD; AND MY SLEEP WAS SWEET UNTO ME.                       [Jeremiah 31:27] BEHOLD, THE DAYS COME, SAITH THE LORD, THAT I WILL SOW THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL AND THE HOUSE OF JUDAH WITH THE SEED OF MAN, AND WITH THE SEED OF BEAST.                       [Jeremiah 31:28] AND IT SHALL COME TO PASS, THAT LIKE AS I HAVE WATCHED OVER THEM, TO PLUCK UP, AND TO BREAK DOWN, AND TO THROW DOWN, AND TO DESTROY, AND TO AFFLICT; SO WILL I WATCH OVER THEM, TO BUILD, AND TO PLANT, SAITH THE LORD.                       [Jeremiah 31:29] IN THOSE DAYS THEY SHALL SAY NO MORE, THE FATHERS HAVE EATEN A SOUR GRAPE, AND THE CHILDREN'S TEETH ARE SET ON EDGE.                       We shall no longer feel that somehow we are suffering because our parents or forefathers may not have been as god as they should have been. [Jeremiah 31:30] BUT EVERY ONE SHALL DIE FOR HIS OWN INIQUITY: EVERY MAN THAT EATETH THE SOUR GRAPE, HIS TEETH SHALL BE SET ON EDGE.                       We shall realize that we are the masters of our own destiny. [Jeremiah 31:31] BEHOLD, THE DAYS COME, SAITH THE LORD, THAT I WILL MAKE A NEW COVENANT WITH THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL, AND WITH THE HOUSE OF JUDAH:                       “A NEW COVENANT”: This new covenant entails a change of human nature as explained and will take place in the future. The New Covenant is to be made with the united Tribes of Judah and Israel (the Ten Tribes) together. [Jeremiah 31:32] NOT ACCORDING TO THE COVENANT THAT I MADE WITH THEIR FATHERS IN THE DAY THAT I TOOK THEM BY THE HAND TO BRING THEM OUT OF THE LAND OF EGYPT; WHICH MY COVENANT THEY BRAKE, ALTHOUGH I WAS AN HUSBAND UNTO THEM, SAITH THE LORD:                       [Jeremiah 31:33] BUT THIS SHALL BE THE COVENANT THAT I WILL MAKE WITH THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL; AFTER THOSE DAYS, SAITH THE LORD, I WILL PUT MY LAW IN THEIR INWARD PARTS, AND WRITE IT IN THEIR HEARTS; AND WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE.                       [Jeremiah 31:34] AND THEY SHALL TEACH NO MORE EVERY MAN HIS NEIGHBOUR, AND EVERY MAN HIS BROTHER, SAYING, KNOW THE LORD: FOR THEY SHALL ALL KNOW ME, FROM THE LEAST OF THEM UNTO THE GREATEST OF THEM, SAITH THE LORD: FOR I WILL FORGIVE THEIR INIQUITY, AND I WILL REMEMBER THEIR SIN NO MORE.                       [Jeremiah 31:35] THUS SAITH THE LORD, WHICH GIVETH THE SUN FOR A LIGHT BY DAY, AND THE ORDINANCES OF THE MOON AND OF THE STARS FOR A LIGHT BY NIGHT, WHICH DIVIDETH THE SEA WHEN THE WAVES THEREOF ROAR; THE LORD OF HOSTS IS HIS NAME:                       [Jeremiah 31:36] IF THOSE ORDINANCES DEPART FROM BEFORE ME, SAITH THE LORD, THEN THE SEED OF ISRAEL ALSO SHALL CEASE FROM BEING A NATION BEFORE ME FOR EVER.                       Two ways to look at these verses: (1) Hofman: In the same way that natural laws govern natural bodies such as the sun and moon etc so to will the Children of Israel after the New Covenant keep their trust as if it was a law of nature. (2) Even without the New Covenant (that WILL BE MADE IN THE FUTURE) the Children of Israel cannot be disposed They always belong to God and at some stage they will return and act in such a way as to, enable God to claim HIS own..  [Jeremiah 31:37] THUS SAITH THE LORD; IF HEAVEN ABOVE CAN BE MEASURED, AND THE FOUNDATIONS OF THE EARTH SEARCHED OUT BENEATH, I WILL ALSO CAST OFF ALL THE SEED OF ISRAEL FOR ALL THAT THEY HAVE DONE, SAITH THE LORD.                       [Jeremiah 31:38] BEHOLD, THE DAYS COME, SAITH THE LORD, THAT THE CITY SHALL BE BUILT TO THE LORD FROM THE TOWER OF HANANEEL UNTO THE GATE OF THE CORNER.                       [Jeremiah 31:39] AND THE MEASURING LINE SHALL YET GO FORTH OVER AGAINST IT UPON THE HILL GAREB, AND SHALL COMPASS ABOUT TO GOATH.                       [Jeremiah 31:40] AND THE WHOLE VALLEY OF THE DEAD BODIES, AND OF THE ASHES, AND ALL THE FIELDS UNTO THE BROOK OF KIDRON, UNTO THE CORNER OF THE HORSE GATE TOWARD THE EAST, SHALL BE HOLY UNTO THE LORD; IT SHALL NOT BE PLUCKED UP, NOR THROWN DOWN ANY MORE FOR EVER. Brit-Am and Jeremiah 31     In our last posting we went through Jeremiah 31 and on the relevant verses gave information that connected to the Lost Ten Tribes and their present identity. We quoted from different commentators and so the overall import may not have been sufficiently clear.     We are therefore paraphrasing relevant parts of the chapter and showing how according to the original Hebrew meaning and traditional understanding the Brit-Am message is verified: From Jeremiah 31 and the accompanying explanations we learn that: * Jeremiah speaks of the ingathering of the Ten Tribes (31;1 to 31:22); he speaks of the Redemption of the Jews (Judah) (31;23 to 31;26); and he speaks of the re-unification of Judah with the Lost Ten Tribes (31;27 to 31;37) who will return in the Last days. *In Ancient Times the Ten Tribes had turned away from God and therefore they were cast out and “lost”. In the future they will take the initiative and begin to return to the God of Israel. God will respond and turn towards them and bring them back (31;1, whole chapter throughout, 31;6 31;9 31;22). * The Lost Ten Tribes before their final return will be mainly members of the Christian religion (31;9). In our opinion this religion is wrong but it will be the religion they will be (mistakenly) practicing. * They will return from every place they are found in. Their chief places of residence at the Last Times will be in North America (31;8), in Europe, and at the geographical extremities of the Continental Masses (31;8), and in the British Isles (31;10). [We are not saying that everybody in these areas belongs to the Ten Tribes but rather that the Lost Ten Tribes are concentrated in these regions and they are significantly there. This is where they are to be found in the End Times].They will return by modern means of transport such as aeroplanes (31;8). The Lost Ten Tribes in the End Times will be dwelling independently in their own lands (31;17). This indicates that in those places they will be concentrated in they will be the majority of the population or at least the most influential elements in their own areas. * The Lost Ten tribes did not return. They will have lost their Identity until the End Times when their Identity will be restored and they will come back (31;15-16). * Ephraim will be identified with “John Bull” of Britain and with those of English (“Aegloi”) descent (31;18). “Ephraim” will have an aristocratic character, type of government and social system (31;18, 31;20) [whereas “Menasseh” will stand out for democratic principles]. * The dolmens and megalithic monuments form a path (31;21) reaching from the Land of Israel through the Mediterranean, Spain, France, Britain, Ireland, Holland, and Scandinavia. They show a path of migration of Israelites to the West. This path was either set down (as seems certain) by the migrating Israelites or at the least is to be adopted by them (according to Jeremiah) in the future as a sign of the path they followed and by which path they are to return to the Land of Israel. They are to use the monuments (dolmens and megalithics) as signs of the path to the lands and cities in the Land of Israel that they were exiled from and to which they will return. The Land of Israel to which they will return reaches from the Nile to the Euphrates and encompasses part of Egypt, the present day State of Israel, part of Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Syria, part of Turkey, and part of Iraq, and the Isle of Cyprus. * The Lost Ten Tribes after their Exile would be weak at first but would then become strong and defeat the Gentiles in warfare (31;22) as indeed happened.     Other passages from the Prophets confirm the above conclusions and add important details to them. Jeremiah 31 is an important chapter because it brings a lot of identifying characteristics together in one passage. [Jeremiah 32:12] AND I GAVE THE EVIDENCE OF THE PURCHASE UNTO BARUCH THE SON OF NERIAH, THE SON OF MAASEIAH, IN THE SIGHT OF HANAMEEL MINE UNCLE'S SON, AND IN THE PRESENCE OF THE WITNESSES THAT SUBSCRIBED THE BOOK OF THE PURCHASE, BEFORE ALL THE JEWS THAT SAT IN THE COURT OF THE PRISON.     “BARUCH THE SON OF NERIAH” was the right-hand son of Jeremiah. Baruch or a certain “Simon Berak” or something of the like appears in some Irish legends> These legends state that a daughter of King Zedekiah of Judah came to Ireland with Jeremiah or with Baruch the son of Neriah. The daughter was called “Tea Tephi”. She married the son of the King of Ireland. From this union, it is claimed, descend the later Kings of Scotland and ultimately of Britain. Also nearly every President of the USA is descended from this union. So, state various sources.  We shall discuss this later.    9. Jeremiah 33: Descendants of King David  [Jeremiah 33:10] THUS SAITH THE LORD; AGAIN THERE SHALL BE HEARD IN THIS PLACE, WHICH YE SAY SHALL BE DESOLATE WITHOUT MAN AND WITHOUT BEAST, EVEN IN THE CITIES OF JUDAH, AND IN THE STREETS OF JERUSALEM, THAT ARE DESOLATE, WITHOUT MAN, AND WITHOUT INHABITANT, AND WITHOUT BEAST, The emphasis here is upon Judah. The Jews will be the first to return as is now happening. The Jews are preparing the way for all Israel. The Jews are fighting on behalf of all the Tribes of Israel even though they are not consciously always aware of it in the fill sense. Nevertheless in a way there is a definite feeling amongst the Jewish people in Israel today     that the struggle for the survival of Israel also concerns the survival of the USA and of all good civilized life in this world. In the USA also amongst some people this truth is consciously or sub-consciously realized. Israel is the emissary of the USA. The enemy also sees that. In the eyes of the Arabs and in the eyes of the Europeans, Japanese, Iranians, Russians, and all the rest by attacking Israel they are attacking the USA.                      [Jeremiah 33:11] THE VOICE OF JOY, AND THE VOICE OF GLADNESS, THE VOICE OF THE BRIDEGROOM, AND THE VOICE OF THE BRIDE, THE VOICE OF THEM THAT SHALL SAY, PRAISE THE LORD OF HOSTS: FOR THE LORD IS GOOD; FOR HIS MERCY ENDURETH FOR EVER: AND OF THEM THAT SHALL BRING THE SACRIFICE OF PRAISE INTO THE HOUSE OF THE LORD. FOR I WILL CAUSE TO RETURN THE CAPTIVITY OF THE LAND, AS AT THE FIRST, SAITH THE LORD.       People will return. All Israel will repent. Normal family life will once again be recognized as a supreme value. The land will be resettled.                  [Jeremiah 33:17] FOR THUS SAITH THE LORD; DAVID SHALL NEVER WANT A MAN TO SIT UPON THE THRONE OF THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL;   Adapted from “Ephraim” by Yair Davidi chapter six:                        <<DAVID had numerous sons. Solomon the son of David had 300 wives and 700 concubines and children were borne to him. Most of the kings of the House of David had several children each of whom also would have raised a family of his own. It follows that numerous offspring on the male side must have belonged to the House of David. Descent through the male is what Scripture, strictly speaking, requires in order for the descendants to call themselves by the House of their (male) ancestor  even though, in Jewish Law, anyone borne of a Jewish mother is considered Jewish. The House of David reigned in Judah and quite a few families amongst the present day Jews trace themselves back to David. The Jewish Biblical Commentators Rashi (1040 1105) and Abarbanel (1435-1508), the family of Dayan in Spain and Syria as well as the Maharal (1512-1609) and many other famous Rabbinical scholars were descended from King David. A good number of Jews should be able today to trace themselves back to King David. Apart from descendants of David who are to be found amongst the modern Jews there are others. Numerous people from the Tribe of Judah were also exiled together with the Lost Ten Tribes. The Sons of David had once been appointed as administrators over all Israel (2-Samuel 8;18). Later members of the House of David had intermarried with leaders of the Northern Kingdom and passed over to live in those areas. In this and other ways descendants of David must have penetrated the ranks of the exiled Israelites.       An Aramaic inscription mentions a "House of David" somehow in connection with Dan in the Galilee. There was a Judaean entity known as Yadi in southeast Turkey which was attached to Judah in the south, "he recovered Damascus, and Hamath, which belonged to Judah, for Israel" (2-Kings 14;28). The rulers of Yadi had Hebrew names like Gabbar, Bamah, Hayya, Saul, (A.T. Olmstead "History of Palestine and Syria To the Macedonian Conquest", New York, 1931, p.184) and maybe represented a minor branch of the House of David. Yadi disappeared together with the northern Ten Tribed Kingdom of Israel.     Part of the Lost Ten Tribes became known as the Sakae or Scythians. The Sacae-Scythians once had an independent kingdom named "Sakastan” in Eastern Iran. The ruling dynasty of Sakastan believed itself descended from King Solomon the son of David (Gherardo Gnoli, "Zoroaster's Time and Homeland. A Study on the Origins of Mazdaism," Naples, Italy 1980, p.149, Le Comte de de Gobineau, "Histoire Des Perses", Paris 1869 vol.1 p.169. In Iberia (Georgia in the Caucasus in southern Russia), which also belonged to the Scythians there was too, a dynasty (related to the Arsacid Kings of Parthia) that traced itself back to David as well as to a mythical "Angl Tork" ALEX SHOUMATOFF, "The Mountain of Names. A History of The Human Family", New York, 1990). The ruling houses of the Sakae Scythians in Sakastan and Scythia appear to have been interrelated and had familial connections with the monarchs of the Guti (Goths) and Parthians and they with each other (W. MONTGOMERY McGOVERN, "The Early Empires of Central Asia", New York, 1939. B. Philip. LOZINSKI, "The Original Homeland of the Parthians,” 1953, The Hague, Netherlands)..  It follows that these too at least in part may well have been descended from David. [see  Steve Collins of South Dakota, USA, has published one work on this subject:  The “Lost” Ten Tribes of Israel…Found by STEVEN M COLLINS, 1995, USA. He has other works about to be published that elaborate on this subject.] From these monarchic and aristocratic lines came the early kings of Scandinavia, of the Franks, and of the Anglo Saxons.     Enthusiasts in the past have adduced all kinds of genealogical permutations in order to prove that the reigning house of Britain is descended from an eastern princess named Tea Tephi (presumed daughter of Zedekiah, king of Judah of the House of David) who married an Irish king, whose descendants moved to Scotland and from there they eventually inherited the English Throne. It may not be necessary to go back so far in such an involved way to make the same point, and anyway the male line is what counts.           Another fount of the Davidic line may have penetrated West European nobility via France! There was once a semi-autonomous Principality in Narbonne (southern France) described by Arthur J. Zuckerman (A Jewish Princedom in Feudal France, 768-900, New York, 1972). It was ruled by a Jewish Prince of the House of David whose offspring intermarried with the aristocracy and Royal Line of France and these with that of Normandy, Scotland, and England. Amongst the Welsh, Scottish, English, and other groups in Europe there were families who believed they descended from King David of Judah.                   It therefore follows, that (theoretically at least) present-day descendants of David may be extremely numerous. Compare this possibility with verses Jeremiah 33;22, 25, 26 below.         [Jeremiah 33:21] THEN MAY ALSO MY COVENANT BE BROKEN WITH DAVID MY SERVANT, THAT HE SHOULD NOT HAVE A SON TO REIGN UPON HIS THRONE; AND WITH THE LEVITES THE PRIESTS, MY MINISTERS. Shoumatoff points out that every year the number of family surnames is diminishing. More and more people are descended from less and less ancestors. Most Presidents of the USA are related to each other and are descended from British Royal Lines. It may be that they too are somehow descended from King David. Many of them (I have been told) have believed that such is the case. So to, many of the Royal Lines of Europe have a belief that they derive from King David.                       [Jeremiah 33:22] AS THE HOST OF HEAVEN CANNOT BE NUMBERED, NEITHER THE SAND OF THE SEA MEASURED: SO WILL I MULTIPLY THE SEED OF DAVID MY SERVANT, AND THE LEVITES THAT MINISTER                      UNTO ME.                       David was promised that the Rulership over Israel (or at least part of it) would come from him. [Jeremiah 33:23] MOREOVER THE WORD OF THE LORD CAME TO JEREMIAH, SAYING,                       [Jeremiah 33:24] CONSIDEREST THOU NOT WHAT THIS PEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN, SAYING, THE TWO FAMILIES WHICH THE LORD HATH CHOSEN, HE HATH EVEN CAST THEM OFF? THUS THEY HAVE DESPISED MY                      PEOPLE, THAT THEY SHOULD BE NO MORE A NATION BEFORE THEM.                       [Jeremiah 33:25] THUS SAITH THE LORD; IF MY COVENANT BE NOT WITH DAY AND NIGHT, AND IF I HAVE NOT APPOINTED THE ORDINANCES OF HEAVEN AND EARTH;                       [Jeremiah 33:26] THEN WILL I CAST AWAY THE SEED OF JACOB AND DAVID MY SERVANT, SO THAT I WILL NOT TAKE ANY OF HIS SEED TO BE RULERS OVER THE SEED OF ABRAHAM, ISAAC, AND JACOB: FOR I WILL CAUSE THEIR CAPTIVITY TO RETURN, AND HAVE MERCY ON THEM.         Literally speaking, the promises to David and to the Levites do not necessarily mean that they will always have rulers and ministers over the Houses of Israel. Rather, the Biblical promises may be understood to state that descendants of David and Levi will always be available to fulfill their ancestral functions whenever the Promised Messianic Order shall be instituted or whenever the Children of Israel are worthy.     Even so, it may be that many of the Rulers over the exiled Israelites and those who ministered to them in Britain, America, and elsewhere are (and were) descended from the Houses of David and Levi. 10. Jeremiah 34: Slavery, Migration.  [Jeremiah 34:8] THIS IS THE WORD THAT CAME UNTO JEREMIAH FROM THE LORD, AFTER THAT THE KING ZEDEKIAH HAD MADE A COVENANT WITH ALL THE PEOPLE WHICH WERE AT JERUSALEM, TO PROCLAIM                      LIBERTY UNTO THEM;                       [Jeremiah 34:9] THAT EVERY MAN SHOULD LET HIS MANSERVANT, AND EVERY MAN HIS MAIDSERVANT, BEING AN HEBREW OR AN HEBREWESS, GO FREE; THAT NONE SHOULD SERVE HIMSELF OF THEM, TO WIT, OF A JEW HIS BROTHER. This is a problematic passage. This commentary of ours concentrates on Brit-Am subjects and also here and there discusses other matters that may not necessarily be closely related. Where and when we depart from standard Brit-Am material we do so with reluctance and with the intended hope not to be diverted from our main theme. Nevertheless all of the Bible expresses Divine Truth and at a higher level every segment is interrelated with the others.    There were two types of slave in Ancient Israel: 1. “Eved Canaani” i.e. A Canaanite Slave meaning a non-Israelite slave acquired from the surrounding peoples. This type of slave was called a “Canaanite” not because he was of Canaanite origin but rather because he had been acquired from neighboring non-Israelite peoples who at first dwelt in the Land of Canaan. In principle such a slave should not be freed unless he has suffered damage resulting in the loss of a limb or tooth. If his master does free him however he is legally freed. Upon being freed he has the rights and status of a full-born Israelite. 2. “Eved Ivri” i.e. Hebrew Slave. He was more like an indentured servant. He could serve for a maximum of seven years after which he had to be freed unless he did not want to be. If he did not want to be freed he had his ear pierced and continued to serve until the Jubilee Year when he was freed whether he wanted to be or not. When being freed he was to receive monetary compensation. Even while a “slave” he had definite rights and could not be expected to do debasing tasks or receive living conditions too much less than those of his master. In certain circumstances his master had to put the living conditions of his Hebrew slave before those of himself. His master had also to support the wife and children of his Hebrew Slave. The Institution of “Eved Ivri” was only valid in a strict sense as long as the Jubilee Year was celebrated. The Jubilee Year required that every person should return to the hereditary holding of his family. The Jubilee Year could only be celebrated when all of the Twelve Tribes were settled in their Tribal Inheritances in the Land of Israel. Even if all of the Tribes were in the land but they were not stationed in their Tribal Inheritances the Jubilee Year could not be celebrated. Once the Ten Tribes were exiled the Jubilee Year could no longer be celebrated. The Institution of “Aved Ivri” (Hebrew Slave) was therefore not valid. Nevertheless it seems that people continued with the practice of indentured servitude even though it was no longer strictly valid. King Zedekiah attempted to abolish it and was at first successful. It appears that as the reign of King Zedekiah progressed and as the pressure of the Babylonians increased so to did the power of the king decrease. We have seen how the king himself had lenient tendencies towards Jeremiah but was pressured into taking action against him by the nobles. So too, in the case of Servitude does it appear that the nobles were able to reverse the reform of the king and once more force unfortunate individuals to act as their slaves. Alternately: The Talmud (Arakin 33;a) says that when the Tribes of Reuben, Gad and the half-tribe of Menasseh were exiled the practice of Jubilee Years and Hebrew Indenture was annulled. These were the first of the Ten Tribes to be exiled and the Jubilee Year could only be practiced when all the Tribes were in the Land. After some of the Tribes were exiled the Jubilee year and associated Indenture was no longer valid. Rabbi Yochanan says that Jeremiah brought the Ten Tribes back and that King Josiah the son of Amon ruled over them. Rabbi Yochanan was claiming that since the Ten Tribes returned the Jubilee Year was re-instituted. The historical background to this claim was discussed in our book “The Tribes” and elsewhere at some length. Other Talmudic sources and major Classical Commentaries on the Talmud emphasize that Jeremiah did not bring back ALL of the Ten Tribes but only a small section of them and that most of these returned to their places of exile when King Josiah was killed. In the time of King Josiah the Scythian-Israelites took over the Assyrian Empire, established a center at Beth-Shean in Israel and in co-ordination with King Josiah began to set up colonies in northern and western Israel. King Josiah was killed by the Egyptian adversaries of the Scythians. The Scythians were driven northwards by Babylonians and Medes. Consequently the Scythian-Israelites abandoned their colonies in the Land of Israel. This fits the Talmudic sources. It may be that under King Josiah an attempt was made to re-institute the Jubilee Year since representatives of the Tribes had begun to return. [This is a problematic possibility but it may have happened or been considered]. After the death of King Josiah and the Israelite-Scythian abandonment of their colonies there would have been no further justification to continue Hebrew Indenture. Even so some of the rich people and nobles may have done so for economic and social reasons. This was against the Law and therefore King Zedekiah (in one of his good moments) tried to stop it and was temporarily successful in doing so. After a time however the nobles re-asserted themselves and once again placed some of their Jewish brethren in servitude. This is what Jeremiah (below) is condemning them for.   The basic principles concerning the two types of slave are found in Leviticus chapter 25:           [Leviticus 25:38] I AM THE LORD YOUR GOD, WHICH BROUGHT YOU FORTH OUT OF THE LAND OF EGYPT, TO GIVE YOU THE LAND OF CANAAN, AND TO BE YOUR GOD.                       [Leviticus 25:39] AND IF THY BROTHER THAT DWELLETH BY THEE BE WAXEN POOR, AND BE SOLD UNTO THEE; THOU SHALT NOT COMPEL HIM TO SERVE AS A BONDSERVANT:                       [Leviticus 25:40] BUT AS AN HIRED SERVANT, AND AS A SOJOURNER, HE SHALL BE WITH THEE, AND SHALL SERVE THEE UNTO THE YEAR OF JUBILE.                       [Leviticus 25:41] AND THEN SHALL HE DEPART FROM THEE, BOTH HE AND HIS CHILDREN WITH HIM, AND SHALL  RETURN UNTO HIS OWN FAMILY, AND UNTO THE POSSESSION OF HIS FATHERS SHALL HE RETURN.                       [Leviticus 25:42] FOR THEY ARE MY SERVANTS, WHICH I BROUGHT FORTH OUT OF THE LAND OF EGYPT: THEY SHALL NOT BE SOLD AS BONDMEN.                       [Leviticus 25:43] THOU SHALT NOT RULE OVER HIM WITH RIGOUR; BUT SHALT FEAR THY GOD.                       [Leviticus 25:44] BOTH THY BONDMEN, AND THY BONDMAIDS, WHICH THOU SHALT HAVE, SHALL BE OF THE   HEATHEN THAT ARE ROUND ABOUT YOU; OF THEM SHALL YE BUY BONDMEN AND BONDMAIDS.                       [Leviticus 25:45] MOREOVER OF THE CHILDREN OF THE STRANGERS THAT DO SOJOURN AMONG YOU, OF THEM SHALL YE BUY, AND OF THEIR FAMILIES THAT ARE WITH YOU, WHICH THEY BEGAT IN YOUR LAND: AND THEY SHALL BE YOUR POSSESSION.                       [Leviticus 25:46] AND YE SHALL TAKE THEM AS AN INHERITANCE FOR YOUR CHILDREN AFTER YOU, TO INHERIT THEM FOR A POSSESSION; THEY SHALL BE YOUR BONDMEN FOR EVER: BUT OVER YOUR BRETHREN THE CHILDREN OF  ISRAEL, YE SHALL NOT RULE ONE OVER ANOTHER WITH RIGOUR.                       [Leviticus 25:47] AND IF A SOJOURNER OR STRANGER WAX RICH BY THEE, AND THY BROTHER THAT DWELLETH BY HIM WAX POOR, AND SELL HIMSELF UNTO THE STRANGER OR SOJOURNER BY THEE, OR TO THE STOCK OF THE STRANGER'S FAMILY:                       [Leviticus 25:48] AFTER THAT HE IS SOLD HE MAY BE REDEEMED AGAIN; ONE OF HIS BRETHREN MAY REDEEM HIM:                       [Leviticus 25:49] EITHER HIS UNCLE, OR HIS UNCLE'S SON, MAY REDEEM HIM, OR ANY THAT IS NIGH OF KIN UNTO HIM OF HIS FAMILY MAY REDEEM HIM; OR IF HE BE ABLE, HE MAY REDEEM HIMSELF.                       [Leviticus 25:50] AND HE SHALL RECKON WITH HIM THAT BOUGHT HIM FROM THE YEAR THAT HE WAS SOLD TO HIM UNTO THE YEAR OF JUBILE: AND THE PRICE OF HIS SALE SHALL BE ACCORDING UNTO THE NUMBER OF YEARS,  ACCORDING TO THE TIME OF AN HIRED SERVANT SHALL IT BE WITH HIM.                       [Leviticus 25:51] IF THERE BE YET MANY YEARS BEHIND, ACCORDING UNTO THEM HE SHALL GIVE AGAIN THE  PRICE OF HIS REDEMPTION OUT OF THE MONEY THAT HE WAS BOUGHT FOR.                       [Leviticus 25:52] AND IF THERE REMAIN BUT FEW YEARS UNTO THE YEAR OF JUBILE, THEN HE SHALL COUNT WITH HIM, AND ACCORDING UNTO HIS YEARS SHALL HE GIVE HIM AGAIN THE PRICE OF HIS REDEMPTION.                       [Leviticus 25:53] AND AS A YEARLY HIRED SERVANT SHALL HE BE WITH HIM: AND THE OTHER SHALL NOT RULE WITH  RIGOUR OVER HIM IN THY SIGHT.                       [Leviticus 25:54] AND IF HE BE NOT REDEEMED IN THESE YEARS, THEN HE SHALL GO OUT IN THE YEAR OF JUBILE, BOTH HE, AND HIS CHILDREN WITH HIM.                       [Leviticus 25:55] FOR UNTO ME THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL ARE SERVANTS; THEY ARE MY SERVANTS WHOM I  BROUGHT FORTH OUT OF THE LAND OF EGYPT: I AM THE LORD YOUR GOD.        We thus see that there were two types of slaves in Biblical Times: Concerning (1) Hebrew Slaves: This was in effect an indentured servant for a limited period of time whose conditions in principle were supervised by the Court of Sages. The practice of indentured servitude existed in the USA and in Britain and Europe up to little more than ca 150 years ago. The conditions were often far worse that those propounded by the Bible.  In Biblical Terms a person due to debt would sell his labor for a limited period of time.   Alternately the Court would sell the labor of someone who had been caught stealing. Nowadays a person goes to jail for such deeds. In jail in our time a person is liable to be physically and sexually abused and is often treated most abjectly and unfairly and kept in unhealthy conditions with bad company. He often emerges from jail (if not killed in the process) in a much worse physical and moral condition than when he entered. The Biblical solution was probably a better one. Soldiers in basic training (“Rookies”) in Military Forces of nearly all nations are subjected to a regime that seeks to initially break their individuality and their ego in order to rebuild it as part of the group.  This does not hold for the State of Israel where the Israeli Defence Forces tries not to break the ego but to work with it and redirect it positively. At all events soldiers (outside of Israel) in their “Rookie” stage actually submit to a state worse in some ways than the slavery of ancient times. (2) Canaanite Slaves: Slavery existed.   The Bible does not always take a moral stance but sometimes relates to reality as it then existed. We too have NOT come to moralize on every point only to discuss the subject matter as it stands. A “Canaanite” slave also had basic rights and in some ways was considered better off than a freed man since he was subject to less sexual prohibitions. In other words in Biblical terms a Hebrew could not really become a “slave” in the full-fledged sense but rather he could become an indentured labor for a limited period of time. A non-Israelite under certain conditions could be bought as a slave from surrounding nations. This person too had rights that the Court was supposed to protect. He was probably in many cases much better off being with the Hebrews than staying were he had been previously. Slavery still exists today. It exists throughout Africa, in every Arab state, in Pakistan and in India. In one form or other it also exists throughout Asia and Latin America. It exists in Haiti and the Philippines.  In China the whole population are slaves of the State. In Communist Nations they were all slaves and many people in countries that were once Communist preferred the Communist system. In pre-Revolutionary Russia 80% of the people were in effect slaves and were content with it. They would have preferred better material conditions but most of them appear to have been content with the actual servitude. Under Communism they continued to be slaves but the Communists tried to make them proud of it and some of them indeed were so. Historically, most peoples of the world appear to have accepted slavery and to have been prepared to be slaves themselves. “Islam” means “subjection” and becoming a Muslim means in effect adopting aspects of slavery. Hagar the mother of Ishmael (father of the Arabs) was a slave-woman. In Japan every person was a slave of the one higher than himself on the social scale. If he offended someone higher than himself he could be expected to disembowel himself with a sword. It seems that many people today in Third World countries and in Eastern Europe would willingly, if given the chance, become slaves of people in the West as long as their basic rights and minimum living conditions were ensured.  We are not moralizing just describing things as they seem to be. The Red Indians of North America were exceptional in so far that it was difficult and in some cases impossible to enslave them.   Also in Germany the conditions of many of the people until recently were like those of slaves. The Nazis in effect wanted to reduce the Germans to the status of slaves who would be compensated by ruling over other slaves. Many people from Germany migrated to the USA since they did not want to remain in Germany where conditions were bad, their status was low and similar to that of “slaves”. Cf. the following article: http://web.hist.uib.no/delfag-h98/nilsen/penngermans.htm. REASONS FOR EMIGRATION Edited by Carol Gohsman Bowen ONE OUT OF THREE MECKLENBURGERS LEFT HIS COUNTRY In the middle of the past century Mecklenburg was one of the areas in Europe that was most affected by the emigration movement. Mass emigration is a sign of severe social crisis in any country. What reasons did so many people have to leave their country and hope for a better life abroad in the 19th century? The emigration wave was not limited to Mecklenburg alone. It also covered all other parts of the fragmented German Empire. In all, several million people emigrated from Germany. The emigration movement spread to other European countries as well, but Mecklenburg was especially hard hit. In fact, after 1850, Mecklenburg had the third highest emigration count in Europe, superceded only by Ireland and Galicia ( land which is currently Poland and the Ukraine). "And why have you left Germany?" asked Heinrich Heine in 1834, when he met some German emigrants in France on their way to North Africa. "The land is good, and we would have liked to stay", they replied, "but we just couldn't stand it any longer." If asked that same question, many of the 261,000 Mecklenburgers that left their home country (the Grand duchies of Mecklenburg-Schwerin and Mecklenburg-Strelitz) between 1820 and 1890 would have given the same answer. Many people, especially those from the lower social classes, didn't have any prospects or future in Mecklenburg, since their lives were totally uprooted by the change from feudal rule to a civil-capitalist one. Between 1850 and 1890 approximately 146,000 Mecklenburgers emigrated overseas, most going to the United States of America, but some also going to South America. Between 1820 and 1890 those going overseas accounted for two thirds of all the emigrants from Mecklenburg. The defeat of the civil-democratic revolution in 1848/49 and the return of the old social and political problems gave fresh impetus to this emigration movement. This loss of population was most prevalent from the so-called flat or farm land. 88.5 % of all emigrants came from rural areas. Most of them came from the lands of the knights, from the manor houses of noble and titled big land-owners. These were the people who had the most compelling reasons for leaving Mecklenburg. This was mostly due to the miserable social conditions caused by the right of abode and the right of establishment rules which existed almost unchanged between 1820 and 1860. These conditions came about when serfdom was annulled in Mecklenburg in 1820/21. At that time, many landowners took the opportunity to get rid of a lot of their day laborers who were now considered personally free according to the law. They began to run their lands with a minimum of permanent workers. The landowners did this so that they would not have to pay for any laborers who were injured or take care of them when they grew old. It was very difficult for day-laborers who were thrown out to find permanent work elsewhere because they needed to receive the right of establishment from the new employer. But that wasn't easy to get. In 1861, an expert on Mecklenburg history, Ernst Boll, explained the right of abode and right of establishment in his Abriss der Mecklenburgischen Landeskunde this way: "a Mecklenburger does not belong to the country as a whole as far as his home is concerned. Rather, he belongs to the one city or village that he happens to be born in, or to the city or village where he has received the right of establishment." The granting of the right to marry also depended on the granting of the right of establishment. and all subjects needed permission to marry before they could have a family. A man or woman who did not have the right of establishment could never establish a home. Therefore, the main problem for a common Mecklenburger was to get his own "Hüsung", but many did not succeed. A lot of people that worke