"Brit-Am Now"-650
Contents:
1. Compliment for Web-Site
2. "SLIGHTLY CONFUSED": What is the Difference Between "Israel" and the "Jews"?
3. Isaiah Summarized Points chapters 21 to 25
1. Compliment for Web-Site
Thank you for a wonderful site, with so much free information and research. Lot's of dedication here, and it shows!
Wayne Underwood, USA
2. "SLIGHTLY CONFUSED": What is the Difference Between "Israel" and the "Jews"?
Question:
I've been glued to your site all day but I'm a bit confused...
Are all Israelites considered Jews? Or are only members of Judah considered Jews?
Isn't the word "Jew" derived directly from the word "Yehuda" (Judah)?
It will be awhile before I can put all this info into perspective.
Avraham David
NYC
Brit-Am Answer:
Jews are descended from that section of the Tribes of Israel
that were not exiled by the Assyrians and that remained conscious of its identity
and conscious of its Torah obligations even though they may not have always fulfilled them.
This "Jewish" section is derived mainly from the Tribes of Judah, Levi, and Benjamin
along with minority portions of the other tribes and "converts" who have accepted
the Yoke of the Torah. The term "Jew" derives from "Judah" and in Biblical terms
all the "Jewish" section of Israel is referred to as "Judah" which became the dominant tribe
in the Torah-observant Israelite consciousness-retaining section of the Israelite Nation.
In other words "Jews" are part of the Israelite Peoples BUT not all of them.
Israelite peoples also include
those who are descended from Israel but were exiled by Assyria and were "lost"
in one way or other. These are often referred to in the Bible as "Israel" (in juxtaposition to "Judah"),
or as "Joseph" or as "Ephraim".
They are popularly known as "The Lost Ten Tribes of Israel".
They were lost in so far that in general they lost consciousness of their Israelite ancestry,
others lost consciousness of their Israelite Identity, and they lost knowledge of how to
keep the Torah and of their original obligation to do so.
In the future the Lost Ten Tribes ("Joseph") will re-unite with Judah
as described in Ezekiel 37 and elsewhere in Prophecy.
At present they are not obligated to keep the Torah and their status is that technically of
Gentiles. In the future this will change but we are not involved in changing it
but rather only in attempting to restore consciousness of origin.
An explanation of this matter may also be obtained from the great Rabbinical Scholar
Nachmanides (1194-1270 CE) an original translation of whose elucidation
may be seen on our web-site:
a. Full-length version:
http://britam.org/RETURN.htm
b. Special Shortened version:
http://britam.org/ShortRETURN.htm
3. Isaiah Summarized Points chapters 21 to 25
Preliminary Note: Details and explanation of individuals points made in this summary are to be found in the Brit-Am Commentary to Isaiah:
http://britam.org/isaiah/isaiah.html
These notes are not an exclusive explanation but rather suggestions based on our own understanding that may be considered alongside other possibilities.
Isaiah prophesies against Duma in the desert (21:1), against Elam, and Media (21:2). Isaiah is told to set a watchman who reports to him about the fall of Babylon and all her gods (22:8). Dumah then becomes equated with Seir which is usually taken as another name for Edom (22:12). Isaiah prophesies against Arabia and the Dodanim, Tema, and Kedar (21:13-17).
Isaiah prophesies against Judah and Jerusalem (22:1-2). The People of Jerusalem are called upon to fast and repent but they are doing the opposite (22:12-14). This chapter (22) appears to be speaking of the situation in Judah at the time of King Hezekiah and the Assyrian siege of Jerusalem but it could also be intended as a prototype for future events.
Isaiah prophesies against Tyre the chief Phoenician city. The Ships of Tarshish (Tartessos in Spain with outposts in Gaul and the British Isles) are called upon to mourn over Tyre whose fate is connected with the Land of Chittim meaning Cyprus or Italy (23:1). We suggested some kind of linkage between Troy (in South Western Turkey) and Tyre. The inhabitants of the Isle who were replenished by the Phoenician Merchants of Sidon (Zidon) the mother-city of Tyre are called upon to be still (23:2). The Phoeniceans were the chief traders on behalf of Egypt which is represented by the great waters of the Nile also called "Sihor" (23:3). Egyptian artifacts in the west (e.g. in Spain and Britain and rock-inscriptions in Scandinavia) are indications of a Phoenician (rather than Egyptian) presence. Egypt shall mourn over the fall of Tyre (23:5). The rulers of Tyre shall attempt to pass over to Tarshish (23:6). Tarshish will be overwhelmed with refugees from Phoenicia like the waters of a river overflowing its banks (23:10). Tyre is called a daughter of Zidon and will also attempt to re-establish herself in Chittim but will not succeed (23:12). The Land of the Chaldeans (Babylon) had been set up (or colonized anew after destruction) by the Assyrians to settle therein the dwellers of the wilderness. This too ended (or will end) in destruction (23:13). Tyre was the strength of Tarshish. It is brought low (23:14). Tyre will be forgotten for seventy years after which it will make a comeback like a lady of fortune coming out of early retirement with a vengeance to whore with all the kingdoms of the earth (23:15-17). The riches of Tyre will be inherited by they who are chosen by God, for their sustenance and durable environment (23:18). A great calamity will come upon the Land, overturning everything and striking everyone equally (24:1-4). This will because of an attempt to change the Laws and break the everlasting Covenant (24:5). The Land will be emptied (until the future times) when from the West the Exiles in the Isles of the Sea will cry out unto God and glorify HIM (24:14-15). As an acknowledgement of future redemption the Israelites Exiles in Britain are called upon to light fires on the hilltops as was their custom until recently (24:15). Isaiah returns to speak of the calamity one of whose causes was internal treachery (24:16). The angels above or the stars in the sky as well as the rulers upon the earth will suffer calamity. The Sages said that every nation has its own "guardian" angel (24:21). The sun and the moon will be affected possibly referring to both Europe and Islam (24:23). Isaiah praises the Almighty God for His wonders and the truth of His prophecies (25:1). The strong ("Land of the Brave"?) will bless God. God will save and bless His people and punish anti-Semites and the enemies of Israel (25:3-7). Death will be removed (25:8). The truth and awareness of God will prevail (25:9). Moab will be demolished (25:10).
We have pointed out several times that the way of Prophecy was to describe events taking place at the time the Prophecy was given or that were about to take place relatively shortly afterwards and then to flit to and fro in description to events in the distant future, in the End Times, using the described contemporary descriptions as prototypes for the future.
See
http://www.britam.org/Questions/QuesProphecy.html