Answers to Criticism (2 October, 2014, 7 Tishrei, 5775)
Contents:
1. Introduction: A Challenge to Yair
2. Why Should It be Made Known Where the Ten Tribes Are?
3. Why Should the Message of Yair Davidiy Receive Any Extra Consideration?
(1) The Advantages of Brit-Am/Hebrew Nations
(2) Claims Against Yair
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1. Introduction: A Challenge to Yair
Brit-Am/Hebrew nations researches and propagates the fact that descendants of the Ten Tribes are now to be found amongst western peoples.
We spread this knowledge and also provide a forum for discussions of it. We also endeavor to further a rapprochement between Judah and Joseph and enhance Biblical Consciousness in general.
Beyond that we do not determine anything.
We do however understand the situation from the point of view of both Jews and non-Jews.
Where fiction or misunderstanding occurs we on occasion explain matters.
A recent message asked:
# Aren't you trying to promote that Ephramaites are in the West and for the most part are practicing Christianity today ? So when some Ephraimites BELIEVE what you are trying to advocate then they come to you and say WE BELIEVE it --- so will you accept us as your brother so that we can live with you in the land? Then, you say NO. Why are you trying to get people to believe that they are Ephraimites when it has no practical application to Judah? It is a fruitless exercise. #
 # Aren't you trying to promote the reunification of Ephraim and Judah? If Judah NEVER recognizes Ephraim then there can NEVER be a reunification. Judah is perpetuating the exile. #
We identified the Ten Tribes via numerous signs of identification. Some of these are very, very strong. Others are less sure but our practice is to discuss everything as much as possible.
One of the less clear, but still present, Â possibility that Scripture hints at the Ten Tribes being Christians in the End Times.
See:
 Christianity as an Identifying Sign
http://hebrewnations.com/articles/biblical-proof/attributes/rolenotsrim.html
This identification revolves around a discussion of the primary and secondary meanings of the word Notsrim in Prophecy. Some of these are very negative, others not necessarily so.
We never said that the Bible supports Christianity. On the contrary. Jewish Tradition however indicates that Christianity may have a positive role to play regarding non-Jews including those of Israelite descent. This is the message we have given over and over again. There should be no mistake about it.
Hebrew Nations should be able to spread knowledge of who the Ten Tribes are without being challenged to discuss theological issues or required to go against Biblical Prophecy.
Scripture indicates that Judah and Joseph and all the Tribes will ALWAYS be separate from each other.
In the End Times (but not before then) they shall re-unite as predicted in Ezekiel 37 and dwell alongside each other. Even then, however each Tribe will be in its own territory and NOT on the territory of each other.
Biblical Prophecy indicates that AT FIRST the Ten Tribes shall conquer and settle in the outer regions of the Promised Land i.e. not the present day State of Israel. Later things will change.
Zechariah 10:
10 I will bring them home from the land of Egypt,
  and gather them from Assyria;
I will bring them to the land of Gilead and to Lebanon,
  until there is no room for them.
Micah 7:
14 Shepherd your people with your staff,
  the flock that belongs to you,
which lives alone in a forest
  in the midst of a garden land;
let them feed in Bashan and Gilead
  as in the days of old.
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2. Why Should It be Made Known Where the Ten Tribes Are?
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In the above message that was sent to us the following two questions are subsumed:
(a) If a bequeathment of Israeli citizenship or its equivalent is not being considered at present, Why Should It be Made Known Where the Ten Tribes Are?
(b) Why Should the Message of Yair Davidiy Receive Any Extra Consideration?
Here are a few initial answers that may be expounded upon and added to at a later date:
Why Should It be Made Known Where the Ten Tribes Are?
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(1) Biblical Knowledge.
The Bible tells the story of the Israelite nation. It is also the means by which the Almighty reveals HIMSELF to mankind.
The Bible is the foundation of western civilization. It is the source of all that is good in the world today. It is our only hope for the future.
The Bible speaks of the Ten Tribes and attaches great importance to them.
It also has predictions about them and demands from them.
The people spoken of, i.e. the Ten Tribes should know who they are. If they do not know they should be told. If we know and they do not, we should tell them. If we have evidence pertinent to them then we should let them know about it. If we are in a position to add to this evidence we should do so. They, on their part, should show some concrete appreciation of our efforts.
Money buys food, pays the rent, and enable living and effort.
A Member of the Israeli Knesset, Mair Shitrit, once related the following anecdote:
He had just recovered from an operation.The surgeon came in and MK Shitrit said to him:
"How can I ever thank you, doctor?"
The doctor replied:
"Since the Phoenicians invented money that problem has been solved".
What is more we have been promised that they who give money to the House of God shall be rewarded (Malachi 3:8-10).
Working at identifying the Ten Tribes and spreading this information is Building the House of God.,
see: #3. Discussion Concerning Tithes.
http://britam.org/now2/1636Now.html#Moses
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(2) Judah Needs the Ten Tribes and the Ten Tribes Need Judah.
Both Judah and the Ten Tribes should know who the Ten Tribes are. The two entities need each other.
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(3) Present-Day Reality: Mutual Enemies
Max Nordau (1849-1923) was a famous Zionist leader and thinker.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Max_Nordau
Nordau is quoted as saying that a people is a group with a common enemy.
Like it or not, Judah and the Ten Tribes peoples especially the English-Speaking section of Joseph are faced today with mutual enemies.
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(4) Historians Need
Yair Davidiy is in effect an historian in so far as he researches history and writes about it.
History says the Ten Tribes are amongst Western Peoples. This is History and it should be written about and propagated.
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(5) Ancestral Connection - The Need for a Forefather
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3. Why Should the Message of Yair Davidiy Receive Any Extra Consideration?
The answer to this question may be divided into two sections:
(1) The Advantages of Brit-Am/Hebrew Nations
(2) Claims Against Yair
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(1) The Advantages of Brit-Am/Hebrew Nations
The message is true. We get the message out to some degree. The potential is there. Most of the most important steps have been taken.
We combine Biblical, Rabbinical, and secular sources into a holistic interlocking complete body of evidence that is formidable and potent.
We use Rabbinical Sources.
We are in principle acceptable to Judah even according to fairly exacting standards.
We try not to offend Christians and indeed usually succeed in not offending them. Many in fact feel themselves helped and blessed by the information and insights we merit to give them.
We use up-to-date information as well as old sources of value that have often been unjustly overlooked.
We have provided information and insights that hitherto most people were not aware of. We have also merited to promote insights received from others.Â
We provide a forum for different opinions, discussion and debate, and for new insights.
We have some entertainment value and usually present the message in a pleasant manner.
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(2) Claims Against Yair
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(1) Coming to Israel.
Yair never said Ephraimites should not at present try to come and settle permanently in Israel. He just said he does not recommend it in most cases. There is a difference.
Also what Yair says or does not say is not going to make much difference in this matter.
[ps. PM Benjamin Netanyahu has not yet realized how much he could benefit by ringing Yair every other day for advice on how to run the country.]
BUT Yair did say that Cyprus, Lebanon, Jordan, parts of Egypt and Saudia, Syria, and parts of Iraq and Turkey should be conquered and settled by as many Ephraimites as possible.
cf.
Zechariah 10:
10 I will bring them home from the land of Egypt,
  and gather them from Assyria;
I will bring them to the land of Gilead and to Lebanon,
  until there is no room for them.
Micah 7:
14 Shepherd your people with your staff,
  the flock that belongs to you,
which lives alone in a forest
  in the midst of a garden land;
let them feed in Bashan and Gilead
  as in the days of old.Â
This is not only what Yair says but more importantly it is what the BIBLE says.
That is quite a lot of promising real estate enterprising Ephraimties could be occupying themselves with.
Where is the gratitude?
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(b) Keeping the Commandments
Yair never said Ephraimites should not keep the commandments.
He just impliedf they would not know how to even if they really wanted to.
The Oral Law is needed to keep the commandments on a day to day basis and if you do not recognize that then you have a problem.
See:
"Collective Responsibility and Rabbinical Authority" by Yair Davidiy
http://britam.org/rabbis.html
Yair also said that non-Jews (including descendants of the Ten Tribes) are not really obliged to keep the Law, at present.Â
In the future this may change but we can leave that to the future.
Yair pointed out that the practical application of this is that if non-Jewish descendants of the Ten Tribes desecrate the Sabbath, or some such prohibition, they would not face the death penalty.
Is that a crime?
Yair however recommends that non-Jewish descendants of the Ten Tribes heighten their Biblical consciousness and draw closer to Judah if they are so disposed.
So shoot me?
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(c) Not respecting Christianity? and Christian Leaders?
We consider Christianity to be Paganism for Jews BUT beneficial at present for non-Jews.
Why is this so complicated?
There are a lot of non-Jews in the world. Go convince them if you must do some convincing.
Why be offended?
Brit-Am/Hebrew nations has vital information and fulfills an important task.
We are doing something positive.
Why not accept the good for what it is?
If one is sick then you go to a doctor.
It might help if the healer attends the same church as you do. But what if he does not?
Are you going to not consult with him? And not pay for the consultation?
What if he agrees on some things but not on others?
As for Christian leaders, they are Pastors. They are leaders and in Biblical terms may be considered the equivalent of Captains of Thousands, Hundreds, or Tens.Â
The fact that we disagree with them on some religious points is another matter.
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(d) Too Much Judaism and too many Jewish Sources
Not so.
Also most of the Rabbinical Sources we quote from complement our understanding of Biblical verses.