Ten Tribes Studies (10 January 2016, 29 Tevet, 5776)
Brit-Am Now no. 2554
http://hebrewnations.com/features/now11/2554.html
Ten Tribes Studies
Contents:
1. Orjan Svensson: Stone of Scone = Stone of Canaan?
2. Paul Porter: Reflections on Regional Differences
3. Hebrew Month of Shevet. The Tribe of Asher
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1. Orjan Svensson: Stone of Scone = Stone of Canaan?
Shalom,
As I explained I now believe that Canaan in Scandinavian languages became Schonen and then Skaane (Scania).
Skaane is pronounce much like Scone of Scotland.
Could it therefore be that the Stone of Scone really means "Stone of Canaan"?
Regards,
Orjan
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2. Paul Porter: Reflections on Regional Differences
 Dear Mr Davidiy,
May l take this opportunity to thank Owen Murphy for sharing his insights into the relationship between brothers.
I too can relate to his view, not in the wider relationship between Britain and its former territories but in the relationship that exists within the United Kingdom.
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The UK (England ; Scotland ; Wales ; Northern Ireland) is a bond between brothers that was 'forged' with fire This relationship has served the needs of the nation well during the past three hundred years.
 However,
 there has always existed enmity between these brothers from the birth of each of these national people.
This enmity is further broken down within each national group of people. The people of Northern England see themselves as separate from the people of Southern England. The people of the West Country (Devon/Cornwall) see themselves as distinct to their neighbours in the Home Counties and the Kentish people. This distinction also exists between North and South Wales and between the Highland and Lowland people of Scotland. The relationship between Northern Ireland and Eire is along political and religious divides. This relationship is further complicated within each region.
I grew up on Tyneside. I was born in my hometown of Jarrow. Outside of the North East l am referred to as a 'Geordie'. Within Tyneside, l am known as a 'Jarrowvian'. Jarrow is geographically between Newcastle and Sunderland. These two city people see themselves as distinct to each other and have a great rivalry which is manifested through the game of football! The variation in the dialect spoken by these two city people is distinct. This variation in speech is repeated from Berwick to York. Regional variations in speech although are not unique to the UK do appear numerous for a relatively small geographical area.
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This rivalry is not mere friendly rivalry. There has been real animosity and antagonism displayed by these people over the years.
Apart from the National and Regional differences, the picture is further complicated by the difference in Religious beliefs. After the 'schism' between Roman Catholics and Protestants during the reign of King Henry VIII, there were atrocities committed by both sides. Although l would never belittle the bloodletting that this unleashed in the UK, l would not wish to discuss it further in the context of this discussion.
 Firstly, this pattern was repeated throughout Europe at that time. Secondly,
it is also an unfortunate reflection of world affairs in general when relating to Religious beliefs.
Setting aside the usual squabbles that exists between people in general, l have been puzzled by the enmity displayed by the people of the UK at both National and Regional levels. There are many good books in print that explore the migratory patterns of the people of these Isles There is some consensus amongst historians as to who these people were/are, their shared interests and their fall outs in terms of resources, politics, culture and beliefs.
Referring to the people of present day Lowland Scotland, Northumbria, Durham, Teesside Yorkshire, we have learned from the Venerable Bede ( Ecclesiastical History of the English People) that it was predominantly Angles from the Jutland Peninsula that settled in these regions. They formed two royal houses, Deira and Bernicia, setting up their capitals in York and Bamburgh It is of some debate today as to whether these incursions were peaceful or not The emphasis appears to lie with the latter The people that were resident at the time of the first incursion are described as the celtic people known as the Brigantes Much if not all of what we know about these people is what has been written about them by the Romans As the Romans did not speak of the people that they subjugated in honest terms, nevertheless some of the Roman accounts are worth merit. Namely, that these people were "warlike" in nature. It would also be fair to say that at that time there were also Romans still residential the region. As l cannot substantiate the numbers of people from this group l would maybe say that the impact that the Roman people had on the general population of North East of pre- England was small.
 The two Northumbrian houses engaged in civil war over a number of issues There then followed new incursions into this region by people known as Danes It has always struck me as ironic that these two people (Danes and Angles) fought such bloody battles as they both hailed from the Jutland Peninsula and were probably related! However the Danes were successful in their endeavours in taking the Northumbrian Kingdom.
I have mixed personal views on this period. It is referred to in History as the "Dark Ages" However a light had been lit by a few monks versed in the celtic Christian tradition that was almost snuffed out by the Danes This light had placed Northumbria as a centre for learning and Christian devotion that could rival much of Europe Jarrow ( Donmouth) and it's twin monastery at Sunderland ( Monkwearmouth) played no small part in this.
 The next and last ( not withstanding the period under William of Orange) was the subjugation of the land by the Normans and their Frankish mercenaries under William of Normandy. This period was particularly brutal in it's nature towards the people of the North of England that verged in a form of ethnic cleansing. Historians are split as to the extent of the level of brutality vented by Norman soldiers but is maybe fair to say that the region was devastated.
The period l have very briefly touched on covers 1000 years I am skipping several centuries because l believe it does not form much in the way of insights to this discussion The next period of time that is of note is the "Industrial Revolution " It was during this time that there was a huge expansion of the population of the UK. My own family followed the pattern of many other families and left their ' homelands' to seek work and a better life for their families Alas, for many the latter quest proved to be a false dawn However the heavy industrial complexes did increase the potential incomes of many ordinary households and Tyneside was part of that My father's family left South Wales via Southern England to come to Jarrow My mother's family left the East of Scotland and South East Ireland to settle in both Byker ( also in Tyneside) and Jarrow. It is maybe this ' further mixing ' of the populations that goes someway in describing the inherent difference between local people or maybe not!
A couple of years back Rory Stewart MP for Penrith in Cumbria aired an excellent programme. He set about examining the shared culture and linguistic links of the people of Northern England and Southern Scotland It was an interesting programme and worthy of merit Having examined all the evidence he concluded that the people were of a shared stock and that the local differences in dialect were no bar to this.
Given the history of this region in the first 1000 years as described earlier, this would be an obvious conclusion to draw However taking into account the period encompassing the " Industrial Revolution " this makes the conclusion drawn less obvious and maybe more astonishing! In other words, no matter which region of the UK is examined, ultimately we are all related through common stock. The latter comment is of my own and not inferred by Mr Stewart MP.
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In the current climate the UK is undergoing another period of change There is increased mass immigration at a fast pace. Coupled with this is the prospect of Scotland deciding on independence from the Union and the UK as a whole deciding on independence from the European Union and all the machinations this will throw up It is possible given all this in the near future that Britain will fade from the world stage. However it is also possible that if the UK does revert back to its former self and chooses independence from the rest of Europe, it will still survive as a major player on the world stage.
My quest has been to discover the true identity of the people of the British Isles and specifically to the region in which l dwell. It is of particular interest to me that you have undertaken a similar task albeit from a different perspective. I am looking forward to studying more of your material that can shed any light onto the complexities of the people of these Isles I think that to know where we are from may help us shape our future.
Yours sincerely,
Paul Porter.
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3. Hebrew Month of Shevet. The Tribe of Asher
On Monday, January 11, 2016, it will be the first day of Shevet (also spelt as "Shebet").
This is the month of the Tribe of Asherv according to most authorities (HaGra, Arizal, Rabad) and of Benjamin according to the Midrash Peliah.
Source: "Sefer Shivtei Yisroael", by Fishel Mael.