Ten Tribes Studies (11 March 2016, 1 Adar-B, 5776)
Contents:
1. Paul Porter: Israelite Origins and Some Western Behavioral Patterns
2. Compliment from Terry
3. New Month. Adar-B. Naphtali or Joseph (Ephraim and Manasseh)
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1. Paul Porter: Israelite Origins and Some Western Behavioral Patterns
Dear Mr Davidiy,
I wish to share some thoughts with you that l offer as anecdotal evidence only. I must also stress that l am not a medically trained professional.
I have pondered, for some time, as to the origins of the following two 'human' character traits:
* Obsessive Compulsive Disorder [As Hebrew Purification and Temple Ritual]?
* The need to ascribe meaning and understanding to events [as Seeking the Almighty]?
OCD
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (O.C.D.) has been studied by the medical profession since the eighteenth century ( Britain and America). Various theories have been proposed as to the causative nature of this condition. Current theories expound on the individual's irrational response to a routine task that results in high levels of anxiety associated with a stimuli. Whilst this condition is known globally, there appears to be a particular prevalence of this in the West ( generically English speaking people). Setting aside the good argument that maybe this condition is more easily diagnosed in the West, l propose that maybe this condition is associated with our past. Let me explain.
Temple worship (Judaism) requires ritual purification and the observance of set rules. Repetition (tasks being performed in a specific order and a specific number of times) is a key part of the service. Outside of Temple duties, there are the 'obligatory' services at set times during the year. These also involving ritual and repetition.
Two of the major elements associated with O.C.D. are 'Hygiene' ( manifesting in repetitive hand washing) and 'Safety' (the need to feel safe manifesting in a set repetition of the task). Maybe, just maybe this condition is connected to a time when Temple worship was part of everyday life. The memory of this has, in some way, been imprinted on the 'hard wiring' of the western people that even the passage of time has been unable to erase.
The New Age Movement and Interest in the Occult as Symptomatic of Spiritual Yearning
The other point of interest is the need among people to ascribe meaning to events that take place as individuals and groups. Whilst this 'character trait' is shared globally, again, it is observable as having a particular prevalence in the West. In all probability, there has been interest amongst people in this subject for as long as human history itself. It is just that in the West over the past three hundred years, and more specifically, the past seventy years, there has been a noticeable escalation in western interest pertaining to this subject. The rise and popularity of 'new age' thinking. The rapid increase in the popularity of Astrology. The numbers of people leaving the established western churches and seeking 'enlightenment' amongst the eastern beliefs and philosophy.
It could be reasonably argued that this 'shift' in western thinking is associated with the course of human history that has always followed a progressive path. It likewise could also be reasonably argued that these events are the symptoms of a society that is losing it's 'moral compass'. I am merely proposing another explanation.
What if, as either an individual or a group (large or small) that people in the West are 'thirsting' for a connection with something that they cannot explain. What if that inherent desire is for a relationship with a divine connection that can no longer be discerned in church attendance alone. At this juncture, l must stress that l am not saying that a divine connection cannot be achieved through church attendance. For some in the West, this is clearly the accepted wisdom. However, it would appear that many in the West are seeking a deeper understanding of the events that take place in their everyday lives. This may offer some recourse in the popularity of 'tarot' in the West.
It is more than reasonable to suggest that mankind has always sought meaning and understanding of the very existence of life. I am, however, making a distinction between this very important point of human experience and the very strong need to find expression in the reason as to why an event, or a number of events, has taken place. Sometimes, such an understanding is sought by the individual to bring comfort (such as at times of bereavement). I have empathy towards this expression. I am, however, referring specifically to the 'need' to seek meaningful understanding on a daily basis. It would also appear that such a 'character trait' as this can be found among the Jewish people. Therefore, by extension, the appearance of this same said trait amongst the western people should have a common link/origin - the Hebrew people (Northern and Southern Kingdoms).
Now, clearly anecdotal evidence is only of use in litigation when supported with empirical evidence (unambiguous facts).
I am not presenting such a proposal but humbly expressing some thoughts, accompanied by some observations with a little insight thrown into the mix.
Yours sincerely,
Paul David Porter.
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2. Compliment from Terry
Greetings and Shalom,
I am enjoying your writing. Great research.
Terry.
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3. New Month. Adar-B. Naphtali or Joseph (Ephraim and Manasseh)?
The 10th and 11th of march, 2016 are the two New Moon Days for the Month of Adar-B.
This is the month of the Feast of Purim and the Story of Esther.
Adar is usually only one month but this year is a leap year on the Hebrew calendar so there are two months, Adar-Aleph (Adar-A), and Adar-Beth (Adar-B).
Mainstream opinion (HaGra and Arizal) ascribes Adar to the Tribe of Naphtali but in the case of a Leap Year I do not know.
Adar is represented by a fish.
In
Brit-Am Now no. 2569
http://hebrewnations.com/features/now12/2569.html
#1. Hebrew Month of Adar-A. Enemies of Judah are Enemies of Israel.
we said:
"This year is a leap year. There are two months of Adar, i.e. Adar-A (Adar-Aleph) and Adar-B (Adar-Bet).
These are months of happiness and reproduction for Israel. The Zodiacal sign for Adar is a fish.
Conventionally (HaGra and Arizal) the Tribe of Adar is Joseph who is divided into Ephraim and Manasseh.
The Rabbi of Lubavitch is quoted as attributing Adar to Benjamin."
This was a MISTAKE!!! I apologize.
Adar is attributed to Joseph by the Rabad, Mainstream Opinion (HaGra and Arizal) ascribes the month to Naphtali.
Rabbi Yischak Ginsburg however finds a parallel between the two months of Adar and the two Tribes of Joseph:
The Month of Adar According to Sefer Yetzirah
http://www.inner.org/times/adar/adar.htm
# These two tribes (the beginning of the year from Tishrei) reflect themselves in Adar and Naftali (the end of the year from Nissan), for Adar divides into two (just as Joseph divides into two) fish (Ephraim and Menasheh). #
See Also:
Is Adar Rishon an Auspicious Month Like Adar Sheni?
http://www.dailyhalacha.com/m/halacha.aspx?id=2100
The month of Adar, which is under the sign of Pisces, corresponds to Yosef HaTsadik, who is blessed like fish, and who, like fish, was free from the clutches of the Ayin Hara. Yosef was unique among Yaakob's sons in that his two sons, Menashe and Efrayim, each formed a separate tribe ("Efrayim U-Menashe Ki-Reuben Ve-Shimon Yiheyu Li," Bereshit 48:5). Accordingly, in a leap year, the two months of Adar correspond to the two sons of Yosef, Menashe and Efrayim, and, as such, both are represented by the sign of Pisces. It thus emerges, according to this view, that both Adar Rishon and Adar Sheni share the special properties of the month of Adar, and Adar Rishon is indeed an auspicious time for success in court.
See Also:
Adar - Pisces
http://www.livekabbalah.org/index.php/home/gates-in-time/rosh-hodesh/adar-pisces/
# The tribe attributed to Adar is Yosef (Josef, linguistic from Me-asef, collector gatherer, in Hebrew). However, it is well known there is no tribe of Yosef and instead there are his two sons, Ephraim and Menashe, which symbolize Adar A and Adar B (A Hebrew leap year has two months of Adar, seven times in a cycle of 19 years). it is also reflected in the blessings of Jacob the patriarch to Ephraim and Menashe: - "and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth" (in Hebrew there is a paraphrase of the phrase "grow into a multitude" related to the reproduction of fish = Pisces, which is the zodiac sign of the month). #
See what we wrote about 4 years ago:
Brit-Am Now no. 2212
#2. The Hebrew Month of Adar - (month no.)1
http://hebrewnations.com/features/6/2212.html#a2
Shem me-Shmuel says that the first Adar .... is actually the additional month. He associates it with the quality of Love and links it to the Tribe of Benjamin and to the two Tribes of Joseph, Ephraim and Manasseh. These tribes represent the offspring of Rachel.
http://www.aspaklaria.info/001_ALEF/%D7%90%D7%93%D7%A8.htm
This is considered a favorable season.
"Rabbi Tsadok (Rabbi Zadok ha-Kohen Rabinowitz of Lublin, 1823-1900) associates Adar with Joseph. Just as Joseph could be counted as two tribes i.e. Ephraim and Manasseh so too does Adar regularly become two months instead of one. "
See Also:
Characteristics of the Tribe of Naphtali
http://www.britam.org/mael/Mael13Naphtali.html
Extracts:
Naphtali is associated with the Hebrew month of Adar.
Fishel Mael finds much in common between the characteristics of Naphtali and the events of Purim that took place in the month of Adar.
Naphtali is always counted last of the Tribes.
The symbol of Naphtali in Hebrew was an "ayalah" (Genesis 49:21) i.e. a female deer, i.e. a doe or hind.
The doe represents alacrity and speed.
Naphtali had an inner happiness and contentment along with a desire for progress.
Naphtali had an urge for inner strengthening and constant renewal.