-----Original Message----- From: yair davidi <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: Ed Miller <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Date: Tuesday, 30 May 2000 11:50 Subject: Re: British Israelism Question: At 10:31 AM 5/29/00 -0700, Ed Miller <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: >Shalom, >Do you have a "statement" or information on how you differ from British >Israelism? >Thank you - Ed Miller Answer: 1. See our official beliefs as listed at the end of this message. 2. History: The idea that some of the peoples of western Europe are of Israelite origin did not begin with British Israel which was founded in the 1800s. British Israel did do much to promote the belief but it had been known well before then. British Israel grew and was once very influential and popular. Its adherents included monarchs, aristocrats, scientists, painters, historians, mathematicians, soldiers, churchmen, etc. Today it apparently numbers only a few thousand and young members are a rarity. Even so for many reasons the organization has a potential far greater than its numbers would indicate. Beliefs in Israelite Identity in western Europe however are widespread and quite ancient: Gildas in the 500s ce appears to have spoken of it in regards to the Celtic (Welsh) peoples of Britain. The Goths in the 700s ce also held it. Jewish sages such as Rashi in the 1000s CE spoke of it. Irish legends dating from the earliest times hint at it or take it for granted (see "Lost Israelite Identity"). John Sadler in the 1600s spoke of it in the British House of Commons and also wrote a book on the subject. The earliest historians of Finland say that their ancestors were Israelites. So do 1700s CE historians of Sweden say the same for their people. A History of Holland from the 1600s says the same concerning the Frissians of Holland and the Anglo-Saxons. This sources contains historical information we have verified. These are sources that expressly speak of the matter but other sources also imply the same. We agree with British Israel in its original form. We agree with much of the historical anayses of British Israel though we have added to them and refined them. At some stage in the 1930s some British Israel writers became anti-semitic. Some also became pseudo-scientific and began accepting aspects of Biblical Criticism which is actually an anti-semitic hoax heavily influenced by a branch of German ideaology. This sickness never affected all of British-Israel's membership but some were influenced by it. 3.Ideaology. We emphasize the truth of the Bible. We utilize Jewish sources and believe in them. We consider ourselves religious Orthodox Jews and look at the subject from such a perspective. British Israel does not. We also believe we have proof that the Khazars were part of the Lost Ten Tribes. We identity certain historical peoples with the Tribes of Israel and these identifications of ours are not in about half the cases those usually accepted by British Israel. In the past some valuable research was done by British Israel writers and we still on occasion refer to their findings. British Israel today appears to emphasize political and Christian causes and is not greatly concerned with "Identity" issues. 4. Anti-semitism: We are against anti-semitism and believe that a true Israelite cannot be an antisemite though there may be exceptions in some generations. There are anti-semitic elements in British Israel which we reject. In the past emissaries from Brit-Am in Israel made contact with British Israel in London and Belfast after receiving an invitation from them. The Belfast section is (or was) very friendly towards us, a friendship which is reciprocated. In Canada too British Israel has been sympathetic towards us. London is problematic though on a personal level has always been polite and friendly and they have recommended our books. British Israel should not confused with some "Identity" groups in America. In America exist "Identity" movements which are Nazi like and probably unredeemable from our point of view. They must be considered as enemy agents which in effect they are. These groups are usually both anti-Jewish and anti-British. On the other hand "British Israel" in Britain in my opinion is redeemable and the anti-Semitic elements are only a small minority. I may be wrong. Our approach to anti-semitism is that: 1. Some people will like Jews no matter what. 2. Some people will dislike Jews no matter what. 3. Some people will never form an opinion on the matter one way or other. 4. Some people are in between and will be influenced by the opinions of others, by propaganda, circumstances, etc. Our impression is that most members of British-Israel in Britain are in the categories 1,3,and 4 and therefore perhaps some time in the future a reconciliation between Brit-AM (in Israel) and British Israel (in Britain) may be effected. "Brit-Am Israel" "Brit-Am Israel" at present is headed by Yair Davidy and by Rabbi Abraham Feld. Members of Brit-Am include Jews, Christians, and non-Christian Gentiles. Membership is open to all. The address of "Brit-Am Israel" is Yair Davidy, "Brit-Am Israel", P.O.B. 595, Jerusalem 91004, Israel. The e-mail is : [EMAIL PROTECTED] "BRIT-AM ISRAEL" BELIEVES: * The Hebrew Bible is the message of God. * The Bible has a message pertinent to all mankind. According to the Bible, those who are of Hebrew descent have a special role to play while a corresponding extra commitment is required of them. * Out of the original 12 Tribes of Israel Ten were lost. Two remained. The present-day Jews are descended mainly from the two remaining Tribes of Judah and Benjamin. * The Khazars were a Kingdom in southern Russia many of whose leaders converted to Judaism. The Khazars were descended from the Lost Ten Tribes. The Khazars were blood-relatives of the Picts who went to Scotland, and of the Anglo-Saxons, and of peoples in Scandinavia. · In addition to the Khazars, many other converts to Judaism through the ages were descended from assimilated Jews or from members of the Lost Ten Tribes. Similarly many of those who came as immigrants from other places to "Lost Israelite" host nations were descended themselves from Israelites. * Most of the Lost Ten Tribes migrated to Northwest and Western Europe and their descendants are now in those areas or in North America, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. * We do not claim that all residents of the said nations are descended from Israel. We do however affirm that most descendants of the Lost Ten Tribes are residents of those nations. On the whole they are unaware of their Israelite Identity. Even so in the course of history the Israelite origins of peoples in those areas have influenced national developments and national characteristics. * The Tribe of Joseph was divided into two other Tribes: Ephraim and Menasseh. People from ALL of the Israelite Tribes congregated in North America but in general Menasseh dominates the U.S.A. Britain has characteristics of Ephraim. * Reuben was important in France, Issachar in Switzerland, Benjamin in Belgium, Zebulon in Holland, Dan in Denmark, Naphtali in Norway, Gad in Sweden, the country of Finland was influenced by the Tribes of Simeon, Issachar, and Gad; Simeon, Dan, and Ephraim were important in Ireland. * There is a need for the present-day "Jews" of Judah and the Lost Ten Tribes to recognize each other, and to work towards re-unification and reconciliation. The Bible says that such reconciliation has to take place and at some stage will do so. * Proof exists confirming "Brit-Am Israel" Identity beliefs. Some of the evidence has been presented in works by Yair Davidy such as "The Tribes" (1993), "Ephraim" (1995), and "Lost Israelite Identity" (1996), as well as in articles in our journal "Tribesman". Much additional evidence is available and needs to be uncovered and published. Our sources include the Bible, Talmud, Midrashim, Commentators, Classical Greek and Roman historians, Chroniclers, Legends, Linguistics, Archaeology, and where pertinent racial and other scientific studies. · Even though much of the evidence has been revealed by ourselves it is not ours alone. Our proofs have never been properly refuted. The basic claims we have made are irrefutable. If one cannot deny our claims and there is nobody else who can it follows that one should accept them. This means that the identity of the Lost Ten Tribes of Israel with western peoples should be acknowledged. Once this acknowledgment is forthcoming it is possible to discuss whatever practical conclusions need to be made. · We need assistance in the way of contributions and/or purchase of our publications. This is very important. We also need input in the form of reactions, articles, and information. # We would like people overseas to form their own groups parallel to our own. <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/">www.ctrl.org</A> DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are unwelcomed. Substance—not soap-boxing—please! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'—with its many half-truths, misdirections and outright frauds—is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRL gives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. 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