VaYashaev

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From: Yair Davidi (britam@netvision.net.il)
To: heb_roots_chr@hebroots.org
Subject: VaYashaev

NOTE FROM EDDIE: Yair Davidi is an ORTHODOX JEW who lives in Jerusalem, Israel who believes in the reunification of both houses of Israel (Ezekiel 37:15-28) in the latter days.

Genesis
VaYashaev
This week's portion is named "VaYashaev" translated as "And[he] dwelt" in the first verse.

s.1
[GEN 37:1] AND JACOB DWELT IN THE LAND WHEREIN HIS FATHER WAS A STRANGER, IN THE LAND OF CANAAN.

[GEN 37:2] THESE ARE THE GENERATIONS OF JACOB. JOSEPH, BEING SEVENTEEN YEARS OLD, WAS FEEDING THE FLOCK WITH HIS BRETHREN; AND THE LAD WAS WITH THE SONS OF BILHAH, AND WITH THE SONS OF ZILPAH, HIS FATHER'S WIVES: AND JOSEPH BROUGHT UNTO HIS FATHER THEIR EVIL REPORT.

[GEN 37:3] NOW ISRAEL LOVED JOSEPH MORE THAN ALL HIS CHILDREN, BECAUSE HE WAS THE SON OF HIS OLD AGE: AND HE MADE HIM A COAT OF MANY COLOURS.

[GEN 37:4] AND WHEN HIS BRETHREN SAW THAT THEIR FATHER LOVED HIM MORE THAN ALL HIS BRETHREN, THEY HATED HIM, AND COULD NOT SPEAK PEACEABLY UNTO HIM.

Nowadays Joseph is found chiefly amongst the USA and Britain and in some small part also amongst the Jews (who are mainly Judah and other tribes). There is a great deal of resentment and hatred directed towards "Joseph" today. Some of it may be justified in part but a great deal is pure jealousy and spiteful inclinations.

[GEN 37:5] AND JOSEPH DREAMED A DREAM, AND HE TOLD IT HIS BRETHREN: AND THEY HATED HIM YET THE MORE.

[GEN 37:6] AND HE SAID UNTO THEM, HEAR, I PRAY YOU, THIS DREAM WHICH I HAVE DREAMED:

[GEN 37:7] FOR, BEHOLD, WE WERE BINDING SHEAVES IN THE FIELD, AND, LO, MY SHEAF AROSE, AND ALSO STOOD UPRIGHT; AND, BEHOLD, YOUR SHEAVES STOOD ROUND ABOUT, AND MADE OBEISANCE TO MY SHEAF.

[GEN 37:8] AND HIS BRETHREN SAID TO HIM, SHALT THOU INDEED REIGN OVER US? OR SHALT THOU INDEED HAVE DOMINION OVER US? AND THEY HATED HIM YET THE MORE FOR HIS DREAMS, AND FOR HIS WORDS.

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The dream of Joseph is also pertinent regarding the fate of his descendants in the Latter Days.

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s.2
[GEN 37:13] AND ISRAEL SAID UNTO JOSEPH, DO NOT THY BRETHREN FEED THE FLOCK IN SHECHEM? COME, AND I WILL SEND THEE UNTO THEM. AND HE SAID TO HIM, HERE AM I.

[GEN 37:14] AND HE SAID TO HIM, GO, I PRAY THEE, SEE WHETHER IT BE WELL WITH THY BRETHREN, AND WELL WITH THE FLOCKS; AND BRING ME WORD AGAIN. SO HE SENT HIM OUT OF THE VALE OF HEBRON, AND HE CAME TO SHECHEM

They were living in Hebron. Today just outside of Hebron is the Jewish city of Kiryat Arba with about 8-9000 inhabitants. It is comprised of high-rise apartments. Everyplace can be reached on foot from within the city within 5 to 10 minutes. Yair Davidi and John Hulley used to be neighbors in Kiryat Arba. There was a whole group of similarly-minded people living there at the same time. All of them were interested in the Lost Ten Tribes and some of them had done original research on the subject. We used to have very fruitful discussions etc.

[GEN 37:15] AND A CERTAIN MAN FOUND HIM, AND, BEHOLD, HE WAS WANDERING IN THE FIELD: AND THE MAN ASKED HIM, SAYING, WHAT SEEKEST THOU?

[GEN 37:16] AND HE SAID, I SEEK MY BRETHREN: TELL ME, I PRAY THEE, WHERE THEY FEED THEIR FLOCKS.

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Joseph sought his brethren. Today the task of all of us is to seek our Tribal brethren.

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From: Yair Davidi (britam@netvision.net.il)
To: heb_roots_chr@hebroots.org
Subject: VeYigash: Haftorah

VeYigash: Haftorah

Our weekly studies are built on that portion of the Torah being read on the Sabbath in the Synagogue. In addition to the Torah reading a short extract from the Prophets is also read. This is known as the Haftorah. The portion of the Prophets chosen usually has some connection with the weekly portion of the Torah. Usually we do not mention the Haftorah in these studies but this week is a bit different.

The Haftorah for this week is given below followed by Commentary.

[EZEK 37:15] THE WORD OF THE LORD CAME AGAIN UNTO ME, SAYING,

[EZEK 37:16] MOREOVER, THOU SON OF MAN, TAKE THEE ONE STICK, AND WRITE UPON IT, FOR JUDAH, AND FOR THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL HIS COMPANIONS: THEN TAKE ANOTHER STICK, AND WRITE UPON IT, FOR JOSEPH, THE STICK OF EPHRAIM AND FOR ALL THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL HIS COMPANIONS:

[EZEK 37:17] AND JOIN THEM ONE TO ANOTHER INTO ONE STICK; AND THEY SHALL BECOME ONE IN THINE HAND.

[EZEK 37:18] AND WHEN THE CHILDREN OF THY PEOPLE SHALL SPEAK UNTO THEE, SAYING, WILT THOU NOT SHEW US WHAT THOU MEANEST BY THESE?

[EZEK 37:19] SAY UNTO THEM, THUS SAITH THE LORD GOD; BEHOLD, I WILL TAKE THE STICK OF JOSEPH, WHICH IS IN THE HAND OF EPHRAIM, AND THE TRIBES OF ISRAEL HIS FELLOWS, AND WILL PUT THEM WITH HIM, EVEN WITH THE STICK OF JUDAH, AND MAKE THEM ONE STICK, AND THEY SHALL BE ONE IN MINE HAND.

[EZEK 37:20] AND THE STICKS WHEREON THOU WRITEST SHALL BE IN THINE HAND BEFORE THEIR EYES.

[EZEK 37:21] AND SAY UNTO THEM, THUS SAITH THE LORD GOD; BEHOLD, I WILL TAKE THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL FROM AMONG THE HEATHEN, WHITHER THEY BE GONE, AND WILL GATHER THEM ON EVERY SIDE, AND BRING THEM INTO THEIR OWN LAND:

[EZEK 37:22] AND I WILL MAKE THEM ONE NATION IN THE LAND UPON THE MOUNTAINS OF ISRAEL; AND ONE KING SHALL BE KING TO THEM ALL: AND THEY SHALL BE NO MORE TWO NATIONS, NEITHER SHALL THEY BE DIVIDED INTO TWO KINGDOMS ANY MORE AT ALL.

[EZEK 37:23] NEITHER SHALL THEY DEFILE THEMSELVES ANY MORE WITH THEIR IDOLS, NOR WITH THEIR DETESTABLE THINGS, NOR WITH ANY OF THEIR
TRANSGRESSIONS: BUT I WILL SAVE THEM OUT OF ALL THEIR DWELLINGPLACES, WHEREIN THEY HAVE SINNED, AND WILL CLEANSE THEM: SO SHALL THEY BE MY PEOPLE, AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD.

[EZEK 37:24] AND DAVID MY SERVANT SHALL BE KING OVER THEM; AND THEY ALL SHALL HAVE ONE SHEPHERD: THEY SHALL ALSO WALK IN MY JUDGMENTS, AND OBSERVE MY STATUTES, AND DO THEM.

[EZEK 37:25] AND THEY SHALL DWELL IN THE LAND THAT I HAVE GIVEN UNTO JACOB MY SERVANT, WHEREIN YOUR FATHERS HAVE DWELT; AND THEY SHALL DWELL THEREIN, EVEN THEY, AND THEIR CHILDREN, AND THEIR CHILDREN'S CHILDREN FOR EVER: AND MY SERVANT DAVID SHALL BE THEIR PRINCE FOR EVER.

[EZEK 37:26] MOREOVER I WILL MAKE A COVENANT OF PEACE WITH THEM; IT SHALL BE AN EVERLASTING COVENANT WITH THEM: AND I WILL PLACE THEM, AND MULTIPLY THEM, AND WILL SET MY SANCTUARY IN THE MIDST OF THEM FOR EVERMORE.

[EZEK 37:27] MY TABERNACLE ALSO SHALL BE WITH THEM: YEA, I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE.

[EZEK 37:28] AND THE HEATHEN SHALL KNOW THAT I THE LORD DO SANCTIFY ISRAEL, WHEN MY SANCTUARY SHALL BE IN THE MIDST OF THEM FOR EVERMORE.

Commentary by Yair Davidi:

Both the side of Judah and Joseph have HIS COMPANIONS. Amongst Judah there are descendants of the Ten Tribes and amongst Joseph are descendants of Judah. In an early article in Tribesman we quoted the Commentary of Malbim saying that the above passage indicates that in the future union of Joseph and Judah Joseph at first will be in the political ascendancy. The Commentators say on this week's portion (VaYigash) that because Judah took responsibility for Benjamin he merited to be given responsibility as part of his Tribal Destiny. From Judah emerges the House of David and future Messiah. This week I came across a Commentary from the Lubavitcher (Chabad) Rabbi on VaYigash.

s.1 [GEN 44:18] THEN JUDAH CAME NEAR UNTO HIM, AND SAID, OH MY LORD, LET THY SERVANT, I PRAY THEE, SPEAK A WORD IN MY LORD'S EARS, AND LET NOT THINE ANGER BURN AGAINST THY SERVANT: FOR THOU ART EVEN AS PHARAOH.

"FOR THOU ART EVEN AS PHARAOH" : the Rabbi quotes the source saying that Judah meant to say that Joseph is as powerful as Pharaoh and that Judah acknowledges his authority. Because of this Judah merits the Promise in Ezekiel (from the Haftorah) "MY SERVANT DAVID SHALL BE THEIR PRINCE FOR EVER". The Rabbi says that in order for Judah to bring on the Messiah and realize the promise "MY SERVANT DAVID SHALL BE THEIR PRINCE FOR EVER" Judah must first do as the Patriarch Judah did when he CAME NEAR UNTO Joseph and received initial influence from Joseph. The Rabbi then went on to mention how the USA is a merciful state that does kindness and enables the Jews to practice their religion and has good principles. He used the term "Chesed" meaning kindness. The Kings of the Ten Tribes Kingdom of northern Israel before their exile were also described as "merciful kings", kings of "chesed" (1-Kings 20:31). I figured that we in Brit-Am could also benefit from this message.

FROM EDDIE CHUMNEY:

The following contains the commentary in the ArtScroll Tanach Series on Ezekiel (Yechezkel). This is an Orthodox Jewish published book which contains an anthology from Talmudic, Midrsashic and Rabbinic sources. I have the hardcover edition. The ISBN is 0-89906-085-4. The book can be ordered by calling 1-800-MESORAH or by going to the website: (http://www.artscroll.com).

The Orthodox Jewish commentary for Ezekiel 37:15-28 from the Artscroll Tanach series on page 572 reads as follows:

"Yechezkel is to perform another symbolic act. He is to take two wooden tablets, one of them inscribed with the words. 'For Judah and the children of Israel' his comrades (the tribe of Benjamin) and the other inscribed with the words 'For Joseph, Ephraim's tablet, and all the family of Israel his comraes (the ten tribes)' and join them together so that the two tablets become one in his hands. When people ask him to explain the significance of his actions, he is to say that they symbolize the unity of Israel after God gathers the exiles. Where formerly there had been two kingdoms, the Messianic era will see a single unified nation, never more to be divided, under the rule of one Davidic king. The presence of the ten tribes, who had been driven into exile by Assyria some 140 years before the Destruction, is an indispensible component of Yechezkel's projection of the Messianic era ... Israel had always been defined in terms of its twelve tribes [See Bava Basra 115b. It is a tradition that no tribe will be wiped out.] Ramban (Mosen ben Nachman) in Sefer HaGeulah, Sha'ar I, brings at least eight proofs beside the two cited here that Scripture assumes a return of the ten tribes (See also Maharal in Gur Aryeh to Genesis 45:14). When Joseph and Benjamin were reunited, they fell upon each other's neck and cried. Maharal explains that these were tears of joy. They recognized that their reunion symbolized the eventual reunion between the ten tribes (Joseph) and the two (Benjamin who remained with the Davidic dynasty)."

Therefore from these Orthodox Jewish rabbinic commentaries, it is clear that:

#1) The rabbis view Ezekiel 37:15-28 as a prophecy of the FUTURE reunion between the ten lost tribes (Joseph) and the present Jewish people (Judah) in the end of days

#2) The story in the book of Genesis of Joseph revealing himself to his brothers is a PROPHETIC FORESHADOWING of the future reunification between the ten lost tribes of Joseph and the present Jewish people (Judah).

Furthermore, there was also a dispute among the rabbis whether the Ten Lost tribes will return in the FUTURE and be reunited with the Jewish people of Judah or whether the Ten Lost Tribes will ever return from their exile. It was NEVER a consideration of the rabbis that the ten lost tribes have ALREADY been reunited with the Jewish people of Judah and thus fulfilling the prophecy of Ezekiel 37:15-28. It was the opinion of Rabbi Akiva (who lived in 135 CE or A.D.) that the Ten Lost Tribes will NEVER return. However, it was the opinion of Rabbi Elazar that the Ten Lost Tribes will return and be reunited with the Jewish people of Judah in Messianic times. Therefore, the rabbis NEVER considered that the Ten Lost Tribes had ALREADY been reunited with the Jewish people of Judah as is the present position of Messianic Jewish organizations. On page 572-573 of the Artscroll Tanach series on Ezekiel, the commentary on Ezekiel 37:15-28 continues by saying:

"The question must be asked: Where will the ten tribes, which have been lost since their dispersal, come from? The Mishnah, in Sanhedrin 110b records a dispute between R' Akiva and R' Elazar. In R' Akiva's opinion, the ten tribes are not destined to return (see also Toras Kohanim, Leviticus 26:38). R' Elazar holds that 'just as the day darkens and then becomes light, so the darkness which befell the ten tribes will one day be changed into light.' ... in light of the many passages in Scripture which seem to assume the presence of all twelve tribes ... many Midrashim which describe in detail where the ten tribes are located and the form which their redemption will take (e.g. Pesikta Rabbasi 31, Yerushalami Sanhedrin 10:6, Bamidbar Rabbah 16:15) ..."

In Yevamot 16b and 17a, the Ten Lost Tribe are regarded as GENTILES in their dispersion. The following articles comes from Rabbi Moshe Koniuchowsky of the Union of Two House Messianic congregations.

From: Rabbi Moshe Joseph Koniuchowsky [mailto:ravmoshe@bellsouth.net]
To:heb_roots_chr@hebroots.org
Subject: Jewish Talmud confirms Bible on Latter-Day Gentiles as
being 10 Tribes of Israel

Babylonian Talmud Yebamot 17A verse 19, is where the rabbis discuss the status of what does and does not constitute a legitimate son of Israel.

In verse 19 it says about the ten tribes that "they were declared [by the prior sages] to be "perfect [complete] heathen" ." This proves that the real "Jewish rabbis" [as opposed to those who deny that born again non-Jews are Ephraim (the MJAA / UMJC)] considered the ten tribes to have become halachiclly PERFECT OR COMPLETELY GENTILE / GOYIM.

Yebamot 17A verse 19b goes on to quote scripture by stating: "As it it is said in the Scriptures, They have dealt treacherously against the Lord, for they have begotten STRANGE [FOREIGN] (Hosea 5:7)." These strange foreign children were the former house of Ephraim/Israel. Jeremiah confrms that Ephraim are the latter day Gentiles by stating "you have turned before me into the degenerate plant of a 'STRANGE' vine." They went from a green olive tree in Jer 2:20, Jer. 11:16-17 to a broken off STRANGE FOREIGN [TO ISRAEL IDENTITIY AND LIFESTYLE] plant. These are in fact the 'wild olive branches of Romans 11!!

Is this what the shaliach Keefa had in mind when in 1 Peter 2:9 when he called the ekklessia a nation of peculiar or STRANGE children/people???

FROM EDDIE:

Please read the Orthodox Jewish commentary below on the story in Genesis where Joseph reveals himself to his brothers. Please also see how the Orthodox Jews view the story of Joseph revealing himself to his brothers as a prophetic foreshadowing of the FUTURE restoration and reunification of the Ten Tribes (Joseph) with the Jewish people of Judah. I have just started to write my 4th book and it is entitled, "Joseph Reveals Himself To His Brothers" based upon these prophecies. In this book, I will have a chapter on the Orthodox Jewish view of the Ten Lost Tribes being reunited with Judah in the end of days.

From: Ohr Somayach <ohr@ohr.edu>
To: weekly@ohr.edu
Subject: Torah Weekly - Vayigash

* TORAH WEEKLY *
Highlights of the Weekly Torah Portion
Parshat Vayigash
For the week ending 11 Tevet 5761 / 6 January, 2001

With the discovery of the goblet in Binyamin's sack, the brothers are confused. Yehuda alone steps forward and eloquently but firmly petitions Yosef for Binyamin's release, offering himself instead. As a result of this act of total selflessness, Yosef finally has irrefutable proof that his brothers are different people from the ones who cast him into the pit, and so he now reveals to them that he is none other than their brother. The brothers shrink from him in shame, but Yosef consoles them, telling them that everything has been part of Hashem's plan. He sends them back to their father Yaakov with a message to come and reside in the land of Goshen. At first, Yaakov cannot accept the news, but when he recognizes hidden signs in the message which positively identify the sender as his son Yosef, his spirit is revived. Yaakov together with all his family and possessions sets out for Goshen. Hashem communicates with Yaakov in a vision at night. He tells him not to fear going down to Egypt and its negative spiritual consequences, because it is there that Hashem will establish the Children of Israel as a great nation even though they will be dwelling in a land steeped in immorality and corruption. The Torah lists Yaakov's offspring and hints to the birth of Yocheved, who will be the mother of Moshe Rabbeinu. Seventy souls in total descend into Egypt, where Yosef is reunited with his father after 22 years of separation. He embraces his father and weeps, overflowing with joy. Yosef secures the settlement of his family in Goshen. Yosef takes his father Yaakov and five of the least threatening of his brothers to be presented to Pharaoh, and Yaakov blesses Pharaoh. Yosef instructs that in return for grain, all the people of Egypt must give everything to Pharaoh, including themselves as his slaves. Yosef then redistributes the population, except for the Egyptian priests who are directly supported by a stipend from Pharaoh. The Children of Israel become settled, and their numbers multiply greatly.

INSIGHTS

ON FINAL APPROACH

"And Yehuda approached..." 44:18

The source for this eventual re-unification is in this week's Torah portion where there is another meeting of two worlds. Yehuda and Yosef. The world of revelation and the world of concealment. Yehuda represents the revealed majesty of Israel -- the royal line of King David -- apparent and clear for all to see.

Yosef is the hidden majesty of Israel. Yosef recognizes his brothers, but they do not recognize him. He is the hidden spark of Israel -- the pintele yid -- which is hidden, burning away in exile, throughout all the "Egypts" of history. Yosef is the Jewish spark that never goes out. The eternal flame. From the outside, Yosef looks like a gentile ruler of a gentile nation, but inside he is every bit a Jew. So it is with every Jew: However far he may stray from his roots, inside burns the spark of his Jewishness, even if he never learned alef beit. He is bound to his inescapable holiness even when he is dragged through the spiritual sewers of a hostile world.

"And Yehuda approached..."

Yehuda approaching Yosef. Revealed majesty meeting concealed majesty.

Yosef. Like the deep waters of a well, hidden, sealed over by a great stone. Sealed by the constrictions of a physical world and all its cares.

Yehuda. Like a bucket reaching down into the depths to draw up from him the pure still waters. To reveal Yosef to himself.

"And Yehuda approached..." The connection of two worlds. A FORESHADOWING of the ULTIMATE REDEMPTION. Yosef crying as he is re-united with his brothers.

When we cry for Israel, when we cry for all our brothers and sisters who are still in "Egypt," when we cry for all the hate and the violence, we should remember that just as Yosef was revealed to his brothers in tears, so too the ULTIMATE REDEMPTION comes in tears.

Then, the son of King David, the scion of Yehuda, will gather us from the four corners of the earth, and he will rule in revelation, in majesty with head held high.

Sources:
* Rabbi Shlomo Yosef Zevin, L'Torah Ul'Moadim
* Rabbi Mendel Hirsch

From: Yair Davidi (britam@netvision.net.il)
To: heb_roots_chr@hebroots.org
Subject: Re-Union between Joseph and Judah

There will be a future re-union of Judah and Joseph. Neither the MALBIM nor Rabbi Schneerson were consciously aware that JOSEPH is to be identified with the "Anglo Saxon" related peoples, i.e. the British, North Americans, and "colonial" cousins. Nevertheless, their description of the relationship between Judah and Joseph finds some parallels in recent times with that between the Jews and "Anglo-Saxon" nations. As pointed out in Ephraim, the "Anglo-Saxon" nations are really the only cultural-ethnic bloc that is capable (barring supernatural miracles) of physically fulfilling the role ascribed to "Joseph" in Jewish sources. They are the only ones capable of defeating the combined forces of Edom (Germany and Europe) and Ishmael (the Moslem peoples) in armed confrontation. They are also the only ones who unto now have actively assisted the Jews in settling the Land of Israel. They have taken this task upon themselves almost as part of an obligation springing from their own national heritage. This point holds despite mistaken and negative stands often taken by certain politicians and national leaders against the Jewish-Israelis. There are some bad Israelites, some bad Jews, and some bad people of other origins in Israelite nations. The "Anglo-Saxon" nations in the past have proved themselves capable of successfully organizing the orderly and secure mass movement of their own peoples in colonization enterprises. Quite a few people write to me expressing a wish to come and settle in Israel. They say that since they belong to the Lost Ten tribes then the State of Israel should recognize their right to come and live here. This is not the message we are promoting. The Jewish People are not ready for such innovations and neither are the Lost Ten Tribes. Joseph and Judah will re-unite. They will re-unite as groups not as masses of individuals making partisan decisions on their own. If someone feels an attachment to the Jewish people and wishes to identify with the Jewish people that is his own blessing or problem or both together. It is not the major import of the Brit-Am message. We say that the Lost Ten Tribes can be identified as being on the whole amongst certain peoples. They have an identity of their own. They should be made aware of this identity. Someone who believes in our message should endeavor to spread knowledge of the truth of this identity. He should endeavor to do God's will and encourage others to do so as well. The result can only be for the good. People who believe in this message are being called on to better themselves and assist others and not necessarily abandon them. There are exceptions. A re-union will eventually occur. The sooner the better. Spreading this knowledge is a first step in this process and can speed it up. The Twelve Tribes of Israel had split in two: The greater part became known as the Kingdom of Israel and the smaller part as the Kingdom of Judah. The Kingdom of Judah however was the part that remained faithful to the House of David and maintained the Temple service in Jerusalem. Both Kingdoms transgressed but in some ways the transgressions of the northern kingdom were greater and lasted longer. At times the two Kingdoms warred against each other. At other times they co-operated. The Prophets did not always look favorably on too close a relationship between the two parties. In the Book of Kings it relates that King Jehoshaphat of Judah made ships in the southern port of Elat to sail to Ophir meaning in my opinion to southern Africa though others say South America. The ships were destroyed apparently in a storm. Ahaziah the King of Northern Israel then suggested that some of his men be sent in the ships. People from the Northern Kingdom were experienced sea-farers. They were in effect part of the Phoenician sailing enterprise. Jehoshaphat of Judah however did not accept the offer of King Ahaziah of Israel.

The re-union between Judah and Joseph can only take place when both are ready for it and Joseph has undertaken to reform himself. In 1-Kings chapter 12 it is related how the Northern Ten Tribes sent to King Rehoboam the son of Solomon the son of David the son of Jesse a delegation. They requested an alleviation of taxes. Rehoboam refused and the people reacted:

"SO WHEN ALL ISRAEL SAW THAT THE KING HEARKENED NOT UNTO THEM, THE PEOPLE ANSWERED THE KING, SAYING, WHAT PORTION HAVE WE IN DAVID? NEITHER HAVE WE INHERITANCE IN THE SON OF JESSE: TO YOUR TENTS, O ISRAEL: NOW SEE TO THINE OWN HOUSE, DAVID. SO ISRAEL DEPARTED UNTO THEIR TENTS" (1-Kings 12:16).

They were rejecting the House of David son of Jesse represented by Rehoboam. They broke away from Jerusalem and the Temple Service and instituted their own religion. They set up their own kingdom and made Jeroboam the son of Nebat from the Tribe of Ephraim their king. Later these Tribes were exiled and became the Lost Ten Tribes. Concerning this event the Midrash (Midrash Shmuel 13, Yalkut Shomeoni-2, remez 106, Rashi on Hosea 3;5) tells us: <<Against three things were the Children of Israel destined to show contempt: Against the Rule of Heaven, against the Kingdom of David, and against the Holy Temple. This occurred in the Reign of King Jeroboam. They said, WHAT PORTION HAVE WE IN DAVID? In effect this meant rebellion against the Kingdom of Heaven [by whom David had been appointed]. They also said, "NEITHER HAVE WE INHERITANCE IN THE SON OF JESSE": This meant a rejection of the House of David [son of Jesse] in general. They said too, "TO YOUR TENTS, O ISRAEL: NOW SEE TO THINE OWN HOUSE, DAVID": This meant turning their back on the Holy Temple. [The expression TO YOUR TENTS, O ISRAEL in some opinions was a play on words. The real intention of the expression or the original expression had been "TO YOUR GODS O ISRAEL" (Rashi, Radak, Minchat Shi). The Hebrew for YOUR TENTS and YOUR GODS uses the same letters with only a slight change of order, Elohecha ("Your gods") versus Ohelecha ("Your tents= "). The motivation for breaking away from the Kingdom of David had been at least in part a desire to commit idolatry. Jeroboam almost immediately set up two gold calves and all the Northern Kingdom began worshipping them].

The Midrash continues: Rabbi Shimeon the son of Menasiah said: Israel will not see a blessing until they return and seek out the three things they rejected. As it says in Hosea:

"AFTERWARD SHALL THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL RETURN, AND SEEK THE LORD THEIR GOD, AND DAVID THEIR KING; AND SHALL FEAR THE LORD AND HIS GOODNESS IN THE LATTER DAYS" (HOSEA 3:5). This means:

[HOSEA 3:5] AFTERWARD SHALL THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL RETURN, AND SEEK THE LORD THEIR GOD, - this is the Kingdom of Heaven.

AND DAVID THEIR KING; - This is the Kingdom of the House of David. AND SHALL FEAR THE LORD AND HIS GOODNESS IN THE LATTER DAYS This is the building of the Third Temple.

Another Midrash says:

About the Ten Tribes it is written: "WOE TO THEM THAT DEVISE INIQUITY, AND WORK EVIL UPON THEIR BEDS! (Micah 2;1) which is at night. Also even during the day [they do the same] "WHEN THE MORNING IS LIGHT, THEY PRACTISE IT" (Micah 2;1). In the Generation of the deluge none survived. Why should these [from the Ten Tribes] have survived? They survived by virtue of the righteous men and women who were destined to emerge from them.

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