Patriarchal Blessing - Tribe Designation has very little information?

[cagnition]

So I was baptized nearly a year ago, and I had my Patriarchal Blessing about a month ago, and I, amid the interview and talking about my family, mentioned how my family on my father’s side were German Immigrants during World War II. And that we had confirmed that they were Jewish (we are not Jewish, as that is something passed through the mother, not the father). But that I had researched it and found we were of the Ashkenazi heritage.

 This all said, I was recognized under the Tribe of Simeon, which is a Lost Tribe, and I can’t find anything on what their responsibilities are, their traits, etc. Aside from ‘anger = bad’ and a lot of ‘when you get mad, stay away from swords’ jokes, I can’t find anything. I’ve searched apocryphal and rabbinical texts as well and there’s nothing I can find— am I missing something?

[InCognitus]

2 hours ago, cagnition said:

So I was baptized nearly a year ago, and I had my Patriarchal Blessing about a month ago, and I, amid the interview and talking about my family, mentioned how my family on my father’s side were German Immigrants during World War II. And that we had confirmed that they were Jewish (we are not Jewish, as that is something passed through the mother, not the father). But that I had researched it and found we were of the Ashkenazi heritage.

 This all said, I was recognized under the Tribe of Simeon, which is a Lost Tribe, and I can’t find anything on what their responsibilities are, their traits, etc. Aside from ‘anger = bad’ and a lot of ‘when you get mad, stay away from swords’ jokes, I can’t find anything. I’ve searched apocryphal and rabbinical texts as well and there’s nothing I can find— am I missing something?

Welcome to the board.  

I think it's way cool that you are from one of the so called lost tribes.  And I also find it interesting what you say above about your Jewish heritage.  

Let me also say that I'm no expert on this topic, but years ago I put together an Excel spreadsheet comparing the blessing of Jacob to his twelve sons in Genesis 49 to the blessing of Moses to the twelve tribes in Deuteronomy 33.  In the Genesis 49 blessing, Simeon and Levi are combined in their blessing (Genesis 49:5-7 - and it's not particularly nice considering Jacob's displeasure with them because of what happened in Genesis 34:25-31).  And in the Deuteronomy 33 blessing from Moses, Simeon is totally omitted.  I was curious about the reason for the omission, and I found the following in a Jewish commentary:

"We note the omission of Simeon [in Deut 33], who is joined with Levi in Jacob's Blessing, Gen. XLIX, 5.  The probable explanation is that Jacob had foretold that both Simeon and Levi should have their territories divided up among the other tribes.  As Simeon's possessions consisted of only 19 unconnected cities within the territory of Judah (Josh. XIX, 2-9), the tribe of Simeon was regarded as included in Judah."  (The Pentateuch and Haftorahs - Hebrew Text English Translation and Commentary, Soncino Press, London, second edition, 1960 p. 911)

This makes total sense, considering that Judah, Simeon, and part of the tribe of Benjamin comprised the kingdom of Judah.  

But if Simeon was indeed regarded as included in Judah, your heritage seems to account for that.

Edited February 6 by InCognitus

[Kenngo1969]

@InCognitus

Wow.  You know stuff, Dude ... (or at least where to find stuff: Holy Obscure Sources, Batman! )

@cagnition

Nice Kitty!   Welcome to the Board.  (Grow a thick skin: This Board attracts all kinds! )

[bsjkki]

On 2/5/2023 at 9:24 PM, InCognitus said:

Welcome to the board.  

I think it's way cool that you are from one of the so called lost tribes.  And I also find it interesting what you say above about your Jewish heritage.  

Let me also say that I'm no expert on this topic, but years ago I put together an Excel spreadsheet comparing the blessing of Jacob to his twelve sons in Genesis 49 to the blessing of Moses to the twelve tribes in Deuteronomy 33.  In the Genesis 49 blessing, Simeon and Levi are combined in their blessing (Genesis 49:5-7 - and it's not particularly nice considering Jacob's displeasure with them because of what happened in Genesis 34:25-31).  And in the Deuteronomy 33 blessing from Moses, Simeon is totally omitted.  I was curious about the reason for the omission, and I found the following in a Jewish commentary:

"We note the omission of Simeon [in Deut 33], who is joined with Levi in Jacob's Blessing, Gen. XLIX, 5.  The probable explanation is that Jacob had foretold that both Simeon and Levi should have their territories divided up among the other tribes.  As Simeon's possessions consisted of only 19 unconnected cities within the territory of Judah (Josh. XIX, 2-9), the tribe of Simeon was regarded as included in Judah."  (The Pentateuch and Haftorahs - Hebrew Text English Translation and Commentary, Soncino Press, London, second edition, 1960 p. 911)

This makes total sense, considering that Judah, Simeon, and part of the tribe of Benjamin comprised the kingdom of Judah.  

But if Simeon was indeed regarded as included in Judah, your heritage seems to account for that.

What do you know about the tribe of Joseph? 

[rodheadlee]

Gen 49

5 ¶ ^aSimeon and ^bLevi are brethren; instruments of ^ccruelty are in their habitations.

6 O my soul, come not thou into their secret; unto their assembly, mine honour, be not thou ^aunited: for in their ^banger they ^cslew a man, and in their selfwill they digged down a wall.

7 ^aCursed be their ^banger, for it was fierce; and their wrath, for it was ^ccruel: I will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel.

 

 

 

[Kenngo1969]

I wouldn't necessarily take Old Testament pronouncements as the final word on the missions of any of the Tribes ... Thank Goodness, and, in fact, Thank God!  

[rodheadlee]

36 minutes ago, Kenngo1969 said:

I wouldn't necessarily take Old Testament pronouncements as the final word on the missions of any of the Tribes ... Thank Goodness, and, in fact, Thank God!  

It was a blessing given by Jacob on his Deathbed. Probably the whole chapter should be read.

[Pyreaux]

Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs: Testament of Simeon says Simeon was born blessed with valour, but was jealous of Joseph, and had a mind to kill him but God delivered him out if his hands. For Judah sold him while Simeon went to Shechem to bring ointment for the flocks. His Valor comes from when he stood with Levi as they waged the "war of the Lord", and conquered all. "And they shall be few in number, divided in Levi and Judah, and there shall be none of you for sovereignty, even as also our father prophesied in his blessings..."

Simeon commands: remove from you your envy and all stiff-neckedness... As a rose shall Simeon flourish in Israel... Obey Levi and Judah, and be not lifted up against them, for from them shall arise priests and Kings. The tribe was to observe these commandments throughout their generations.

There might be more in the Biblical Antiquities of Philo (Pseudo-Philo) and other alternative insights into justness of Levi and Simeon's campaign. Levi was a prophet and was blessed of Isaac, instead of Jacob (thus not contradictory), the anger and fear of Jacob that his two sons were going to upset their neighbors to move against them as it turns out was unjustified.

 

Edited February 10 by Pyreaux

[rodheadlee]

23 hours ago, Kenngo1969 said:

I wouldn't necessarily take Old Testament pronouncements as the final word on the missions of any of the Tribes ... Thank Goodness, and, in fact, Thank God!  

It's a beginning, of each tribe. They can be recognized today by what Jacob, who became Israel, prophesied about them. Genesis is perhaps one of the most important scriptures that we have. It's not the final word but the beginning words. It shows the personality of Jehovah, who is Christ and Heavenly Father as well as introducing us to Israel. There are prophesies for all of the tribes. I recommend reading chapter 48 and 49. It's no accident that Britain and the USA were instrumental in bringing the country of Israel back to life after 2000 years. Ephraim and Manasseh. I can't decide which is which today.

  We also need to remember the Articles of Faith. #2 is important for this situation.

2 We believe that men will be ^apunished for their ^bown sins, and not for ^cAdam’s transgression.

 

[rodheadlee]

And they all moved away from me there on the group W bench.

[Duncan]

 I wonder what real difference tribal differences make as in aren't we all suppose to do missionary work, temple work, if it all comes out the same work, what point really are these tribal differences?