Ireland is the only remaining Celtic nation that wasn’t absorbed by larger nation-states. According to myth, the Sons of Mils were survivors of the Great Flood and descendants from Noah’s line, subsequently reaching Ireland from Spain. Whether this is true or not, there certainly is an Iberian connection. When considering the antiquity of lineages in the western world, the Irish are only exceeded by the Jews. The Jews have proven themselves through the millennia how resilient they are in retaining their personal identity. I think it’s safe to say, the Irish, as well.

Patrick, who was later canonized a Saint, was himself first captured from Roman Britain and made into a slave when his name was Patricius. He was also the first human being, in recorded history, to speak out against slavery. Though he obviously did not chase the snakes out of Ireland, he did rid the continent of so much evil, and very possibly had been responsible for the end of slavery in Ireland. Were these bad things euphemistically referred to as snakes?

It was also said that when he came in contact with someone who might do him harm, he would utter a prayer in Irish that was soon enough referred to as, “Saint Patrick’s Breastplate.” Also known as “The Deer’s Cry,” because he resembled a deer to those who tried to hurt him, was it not the “Sign of the Kohen,” a distinct manner of holding the fingers of the hand up to the head while praying, which might be mistaken for antlers? The Kohanim were the priestly class of Jews and blessed the people in a ceremony know as Nesiat Kapayim (the raising of hands).

Yes, surely it could be a coincidence. But how does one explain the willingness to pervert the hands in such a manner during spiritual pursuit? For instance, the third and fourth fingers are spread as far apart as possible, while tightly touching the respective second and fifth fingers and the thumb is perpendicular to the second. (like the hand sign Spock gave in sci-fi adventure, Star Trek).

It is also interesting to realize, Patrick’s spiritual teachings were that of a Jewish rabbi’s human sensitivity, not the rigidly harsh laws that would establish the doctrine of the coming Roman Catholic church.

The Jews considered themselves the chosen by God, God being the static perfection of all totality and everything beyond our comprehension. The Irish, with their courage and natural sense of mysticism believed all the world and all the body was holy. Is there really a difference?

The Jews wholeheartedly believe in the perpetual study of the Talmud and increasing one’s education as a necessary tool for enlightenment. The Irish monks, during what we call the Dark Ages, were responsible for saving western civilization because they cherished books and antiquity, translating and writing down everything they could get their hands on; Hebrew, Greek, Latin, Aramaic, Coptic; so to guarantee the perpetuation of this knowledge. As Europe fell further into the darkness of the Medieval, post Roman Empire, they were the light. And like the Jews, perpetuated the whole reason of continuation; enlightenment. If the Irish are not one of the lost tribes of Israel, they ought to be! 10/14/09