Pho for Beginners

Name: Pho for Beginners
Ingredients: 5 lb beef leg knuckle bones (parboiled for best taste) or 3lb. of any beef bones plus 2 lb. Oxtail; 5 shallots; 1 5'' piece of ginger; 2 pieces dried cardamom (crushed); 1 cinnamon stick; 2 tbs. cloves; 1 tsp. fennel seeds; 2 tsp. coriander seeds; 1/3 cup fish sauce; 2 lbs beef brisket; 2 lbs small flat rice noodles; Cilantro leaves; Thai basil leaves; 1 yellow onion, soaked in cold water for 20 minutes and thinly sliced; 2 chiles; 2 tbsp rice vinegar; thinly sliced scallion greens; salt to taste; pepper to taste