Susanna set her pot upon the capstone of the trilith she had erected over the fire. It burned brightly and pushed back the night. She poked at the ashes with a stick, then added some wood gathered during the day to the glowing embers. She threw an handful of dried grass and thorns and the grass crackled and flared, passing the flame to the thorns. She camped alone in the ruined courtyard of Miri’s house. Though rooms were still intact, she could not bring herself to retire within any. She felt safer in the open and under the stars.

     She was not alone.

     All about her were the whispering Souls of the Dead. She was not unnerved by it, for they had always been there. She accepted them as others accept trees and flowers, the birds and the bees. She was sometimes annoyed by one or the other, sometimes amused, and sometimes, she ignored them as her thoughts tumbled about within her. There were days when it was difficult to separate the ghosts from the living, and in those times, she usually withdrew a little, for the living were less forgiving of strangeness in their fellow beings. It was the Soul through which she knew someone, in the hard world, as well as the soft.

     The Soft world was filled with shadows. Wraiths that incorporated or decorporated, appearing sometimes only for an instant, or followed her for days. She knew that she saw things that others did not, and that was both a blessing and a curse, but now, after the raid, she had fled her own body, and that worried her. She had never done that before and she was afraid she might be drawn more and more into the netherworld behind the hard edged place into which she had been born.

     And so, staring into the fire, she held her hands out to feel the warmth of the flame, and the heat was her anchor. Her basket had been empty, and she had decided that filling it daily would keep her in the here and now, and she harvested whatever she could, but others had flown from the estate, and it was, once again, left to the Jiin and the ghosts that rode the night zephyrs. An owl hooted mournfully from the olive grove, and she looked up. The great bird sat silently upon a gnarled branch as if waiting for her. Once it had her attention, it fell into the air and soundlessly soared to the Tree of Love at the end of the lane. From where she sat, she could see the great tree. The walls had once hidden it from where she sat.

     She lifted her basket. And carried it toward the great tree. It was thirsty. She set the basket down on the stone bench and dipped the communal bucket into the pool beside the road, and carried the water with both hands wrapped about the bucket to where the Owl and the Tree awaited. Here, she felt safe, for the Tree and the Owl were in the real world. The place she had once thought of as home was now a desolate wasteland haunted only by spirits. She could not return. She would wait beside the tree as she always had, and tend to its needs. That was her Purpose.

     The moment her realization had formed, a large snake slithered across the road, and disappeared into the Tree. She was not alarmed for the tree buzzed with life. The owl and the snake had come to join her. Ants and beetles trundled about its base and along the bark. Here, under the welcoming arms of her tree, the maiden felt safe. Lilith sat in the branches turning serenely this way and that, and Ouranos curled in the roots of the tree, and they became as One. With the Tree of Life.

     Eli was awoken by a repeated knocking at his gate. It must have been going on for quite some time, for it had entered his dreams and become as a woodpecker rapping on the tree overhanging the house. It annoyed him but he ignored it as best he could until the irritating sound dragged him from sleep. The rapping stopped.

     It must have been a dream he thought. He could see the faint glow of dawn in the Eastern sky, and decided he might as well get up. As he planted his feet on the floor and slipped on his sandals, the faint knocking came again. Curious, he padded to the edge of the roof and peered into the alley.

     “Eli!” came a sharp whisper.

     “Miri?” he asked, recognizing the voice.

     “Let us in!”

     “Who is there?” Eli asked.

     “Yeshua is with me! And a friend, Yohannes the Priest!”

     “A Priest?”

     His curiosity was now piqued enough to open the door, and he descended the stairs.

     “Come on in!” he said as he swung the courtyard gate open.

     Moment by moment, the light was growing, and he noticed all three were dirty and dressed in rags!”

     “What in the name of-” he began, but Miri put her fingers ti his lips and Yeshua closed the gate firmly and dropped the bar across the entrance to secure it.

     “We need a place to stay!” she whispered.

     “My place is yours, Auntie,” replied Eli, “But what is going on?”

     Antipas was in a terrible position, and his rage betrayed him.

     Chuza stood quietly as Herod paced about the hall.

     “If I call on Pilatus, he will use it as an excuse to take over the Galilee! Haritar has more money in his hand than all the coffers of the temple! I need to raise a force! I have no choice but to call on Vitellius! God! He is going to be insufferable! What am I going to do?”

     The Sabbatical Year is starting,” suggested Chuza, “For a shekel a day, after New Year, we could probably bring five thousand men to arms!”

     “I should train Galileans in warfare?” asked Antipas.

     “We have supporters in Perea who could be persuaded it is in their best interests to back you. After all, you are a friend of Rome!”

     “Friend of Rome?” sneered Antipas, “Of what good is that, if they dictate the conditions of my rule?” The tetrarch growled at the sky. “It is so unfair!”

     He took a breath.

     “You are right!” he said calmly, “If I hire Galileans to fight, I can move them into Perea, and kill two birds with one stone. First, they will no longer be roaming the hills of Galilee with nothing to do, and secondly, they would willingly fight the pagans in Perea! How many men do I have to move into the field right now?”

     “Ten thousand perhaps,” replied Chuza.

     “We will move as many as possible to Galilee and begin a conscription of the farm labourers!”

     “We shall have to wait until the end of Elul!”

     “The women shall finish the harvest!” declared Antipas, “The men switch the oxen in the ass, while the women cut the sheaves!”

     Chuza had thought to protest, but kept his own counsel. He would try to delay the conscription day by day until the harvest was done. There would be a great deal of resistance to conscription, but the only alternative was to call in the Romans, and the Romans did not distinguish well between friend and foe once they were set loose upon the countryside. As much as he hated it, Antipas would have to assert order over the fields. If he did not, either Pilatus or Vitellius would step in and take over.

     Herodias entered the room.

     “What are you waiting for?” Antipas asked Chuza.

     “Your leave, your excellency!” replied Chuza.

     “I would speak with Chuza a moment!” declared Herodias.

     “Your sister in law is the Magdalene, is she not?”

     “The Magdalene?” asked Chuza.

     “That is what they are calling her,” said Herodias with disdain. “The Watchtower? Miriam of the Watchtower?”

     “She is my wife’s sister, yes!” replied Chuza.

     “She is member of the Baptists!”

     “I am unaware of that!” declared Chuza.

     “Yet you brought her food while she was incarcerated!”

     Chuza felt a knot in his stomach. Herodias was not one to cross, and she had a great deal of influence of Antipas, who was only benificent when he gained by it.

     “She is kin!” replied Chuza.

     “And blood is thicker than water!” declared Herodias sarcastically. “However, we expect you to report to us if she contacts you!”

     Chuza bowed without answering and backed out of the hall.

     He breathed a sigh of relief as the hearing room doors closed behind him.

     “Hard day?” asked a courtier.

     “Justus!” said Chuza in surprise, “What brings you to the palace?”

     “Same old, same old!” replied Justus, “I don’t envy you!”

     “Well, I have to run!” said Chuza.

     “Give my regards to your family!” said Justus.

     Something about his manner immediately led Chuza to suspect Justus had the ear of Herodias. As social planner for the palace, that would not be surprising.

     “How’s the wedding plans going?” asked Chuza.

     “You don’t even want to know!” declared Justus.

     The doorkeeper nodded to Justus.

     “Gotta go!” said Justus. He followed the doorman into the hearing room.

     “This is the way it stands!” said Yohanna looking about the room. Then she looked directly at Miri.

     “You are this close to being arrested and held prisoner! Anyone you associate with will be held under suspicion! Chuza will keep tabs on your situation, but if you fall under the thumb of Herodias, he may not be able to do anything to help you! Your estate has been seized by Antipas, and will be given to Justus and worked by an overseer.”

     “What about Yeshua?” asked Miri.

     “They know nothing of him!” said Yohanna, “But as the Baptist’s cousin, he should be careful!” She stared curiously and deeply at Yeshua, “Any suggestion you’re following in his footsteps will be extremely dangerous!”

     “Well!” said Yohannes, “It is obvious your best direction would be to flee to Egypt!”

     “I must return to my family!” said Yeshua, “I need to know they’re safe!”

     Yohannes shook his head. “If you go abroad in the lands of Antipas, you are running a great risk!”

     “I must know my family is safe!” said Yeshua. “Miri has to find Susanna and the others of her household. Once we have their ears, we can decide on our next step!”

     “I would suggest heading up through Samaria to avoid Perea,” said Eli, “There are agents of Antipas in the realm of Phillip as well! Though they have no authority there from Rome yet, Herodias and Antipas have consolidated their forces they will report whatever their eyes and ears can gather! You can stay here whenever there is need!” said Eli, “If you need to hide, you can stay here!. We shall arrange a signal that is is safe!”

     “Perhaps a ribbon tied to a tree?” suggested Miri.

     “There is a fig tree beside the house,” said Yohannes, “I saw it as I entered. But a ribbon could be taken away by a passerby”

     Eli thought for a moment. “I shall tie my young colt to the tree!” he said brightly. “He will not be untied by others for it would be obvious he belongs to the house. He will have shade there, and he will appreciate the fresh air! When you need to know if it is safe to come, send a messenger to me.”

     Eli’s eyes brightened.

     “Your servant will say, ‘The Lord has need of him!’ and if it is indeed safe to come, then my housekeeper shall allow the colt to be led away. If it not, then my housekeeper will say, “The colt is not yet prepared!” and not allow the colt to be taken. By the colt shall you know the Path is clear!”

      “And in my house in the Ophel! You need not fear that I will deny you anything you need!” offered Yohannes, “Though you will need to be careful in the city. There are informants everywhere in the streets. We will need a signal as well!” He thought for a moment. “I have a man servant, Matiyahu, and I shall send him every morning to the Pool of Siloam for water! Send someone to Matiyahu, when you are in need, and they may arrange a meeting, for he knows my business better than I! He will be the only man amongst the women water carriers from the houses thereabout, for fetching water in the morning is a woman’s task!”

     “Will he do it?” asked Yohanna, knowing that even men in the lowliest of positions, felt themselves above the tasks of women.

     “Matiyahu is a good man!” replied Yohannes, “Though he may feel embarrassment, he will endure it, and over time, overcome it. You must have a password of some sort so that he will know you!”

     “You shall say, ‘I am thirsty!’” said Yohannes, “and he shall reply, ‘Then drink of my cup’ if the way is not clear, and, ‘I insist upon you returning to my master’s house to eat and drink!’ if it is!”

     “Excellent!” said Miri, giving Yohannes a hug. “Thank you!”

      “You will not be able to visit our house in the City,” said Yohanna, “I will meet you here, and Eli will send word from Bethany when you have arrived!”

     Miri sighed.

     “I am so sorry!” she said, “I have put you all in great danger!”

     “We are always a hairsbreadth from death,” said Yohannes, “You have brought us no closer nor further to the End. You risked your own life to save Yahja, and not many could claim to have acted so nobly! It is in our nature to hide in the tree while the Lion devours our friends. It is the Soul that impels us to act nobly. And in the Soul is the eye of God!”

     “You must beware,” said Yohanna, “for Antipas has begun conscription for an army in the Galilee and the press gangs will not stop at the borders if they cannot meet their quota!”

     “Press gangs?” asked Yeshua, “With who are we at War?”

     “Antipas had begun to spread the word that Haritar is massing an army to invade Perea!”

     “But Perea belongs to Phasaelis!” said Miri in outrage, “It was in the hands of Antipas, solely because he was her husband!”

     “The Romans do not recognize her sovereignty!” said Yohanna. “They paid lip service to the notion she was the land only as long as she was united with Antipas. Perea is a buffer between the Nabateans and the Romans. The Romans distrust the Orient, and the ways of the Orientals!’

     “Lord preserve us from the madness of tyrants!” exclaimed Eli.

     “Supper is ready!” announced Martha, entering the room with all the subtlety of a bull entering a potter’s shed. The meeting ended and they poured out into the courtyard. She had arranged a table in the centre of the yard, and stocked it with a feast fit for a queen. Sister Miriam stood silently and sullenly beside it. Martha had bullied her into helping with the cooking. She would have much preferred to be a member of the cabal that now dug into the meal.

     Miri greeted her happily.

     “How can you laugh?” asked Sister Miriam.

     “If I did not,” replied Miri, “Then I might as well surrender to the Herodians, for they would have defeated me!”

     Sister Miriam forced a quick wan smile.

     “You are possessed!” she muttered.

     Miri laughed and sought out Yeshua.

     “We leave at dawn!” she whispered, “Will you sleep with me tonight?”

     Despite everything that happened, the trek to Galilee was the happiest time of Miri’s life. They dressed in common woolen clothes, and carried their own waterskins, and made their way through Samaria to the Kinneret. Such was their happiness, they took their time and stopped beneath shady groves, languished in flowered meadows, and made love at every opportunity. They were as children in Paradise. They chatted with whoever they met, about the weather and how they had never seen anything like it. Beneath the idyllic veneer, the illusion of Peace and Harmony, every Soul along the way sensed the End of Times, a distant rumble of discord on the horizon of their happiness.

     But, such was the day, and the joy of the coming Jubilee, she was content with every moment they occupied.

     “I hope this never ends!” whispered Miri as they lay naked and exposed to the warm sun in the wilderness.

     “All things come to an end!” he said philosophically.

     She punched him in the head.

     “Sometimes you are so stupid!”

     Shimeon hauled hard on the net. He could tell from the feel as the net narrowed and closed, he there was little within it. His brother Adam glanced at him as they pulled together. Shimeon, as always, remained taciturn. It was his way when things were wrong. He walled up his Soul to the outside world until he was ready to act. Then there was no stopping him.

     Adam could sense that moment building, and thought to divert its fury.

     “A prutah for your thoughts,” said Adam.

     “Don’t waste your money!” growled Shimeon not looking up from the nets.

     “I don’t understand your mood,” said Adam, “What is grieving you so!”

     “I have no wish to discuss it!” replied Shimeon.

     “You have been terse since the arrest of Yahja,” said Adam, “What do you think?”

     “I think nothing!”

     “Of course!” taunted Adam, “Dunce that I am, I had forgotten you have no thoughts!”

     “Damn!” exclaimed Shimeon as they reached the end of the net. Only a handful of fish flapped in the net. Shimeon scanned the waters. “Where are those fish?”

     “It’s the Magdalene, isn’t it?” asked Adam.

     Shimeon’s brow wrinkled. Adam sighed for his brother was easier to read than a gaming tile.

     “She was a very beautiful woman!” said Adam, removing a small terrapin from the net. He held it for a few moments below the surface of the waters of Kinneret until he felt it squirm frantically and let it go.

     Shimeon was now studiously staring to the shore. He was not watching anything in particular, just avoiding looking at his brother.

     “Quite attractive!” he added.

     “You talk too much!” said Shimeon, not looking at Adam.

     “And you not enough!” said Adam, “I’m your brother, Shimeon! Do you think I would betray you?”

     Shimeon sat stonily, not paying attention to his task.

     “Have you no tongue?”

     “Of course I have a tongue!” Shimeon snapped, “I choose not to use it on idle gossip!”

     “Idle gossip?” demanded Adam, “Is the death of the Baptist idle gossip? He was the Messiah! His most ardent apostles lie rotting along the road to Machaerus! I barely escaped with my life! That the Magdalene died saving him is incredible to me! My faith has been shaken to the core! If Yahja was the Messiah, how could he have been taken so easily? And why the Magdalene? Why not me or Yahn?”

     “You were not there!” said Shimeon.

     “Nor you! Nor any others! Yet, the Magdalene was! Why?”

     “She was to choose the Messiah!” said Shimeon, his eyes clouded. He looked at Adam for the first time, “She is the Shekinah reborn! And she chose Yeshua!”

     “That pains you!” said Adam sympathetically.

     "Why Yeshua?” asked Shimeon, “He is not the Messiah!”

     “That’s not what Yahja said,” Adam admitted, “Before he was arrested, he declared Yesha to be the Anointed One as well!”

     “Oh Lord!” exclaimed Shimeon.

     “It is as written by the prophets,” said Adam, “Behold, I send my messenger before him, which shall prepare his way for you! Open your ears to the voice of one crying in the wilderness, prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. And did not Yahj baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins, so that all could meet the Messiah?”

     “He said Yeshua was the Messiah?”

     “Yakov was there! He may not testify willingly, but he will tell you as well!”

     “And how did Yeshua respond?” asked Shimeon.

     “He said nothing!” admitted Adam, “And he left right away! He retired to the Judean desert, and I have heard nothing since!”

     “He is here!”

     “What are you talking about?” asked Adam.

     “Look!” Shimeon pointed to the shore.

     At that moment, the edge of the sunrise touched the water’s edge and Yeshua and Miri were illuminated by the first light of the sun.

     They rowed quickly to the shore, and leaped from their boat, and greeted Yeshua and Miri tearfully.

     “We thought you were lost!” cried Shimeon.

     They found Susanna sitting at her tree. Shimeon and Adam excused themselves for they had to return to their nets before Shimeon could retire to his house in Kefar Nahum to prepare a place for Miri and Yeshua.

     “Come with us!” Miri urged the girl.

     Susanna had no desire to leave the tree. “I am safe here!” she replied, “You, on the other hand are not!”

     “Where are Hulpa and Yotapa?” asked Miri.

     “Taken!” said Susanna, “We hid in the tombs, but they were discovered and taken away!”

     “And the others?” asked Yeshua.

     “Dead. Captured. They were all gone when I emerged from the tomb. I have been alone since and none stop since the dead were buried. Some drop bread for me, but they say nothing, and continue on their way. It is enough!”

     “You cannot stay alone!” said Miri desperately.

     “I am not alone!” said Susanna quietly, “I shall leave when the time is right. Until then, I shall wait here!”

     Miri was consumed by tears. “You can’t stay!” she cried.

     Yeshua took her by the shoulders, and peeled her free of Susanna.

     “Come!” he said to her. He smiled at Susanna, and placed his hands on her head. “May the Power be with you!” he whispered.

     “And with you, Yeshua,” replied Susanna. The sadness in her eyes was infinitely unbearable, but he shared in her agony. “Do not stay a moment more than you need!” he said and lifted Miri to her feet. They walked toward Tarichae; then, at the approach of a caravan to Tiberias, left the road and walked along the shore of Lake Kinneret.

     As they walked by the sea of Galilee, they saw Shimeon and Adam his brother casting a net into the sea, and they were excited by their catch. As Miri and Yeshua approached they called them over and both Yeshua and Miri had to help them haul in their catch for their nets were full.

     “For days we have caught nothing!” panted Shimeon, “And on your return, our nets are filled to tearing!”

     Yeshua laughed, “Follow me, Shimeon, and I shall make you to fishers of men!” And straightaway they emptied their nets, and followed him. In their boat, for it was full of fish, and there was no room for Miri and Yeshua aboard. Hand in hand beside the waters of Kinneret, the lovers walked. And when they had gone a little farther from that spot, on the beach that curved around to the point where Kefar Nahum was built, they saw Yeshua’s brother, Yakov, the son of Zebedee, and Yahn his brother, who were in sitting by their beached vessel mending their nets with Zebedee and some other fishermen.

     When he called them, the brothers left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and went into Capernaum. The town was in a jubilant mood, for it was New Year’s Eve, Erev Rosh ha Shanah, and as the sun dropped toward the western hills, everyone was busy readying their lamps to be lit at sundown. Every household was readying for the Kiddush supper.

     Their homecoming was a happy one. Yakov and Yahn arrived with a few friends. Shimeon recited Kiddush over the wine, Sarai had prepared the round challah loaf, shaped like a crown.

     As Shimeon stood to break the Challah loaf, Adam stood and asked that he give the blessing. Shimeon frowned, but even his curiosity was piqued.

     Adam held the loaf before him in both hands.

     “We are blessed to receive our friends, Yeshua and Miri returned to us!” he began, “It is fitting that Yeshua is returned as a bridegroom to us with his Bride on The high holidays. This round challah loaf is shaped like a crown to announce the Kingship of God and as a reminder of the crown of righteousness that comes to those who obey the Power Above. Before Yahja was taken, he spoke to both Yakov and I about Yeshua!”

     Yeshua rose to speak, but Adam held his hand to stop him.

     “Here, on the eve Rosh Hashana, Yom Teru’ah, the “Feast of Trumpets” and the Days of repentance, before the blowing of the shofar, I am telling all of you that Yahja’s last words were that Yeshua continue his work, for Yeshua is the Messiah!”

     The room erupted in surprise protest, but Adam held his hands again for silence.

     “I am testifying to these words, and Yakov also heard them with his own ears!”

     All faces turned to Yakov, who sat silently at the end of the table.

     “Well?” asked Shimeon impatiently, “Is that true?”

     Yakov frowned and sighed.

     “It is true,” he murmered reluctantly.

     “What did he say?” asked people at the other end of the table.

     “Yahja has said Yeshua is the Messiah!”

     At that very moment the shofar sounded to mark the new year and the room erupted as everyone prepared to light the lamps and the men prepared to go to the synagogue. Many would begin their fast over the next few days, for the ten days after Rosh Hashana. Because of Shimeon’s moral objections, passed on to Miri through Sarai, Yeshua and Miri slept apart in Shimeon’s house.

     The next day, Rosh Hashana, everyone arose, and bathed in the lake,dressed and then made their way to the synagogue. News of their arrival had already spread throughout the town of Kefar Nahum, and after they entered the synagogue, and after the psalms and the prayers, and the reading of the birth of Yitzak from the First Book of Moses, the congregation prevailed upon Yeshua to speak, for all were in awe that he had returned. They had heard that the Baptist had called him the Messiah, and they wished to see for themselves, and all were astonished at his testimony, for he spoke as a prophet inspired by the authority of God, and not as the scribe with the authority of the scrolls.

     Before he could finish answering their questions, a man with an unclean spirit; came into the synagogue cried out, trembling in anger born of fear, and all fell away before him.

     He railed at Yeshua.

     “Let us alone!” he shouted, barely controlled, “What have we to do with you, Yeshua of Nazareth? You come to destroy us? We know you, Son of God!”

     Yeshua stood his ground calmly and asked, “Why do you speak to me as the Son of God as though I am the only one in the land? We are all Sons of God, even you!”

     “I am no friend of God!” cried the man, “Nor he a friend of mine!”

     Yeshua reached out and grasped the man, who shook uncontrollably, and wriggled to escape, but Yeshua held him fast.

     “Hold your peace, and come out of him!” he said to the man. The possessed man laughed hysterically, but Yeshua did not let him go. He drew him closer into an intimate embrace, and the tighter he was held, the calmer the man became.

     As their cheeks touched, Yeshua whispered, “Be gone, and release this man!” and the man screamed so horribly that many covered their ears, and, suddenly, the evil within him departed The man sank weakly to the floor, and his sister and brother-in-law ran to his side and comforted him.

     “Thank you!” said the woman, looking up at Yeshua. “It is too long since I could hold him!”

     Amazed questions swept the synagogue. Who is this? What has he done? How can he command unclean spirits? By what authority do they obey him?

     With great difficulty Yeshua left the synagogue, for everyone there wanted to speak with him and touch him. Miri finally reached his side, and Shimeon and Adam made a path through the crowd, and they made their way towards the house of Shimeon and Adam, with Yakov and Yahn.

     They were met by Sarai, Shimeon’s wife. She was distraught and informed them her mother lay sick of a fever. The party hurried home and they crowded into the main room of Shimeon’s house.

     “She is calling for Yeshua,” said Sarai. “I don’t understand! I only left her for a moment!”

     Shimeon responded slowly and Saria tugged at his sleeve.

     “Come quickly!” she urged, “She is in terrible shape!”

     No longer able to wait, Sarai turned and ran toward the house. Finally realizing the situation was desperate, Shimeon, too, broke into a run. The others rushed behind. Yeshua led the pack and ran straight to Elsisheba’s side. A little out of breath, Miri followed Yeshua to the sleeping loft. Peter had already taken Elisheba by the hand, and with a great cry, lifted her up. She lay unconscious in his arms. Yeshua came to his side.

     “Let her go, Shimeon,” Yeshua said softly. Shimeon resisted, but Yeshua stared at hjim until Shimeon’s gaze faltered and he relinquished his mother. Yeshua and took the old woman from her son, and set her upon her bed. Miri brought in a bowl filled with water from the cistern, to wipe Elisheba’s brow, but as Yeshua passed his hand over her face, and across her body, Elisheba’s flushed face drained of its angry red, became pale, and then her eyes fluttered open and the old woman smiled.

     Within the space it took Miri to recover her breath, Elisheba , fully recovered, rose up and readied their supper.

     The excitement in town rose toward the end of the day, and when the sun set, people from the neighbourhood brought all that were diseased, and possessed with devils to be cured by Yeshua, and asked that their sins be forgiven. It seemed the whole town was gathered at Shimeon’s door. So many were there, that they tried to send them away, but they refused to leave, and remained in the street until Yeshua came out to them and laid his hands upon them, and they prevailed upon him to speak.

     “I ask that you not come to me for repentance! You have no need for me any more than you need the priests in the Temple in Yerushalayim. Open your mouth and speak for the Power Above will hear your words. With this and every heartbeat, open your heart to the Power however thou will, with fasting, and weeping!”

     He pointed at men dressed in sackcloth and their heads covered in ashes within their midst.

     “You! Rend your hearts, and not your garments, and turn to the Power to forgive your trespasses, for, however kings and priests may wish to portray the Power, the Soul of Heaven is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and forgives you of evil if your heart is truly sorry. Who will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind, a meat offering or a drink offering for the Power Above?

     You people gather before me the people, and ask forgiveness and ask me to sanctify the congregation, but I say to you, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts, and ask your Lord for forgiveness, not me! The time has come for the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet.

     And let the priests, the ministers of Adonai, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, ‘Spare thy people, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them!’ And how can they this to us, when they speak thus, and by their very hand give that which is the Lord’s to the Roman overlords? Where is their God?”

     Miri frowned and bit her lip. She had always thought Yeshua to be to meek, but now she fretted because his words now railed at the Romans the way that Yahja had done before hi. She worried for his safety, and her stomach tensed.

     “It is you who must ask of the Lord, ‘Forgive me, for I have sinned!” And thus shall the Lord forgive you! I forgive you, for I know so will the Power above! If your cry is from the bottom of your heart, then so shall your Soul be opened to the Lord, and your words and deeds shall be forever Righteous!

     Only then will the Lord be jealous for this land, and pity you, his people!

     Call to him yourself and the Power will answer and say to you, ‘Behold, I will send you corn! I will send you wine! I will send you oil, and you shall be satisfied, and I will no longer make you a reproach among the heathen:!

     Only then, when your Hearst are clear, will I remove far off from you the northern army, and will drive them into a cold land, barren and desolate, set his face toward the Western sea, and his rear to the East, and no longer shall their stink offend thee!

     Repent your sins,a nd follow a Path that is Good and Kind and Righteous! It is written that the meek shall inherit the land! But by that he does not mean do nothing! Love They neighbour, and do good to him as you would have done to yourself! You have been told this by the followers of Hillel, but how many truly follow his sage advice?”

     Yeshua pointed one by one at the men and women around him, as he asked the questions. “Have you treated your neighbour with love? With affection? Your children with respect? Who here has not cursed one or another for a slight or trivial transgression! Forgive others, and you can be forgiven! Once you live your life so, treating each other as you would be treated, only then can you ask the Lord for deliverance from the soldiers of the Kittim! Fear not, Israel; be glad and rejoice, for the Power Above will do great things for those who do great things below!

     This day marks the day the Universe was created by the Power Above, and this day marks the sixth day of creation, and it is the day after that the Shabbat falls. And so, we find ourselves now on the eve of the Sabbatical Year, and have no need to work, no need to toil in the fields, and in this time, this time of great tribulation, we approach that year on these ten days of Rish Hashana, days of Prar, and never before have we have such need for Aseret mei Teshuvah, days of self-examination and repentance! We call these ten days as Yamim Norai’m, the Days of Awe or the High Holy Days.

     And why?

     It is in these Times of Rosh HaShanah that the destiny of the Righteous, the Tsaddikim, are written in the Book of Life! It is in these Times of Rosh HaShanah that the destiny of the wicked, the Resha’im, are written in the Book of Everlasting Death! Shall any of us be inscribed in either book? Are any of us truly Righteous? Or who amonst us is truly and deeply Evil? Take these ten days to speak with the Power Above to repent your sins, and atone for them before sealing your fate! Shall we, then, place your name in the Book of Everlasting Life? Or in the Book of everlasting Death?

     Give back that which you have taken! Take back your words given in anger. Fill your cup with love for your friends, your neighbours, and forgive your enemies for their trespass! If a man has cursed you, deflect his hatred and invite him to your home to share your table! Go without and pay attention to those you have previously ignored!”

     Yeshua smiled for his words had made many uncomfortable.

     “Be not afraid,” he said and began to gently lay his hands upon the crowd. “Do not the beasts of the field find sustenance without hoarding? For the pastures of the wilderness do spring green, the tree bears her fruit, and the fig tree and vine yield their bounty. Be glad then, children of Zion, and rejoice in your God, for the Power has given you rain from the clouds above that your needs be met!

     The threshing floors shall be full of wheat, and the vats shall overflow with wine and oil. The Power Above will restore to you the years that the locust has eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpillar, and the palmerworm! And you shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Power, that has dealt wondrously with you!

     As long as you shall never be ashamed of your own deeds, the Power shall remain the midst of Israel, and the people shall never need be ashamed.

     Repent your sins, and cleanse yourselves of all darkness, and it shall come to pass afterward, that the Power will pour out its spirit upon all flesh! Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions! Even the servants and handmaids in these days receive the Spirit of the Power Above!

     Though we may see in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke, the sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great End of Times come. We need fear not, for it shall come to pass, that whosoever has been cleansed of sin and repented those sins, shall be delivered, and be written in the Book of everlasting Life!”

     Many fell upon their knees and great cries came up to be forgiven, and pressed forward to touvh Yeshua, that they might be cleansed. Overcome with passion, many embraced each other and in tears asked forgiveness of each other. There was no stopping it, as the crowd was overcome by love of each other and many claimed Yeshua healed them of a multitude of diseases, or cast out devils from them, and quieted the devils within them.

     The next morning, Yeshua arose well before daybreak, and went out alone to meditate. Miri awoke to the sound of the recitations of the Selichot, special prayers for forgiveness drifting on the breeze from the synagogue. She arose and searched on the rooftop for Yeshua but found him gone. For a moment panicked, but in the back of her mind, she knew he had retired to the quietness of the countryside, and knew exactly we]here he was. Content, she went back to sleep until the other women awoke, and after baking the day’s bread, Miri carried some fresh bread and cheese out to Yeshua.

     She found him in a cool grove of cedar, staring to the East. She sat beside him without speaking.

     “Things have changed,” Yeshua whispered.

     “There’s no going back is there?” she asked.

     He sighed.

     “Perhaps you can flee to Alexandria!”

     “Would you go with me?” she asked.

     Suddenly Shimeon came up the hill, to the grove, with Adam and Yakov in tow.

     “Yeshua, Everyone is looking for you! They say the Magdalene has chosen you to replace the Baptist! Word is sure to reach Antipas! It is not safe to stay here! They are saying you are the Messiah!”

     “We’ll go into Bethsaida,” he replied, “No one knows us there!” But unfortunately, at the head of the Jordan where it’s mouth opened into the lake, several hundred had gathered to perform the ritual of Tashlik, casting off their sins into the Living Water of the Jordan. Yeshua and Miri joined the others, walking into the flow of the River Jordan, and emptied their pockets and purses into the river, symbolically casting off the sins of the past year into the cool depths of the sacred river.

     But even there, penitents called for forgiveness from the new prophet, and Yeshua and Miri were hard pressed to take their leave.

     But herever they went, through town after town, people came out to meet Yeshua and asked him to preach there. And he spoke in synagogues throughout all Galilee, and was called to cast out devils wherever he went. And Miri stood beside him through their journey. Alone and together they spoke often. Shimeon and Adam traveled with them and on occasion, Yakov and Yahn. They were still debating whether Yeshua was the Messiah, and Yeshua always denied that he was the Chosen Son of Man. He was tired of the debate.

     But one day, as they all rested beside the way, a leper approached him, and the others backed away from the leper, afraid to touch him. The man kneeled down before Yeshua and pleaded with him, beseeching him, and saying to Yeshua, “By your will, Rabbi, make me clean!”

     Yeshua, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and said to him, “By my will, I would make you clean!”

     And as soon as he had spoken, immediately, to Miri’s great shock, the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed. She reached out and passed her hand across the leper’s face. His nose had hardened and no longer seemed shrunk into his face. She lifted his hands. They were whole and without blemish.

     “Have you hands always been like this?” she demanded.

     He turned them over. “No!” he whispered, and tears filled his eyes.

     “Say nothing of this!” Yeshua said to him, “Say nothing to anyone! Go on your way! Say nothing of my part! Show yourself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing, those things which Moses commanded, for a testimony to the Power Above!”

     Unfortunately, the leper told everyone he met he had been cured by the Nazorean, and so quickly did the story go abroad about the matter, Yeshua could no longer openly enter into any city, but was forced to live with Miri and his brethren in deserted places. And still people found him out and came to him from every quarter.

     It was apparent that resistance was futile and finally Yeshua and Miri returned to Kefar Nahum after some days; arrived at Shimeon’s house.

     The Big fisherman met them at the door.

     “You cannot enter until I speak with you!” he said to Yeshua.

     He looked at Miri.

     “Nor you!”

     Shimeon frowned and Miri could see the cogs and wheels turning behind his dark eyes. He was thinking, and for Shimeon that was a grave enterprise. Everyone waited patiently until he was ready to speak.

     “I have sinned, Yeshua,” Shimeon, “And I have thought long and hard about this! I ask your forgiveness!”

     “There is nothing…” began Yeshua, but Shimeon held his hand up.

     “I have sinned against you, and I have sinned against the Magdalene! I have harboured lust for Miri within my heart!”

     Muted whispers fluttered through the group following Yeshua, but Yeshua held up his hand for silence.

     “I have thought about your words, Yeshua,” said Peter, looking uncomfortably at the ground at his feet, “And I separated you and Mir in my house because I was consumed by jealousy! But I have though over all that has happened, and I believe that you are the Messiah as they say!”

     With that Shimeon dropped to his knees and grasped Yeshua’s hands.

     “Forgive me, Master!” he looked up at Yeshua with tears welling in his eyes, and Shimeon’s words and action caused Miri’s eyes water, and her heart ache.

     “Shimeon!” declared Yeshua, “Arise, and know you never need ask me forgiveness again. You have acted from love this day, and you shall be rewarded ten fold! Arise Shimeon! From this day on, know that you are as my rock, Shimeon, for when I look upon you, I shall remember that your heart is opened to me and mine to you! Stand up Shimeon Kefar! You have no need to kneel before me!”

     Yeshua and Shimeon embraced, and Shimeon looked to Miri and she opened her arms to him. He gathered her in his arms and squeezed her so tight she gasped for breath.

     “Kefar!” she exclaimed after he released her, “Never have I seen a deed so brave! You’re a man among men!”

     He grumbled immediately, but his words were unintelligible.

     News of Yeshua’s arrival in Kefar Nahum spread quickly, and soon, so many were gathered together beyond the House of Shimeon, that there was no room to receive them, so that he was forced to stand upon the stoop in the door. He spoke kindly to them and pleaded for them to return to their homes. But still they came to him, and he retired to the house to speak with his friends within.

     Such was the desperation in the crowds, four brothers, bringing a fifth brother sick of the palsy, upon a litter, when they found they couldn’t come near to Yeshua for the press of the crowd, ripped open the roof of Shimeon’s house, and let down the litter with ropes that the stricken man could be in his presence. When Yeshua saw their faith in his powers, he said to the sick man, “Your brothers faith shall cure you, and your sins shall be forgiven!”

     Three scribes sitting beside Miri, grumbled at Yeshua’s words.

     One asked the other, “Why does this man speak such blasphemy? Only God can forgive sins!”

     Yeshua overheard their whispers, for they were intended for the whole room. Immediately, Yeshua more sensed in his Soul than heard their words that they so reasoned between themselves, he asked them directly, “Why have you these doubts in your hearts? Can you not rely upon your own eyes and ears? Ask yourself, ‘Is it easier to say to the sick, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk?’”

     The men fell silent.

     Yeshua pointed at them and spoke, “I say to you, Arise, and take up your bed, and go your way into your own house!”

     The scribes remained still, but to everyone’s surprise, the man on the bier immediately arose, took up his bed, and went out before them all. And the three scribes were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, “We never seen anything like this! Surely this man Yeshua is the Messiah!”

     At these words from the scholars, the room erupted in praise from all their lips that they had seen the coming of the Messiah. Believers fell to their knees and prayed aloud, and so great was the tumult, that Miri and Yeshua left the house, and fled the town to the sea side; and many followed them. They managed to elude the followers, and along a narrow street, they came upon Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the receipt table of his custom house.

     He called out to them and they entered his office, and sheltered there, and Levi offered both Miri and Yeshua his hospitality. His offer had come in time for a number of Herod’s agents passed through the village searching for the Messiah of whom they had heard. Levi hid Miri and Yeshua within a wooden cabinet in his office while he spoke with the agents of Antipas. Because of his office, they believed Levi who told them the man they sought had passed by to the land of Herod Phillip at Panias and they tarried no longer than a heartbeat before continuing on their way.

     Later that day, Yeshua and Miri and Adam and Yahn sat at meat in his house, many publicans and sinners sat also together with Yeshua and his disciples, for they too were curious to see the man and woman of the tales that were now being told. There were many who believed he was Yahja the Baptist returned to life, for the Magdalene, his Saviour, sat by his side.

     And when the scribes and Pharisees, fasting for the Days of Repentance, saw him eat with publicans and sinners, they harangued his followers, On the Sabbath, before Yeshua and Miri were preparing to leave for the synagogue, one of their number stood outside the house of Levi and tried to sway the crowd from their belief in Yeshua, for the Pharisee and his companions saw their own authority being eroded by the itinerant prophet, and sought to regain their influence over the people.

     “If he is the Messiah, how is it that he eats and drinks with publicans and sinners?” the man asked, and he continued his speech, and something about the voice caused Miri to peer out at him. It was Yoachim.

     Immediately her hackles rose and she stepped outside and shouted at him to stop.

     “Who are you, of all people, to tell me what to do?” demanded Yoachim, and immediately Yeshua heard him and came out of the house to speak with him.

     “Why are you attacking her?” he demanded, “If you have something to say, then say it to me! Because your own words are not enough to bring the people to your door, but need to speak before mine, then perhaps your deeds should meet their needs. Those who are whole have no need of a physician, but those that are sick call out for one who will cure them! Do you think that a man can be cured without your hands being laid upon him? Can you convince him of your concern, if you call him unclean and do not enter his house? There is no need to call the faithful for they have already set out on the Path of Righteousness, but to reach the ears of sinners to bring them to repentance of their ways, you must treat them as fellow travelers worthy of grace!”

     “So you say,” replied the Pharisee, “But you break the Sabbath at every turn! I, myself have seen you!

     “So you say,” replied Yeshua, “But what is that to you? You have chosen your way to serve the Lord, but that way is not mine! Do you think the phylactery upon your brow is a ticket to Heaven? Will God himself greet you at the gate, and say, ‘You have at every turn avoided that which is unclean, you have kept yourself apart form your fellow man, and on the Sabbath passed by the leper on the street without stopping! You are indeed a Man of God’?”

     Yoachim was at a loss for their was truth in Yeshua’s word, though he could not admit it, and so he was silenced for the moment, but as they made their way to the synagogue, he and Boaz and his friends kept an eye on Yeshua and Miri.

     And as Miri and Yeshua entered the synagogue, a man there, afflicted with a withered hand, sat with his begging bowl beside the door, and Yeshua said to the man, “Stretch forth your hand!” And the beggar stretched his hand out. Yeshua grasped it and brought the man into the synagogue with him. And for the first time the beggar without sat with the men within. Yoachim and his followers moved away from the man for they believed him to be unclean, and clearly, there was division in the meeting house, and none listened to the reading of the Shabbat Suva by Boaz that day, for their thoughts were on the beggar and his redeemer in their midst.

     “We cannot stay here,” whispered Miri to Yeshua, “Yoachim is part of Herod’s council, and you have made him your enemy!”

     “It is he who is against me, not I him!” whispered Yeshua in return.

     Miri winced. Yeshua could be so irritating. Sometimes, it seemed there was a Pharasaical streak in him. She decided to ignore the correction for it was not important. Yoachim would call the Herodians against Yeshua, and already, she knew he was plotting how they might destroy him.

     The next day, she stayed at Shimeon’s house to help Elisheba prepare the food to offer the incredible number of guests they had within their walls. Engaged in baking, Miri and Saria and Elisheba enjoyed the unnacustoned quiet. Yeshua had gone with the men to the sea, and it seemed all of Galilee followed in his footsteps. So, because of the silence, the clatter of horse hooves upon the cobbled pavement echoed loudly in the village. All three women immediately leapt to their feet and crowded about the door. The sound of hoofbeats rang louder, and soon the horses and their riders appeared at the end of the street.

     “Simon!” called Miri and stepped out onto the street. Yeshua’s brother wheeled his horse toward her and other riders poured through the town gate. Miri was elated for Rebecca rode with the men thundering toward her. Simon immediately dismounted and greeted Miri.

     “Herod’s men are coming here to press men into arms! We must warn everyone!”

     “There is no one here,” said Miri, They have all gone out to the mountain toward Chorazin to listen to Yeshua!”

     “Yeshua?” asked Simon, “Why would they follow Yeshua?”

     “They believe he is the Messiah!” she replied.

     “The Messiah?” asked Simon in disbelief, but before he could comment, Rebecca wrapped her arms about Miri and gave her an excited hug.

     “Good to see you!” she said enthusiastically.

     “I thought you’d been taken!” said Miri.

     “I was, but a good kick to the groin and a sprint up the Arbel cliffs, I got away!”

     “Look, we will catch up later!” interrupted Yehudi, still on horseback, “But the Herodians are coming and are looking for army conscripts! We must warn the men! You women gather up the young boys and take them out to the hills! There’s not much time!”

     Immediately Miri and Sarai began to gather up the few women and children left in Kefar Nahum, and took them north over the ridge above the town. There they hid behind stone walls, and talked the younger children it was a good time for a nap. Sheltered from the sun in the shadow of the walls, most followed their mother’s advice. However, quite a few popped their heads intermittently over the wall like a coven of curious rock hyraxes.

     Herod’s men did not appear. For whatever reason, they had turned to the south, and bypassed both Tarichae and Kefar Nahum. Relieved, some women returned to the village, and others decided to join the throngs of people following Yeshua.

     Yehudi, Simon and Rebecca stabled their horses at Shimeon’s courtyard. Another man was with them, and Miri did not recognize him until he glared in her direction.

     “Nathaniel!” cried out Miri.

     He scowled, but stepped forward.

     She reached for his hand, and he grudgingly allowed her to take it, but he removed it as soon as he could. “Miriam!” he said in acknowledgement.

     “You know our comrade?” asked Simon.

     “I do!” said Miri, but the tension between Nathaniel and Miri was to great to be ignored. An uncomfortable silence followed.

     “She saved my life!” said Nathaniel finally.

     Eyes passed from Nathaniel to Miri.

     And back again.

     “She cut me down from the cross!” He held up his wrists to show the wounds on his arms. He looked at Miri. “I never thanked you!” he said to her.

     “Have you forgiven me?” asked Miri.

     He stared out to the lake and frowned. Clenching his jaw he turned his face toward her.

     “You are forgiven!” he said, but his heart was still a little dark.

     “Well!” interjected Rebecca, “Let’s go find Yeshua!”

     Rebecca, Simon, Yehudi and Nathaniel walked up with Miri and the others who had decided upon joining the followers of Yeshua. Miri and Rebecca caught up and filled holes in each other’s knowledge of who in the commune still survived. The news was grim, for it seemed that Rebecca and Susanna were the only two who had escaped the purge of their group. Salome and Thaddeus both had been in Cana, and so had missed the attack. They were overcome by the sadness of so many lives taken and so many souls enslaved. But as they followed the road from Kefar Nahum, they soon forgot their conversation for the entire hillside was covered with thousands of people all facing the small figure at the top of the mount.

     “No wonder Herod’s press gang didn’t show up!” exclaimed Nathaniel. “I have never seen anything like this!”