Envy - The Seculary of a Wandering Jew (Book 1)

by Paulo Barata

  Year 34

  Joseph, an usual visitor to the house, increasingly became a rarer presence. He was still meeting with father, usually in the Temple, but we could see that the relationship between them had become strenuous. What they had in common, had weakened, and we were taken aback when it was known that Joseph had resigned from the Council.

  “He is rarely at Temple, these days. I met him the other day, and he hardly spoke to me. This news about his resignation, I had to hear it from someone else.”

  “But why did he do it?”

  “They told me that lately he had altercations with some of his colleagues, and it was suggested that he resigns. To top it all, I’ve heard that he has given shelter to some of those followers of the Nazarene.”

  “The one who was to rise from the dead?”

  “That’s the one. Do you that some are saying that he was seen after his execution. Seen alive, that is.”

  “Who said that? Joseph?”

  “No, not him. I heard it from someone.”

  “He should appear at the Temple. That would be a sight to see,” I said jokingly.

  “Don’t blaspheme, Ahasver. You know I don’t like it.”

  “Sorry, father.”

  “I can’t understand Joseph. A man who has devoted all his life to the service of the Lord and the Temple, and now joins this sect of heretics. Even Gamaliel was telling me the other day, how strange Joseph was behaving now, almost a recluse. It’s not only me who he has been ignoring.”

  I could see that this incongruence was really affecting father. It was an unexpected and unmerited behavior from someone who had been close for so many years, and not just in their professional life, but on an almost daily basis.

  “This sect is an abomination. People are saying that the preacher commanded them to drink blood during their rituals, although some also say that it’s just wine. Even worse, there are rumors that some Judaeans are now following them too. Apparently, Joseph is not the only Saducee or Pharisee that has joined with them.”

  “Anyone we know?”

  “Just between us, I heard of Nicodemus Ben Gurion. But don’t mention it to anybody. It could be just slander.”

  “Do I know him?”

  “He has been here at the house a few times. He’s a good friend of Joseph and also a member of the Council.”

  “I would never have imagined it, father, how Joseph could be so credulous.”

  “Ahasver, you know I don’t believe in such things, but I’ve often wondered if somehow they could have cast him a spell.”

  “How can you think that, father?”

  “I know. But I can’t think of any reasonable motive for Joseph to have adhered to this sect. And, let me tell you, this idea is not as improbable as it sounds. There are precedents.”

  “I find that hard to believe.”

  But father would rather believe in mysterious and reasons of the occult than in the simple credulousness of his old friend.

  Later on, I learned that most of the followers of the Nazarene had disbanded after his death. Some had returned to their homes after the festival, others stayed in the city, and a few went off to preach in towns and villages throughout the province.

  We also came to know that Joseph had provided some of them with a place to stay in one of his buildings on mount Zion, where they also met to perform their rites. Apparently, this building was now a place of veneration for them, claimed as one of the places where their messiah appeared to his disciples and followers after his death, thus fulfilling one of his divine promises.

  It was after that moment when these same followers started to spread the words and tales of Yeshua throughout the city, concealed in remote alleys and the more peripheral neighborhoods. In these groupings they preached to anyone, naive enough to listen, of the wondrous life of the prophet, his deeds and his teachings, in simple words and stories for all to understand, as most of their listeners were uneducated and credulous folk.

  But none of this was as much of a surprise to father, as the fact that the movement was still alive. It was not normal. In examples that he provided to us, all such sects and cults, born under the leadership of more or less enlightened leaders, had faded away into oblivion after the disappearance of the original instigator.

  So, one had to wonder what was different with these.

  One morning, a few months after the incident at the tomb of Joseph, I was on my way to the shop when I was accosted by a man with a rather peculiar aspect, sporting a short beard and wearing a dark tunic of rough tow and without a cloak.

  “May peace be unto thee.” He saluted.

  I returned the greeting and waited for him to state his business.

  “You are Master Ahasver, son of Simon?" he asked.

  “Yes, and who might you be?”

  “My name is Simeon, son of Clopas. I was sent by Joseph of Arimathea who asks that you visit him tomorrow at his home.”

  It had been some time since I had last heard of Joseph.

  “Is your Master in good health?” I enquired politely.

  “He is not my Master. He is our brother in the true faith.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “The faith in Yeshua, the Messiah. The One who was put to death by men and resurrected by the Lord for the redemption of our sins.”

  “You are a follower of Yeshua? " he was the first that I had met, “and you are saying that Yeshua really rose from the dead? Did you see him?”

  “All of us, His companions, have seen and felt His presence and His power.”

  “Joseph too?” I couldn’t stop my curiosity.

  “Joseph is one of our most devoted brothers.”

  Why the invitation, and in this manner, I was wondering. Joseph knew where I lived. Why had he asked this Nazarene to approach me in the street? I was curious, I must admit, and could it be true that Joseph had seen the Nazarene preacher after we found that empty tomb?”

  “Very well, tomorrow I will call on Joseph, after I close shop,” and casting a last look and salutation, I continued on my way.

  Joseph’s house was an elaborate affair, located on the southern side of mount Zion, with a great view of the southern walls and the fields that spread up to the horizon. It had four levels and was foremost a house for business, rather than just a residence. In the enormous terrace, he had built several pergolas laden with luxuriant plants, vines and flowery creepers. Despite an almost fortress-like appearance, at least for those who looked at it from the outside, the house was filled with many architectural details, mostly of Greek inspiration, and also a rich set of furniture and floor mosaics, adornments common to the wealthier since the time of the great Herod.

  Received by a porter, I was taken to the terrace where Joseph and two other men were deep in conversation, interrupted by my arrival. One of these was the same Simeon who I had met the day before.

  “Ahasver! May the peace be with you, my dear friend.” Said Joseph, embracing me.

  I answered his kind greeting, and replied also addressing the others who were now looking at me suspiciously, and clearly annoyed with the interruption.

  “Ahasver, this is Simeon and Stephen, brothers in the faith of our lord Yeshua.”

  I acknowledged them and sat in one of the couches.

  “Joseph, I don’t know the reason for this call, but I do hope that we are not going to be talking about your preacher. You know that I do not share your belief, and much less do I believe in the divinity of this prophet of yours. I am here at your call because of our friendship and my respect for you.”

  “This is the brother who spoke to the Messiah on the way to the crucifixion?” asked Stephen.

  “Yes, yes. Ahasver, I understand what you are saying,” replied Joseph, “but what we have to talk today is very important. Please listen,” and sitting down he quickly added, “the Sanhedrin is deliberating my arrest. I have been accused of collusion and of defending the teachings of the Messiah.”

  I was surpri
sed that the Sanhedrin was taking such a radical step, but in view of his militancy, I could understand the reasoning behind their decision.

  “Have you? I mean, have you been preaching heresies?”

  “No, but the movement has been proscribed as heretical. Everyone who is seen to be associated may be sentenced for sedition and heresy.”

  “Everyone?”

  “Well, Judaeans at least. No one cares much for what the Gentiles think anyway,” replied Simeon.

  “They want to arrest Joseph because he has spoken on our behalf and they want to silence him,” added Stephen, “he is an embarrassment to the Council.”

  “If he is caught advocating our teachings he could be accused of blasphemy too. And we all know what that means.”

  “But how do you know all this?” I asked Joseph.

  “Well, Ahasver, I still have some friends…”

  “But Joseph, if you know all this, why not leave the city for a while? You have properties and businesses in other places.”

  “Run away ? No, never. If I did that would be an admission of guilt and shame, and a denial of my faith. That would never do.”

  “There is more, brother Ahasver,” observed Stephen earnestly, “if Joseph is accused and brought to trial before the Council, it will be an unique opportunity for us to spread the teachings of the Messiah before those councilors and the crowds that usually follow such trials. Imagine that!”

  But they are fanatics! I immediately thought. They are willing to sacrifice Joseph so that the sayings of a heretic may be repeated to a number of judges and sages of the law. What could they hope to achieve?

  “This is all very upsetting, truly. But what can I do, Joseph?” I asked, not yet understanding what was expected of me, “Do you need me to testify on your behalf?”

  “No Ahasver, nothing like that. On the contrary, I don’t want you involved in this quandary. But I do need you.”

  “Well, you know you can count on me for anything. Just don’t ask me to place my family in jeopardy. I couldn’t do that.”

  “Nothing like that, I assure you,” and he went on, “but I do need you to come to work for me.”

  “But Joseph, we have spoken of that before. I have my business, my shop. I can’t just leave it. It would be a blow to father.”

  “Yes, I am aware of all that, but my proposal is plainly simple. I will buy your business, and you can come to work here. You just let me know how much you want for it, and I’ll pay. Simple as that.”

  “Joseph, that’s just crazy. Name a value, you say? I don’t know. I have no idea.”

  “Ahasver, please listen. I have no family as you know, but I do know you and yours for many years. I know how honest and capable you and your brother are. And both of you will be more than able of running this business. You are diligent and a hard worker, and your brother is well known for his accounting abilities. I could not wish for better partners.”

  “Isaac? You have spoken with Isaac?”

  “Not yet. I wanted first to talk with you. Besides, I think it will be difficult to take Isaac away from his money changing business, but he can give you some help, especially in the beginning.”

  “I don’t know Joseph. I have to think on all this.”

  “Of course you do. But I truly believe it will be for the best. I know you were not happy with the shop, you told me so a few times. Now you have a new opportunity.”

  But I was reluctant. It would be a very demanding job. Joseph’s businesses were spread throughout Judaea and also in Samaria and Galilee. Even in cities and places further away.

  “I think he is afraid to get involved, Joseph” said Stephen, with a curt smile.

  “That’s not it at all,” I replied, “had I been afraid, I wouldn’t have come here today. Joseph, as I said, let me think about it and also talk to father and Isaac. It’s the only thing I can promise at this point.”

  “Sure, Ahasver. I did not expect an answer right away. But be quick. I don’t know how much time I have left, and we do have a few things to prepare before.”

  “Brother Joseph, is it not relevant at this point to let brother Ahasver know of your dispositions with the brotherhood?”

  “In good time, brother Simeon.”

  “What do you mean?” I asked, “What arrangements are those?”

  “Ahasver, I will tell you later.”

  “No, Joseph. I need to know. I think it’s important. If there are conditions that involve the Messianics, I would rather know them now than later.”

  “Messianics?” asked Stephen, “Is that what they are calling us now? Did you hear that, brother Simeon?”

  “Yes, I have heard it before, brother” answered Simeon.

  “Very well, Ahasver, I will tell you now. I have been contributing to the movement, mainly to ensure that the teachings of our Messiah reaches other places and other peoples, as He commanded us to do. Some of the brothers have already left the city to do exactly that. I want it to continue, and for that we will need funds.”

  “You have been giving them money?”

  “Yes, Ahasver. We do not have temples nor a korban, so we depend on the donations of our wealthier brothers. Unfortunately, we are few, and most of us do not have many means. Another thing, some of my properties here in the city are currently being used by the brotherhood. This must also continue as is, and that’s all there is to it.”

  “I understand, Joseph.”

  “Think carefully, my friend. The risk is minimal for you, and I am prepared to be very generous with both of you. I believe that you won’t regret it. And if you are reluctant in selling the shop, then don’t. Rent it to someone. I might not even stay in jail for a long time.”

  “But Joseph, if you are formally accused of heresy, won’t you risk being stoned?”

  “That will never happen. I do have some guarantees. Ahasver, these things are all thought out long before anything actually happens. This will be just another political case involving Caiaphas and his drive for power. I have hurt his pride. He was so very proud of getting the Messiah convicted and will never stomach that a former member of the Council has now challenged him, especially one as close to Gamaliel as I am.”

  “Are you saying that all this has little to do with our faith?”

  “Almost nothing. Caiaphas, despite all his rumblings, believes that the movement is moribund and will not last long after the death of the Messiah.”

  “In the meantime, we will continue to spread the word, do some conversions and get new followers, right brother Simeon?” added Stephen with an air of satisfaction.

  “Brother Stephen, I have already told you before. We cannot measure our success just by the number of new sympathizers,” answered Simeon sternly, “our main task is to convert the hearts and souls of men.”

  “But, brother Simeon, a conversion is the most irrefutable proof of the belief in our Lord Yeshua. What good comes of converting hearts if people do not change their old habits and practices ?”

  “Brothers, please,” asked Joseph, “may we speak of this later?” and turning again to me, “Ahasver, this is my offer and my most humble request, my good friend. I do hope you will accept. Please do.”

  Such a proposal was certainly very tempting. It would certainly benefit me in many ways, and not just in terms of money. The only blemish was this association with the Nazarenes. But there was little more to add at that point, and I left them deep with their plans for the coming days.

  Needless to say, that at home everyone was very surprised with the news. I don’t know if more confounded about Joseph’s imminent predicament, or with the proposal he had made to me.

  Isaac, a skeptic at first, soon changed his mind and gave me his support after I told him that he would be a part of the deal and would certainly earn some serious money for his labors. Father, however, was less enthusiastic, aghast with the news about Joseph.

  “I don’t like it, Ahasver. Not a bit! If Joseph is arrested for being a member of this sect,
who knows what the Sanhedrin will do? And even if they do nothing, how will we be seen in the midst of all this? They will see us as supporters or sympathizers of a heretic. Have you thought this through?”

  But with the help of Isaac we managed to surpass this objection. But he kept on.

  “Ahasver has this something to do with you and those followers of the Nazarene?”

  “What do you mean, father?”

  “Have you gone over to their side?”

  “Father!?”

  “I don’t know. I simply cannot understand this proposal of Joseph.”

  “Do you really think that I would sell my convictions for money?” I challenged him.

  He didn’t reply, thankfully, or defy my assertion, so he presented one last argument.

  “Ahasver, can you really do it ? You are not experienced in that sort of business. You have never dealt in bulk trading and have never been involved in such a large enterprise,” and looking at me and Isaac, he added, “and see here, boys, Joseph’s business is huge and goes beyond Jerusalem and even Judaea. What if it goes wrong ? What if you do some serious damages and lose deals ? Who is responsible ? Don’t come asking me to fund your follies. It would be very wise to get all this well talked over with Joseph,” and still going on, he added a final touch, “that man has gone crazy!”

  If I didn’t get his full support, neither did I have his total disapproval. Certainly there were a lot of issues and even legalities to clear, and a few talks with Joseph and Isaac solved most of these doubts. It was a risk, but not a major one. My own business had never been too prosperous and considering all, I finally accepted Joseph’s offer.

  The only thing I kept from Isaac were the dispositions that I undertook to carry on for the Nazarenes. It would have certainly upset him and made it all more difficult for me. Sometimes, ignorance is the best medicine.

  Year 35

  For some time, I received no further news of the Nazarenes, although I knew that they would eventually call for their money. I knew of their activities, rumors of their preaching in town, and Isaac also told me that they had started to go into the Temple in small groupings to preach under the very eyes of the Kohanim. And they eventually came, announcing themselves as companions of Joseph and bringing a letter from him.

  It was Simeon, who I had met previously in that same house.

  “Master Ahasver, I bring you this message from Joseph. He asked that it be delivered to you after his arrest.”

  Opening the roll of parchment, I could see that it was indeed Joseph’s meticulous handwriting. In this letter, Joseph reminded me of my promise to abide by his wishes, and enumerated them: to provide the brotherhood with a monthly stipend; to provide shelter in his properties to any of their faith who may need it; not to persecute or dismiss any servant or employee who converted to their faith; to help in any way possible any of the brothers who might be accused or arrested for their religious convictions; and a few more. He ended his message by once again reminding me of my pledge, and that he hoped to welcome me soon into their brotherhood.

  “Everything is perfectly alright, Simeon. I did promise, and I will do my part. But tell me, how is Joseph? Have you received any news from him lately?”

  “Not recently, but we know and believe that all is well. Notwithstanding his ordeal, I am sure that he is in our Lord’s grace and comforted in the darkest hours of his anguish…”

  It was curious to see how these recent adepts to that sect were now starting to speak with the same flamboyance and embellishments as the most experienced priests.

  “Very well. I can give you now this month’s allowance. I do have it here with me,” quickly interrupting him before he continued with that litany.

  “We deeply appreciate it, Master Ahasver. Some of our brothers will soon be leaving for Caesarea, and others want to go even further, maybe to Syria. We are all committed to spreading the word of our Messiah to the Judaeans of the world and to set them on the right path to salvation, redemption and…” once more preaching.

  I did not care for knowing more of their plans, and I had already decided that the less I knew the better, and once again I cut him short.

  “Is it you, Simeon, who will come every month to collect this money?”

  “My mission is to stay in Jerusalem, preaching the word to all who want salvation…”

  “Very well then, I’ll look forward to seeing you soon…” I interrupted again.

  “Maybe someone else might come, Master Ahasver.”

  “I don’t think it wise to hand such an amount to anyone who calls on me. I suggest that whoever comes to collect, brings this same letter.”

  “We will do as you suggest. Very wise, yes. But, maybe you could come and visit us one of these days, Master Ahasver. We are for the moment staying in that house that brother Joseph has kindly made available for our use.”

  I knew where it was. Joseph had told me all about it, but I certainly had no wish to visit them anytime soon.

  “Who knows, Simeon, I just might do that one of these days.”

  I must explain here, that I was never a person who lied easily. But one of the foremost abilities to manage a business was the art of ambiguity, repeatedly taught to me by my brother Isaac. And if he, a much more devoted person than I ever was, used it daily in the Temple itself, I felt justified to do the same.

  With time, I became more confident with my abilities in running Joseph’s businesses, and Isaac assured me repeatedly that all was going relatively well. And if I had any doubts, all I needed to do was look at the Publicans’ contentment when they came around to collect their dues. Although I was fairly fluent with Greek koine and latin, I decided to further my studies in these languages, as many of our regular customers were unfamiliar with our Aramaic tongue.

  After all the incidents and events of the recent past, Jerusalem now seemed to be a much calmer town. Signs of prosperity were plainly visible to all, and the Temple continued to attract an ever growing number of pilgrims, and not just during the religious festivals. Gradually, I was also able to dissuade father from his assumptions about myself, not only in regard to my capability with running the business, but also about my religious beliefs, especially in regard to my sympathies for the Nazarenes.

  But they were still very much present, discreetly preaching in the Temple, in small gatherings under the colonnades, and also in the more remote alleys down in the city, busily and peacefully trying to convert the more naive. In truth, we hadn’t yet heard of any disturbances or commotions provoked by them. So it came as a surprise to hear that the Sanhedrin was once more going to bring one of them to trial, and his name was Stephen.

  Immediately, I reckoned that I had to find out if this Stephen was the same man that I had met before. There was a risk that I could get involved or charged with complicity in all this. But I also had to be very discreet. The general mood had turned, and suddenly everyone was again very antagonistic towards the sect.

  I thought it dangerous to send someone to ask for Simeon, the only other Nazarene that I had met so far, so cloaked under some circumspect clothing, I took myself to visit them at the house that Joseph had provided.

  This place was also on mount Zion but on the opposite side to Joseph’s house. It was a solid stony construction with a longish facade and two floors. It looked like some kind of warehouse, but the top floor had an array of windows which showed that it also had some living quarters.

  Carefully watching the movement in the street, which at that late hour was negligible, I quickly walked to the enormous front door and knocked heavily. To my surprise, the door suddenly opened, and I was forcefully pulled inside. In the half-light of an enormous chamber, I found myself surrounded by three burly men.

  “Who are you? I don’t know you,” said one of them, “and what do you want here?” grabbing my arm while the others carefully watched me.

  “My name is Ahasver. I am looking for Simeon ben Clopas. Is he here?” I asked as I pulled my sleeve awa
y from his grasp.

  They exchanged some looks, and one of them asked.

  “What’s your business with him?”

  “I need to speak to him. He knows me. Call him if he is around. Tell Simeon that Ahasver wants to speak with him now. As I said, he knows me.”

  In the meanwhile, one of them went off to the front door, and opening it slightly, peeked out into the street.

  “There’s no one else outside” he said calmly.

  “Right. You wait here. I am going to call Simeon” said the earlier one, departing into the shadows.

  It didn’t take long to hear hurried steps coming in our direction.

  “You come with me,” and turning towards the others he explained, “Simeon says he knows him, and it’s alright for him to go up.”

  Surrounded by two of them, I climbed the large stairs that lead to the top floor coming to a large room partially illuminated by a brazier in one of the corners where some more men were standing, and I recognized Simeon.

  “Welcome, Master Ahasver,” he greeted amiably, “we were not expecting visitors at this hour, and much less such a distinguished one as yourself.” and turning to the others, he explained, “This gentleman is Master Ahasver, brother Joseph’s successor and our friend. I believe I have spoken of him to some of you.”

  With everyone now calmer and more anxious, I saluted them too.

  “Simeon, I am truly sorry to intrude on you at this hour, but I was told that one of your brethren has been arrested and stands for trial any day now.”

  “Yes, brother Stephen, whom I believe you have met.”

  “I’m sorry for him, but I fear there might be repercussions for myself and Joseph’s business if he talks of our agreement. I would like to know, and Joseph would also want me to, if there is anything we can do for him. Money, anything…”

  Well, I must admit that my main fear was to be personally implicated if the Nazarene talked too much. I had no idea of how the Sanhedrin interrogated such dissidents.

  “It’s kind of you, Master Ahasver, but there is nothing we can do for brother Stephen at this point. He is in the Lord's hand. And be assured, Stephen will not inform on any brother.”

  Truthfully, I was not much assured by his words. But what else could I do? I asked if they knew whether a date for the trial had already being set, but they were not aware of it. They told me that he was caught preaching to some Greeks, as Stephen was very fluent in that language, and was now accused of spreading heretical ideas.

  Not having much else to speak to them, I began with my farewells, as it was also dark night outside. I never liked to walk the streets at night. A phobia of mine, I guess. But then, one of the others came up to me.

  “Master Ahasver, my name is Cephas, and I am a truly blessed man for I was one of the first disciples of our lord Yeshua. Simeon once told me that you met our Messiah and even exchanged some words with Him on His way to the cross.”

  But those were not words to be repeated there, for sure.

  “Yes, that is true. I saw him on the way to his execution. He was hobbling and fell right in front of where I was standing, and dropped the wooden plank he was carrying. He asked for some water, but I could not help him.”

  “You didn’t?” one of the others asked indignantly.

  “I could not!” I replied sharply.

  “Calm down, brothers,” advised Cephas, “but tell us, did you feel His divine grace?”

  A strange question. How does one feel such a thing?

  “To be honest, I don’t know what you mean,” and instead of shutting up, I went on frowning, “what are you talking about?”

  “The Lord’s Spirit. All of us here have experienced it, and were blessed with such grace. We had a revelation in this very house after He resurrected.”

  I wondered if these were the ones who claimed to have seen him after his death.

  “He appeared to you? In this house?" I asked doubtfully.

  “Yes, we all saw Him, in the splendor of His greatness.”

  “And signs of fire and flames” someone else added fervently.

  “We all exalted His glory in mysterious and unknown tongues.”

  “Well, I certainly didn’t perceive any such feelings, I can assure you” I replied amused with such elaborate demonstrations.

  “You felt nothing?” asked Cephas once again, inconsolable with my answer.

  “I felt pity, that I did. No one deserves such a severe punishment and death. Trust the Romans to invent such torments.”

  “But surely you know that it wasn’t just the Romans who condemned Him. It was us all ! All of us had a hand in it, and for us He suffered in the cross, and with His suffering, all men are now redeemed. So it was written, and so it had to happen for our own salvation.”

  How insistent and prolix they were with that idea.

  “I understand your devotion, but I am a Judaean, a faithful follower of the laws of Moses, as written down in our sacred Torah” I added before they could get on with further enunciations.

  “Our most urgent mission, Master Ahasver, is to spread the word of our lord Yeshua, as was His will. Let me assure you that we will continue with this holy task, even if we all have to give our lives for this purpose. We were twelve disciples in the beginning, for the twelve tribes of the Judaea, and our land will be filled with the knowledge of the Redeemer, as the waters cover the oceans, so it shall be, as was written and prophesied by the prophet Isaiah.”

  “One day we might convert you too, Master Ahasver” offered Simeon meekly.

  “Who knows?” I complemented ambiguously.

  “I have no doubt," said Cephas, “you have been a faithful friend of Joseph and also our friend. The grace of our lord Yeshua will be with you forever.”

  Thankfully, we stopped at that point. I was beginning to think that they would retain me there until I converted to their creed, but I finally escaped unto the street and hurried back home, under cover of a moonless night.

  Stephen was judged and almost immediately was stoned to death by an unruly mob that had gathered as he was taken to the Pretorium. This time, it was not necessary to involve the Romans. The Sanhedrin has learned to arouse the crowd and allowed religious fanaticism to carry out the sentence.

  Fanatics killing one another.

  Curiously, it was also at this same time that the Nazarenes started to show themselves even more. Stephen’s death did not seem to intimidate them, nor did it deviate them from their tasks of converting other Judaeans to their cult.

  Simeon was still coming by the house every month, volunteering information about their activities. He was especially proud of the many converts they had gathered in the city, and in other cities throughout Judaea and Galilee. He also told me that part of the money that Joseph had given to them was being used to pay the scribes who were annotating Yeshua’s words. He claimed that their oral preaching was adequate for the city, but they feared that distance and time would distort the true words of their messiah.

  He also asked me if I could send some money to their brethren in Caesarea and Damascus, knowing that Joseph also had businesses in those cities. I didn’t know the person in charge of the emporium in Damascus, but I managed to transfer some funds through an associate banker and friend of Isaac. I was not too happy with that, but I kept my promise to Joseph.

  In the meanwhile, the Sanhedrin kept on debating over the legality of the activities of the Nazarenes and the nefarious influence they were spreading in the city. The more moderate of them still defended some tolerance towards the sect, after all they were Judaeans, just misguided in their faith. But it turned out that what had been the pride of Simeon — the number of proselytes who had succumbed to the cult — was also the reason invoked by the Council to prohibit, once and for all, their preaching, and declaring the movement to be heretical, blasphemous and enemies of the true faith.

  Under such conditions, my own situation was perilous. My connections and the financing of their activities were
now a personal risk and dangerous for the businesses themselves. I questioned myself on what Joseph would do, since I wasn’t able to visit him on those days, but deep down I knew that he wouldn’t falter with his pledge. Nevertheless I took some measures to minimize the risk. First, in relation to the house that they were occupying on mount Zion, I managed to pass the ownership to Ioanis, one of my more faithful employees and a Gentile, so the Sanhedrin wouldn’t touch him if they found out. It wasn’t a difficult task once you greased some publican’s hands. The other issue, was the monthly transfer of funds, and once again I used Ioanis to deliver the money to their house.

  At this point my regular contact with the Nazarenes ended. I still sporadically heard of them, altercations somewhere in the city, some conversions, but not much else. But the Sanhedrin turned out not to be too efficient with this purge, since there was no unanimity within the Council and some advocated a more cautious approach since many of the Romans and the Gentiles did not look favorably on religious persecutions, especially when these were among Judaeans themselves. For all purposes, the Nazarenes were to everyone else just another sect of Judaeans.

  Father Simon, also became less intolerant in regard to the Nazarenes, although he never ceased from criticizing Joseph for the option he had taken, and his unyielding attitudes in benefit of the sect. It was something beyond his grasp and understanding, the negation of a lifetime of subservience to the dictates of the Mosaic Law. And so he passed away, with no apparent illness, laying in his favorite couch in his cherished terrace. Quietly he was gone, a departure as peaceful and serene as the smile he left us on his lips.

  Isaac, inconsolable and now the only one residing in the new house, came to live with us for a while.

  Year 36

  It was during the period of mourning for father that I received news from one of our emporiums about a great upheaval and an insurrection in Samaria. The details were scarce, but once again we heard talk of another Messianic prophet. But it was severe enough to affect trading and some of the activities in the region.

  Pilate this time acted promptly. He took some of his troops from Caesarea, mainly the cavalry, and marched northwards where he violently fought and destroyed the majority of the rebels. There was talk of hundreds, even thousands, of deaths, and the actual Governor of Syria, Lucius Vitelius, had to intervene personally to stop his indiscriminate killing spree. Such relentless violence had its consequences, and Pilate was dismissed by the Governor and taken to Rome for trial. With his dismissal we soon had a new Prefect, Marcellus.

  Now, without Pilate’s support, Caiaphas was also dismissed by Antipas and replaced by a new High Priest, Jonathan, his brother-in-law and son of the old but still powerful Annas.

  THE PATRON