GURAM BATIASVILI

THE BEGINNING

(Drama in two parts)

CHARACTERS:

Abihu
Nadab
Joshuaq
Old Man
Curly-haired Fellow
Rabbi
Lady
Coquettish Woman
Esti
Haia
Juda
Monobaz
His Brother
Herald

Judeans

Fellow
Girl
Johanan
Moshe
Nathan
Eltsaphan
Shaul
Shimon

Judeo-Christians

Rabbi of Gamlia Great Rabbi

Augustus envoy
Festos the Procurator of Judea
Captain of the Roman army

Legionary
II legionary

Place of Action - Jerusalem

Act I
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When the curtain goes up, the portraits of Emperor of Rome painted on
canvass appear hung in different corners. Nervous cries of people follow this
simultaneously
- No, no!
- Take him away!
- Hang these portraits in Rome!
Legionary. You keep crying here for two days go away, go back home!
- You, just you go away from here!
- No, no, no!
- Well stay here!
- Take these portraits away, take them away!
Legionary.Stubborn people will be severely punished.
II legionary. Rome wont forgive disobedience.
Legionary. Go away! Go away!
II legionary. Stubborn wont remain unpunished.
- Dont threaten us! Dont threaten us on our own land!
- Take these idols away!
- Take them down!
- Far, far away from us!
II legionary. Now Rome governs your fate, obey its will!
Cries:
- Damn you!
- We dont need Rome!
- God is the master of our fate, only God!
The sound of trumpets.
Legionary.The Procurator! Festos, the Procurator of Judea is coming here.
Cries slowly fade away. Silence, reigning suddenly, displays not respect towards
the Procurator, but peoples expectation and interest in what the Procurator
will announce.
Festos (comes in powerful, with brightened face, cheerful). Hail, Judeans!
People stand in silence.
Legionary. Long live the Procurator of Rome!
Silence
Festos. Hail to Judeans friends of Rome! (Silence.) I know well your love to the
Emperor of Rome. Thats why I award you with the happiness to see the Emperors
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portraits in the streets all over Judea. You are granted the right to look at them and
do homage.
Cries:
- Take them away!
- No, no, no!
- We dont want them!
- Far away, take them far from here!
- Damn be all the idols!
- All the images!
Festos. We value high your faithfulness, your love to the Emperor.
Whistles, cries:
- Its not true!
- We hate him!
- Take away from here!
- No, its not so!
- We dont love him!
- Neither do we like him!
- Its a lie!
- Take these portraits away from us!
Festos. I like your quickness of apprehension. (Whistles, noise). I like your wisdom
(whistles, cries). It should be just this way - you should glorify the name of your
Emperor. He has brought education to you!
Old Man. It is simple jesting, isnt it? The Procurator is jesting. Laugh! Laugh on
jesting of the vice-gerent of the Emperor of Rome. Laugh, people!
The old man starts hearty laugh and people follow him.
Legionary (to Festos). What will be your order?
Festos. Give them some time! (Loudly.) I like wise and far-sighted Jew people.
Roaring laughter nearly deafens the environment.
Old Man. Yes, thats good lets mock at those, who mock at us.
Festos (taking up his right hand demanding attention). Listen to me!
The storm of laughter does not stop.
Legionary. I have all my people here with me. I shall attack.
Nadab (steps forward from the crowd of people, the laugh stops). Procurator!
Festos (to Legionary). Who is he?
Legionary (shrugs his shoulders). He is a Jew...Maybe, a Zealot as well...
Nadab. You know, our people escape idols. One of the Ten Commandments teaches
us not to make any sculpture, any image. Neither do we want to gaze at them. And
you, when Jerusalem fell asleep, you scattered the city with the image of a mortal.
Legionary. He is the Emperor of Rome, the man, who is worshipped.
Nadab. We have been standing here for two days and two nights. Take away the
image of the mortal!
Legionary. He is the Emperor.
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Nadab. He is a human being!

Johanan (appears from the separately standing group of people). Festos, Dont
listen to that man he is telling a lie. I am a Judean too and I dont think so: A
human beings image is nice to look at. Why shouldnt we watch it?
Nadab. You are making your image, arent you? This means you make an idol of
yourself, while you are only a mere mortal!
Johanan. It is the custom of old Jews. We, new Jews, say that a human being is not
a mere mortal. A man is the creator.
Nadab. Thou shalt not make into thee any graven image!
Johanan. Its your Old Jews commandment. We violate these commandments.
Festos (to Legionary). Who is that young fellow?
Legionary. Probably, he is one of those Jews that stepped on the new way.
Festos. Quickly, go and find out... I must know everything. (Legionary leaves). (To
Johanan, more to Nadab to hear). I have heard from Judeans, there is only one God.
Now he has said, our God. Hows that...
Nadab. Whatever he may say, there is only one God.
Johanan. But there is the Son of God too, who ascended into the Heaven.
Festos (in an interested or encouraging tone). Yes, yes, yes. And what then? One
more God?
Johanan. He was among us; he ascended from us, for us...
Nadab (interrupts). Take down the idol!
Johanan. No, dont. Dont take down the mans image.
Festos (to Nadab in insinuating manner). Do you know Zealots? Maybe you
yourself are a Zealot!
Nadab. All Judeans are Zealots. We wont give anyone the right to occupy our
souls.
Legionary (comes back, to Festos in a low voice). He is a shepherd. He grazed
sheep on the slopes of Jerusalem. Then he became a Judeo-Christian.
Abihu (separating from people). Ill remind you the order of Claudius: The
Emperor released Judeans of performing the ceremony obligatory for the citizens of
the Empire.
Nadab. Doesnt the Procurator turn any attention to the will of the Emperor?
Abihu. As soon as the legionaries start raiding people, ten times three warriors from
several cities will leave for Rome to inform the Emperor about your disobedience.
They will also ask why the Procurator forces Judeans to spit three times a day at the
Emperors portrait.
Legionary. Its time to start... well raid them so that theyll remember it forever.
Abihu. Festos, decide then! To massacre people, or to reach an agreement.
Legionary. I start.
Festos (to Legionary, without even looking at him). Be quick, immediately! Our
detachments should be placed at all the gates of Jerusalem. (Legionary runs away).
Wait a moment; it should be done as soon as our detachments will pass. These
detachments should block all the ways towards Rome. Be quick!
Legionary (runs away). All right, Ill do it!
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Festos (turning to people). Have you come to an agreement? Lets decide: Do you
want to gaze at the Emperors portrait or not?
Cries:
- No!
- Let them remain where they are!
- We dont want!
- Take them down!
- We dont want the portrait!
- Go away!
Festos. Judeans, maybe you can come to an agreement!
Legionary (comes back). The gates of Jerusalem are being shut. Shall we start?
Festos. Give some time! (Stares at Johanan and his friends). I believe you, but,
those, old ones...You have seen, havent you...
Johanan. We want the image.
Festos. Here they are... They have overcome you (he is waiting for something,
Johanan and his friends doesnt move).You see it yourself, but... nothing can be
done, they have overcome you (he is still waiting for something. Pause). Ill observe
the order of Emperor Claudius. Let his order be executed! Take down the portraits!
(Turning to Johanan). I did want to take into consideration your idea, but you are
convinced: you see, they dont want your idea. (To people). Enjoy yourselves,
Judeans, you have won! (To the legionary) Lay siege to these people. They prefer
death to making any concession. Execute, use every measure. (He goes). Rejoice,
Judeans, victory requires joy. (He bids farewell and leaves. To Johanan and his
friends). Rejoice, you too! Never mind, they have won over you!
Legionary (comes up with him). They? New Judeans!
Festos (smiling).They are also Jews arent they?
It gets dark.
Faint light on the proscenium.
Pitch-dark night someone is breathing heavily. Nadabs figure is gradually
outlined. He walks limping feeling someone is approaching.
Nadab. Abihu, is that you?
Abihu (immediately lies flat on the ground). Which one are you?
Nadab. Its me, Nadab! Festos should die, Abihu!
Abihu. It has no sense they have one and two Festos, havent they?
Nadab. Those, sucking blood of Judeans, should die. (The wind brings in the
sound of music). Someone is arranging a feast the feast in the raided city.
Abihu. Hush, someone is coming.
Juda (comes in). Have you managed to survive? Are you alive? There, over there,
they are having a wedding, as if not so many people were killed in Jerusalem today.
(Sadly). There are about forty women and men, children among them. (Looks with
regret towards the place, where sound of music comes from).
Abihu. I cant hear what you are saying.
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Juda. They are having a wedding, I say. Music is heard from there as well. I entered
and stood in the corner, hupa was carried by, the way Judeans should wed, but ... (a
pause). As soon as the ceremony of wedding was conducted, Judeans were thrown
away as the gowns musty with sweat. They sang strangely... It has been and, at the
same time, has not been Judean...
Nadab. Something is burning.
Juda. As if we have never had either dances or songs.
Nadab. Fire, I say, something is burning! (He is going to run away).
Juda (blocking the way to him). Stop, Nadab, this fire is necessary, it is a fire of
punishment. I left the wedding and set them on fire.
Nadab. They are having the wedding!
Juda. They have betrayed our religion. They are apostate Judeans.
Nadab. Wasnt it enough what Festos has done to us?
Juda (Abihu is trying to run away, Juda blocks the way). The apostate Judeans
cannot preserve the country. (Abihu has managed to escape and runs towards the
fire). Abihu, Abihu, where are you running to?
Nadab. Hatred destroys Judea The hatred of Judeans to one another. God has sent
Rome as a punishment for us.
Juda (shouting). Hey, people, sons of Israelites, come out and see the destiny of the
apostates!
Nadab. The main thing here is the hatred and not apostasy.
Juda. Shall we look with such indifference how they wish to change us? First they
took away our land, and now they want us to betray our religion. If we dont resist,
well soon perish.
Abihu (comes back). The bridegroom broke his leg, and the bride lost her
consciousness.
Juda. Let them remember, let them remember that apostates are punished.
Noise. The sounds of a man and a woman screaming.
Noise is heard. What is happening?
Nadab. Hush! (Silence). No, nobody is here! (To Abihu.) What else?
A womans voice scream.
Nadab. Legionaries run after women.
They clutch their shields and run away. The back of the stage is lighted.
Worried young women run away to the proscenium, they are followed by two
legionaries trying to block the way for Esti and Haia.
Legionary. Girls, why are you afraid, we are your friends.
Haia (crying). Here, here, help us, please!
Legionary. Why are you crying? Lets dance and sing... Stop, I say!
II legionary. If you dont obey, well subdue you. (Nearly catches Esti.). Obey us,
please us and take pleasure yourselves!
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Esti (slips away). No, you wont have such pleasure!

Legionary. We are Romans and we simply want to taste Judean girls, nothing more!
II legionary (making faces). Well taste you and then leave; we should know what
the Judean women are like.
Esti (throws a stone and strikes him). Here, taste this!
Legionary. How you dare to attack a Roman?
Haia. You, dirty, lousy, shameless soldiers!
II legionary. I myself am God in this affair.
Legionary. Yes, thats right! (To Haia). You do want yourself, dont you? You are
thirsty of this.
II legionary. Judean women are said to be full of passion.
Esti (crying). Here we are, at the gorge, help us, please!
Haia. Zealots, here we are, be quick, please!
Legionary. Why are you shouting? You know no one can hear you as there isnt
anyone nearby!
Esti. Zealots will soon be here.
II legionary. Ho, ho, ho, ho! How have you frightened us!
Haia. This way, here, be quick!
Legionary. Jerusalem is long deep in sleep.
Esti. Zealots are not asleep. Zealots guard us.
II legionary (to Legionary). These are all the tricks of women the more they tease
us, the more pleasure they get.
Legionary. I have heard they are most fond of doing this.
II legionary. Yes, they are, all women like it.
Legionary. Do they like it more than men?
II legionary. Hey, you seem to know nothing! Certainly, more than men!
The girls tried to escape , but the legionaries managed to catch them up at the
exit).
Do you see how smart she is? She may bite you; beat your whole body black and
blue.
Legionary. No, no, be calm and lets start quietly and peacefully. Then lets make it
quicker and passion will come. Here, now you are in reliable hands.
II legionary. Come, baby, come up to me, my obstinate Judean, come, my brisk
baby!
Haia (biting him). Get away, leave me alone!
Legionary. Why are you biting me? I simply want to play with you. (He unbuttons
her dress). Oh, how nice her breasts are!
Haia. You, dirty pig, take your filthy hands off me, you, disgusting heathen!
II legionary (lying over Esti). Stop biting! Stop biting, I say! Wait a minute and
youll have bliss, passionate minutes (He makes her fall to the ground).Wait a
minute, just a minute...
Esti. Help, help, Zealots, Israelites!
Johanan (runs in and puts his foot on the legionary). Have you lost conscience?
Have you forgotten all mercy?
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Esti. Johanan!
Haia. Me, me, Johanan, you have come to help me, havent you?
Johanan (to the legionary). Get up, you poor thing! I have saved you from
committing a sin!
The legionary jumps up and attacks Johanan.
II legionary (leaves Haia and attacks Johanan). How dare you, how dare you to
attack a Roman!
Legionary. You should pay with your blood, you, scoundrel!
Johanan. I am not thirsty of your blood, leave us and go away! (To Esti and Haia).
Go away from here!
II legionary. You should die, Judean, you have put on the Romans head your dirty
foot, with which you walk on this filthy ground.
Johanan. Go away peacefully!
Legionary (nearly drives Johanan in the corner). You have been impolite to the
Roman.
Esti. He was going to dishonor me.
Haia. This villain wanted to undress me.
Johanan. Go away from here, I say. I wont shed blood. (He throws his dagger
away).
Legionary (pushes Esti and she falls down. He takes out his dagger). You should
die, you should die, filthy Judean!
He nearly rushes at Johanan. Esti gets up, runs to him and strikes his
waist with her leg. Haia does the same and strikes the other legionary.
The legionaries fell down. Nadab, Abihu and Juda run up and
stand over the legionaries.
Juda. Dont move, you, wretched beings!
Juda (looks at Johanan in surprise). Did you attack a Roman?
Johanan. I have saved him from committing a sin, the sin of incest. ( Leaves).
Esti. Johanan, where are you going? (To Abihu) He has saved us.
Abihu. He wont stay with us. Have you hurt anything?
Johanan leaves.
Esti. Johanan...(Follows him) Wait for me!
Juda. Esti, where are you going?
Haia (making a few steps to Johanan). Johanan... Esti, you...
Abihu (takes Haia by the hand). He has turned his back to Adonai. He serves to new
God.
Esti. Johanan, I am coming to you, wait, please! (Leaves).
Haia (removes Abihus hand away. She looks at Johanan and Esti with regret). Let
me free, take your hand away! (She is irritated and mercilessly beats the legionary). I
kept saying Zealots will come, didnt I? You are to be blamed for everything
unless you have attacked us, Johanan wont have come and Esti has not followed
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him. I kept saying you are swine and Zealots are not asleep, didnt I? Why have you
touched me with your dirty hand, why? Thats why he has gone, thats why he has
taken this silly, impudent Esti, which sticks to everyone!
Juda (puts his hand over Haias shoulder and takes her away from the legionary).
Your strokes are caresses for him. Hush! They have to be tried.
Legionary. You have no right we are citizens of Rome.
II legionary. You should have respect to the citizens of Rome!
Abihu. What has a citizen of Rome to do in Judea?
Legionary. We have come here to make you love order here, to teach you respect to
one another you are ignorant, illiterate people, nearly barbarous nation!
Nadab. You should be taken to court!
Legionary. Who has given you the right to do harm to a citizen of Rome?
Abihu (pays no attention to the legionary). You will be tried by Zealots. Begin,
Juda!
Juda (to Haia). Come and tell us what happened!
Haia. We were coming back home, when these beasts blocked our way. They kept
saying they wanted to taste Judean girls (getting angry.) This one wanted to taste me
like cactus is tasted whether it is ripe or not and then to go and sleep sweetly.
Nadab. Verdict!
Nadab. You run after our girls to disgrace them.
Abihu. You have taken the life from defenders of the home country, and you have
made death settle in every family of Judea,
Abihu. A soul for soul!
Juda. An eye for an eye!
Nadab. A tooth for a tooth!
Legionary(whistles and applauds). Cheers, cheers, cheers!
Juda. You should die, Romans, this is the verdict of Judeans!
Legionary. Applaud, why are you lazy, why dont you applaud?!
II legionary whistles.
Nadab (to Haia). Why dont you say anything?
Haia. Dont kill them; dont take the sin upon yourselves!
Juda. To kill a conqueror is not a sin.
Haia. Castrate them or cut their hands off not to fumble their dirty hands about
women.
Juda. If someone comes to seize your land, abode, wife, children or friends, be
ahead of them and kill them! It is a mercy.
Haia. Let them free to go and tell other legionaries that we have granted them life.
Abihu. Death!
Juda. Only death to devastators of our country!
Nadab. The sentence is final and is subject to be executed today, immediately!
Legionary (whistles and applauds). Cheers, cheers, Judeans, loud cheers to fervent
defenders of unruly people. (To II legionary). What are you waiting for, I say do
applaud! (Both legionaries applaud) You, too, applaud, applaud to your own selves,
you deserve it, you are worthy of applauding, vigorous applauding!
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II legionary whistles.
Juda. Stop that jesting!
Legionary (doesnt stop applauding). Jesting is that what you are doing (to II
legionary) Why are you applauding so lazily. Applaud stronger!
Abihu (in a warning manner). Finish! You have already been told!
Legionary whistles.
Abihu. What are you doing? What sounds you are uttering, are you a bird?
Legionary. These are sounds of fear. When he is frightened, he whistles thus.
Juda. It is dawning. It is the time to execute the sentence.
Haia. You havent said how we should put them to death.
Abihu. We have four ways of capital punishment. First burn on fire.
Nadab (interrupts him). No, no... Romans will notice the fire.
Abihu. Throw stones. There are lots of stones in Jerusalem.
Juda. This needs much time. It will dawn soon. Lets hang them. Lets hang them
on the tree.
Legionary (to II legionary). They can only have abundance of different ideas,
nothing more.
Haia. Ill tell you. I know how they should die the way they kill Jews. They have
crucified many Judeans, so many Judeans, who have shed their blood.
Nadab. A Roman should be killed according to a Roman rule!
Abihu. Whatever are you talking about, Judeans? Dawn is coming. Crucified does
not die soon blood is slowly draining out. It takes much time. Romans will soon
make a round about the town.
Juda. Lets kill them with a dagger and finish soon!
Legionary. How funny you are! (Whistles).
Abihu. So its decided. It will be a dagger.
Nadab. Then let it be a dagger. Let it be so!
Juda. He, who lifts the sword, should die of sword!
II legionary (ironically). Judeans have come to terms, cheers! (He whistles without
stopping. Return whistles are heard.)
Juda. Hush! Whats that?
Legionary. Birds! Birds respond to whistles at dawn.
Whistles are repeated. Return whistle of II legionary.
II legionary. We wont argue, well crucify you all.
Haia (shouts). Romans, Romans all around!
Its dark. The sounds of clashes are heard, cries: here they are, here, tie
them, they are there.
The proscenium is lighted. Johanan appears in quick steps.
Esti (follows Johanan). Johanan, Johanan, wait, why are you running away?
Johanan. Dont follow me, go back! Go to them, to your people!
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Esti. I want to be with you (she passionately embraces him). Why, Johanan, why are
you running away from me?
Johanan (tries to suppress his passion and avoid Esti). Go, go, this was earlier,
everything has changed... Now I am different, different Johanan, quite different...
Esti. You are still my Johanan... mine... You kept telling me we should be together
forever... You have told me, havent you? (Embraces and kisses him passionately).
Johanan (excited). No, no, you should not, it must not be done. (But he subdues to
Estis burning passion and kisses her violently).
Esti. You know you are wonderful, so sweet!
Johanan. You, too, you, too... I have a new God, I have chosen another way.
Esti. Does he forbid love? Doesnt he give you the right to love?
Johanan. Not with you ... We are different. You serve one God, I serve the other.
Esti. Johanan, Johanan! (Embraces him.) I want to be with you!
Johanan. Dont follow me, dont come after me... I obey another God, the God,
who sacrificed his life for me.
Esti. We all have one God Adonai and we all serve Adonai.
Johanan. Why dont you understand that I have chosen another way? My
God is the one, who has shouldered the sins of each of us...He abandoned this world
because of us.
Esti. Oh...oh...yes, thats good, good!
Johanan. And then He ascended to the Heaven and has his abode there.
Esti. What are you saying, Johanan, what? Embrace me, closer!
Johanan. I have found... I have returned. Dont follow me! Dont come after me!
(Leaves, comes back, embraces and kisses Esti).
Esti. Johanan, dont go, Johanan!
Johanan. Dont call me... dont... dont... (They kiss passionately each other).
Darkness.
A herald in the circle of light. He talks to the audience
with an ironic smile and strange intonation.
Herald (ironically). Tortured people of Jerusalem, these noble Zealots turned out to
be bad people! They dont believe in kind intentions of Romans. Romans seem to
have come here to help Judea live better, to be educated, not to be dirty any longer,
to think not of praying, but of body development, to study not Gods
commandments, but to learn to sing and dance. Zealots do not understand this. They
are so irresponsible that kill Romans having come with kind intentions, without
explaining to them why they are doing so, why they are killing them. Last night
Zealots turned out to try to kill legionaries, who came to our country to please us,
without any explanations. The list of Zealots involves women as well. Just these
very women attacked legionaries. They turned out to be more obstinate than men,
more merciless. The men seemed to be frightened simply with whistles and when a
detachment of legionaries came, they ran away and found shelter in the wood. One
silly Zealot fought over half an hour against the legionaries. He killed one and
wounded three of them, then stumbled over the stone; fell down and ..., wasnt he
silly? If you have killed one enemy, wounded three without explaining why you
12

attack them, go, run away! But no, he stumbled on the stone. Write on your heart:
you should explain to people, to make them be well aware why you are fighting with
them. However, before that, tomorrow, in the afternoon, after the prayer come to the
shadow-spread square and see how Romans punish obstinate Jews they will
crucify that Zealot, who has killed one legionary and being unsatisfied with
wounding the three legionaries he even stumbled over the stone. (Leaves).
The proscenium again. Esti holds a whole bunch of field flowers.
Haia (running in). Where is Johanan? (Silence. Esti moves her finger on the lips.
We should guess she remembers something pleasant. This irritates Haia more). Esti,
where is Johanan?
Esti. Hush... hush!
Haia (looks around). Esti, tell me where is Johanan?
Esti. Hush, I say!
Haia (looks around, in a low voice). What happened?
Esti. He was so pleased with me. He fell sweetly asleep.
Haia. Kissing? It should not be done!
Esti (She seems pleased with the vision). It was so nice. I have never had such
emotion before.
Haia. Think over what you are saying. You should not have kissed a man engaged
to another girl, you should not!
Esti. It was so pleasant, so exciting!
Haia. Where is he, where have you taken him?
Esti (smiling). He took me himself.
Haia (holding her breath). Where? Tell me, quickly, where is he? (Starts running
about the proscenium, looking through every corner of the stage). Where is he
sleeping? There is no one there. (Turns to Esti, shaking her). Tell me, Esti, where did
Johanan take you?
Esti (smiling). I dont know, probably, to the place, where one can kiss freely, where
hostile, alien eyes could not see us: come with me, Ill show you something, how he
lured me away for kisses.
Haia. What then? What happened then?
Esti (in a low voice, as if sharing her secret). Judeo-Christians know well how to
kiss!
Haia. You are a liar, a poor liar!
Esti. My lips... I feel pain now. He was biting me?!
Haia. No. thats not right, you are a liar!
Esti. Does he know to bite? Does he? (Pause). You dont know, probably, as he has
never kissed you, Haia. Why are you so cruel, why arent you sorry for me look,
how swollen my lips are!
Haia (nervously). Thats not right, its a lie! No, it cannot be so!
Esti. His kisses are so pleasing. (She passes her fingers over her lips blissfully). His
kisses made my body tremble with excitement.
Haia. Johanan has not kissed you, Johanan wont ever kiss you!
Esti. Who has taught him to kiss so? Haia, do you know what is it?!
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Haia (impulsively, as if protecting herself). I have taught him; where else he could
have learned!
Esti. (smiling). Bravo! It was so fine, so very nice! (Leaves).
Haia (catches her by the arm). Where are you going?
Esti. Dont block my way! Step aside!
Haia. No, no, I wont let you go.
Esti. He is waiting for me! (Pleasantly touches her lips with her fingers.) Why arent
you sorry for me? Was it you who taught him to bite?
Haia. I wont let you go to my fianc.
Esti. He prefers kissing me to everything else.
Haia (tears fill her eyes). Esti, what are you talking about, Esti?
Esti (with a pity). He has never kissed you, Haia, has he? Why doesnt he want to
kiss you?
Haia (crying). I dont know, I dont know...
Esti. He is waiting for me; Ill tell you everything afterwards.
Haia. No, I wont let you go...I wont let you go there...
Esti (smiles). You cant stop me...
They walk in circle, measuring each other with eyes. Esti looks for the
way to run away.
Haia. You wont go, you wont go!
Esti. He is waiting for me. I am sorry for him.
Haia. No, no!
Esti (running away) Ill tell you everything, I promise.
Darkness.
Festos palace. The sun rays brighten the verandah. Festos is sitting cozily in
the armchair. Augustus is gazing at the city.
Augustus. I think garbage is reigning in this city, dirt is everywhere, untidiness.
Festos. Have you had a rest? I think I was right to postpone the talk for morning.
Augustus. We were rocked by the ship till the Bosporus so that I was afraid we
could have become food for the Marble Sea fish.
Festos. I saw this on your face.
Augustus. Claudius is in a hurry if not tomorrow, I should go back the day after
tomorrow, He is waiting for me.
Festos (after a pause). He should not hurry! It wont do him any good.
Augustus. They are being multiplied in Rome very fast like grass grown after the
rain, especially in the recent period. Why have they taken to Rome so much?
Festos. It is not only Rome, other cities and other countries as well. They are
entering silently, unnoticed, like air, water...
Augustus (interrupts him). Men are being changed; men keep saying we have been
born anew. Thats why Claudius has sent me. Who else can wisely give me advice if
not Festos? Festos, who are Judeo-Christians and what do they want?
Festos (walks around the verandah in silence for some time). Maybe we should start
from the beginning and ask who Jews are?
14

Augustus. We know this: obstinate people, who do not want to understand, to

recognize anything except Moses commandments. They have invented so many
prophets, as no one else has. If we believe them, the heaven kept taking care only of
them.
Festos. All this has already been, Augustus, all this has already been... Today, nearly
each Jew has become a Zealot.
Augustus. A Zealot? Whatever is this?
Festos. They are Jews sworn enemy of Rome. They keep saying we have left our
home country; each time they try to shed the blood of Romans. They even shed the
blood of those Jews, which did not fight against Romans, though they are few
already.
Augustus. Judeans, Judeo-Christians, Zealots...
Festos. Frushims, inflexible, not of this world Essenes, Sadducees...and each of
them so firmly believes in his God being the only one, that...
Festos. Yes, the only one God and not the pantheon of gods!
Augustus. And now they want to press this nonsense upon Rome, dont they?
Festos. Not only upon Rome!
Augustus. You are right: they also enter other countries like air, water, without any
noise and change people, but they have firm roots in Rome and the number of the
adherents in Rome keeps growing daily. Why are they trying to spread in Rome the
new invention of Jews Judeo-Christianity?
Festos. Its not a difficult enigma today Rome is the ruler of the world. That one,
which can master the heart and the mind of Romans, becomes the ruler of the
universe.
Augustus. Claudius considers revenge to be the reason of such persistence. (Festos
look indicates he has not understood anything). The reason of Judeo-Christians
attack is what happened hundred, or a bit more, years ago: Praetor Gispan drove
Jews out of Rome.
Festos (shakes his head). There are two mistakes in this consideration, Augustus.
Claudius does not know two things: Praetor Gispan drove away Jews, but Julius
Caesar made them return Rome needs its Jews, their voice is heard in all the
countries, he said. After the Decree of Julius Caesar, Jews multiplied in Rome. Now
they say Pompey Neros yoke-carrier likes Judaism very much and this means...
Augustus (ironically stops him). Will Judaism find shelter in Rome? Its a false fear.
So many women find place in the bed of Nero a rising star in place of Pompey,
sometimes even men...Isnt it so? Pompey, already a week ago is a bloomed rose.
And which is the other mistake? (With an emphasis that Festos guesses). What else
is it that Claudius does not know?
Festos (looks insistently at Augustus, speaking through clenched teeth). JudeoChristians wont do anything for Jews!
Augustus. If Claudius drives away Jews from Rome like Praetor Gispan, what
would Festos say then?
Festos. Festos would ask, why Jews?
Augustus. It is Judeo-Christianity that Jews get hold of Rome They are the same,
arent they?
Festos. This was earlier, now it is changing.
15

Augustus. So this means we should annihilate all of them together Jews, JudeoChristians...
Festos (points to the arm-chair). Please! Yes, it was so once, and today they are also
one and the same, but Judeo-Christian Jews are now irritated with Judean Jews,
asking them why dont you follow us? Judeans still worship Adonai... looking at
Judeo-Christians with offence.
Augustus. There is no difference. Both old and new are invented by Jews, is their
God and not mine.
Festos. Judeo-Christian Jews have changed which is inacceptable and alien for
Judeans. Today they are saying to Judeans you have killed our God. By this they
avoid what our Procurator Pilate has done according to the law of Rome. JudeoChristians avoid bloodshed by Rome and...
Augustus. I failed to understand anything, Festos, nothing at all. What are you
talking about?
Festos. I say and we shall inform Claudius about it as well, as he should know this
by all means: Judeo-Christians avoided punishment of Judean rabbi by the law of
Rome and made this the blame of Judeans. Thus they gave us a sign.
Augustus. What sign?
Festos (after a pause). They are in favor of Rome.
Augustus (firmly).We are not friends of Barbarians. A Barbarian can be a slave and
not a friend. (He notices Festos cold, ironic gaze. With changed intonation). Why
do we need or whats the use of the God of Judeo-Christians?
Festos. Augustus, if there are still far-sighted, wise men left in Rome, they should be
sitting and discussing how Rome has to get good from Judeo-Christianity, what it
can bring to Rome.
Augustus. It seems to me you already know what should be done.
Festos. I know, Augustus, but I am not in Rome. You have shut me in that remote
Judea, in the blind alley of the universe your place is here, they say.
Augustus. You know well I wished you were in Syria as the emperors vice-regent,
but Festos, I have come here on the Emperors errand. He should make an important
decision and I have no time to talk about other issues. What can Judeo-Christians
give to Rome? Whats the use of our friendship with them?
Festos (as if thinking aloud). Time is changing faster than clouds change their
abode, the clouds are slow, and the time fast.
Augustus. Time is mastered by Rome, and Rome is the ruler of time.
Festos (after a pause). But today Jerusalem is changing the appearance of the
universe. Judeo-Christians lay the origin to the new world and Rome should find...
Augustus (does not hide dissatisfaction). How can Barbarians change time and the
universe?!
Festos. Judeo-Christianity has spread in the East and the West. Observe, Augustus:
We are occupying countries with the enormous army and people become our
enemies, perfidious Zealots are ready each minute to cut throats to Romans. JudeoChristians have invented such weapon...
Augustus. Jews! This is also invented by Jews, corrupting peoples!
Festos. Judeo-Christians conquer not countries, but peoples hearts.
16

Augustus. Jews, Jews are doing all this. We should uproot them together with their
Judeo-Christians.
Festos. We can do nothing; the idea is in the air. Judeo-Christianity is invisible and
fleshless. Just on the contrary, wouldnt it be better, Augustus: as this idea
penetrated into the East and the West, as it unites both the rich and the poor, the old
and the young, maybe, we had better snatch it from Jews, Judeo-Christians maybe
Rome should unite the universe with this idea.
Augustus (angrily). What is it you are saying, Festos?
Festos. Rome had better preach the new belief; Rome should lead the new idea, thus
people will stand under the flag of Rome, and the universe consists of people.
Augustus ( watching the city). No, it is not so dirty, why, this city is not bad! There
is much good in it. Here the sun brightens the environment. The breeze is blowing...
It is too hot in Rome in this period.
Festos (with irony). Maybe, my dear Augustus, maybe! And there takes place so
much interesting here...The world of tomorrow is being born here.

Darkness
There were many squares in old Jerusalem,
but the shadow-covered square with palms near the temple differed
from the others people of different age, origin and fortune
used to gather here. There are lots of people on the square.
Two clergymen an old rabbi and a curly-haired fellow walk from the
stage towards the proscenium. They are arguing.
Rabbi. As you dont agree with me, then, tell me what is the sense of charity? Tell
me, what does charity mean?
Curly-haired Fellow (unhurried, earnestly). If a man makes good unselfishly, he is
thus observing all Ten Commandments of God.
Rabbi. Ken, aval lo. Ken, aval lo! Yes, but no! Yes, but no! It is so, but... But, isnt
it necessary to love people any longer? Let them make good and thats all?! Do
charity and is that all?
Curly-haired Fellow. Charity is conducted only by those, who can express love and
compassion.
Rabbi (suddenly). Unselfish service, you say?
Curly-haired Fellow. To whom?
Rabbi. As you are asking this, you seem not to know what unselfish service is.
Curley-haired Fellow. Only alive need charity, while both the dead and alive are in
need of unselfish service.
Rabbi (he is silent and thinks). Ken, aval lo... Ken, aval lo! It is so, but it is not so...
It is so, but it is not so...Think about it.
Curly-haired Fellow. You have not told about services to whom dead or alive?
Those, delivering unselfish service can also consider they observe all Ten
Commandments of God.
17

Rabbi (doubt appears in his look, slowly, as if he is thinking) Ken, aval lo, ken, aval
lo. Yes, but no... No, but yes... Then, then tell me what does it mean doing no
charity?
Curley-haired Fellow. He, who does no charity, is an idol worshipper. But now I
have a question, rabbi. (Rabbi looks searchingly at the curly-haired fellow). Why do
our people keep talking about charity, about unselfish services all the time?
Rabbi. Remember well: the world stands on three supports.
Curley-haired Fellow. First: study, second: service to God, third: philanthropy.
What does philanthropy mean? Only those, who can express love and compassion,
can be philanthropists.
Rabbi. Ken, ken! You are right! You do know! But what if people, or a man, still
lack one of these? (The gaze of a teacher and a disciple expresses hopelessness, lack
of perspective.) What is going on in present-day Judea now? Which of these does
Judea lack now?
Long silence.
Curly-haired Fellow. Love!
Rabbi. I cant understand what you are saying.
Curly-haired Fellow. Love, love of a man to another man, rabbi!
Rabbi (changes the topic of talk at once). Tell me quickly tell me, as you are used
to pattering. What did Rabbi Eliazar say?
Curly-haired Fellow. Which one is he? Which is Rabbi Eliazar?
Rabbi. The one, which said that...
Curly-haired Fellow (thinks). Rabbi Eliazar, who said that... Charity and
unselfishness will save Israel. Charity and unselfishness assist understanding
between God and Jerusalem.
Rabbi (shouting gaily). Good fellow! Good fellow! Good fellow! You can soon
become a rabbi. You need only beard and mustaches!
They run and join people gathered at the proscenium.
Singing in recitative is heard on the proscenium:
God, send us rain,
God, there is no water,
For the third year already,
The earth thirsts dew,
For the third year already
There is no harvest.
Rabbi (also singing).
Morid atal, morid atal,
The earth has opened its mouth...
Morid atal, morid atal,
Ill put my hand into its bosom.
All together:
Sender of dew,
Giver of harvest,
18

Source of life.
Give us harvest,
Give us!
Cripple (calls up the sky angrily). You have supplied to us a piece of bread in the
wilderness; you have helped your sons. Why have you forgotten us now, do you
think Canaan is a heavenly garden? Dont you remember where you have settled us?
Curly-haired Fellow. Why are crying so? When it is necessary, even a whisper can
be heard. If it is not, cry as much as you want.
Cripple. What can I do, then? Which way should I choose?
Monobaz appears from the group of people, carrying a chest.
Monobaz. Here, here, people, come here!
Brother. What do you want now...What else did you invent this time?
Rabbi. Who is he?
Coquettish Woman. Monobaz, Monobaz Gadol!
Rabbi. Who named him Gadol and why?
Coquettish Woman. People. Whatever he has he wants for people.
Monobaz. Here, here, people, thirsty, hungry, come to me!
Brother. What do you want? What have you planned?
Old Woman. Here I am, Monobaz, I have come!
Monobaz. Have you got a child?
Old Woman. I had. He died in the battle against Philistine.
Monobaz. Was he your only child?
Old Woman. Neighbor killed my second child, why did you smile to my wife he
said and struck my son with an axe.
Monobaz. Did you have two sons?
Old Woman. The third also died in the battle against Philistines, who attacked us.
My son was better and the enemy ran away. My son followed him. Should you run
after a running enemy?! You should take pleasure from seeing a running enemy.
Nothing is better than watching how the enemy is running. My son followed him,
but stumbled and overturned. My son struck his head on the stone, which was lying
there for him to strike his head on it. He failed to avoid it and died immediately in
this very place.
Monobaz (takes a thing out of the chest). Now, take this, dont keep it and dont
decorate your house with it, simply buy bread and olives to survive.
Old Woman. I had a fourth son as well.
Monobaz. Go, woman, let God help you!
The old woman leaves.
Brother (very troubled). What are you doing, brother? Our ancestors had been
collecting these treasures for centuries, turning money into articles and giving from
generation to generation. You are not adding anything to it.
Monobaz (interrupting him). Yes, I add and add well... If you watch closely, I add
so that...
19

Brother. Yes, you are right, I see, dont I? You are spending it in the streets,
squander it.
Monobaz. Is there your share in it?
Brother (worried). You have nothing to do with my share, my share is in my chest,
my chest is in the place, where no one can see and reach it. I cant see how you are
squandering the treasures of our ancestors.
Monobaz. They were collecting it for this country. I am giving it to people, thus
collecting it for the future country. (Calls to people) Come, people! Come!
Cripple (approaching Monobaz). God has given us manna in the wilderness, hasnt
he? He has given us bread, hasnt He? Why has He forgotten us now? Does not He
want us to be His children anymore?
Monobaz. God forgets those who forget Him. (Takes a thing from the chest). Go
and dont preserve it; go and sell it to buy bread, and olives to survive.
Brother (in despair). What are you doing, brother, what, why are you squandering
the property?
Woman. Help me, Great Monobaz, I am dying of hunger. Maybe you can give me
something.
Monobaz. You have got a son, havent you?
Woman. You are my son. I have not put any piece into my mouth for a week.
Monobaz. Have you got a husband?
Woman. Yes, I have, of course!
Monobaz. Then what about your son?
Woman. He is so strong, but who has given me so much strength, I should have
spared myself!
Monobaz. Dont trouble yourself now as well. Dont you see how hot it is? Go
home and find shelter in the shade.
Woman. How can I sit home hungry?
Monobaz. You preferred yourself to your country!
Woman. But we are hungry now, both my husband and I.
Monobaz (takes some coins out of his pocket). You were lazy when you were
young, werent you? Take this and be this enough for you.
Brother. You cant feed them, you cant make them grateful... you will only
squander your ancestors fortune.
Woman. Whats that? Have I come to you only for this? (She throws the coins down
to Monobazs feet.)
Brother. Is that what you are collecting?
Monobaz. My ancestors were collecting in the place, where there was robbery. I am
collecting, where there is no robbery.
Brother. There is no such place anywhere. No one can live, unless he steals. Do you
think they steal only money? Stealing of the word? Do you know what is the stealing
of the word? Its everything. Or, stealing of the idea! The past is also stolen; people
steal the past from one another as well.
Curly-haired Fellow (coming up to Monobaz). Will you help me?
Monobaz. How old are you?
Curly-haired Fellow. I am seventeen and I study what God inspires us to study.
Monobaz. Seventeen! Go and leave me!
20

Curly-haired Fellow. Who shall I take away from?

Monobaz. Dont take away from anyone! Get it!
Curly-haired Fellow. People are hungry. There has been no harvest for three years.
You yourself are not giving out what you have earned. Go and earn and give it out.
To get is a main thing and not to give out.
Monobaz. I am getting through giving out. All this will yield fruit in the future life,
in the world of future.
Curly-haired Fellow. In the next world?
Monobaz (Takes an article out of the chest and gives him). If I find out you have
taken away from someone, Ill find you and make you answer. Take this, sell it and
dont give it to anyone. Sell and buy bread and olives to survive.
Curly-haired Fellow. Let God assist you in finding spiritual treasure through your
own finding. (Goes away).
Monobaz. Wait! (Points to the woman). Do you see that woman? That man is her
husband.
Curly-haired Fellow. Yes, I do.
Monobaz (takes an article out of the chest). Take this and drop it in front of them so
that they can see as if you have dropped, you lost it. Do it so that they find it by all
means. They should find it. Go now!
Curley-haired Fellow. Lets see! (Leaves).
A charming girl stands before Monobaz. She stands silent.
Monobaz. Yes, now?
Girl. When will you come to me? (Silence. Monobaz looks at her in surprise) Ill
wait for you. (Silence) If you want Ill come to you wherever you tell me.
Monobaz. Why? Why should I come to you?
Girl. All right then. Ill come and open myself to you. (Silence). What else can I do?
Monobaz (looks deliberately at the girl for some time). Never. Ill never come to
you. (Silence.) Dont you wait for me either! I am collecting treasure for the next
world.
Girl. So, will you assist me without demanding anything in return?
Monobaz (cannot decide anything). Why do you... Where are you coming from...
Who are you?
Girl. I am from Galilee...My parents have passed to the next world. I arrived to
Jerusalem, as life is easier here...There are many people here. I worked at
Sadducees house as a house-cleaner.
Monobaz. Sadducees are rich people. All the rich people are poor.
Girl. How is that...How can a rich man be poor?
Monobaz. Rich is he, who remembers the poor and feeds them.
Girl. They used to tell me, unless you give yourself to, no one will help you. Which
is worse sin, to get your piece of bread through fists and blood, or give yourself to?
Monobaz. Both are sins. Have you given yourself to many?
Girl. To no one. I had bread then. I am so after the new moon. I have suggested
myself to two, but they refused.
Monobaz. To two? Two refused? Young men? Two full-blooded young men?
21

Girl. Yes. Ones blood was boiling...the others too...They were of your age. You
are the third. Maybe something is wrong with me. In Galilee my neighbor girls felt
envy for me, saying how very beautiful I am.
Monobaz. It seems that three true men live in this city now, doesnt it?
Girl. Maybe more. I faced problems after the full moon...
Monobaz. Do you think three true men are not much? If there live more than three
true men in this city, we are saved. You are a herald of the good.
Brother. You want to divide the wealth of your ancestors to those, who are not
ashamed to give themselves to for earning their living? What can I do? How can I
assure my brother not to squander the wealth of ancestors?
Monobaz. You see, brother, how many true people have been in this city. I should
collect. I should collect the treasure for the next world. (He takes the chest and runs
away. To the girl). Follow me!
Singing in recitation is again heard on the proscenium.
God, send the rain to us,
God, we have no water,
Its the third year already
The earth is thirsty of dew.
Its the third year already,
There is no harvest.
Morid atal,
Morid atal,
Sand sticks in the mouth.
Morid atal, morid atal,
Give life to us!
Curly-haired Fellow (solo, in rabbi-like song).
Give life to us!
He turns to others, gives a sign. All together:
Sender of dew,
Giver of harvest,
Source of life,
Give us life, give us life!
Old Man. He doesnt want, he doesnt wish, he gave us food in the wilderness, and
now he says no?
Lady. Judea has experienced much. I have heard much. But having no water for so
long?
Coquettish Woman. You are of the age that we should believe you everything. It
seems it has never been.
Lady. Rabbi Isaiah sat to the books, wanting to find the reason of what is happening
to us. Ariel has also left his newly-wed wife searching for the reason as well.
Coquettish Woman. He simply wanted to leave her. He isnt the one to find
anything.
22

Old Man (wishing, singing). Masiaaah, Masiaaah, Masiaaah!

Old Woman. Where are you, Messiah, where? Masiaaah!
Nathan. He was with us here, you failed to recognize him! And now you wonder
why God punishes us!
Fellow. Due to absence of love, he is angry with us. Why you hate one another so
much, without any reason, he says.
Coquettish Woman. No, no, it doesnt concern me. I love everybody.
Lady. You dont love everybody, you belong to everybody.
Coquettish Woman. What has she seen? What does she know? Arent you
ashamed?
Johanan. Believe in new God, our God!
Moshe. Those, who believe in new God, find abode in the Paradise.
Old Man. Hey, in the Paradise, they say! Relief has appeared. Go, go, and youll
get straight into the Paradise!
Moshe. Why dont you think of your life in the next world, people, why arent you
preparing for your new life? Olam haze comes to the end and olam aba begins.
Coquettish Woman. Its no time to think of the future world. Let me live now first.
Johanan. Itll be late then, very late!
Coquettish Woman. Wait, wait! Let me say! (To the old man). So, you do agree
with this, dont you? So, I belong to everyone, eh? Whenever did I belong to you?
Cripple. When someone is unable, he starts talking of others. Lets attack them and
teach them a good lesson.
Moshe. Love, love to their own people.
Cripple (to the coquettish woman about the lady). To tell the truth, everything was
arranged by her. She says awful things about you... She hates a young and beautiful
woman.
Lady. Where are young and beautiful women? I see no one here.
Coquettish Woman (screaming in a shrill voice). Whatever are you saying, woman,
open your eyes!
Lady. All right, I looked here, I looked there, I stared, but where are they?
Fellow. Come on, come on, thats it!
Old Man. Are you laughing at people?
Coquettish Woman. Who is there for you to laugh at? Have you forgotten you
compared me with an angel?
Fellow. I did not remember saying this.
Coquettish Woman. Have you forgotten? You even did not remember I refused
you.
Girl (to the fellow). What is this woman talking about?
Coquettish Woman. Come on, lie with him, but there is no sense in it, you wont
feel anything his is not more than half a finger.
Girl. You should not talk to a man like this!
Coquettish Woman. A man! Where do you see a man?
Girl (to the fellow). Did you lie with her? How have you gone to bed with her?!
Fellow. Every man has been in the marsh once in his life!
Coquettish Woman. Who is a marsh, which marsh have you been in? You, half-afinger!
23

Cripple. I thought a man and a woman, being together, is like flying in the sky- as if
you are flying in the azure of the sky...
Coquettish Woman (to the girl). Come on, take him. Hold this of half a finger size
in your hand all the time, otherwise, if you lose it, you wont ever find it.
Nathan. Do you see what Judea is in - do you see where rejection of true God has
led to?
Johanan. I am telling you the truth you should love your enemy. When you love
your enemy, love will reign in Judea.
Fellow. What, what did you say?
Criple. This fellow is telling us something.
Moshe. This fellow is talking about love. Love your enemy, he says.
Coquettish Woman. How, how can it be!
Lady (to Johanan). What are you talking about, are you mad? Where did you come
from?
Cripple. Maybe you are mistaken. You wanted to say love your friend and not your
enemy.
Nathan. No, no, no! Your friend is always in your heart. To love your enemy is a
brave thing. Absurd life of Judea, distorted by animosity and hatred, can be changed
just by this. This may bring reign of peace and love back to us.
Cripple (to Nathan). Look into my eyes! Look into my eyes and dont avoid your
gaze!
Nathan. I am looking, my kind old man!
Cripple. Yes, thats it... Come nearer, dont bulge your eyes like an owl!
Johanan. Thats true! Love for enemy will bring peace, a feeling of assistance to
one another, reign of love.
Fellow. How is that? A Roman is my enemy, isnt he?
Girl. How can I love Romans, love conquerors, love devastators of Judea?
Moshe. When our God holds a major place in your heart, when you are full of
virtue, you wont even notice a Roman.
Cripple. So, you teach us to love Romans!
Johanan. To love every man; our God teaches us to love every man...
Cripple (bursts into loud, such hearty laugh that attracts attention). Oh, how they are
cheating us, Israelites, how... they are deceiving us. So, what comes out of this: I
should love who beats me? Judeo-Christians are protectors of Romans and their
glorifiers!
Old Man. What, what? Let me approach them! Now, come and tell me who I
should love?
Johanan (in the intonation of a humble man).Thou shalt love your enemy! If one
strikes thou on thy left cheek, give him thy right cheek!
Cripple (mockingly). So if I strike you now, will you give me your left cheek?
Johanan. Maybe, love to God will settle in your soul and you will find the truth of
existence!
Cripple. Is it so? (He lifts up his hand, trying to strike Johanan).
Johanan. I still remember you are a brother of mine.
Cripple (mockingly). What, what, what? What nonsense are you talking about?
Johanan. You are my brother and I love you as my brother.
24

Cripple (puts down his hand startled). This commandment has been brought to us
by Moses from the Sinai Mountain love your brother!
Eltsapan. Why are you arguing, Israelites? Dont you see God has forgotten Judea!
We should find a new way the way to survive. The time has come for Judea to
embark the new way!
Esti. This man talks like Johanan.
Johanan. If Judea doesnt find a new way, this country wont exist any longer.
Esti. Johanan, what are you saying, Johanan?
Johanan. Its just so. If you dont become Judeo-Christians, Judea has no future.
Eltsepan. The way of our God, it is the way of the truth.
Old Man (irritated). Think what you are talking about, what you are proposing to
people?
Fellow. Who are you?
Eltsapan. I am follower of the Son of our God Joshua of Nazareth. I am a JudeoChristian.
Cripple. I am a cripple, but I have walked round every district, every corner of
Jerusalem for some ten times. I know many people. But I have never seen you.
Neither your manner of talk in Jerusalem intonation, you have different tone.
Eltsapan. But I am a Judean, born under the Judean sun, burnt by the Judean sun. I
was brought up in Bethlehem. I followed Joshua, listened to his preaching. When he
came into Jerusalem on mule before Pesach, I was beside him, I followed him.
Old Man (interrupting him). Do you hear what this man is saying?! Why dont you
answer him? Why dont you tell him he is on the wrong way?
Cripple. Stones, prepare stones, lets throw stones at him!
Coquettish Woman. Why are you shouting at him? What all that mess is about!
Eltsapan. Here I am, brothers, to die through torture means Ill start on the way of
my rabbi Joshua. Whenever you regain your mind, youll believe in true God. It
will be in return to death from torture.
Monobaz. People, why dont you keep calm? Hasnt come the time to live
peacefully and in an ordinary way, like other nations do? We should not always be
like wine maturing in a pitcher should we? God has assisted us in leaving Egypt, He
has saved us from thousands of jeopardy He has cut the sea for us, drowning the
pharaoh with his chariots. He took care of us in the wilderness, gave us food. He
gave us His Commandments. We said to make the entire world hear it: We accept
and well observe.
Coquettish Woman. Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself! He said.
Lady (with stress). Thou shalt not commit adultery! - He said.
Coquettish Woman. Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself! Shalt love! He said,
didnt He?
Monobaz. We have given to the world an example of serving God. And now you
come and say: Be beside us!
Lady. Give us the right to have calm. Let people be in peace!
Eltsapan. We are not alien to you. We are not born of others. Before becoming
Judeo-Christians, we were Judeans like you. We have undergone circumcision. We
have prayed three times a day to Adonai, as to our Lord, Joshua. We understood and
25

now keep telling you: You should believe in the Son of God, our God the Son of
Father God.
Esti. Why should we turn our back to our God, who gave us Commandments, gave
us Canaan for permanent home, why?
Eltsapan, Joshua is God universal, u-n-i-v-e-r-s-a-l and so, true God!
Abihu, Why? I am asking you why isnt Adonai true God?
Silence, people, expecting answer, stand mute.
Why should we refuse our God true God and why should we follow he, who you
recognize as the Son of God?!
Silence.

Nathan. You have chosen Joshua your God. You want to follow his way. Be it your
will! And we (making two steps back, leaving Judeo-Christians. Others stand beside
him).
Eltsapan, Nathan, Moshe, Johanan stay on
one side, all the others on the other.
Eltsapan. We are not many now, as you dont want to understand us. Soon, very
soon, youll be in minority, well be many, as Joshua is God universal.
Girl (to the fellow, who mechanically follows those standing beside Nadab, stops
Eltsapan). Are you followers of that God, who preaches love?
Eltsapan. Thats true.
Esti. Isnt our God Adonai preaching us love? There is nothing new in what you
are talking about!
Johanan. Love between people, love of neighbor, even love of enemy. And you are
hostile to one another.
Girl (to the fellow). They are those who establish love.
Esti. They talk on love, talk, talk, talk. Isnt it so, Johanan? (Johanan is silent). You
keep talking on love endlessly, while those... How do you behave to those, whom
you yesterday talked on love with?
Johanan. God is in front of everyone and everything. Who wont accept our God,
wont ascend to love.
Esti. But it is not love, Johanan, it is obedience. (Pause, silence).
Girl. Is it love or obedience to God?
Moshe. Obedient will find peace of spirit.
Abihu. He does not want our obedience he is not Festos, is he?
Esti. So, they are right in calling us disobedient people. God leaves us the right of
this disobedience. Our God seems to be father of disobedient sons.
Eltsapan. God is love.
Fellow (suddenly) I greet you, brothers! (Together with the girl he goes and stands
beside Johanan and his friends.) I am glad to stand beside you!
26

Nathan. Rejoice as we are becoming more quite soon.

Eltsapan. We are leaving, brothers, to share the kindness of Judeo-Christians with
others.
Judeo-Christians leave chanting. Abandoned Judeans
stand powerless. Sound of trumpet is heard.
Legionary (comes in). Step aside. Dont stand here. A dangerous criminal is being
brought.
A wooden device is rolled in. A big cross is erected on it. Juda is
standing at the cross with his legs and hands tied. II legionary is guarding him.
Haia and Esti with their faces covered are looking for someone.
Haia. Here, here, lets stand here! We cant stand in front of the emperors viceregent, can we?!
Nadab (to Haia). Stand a bit there, to the right. All right! (unnoticed he moves the
lid of the well with his foot). Yes, thats right!
Esti (calls Haia on the other side of the device to make Juda hear). Haia, have you
heard what Abros, the son of Iechielis has done?
Haia. What? What has he done? Maybe Juda can hear the news.
Esti. It was too hot. The sun of Jerusalem turned out to be more difficult to stand
than the legionary. Abro is stooped to the waist, has climbed into the well, and the
well joined the tunnel.
Haia. Did he hide from the sun in the tunnel?
Esti. Stooping to the waist, climbing into the well and going to the tunnel from there
is necessary. You should stoop to the waist by all means, should climb into the well
and you will pass, pass by all means...
Legionary. Step aside, step aside! Step from the man to be crucified!
Haia. If the well is as empty as the pocket of the Hebron green-grocer, how should
you behave?
Esti. You should jump in, then follow the tunnel and satisfy the thirst. You should
satisfy the thirst in such a heat...
II legionary (to Esti). Get out of here, stand there, far from here, far. Go there, I say!
(Hands a traveling glass). Are you thirsty, here, have a drink!
Esti (with tempting smile) I satisfy my thirst by standing beside you.
Haia. Doesnt your heart throb with delightful expectation that we stand so close?
Abihu (to Juda). Look down! You can satisfy your thirst down there!
Solemn sound of trumpets.
Legionary. Stand aside, there, there!
II legionary. Festos, the Procurator of Judea!
Festos comes in.
- Glory to Festos!
Silence
- Glory to the Procurator of Judea!
27

Old Man. Am I told to love them, who nearly every day crucify Judeans?
Festos (indifferently). Zealots have decided to kill Romans. At dawn they
attacked the legionaries. Brave legionaries seized Juda Ben David. We have
sentenced him to be crucified. (Pause). Remember, this is the fate of all those
who opposes Rome!
Cries:
- No, no!
- Have mercy on him!
- Save his life!
Old Man. Procurator, these people are entreating you: Dont kill Juda Ben
David! He is an honest, kind, God-loving Judean. He is the only son.
Cripple. Be it enough to punish Judeans!
Festos. Those who appeal kneel in front of their ruler.
Abihu. We entreat our God on foot.
Cripple. You have crucified so many Judeans. It should be enough!
Old Man. Give us his life. Give his life to people, to this Jamaat.
Woman. His bride is waiting for him, Procurator, the wedding is next week.
Haia (takes Esti by the hand). Look how nice Judas bride is! (Esti pushes Haia).
Say, tell them you are his bride, save mans life! (Loudly to Festos). They are
inviting you to the wedding next week.
Esti (pulls her hand from Haia). Let me alone!
Coquettish Woman. Juda is teaching Torah to young people. Teachers are not
killed, Festos!
Festos. Zelots declared war to Rome. Juda Ben David has killed a legionary. We
wont pardon him! Crucify him!
People utter moans.
Legionary. All right! (He jumps on the device. He and II legionary untie Judas
hands. Peoples moans are heard. Juda is being prepared to be crucified.)
Festos. Immediately!
Nadab. The thirsty are awaiting the way of life, here the spring is bubbling.
Juda with untied hands strikes the legionaries strongly and jumps into
the well.
Whistles, cries:
- Oh!
- Here, he is running there, catch him!
- He hasnt gone away!
Legionary (catches Nadab by the hand). Where has the Judean gone?
Nadab. He has pushed so that I nearly fell. He was running away there.

Legionaries run away. Nadab puts the lid back on the well unnoticed.
Festos, we are ready to help you.
28

Abihu. If you give us an order, well help you in finding the Zealot.
Festos looks into the space silently.
Nadab. Israelites, lets go all of us and search for him.
Whistles and the sound of hubbub are heard. Light is putting out.
Act II
Festos palace. Festos is again sitting in the armchair cozily.
Augustus is walking around nervously.
Augustus. I have known much these days. I have been once more sure: Judeans
are very obstinate, indocile people, taking no heed of anything. The most
distressing is that the power of Rome is not felt here, the authorities of Rome are
weak (waits for Festos answer. Festos is silent). You pretend to be offended, but
Ill still tell you: What has happened today is shameful. Its a shame for Rome
that the condemned to death ran away from the justice of Rome! (Festos again
does not say a word). Why dont you say anything, Festos? Romes enemy,
murderer of the Roman legionary, the sentenced to death has run away from you!
(Silence.) Do you think its an unimportant failure?
Festos. Its not a failure, its an orientation.
Augustus. What orientation is it? What orientation are you talking about?
Festos. I mean specificity of working in Judea. This is policy.
Augustus. Is escaping of the legionarys murderer Romes policy?
Festos. He ran away because we wanted him to run away. We closed our eyes.
Augustus. Did you want the condemned to death to escape?
Festos. Its our game, Augustus! Judeans worry much about our rule here; they
are ready every day to fight mercilessly against us. Much blood is shed in this
fight. The condemned to death has killed one legionary and has escaped from us.
He damaged us, but we failed to punish him. That means they have won and are
satisfied. Let them think so. This means something to them. Their satisfaction is
the boulder that will block the torrent.
Augustus (settles down into the arm-chair). Yes...But thus...
Festos. Now in Judea we have more serious things than punishment of any
criminal and more strengthening of dissatisfaction of Judeans. Today Rome
should concentrate its attention on Judeo-Christians and not on Judeans. That,
which is being born in Jerusalem now, will change the universe...
Augustus (smiling). Dont hurry, Festos! Its impossible that Judea will manage
to change anything. The main thing is what is going on in Rome and not in
Jerusalem.
Festos. If we dont catch the reins firmly this very day...That, which should take
place in Rome tomorrow, has its beginning here.
Augustus (ironically). You think Jews are holding the reins now, dont you?
29

Festos. Jews... Pilate was a wise man! He has settled the issue of Jews. Thats
why the reins pass to the hands of Judeo-Christians.
Augustus. Its one and the same thing.
Festos. Judeo-Christianity is that newborn, which wants to suffocate his mother.
What will be tomorrow? Or, have Judeans understood that Judeo-Christians were
not far from them, were not frightened and took into consideration that their
number kept growing every day and recognized this? Jews will unite the world,
wont they? This means that Rome has lost the reins. It wont be able to do any
harm to Jerusalem anymore.
Augustus. Do you think Judeans will follow Judeo-Christians?
Festos. We should help them to stand firmly in defense of Adonai. Thus their
contradictions will strengthen. And if...if...the blood will be shed between them...
(His look brightened).
Augustus. What are you saying, Festos, this is still strengthening of JudeoChristians. Shall we help Jews in spreading the legends?
Festos. People prefer legends to reality. But I am speaking not about the belief,
the policy of Rome: the more firmly the Judean will defend his belief, the more
strongly he will oppose the Judeo-Christian. Here, in this space, the opposition
means the day before bloodshed. The bloodshed will finally separate them from
one another. Thus Judeo-Christians will become more powerful and we shall give
Judeans the place at the dust-heap.
Augustus. I cant understand what you are speaking about.
Festos (thinks). I am speaking about Rome, the tomorrow of Rome (Pause),
about how Rome will make use of what is happening in Judea and remain the centre
of the universe...
Augustus. So, it should be deportation of Jews from Rome? What shall I tell
Claudius?
Festos (thinks). If Claudius deports Jews from Rome...A part of them will go to
Athens, another part to Antioch, more of them will come here to Judea
(thinks). No, it cannot be so. This will reinforce Judeans. The way to suppress
them will be if we forbid those, driven away from Rome, to live in Judea as well.
Suppression is necessary. (Pause) Rome should continue raiding of JudeoChristians, should raid them, but shouldnt keep them in its sight. Time will show
us the rest... (Pause) If Judeo-Christians win tomorrow, the new light will spread
from Rome to the universe. The peoples inspired by this light will bend their
heads to Rome.
Augustus. Do you want to tell me that... The ray of God will make the peoples of
the East-West obey Rome?
Festos. But you said you didnt understand me, didnt you? You see you have
understood me quite well!
Augustus. But what will happen if they unite?
Festos. It is defeat of Rome. (Pause). We shall watch them well, shall assist them
to become enemies. This will finally defeat Judeans.
Augustus. Did Judeans really kill this God?
Festos (smiling). Augustus, Rome has always been powerful here. No one, no
one... could have opposed Pilates will.
30

Augustus. But Judeo-Christians still keep blaming Judeans. Doesnt it mean that
they will never, never reconcile.
Festos. I was telling you this: Judeo-Christians consider Rome and not Jerusalem
to be the navel of the universe. Pilate was very, very much far-sighted man he
snatched the sword from Damocles and hung it over Jews forever. No other
Caesar has done so much to Rome as Pilate has done. The future will prove this.
Augustus. Ill also tell Claudius that you are well aware what is going on here
and what will be tomorrow.
Festos. There is no peace here, and will never be either. Thats why I dont feel
to be oppressed. But... (Pause. Augustus is waiting).
Augustus. But?
Festos. No, nothing. Ill wait for the time when they understand in Rome what
they should have understood till now.

Darkness.
Charming and pleasing Hebrew melody is heard. The light on the stage.
People sing and dance. Joshuaq presents Seper Torah the scroll of Moses
Five Books - to the synagogue in memory and consolation of his deceased
mother. Decorated with colored pieces, Seper Torah in a long box is carried
by him. He is followed by relatives and neighbors singing and dancing. Then
Seper Torah is carried from hand to hand to make more people share the
graciousness.
Joshuaq. Be happy, people, be happy!
Old Man.Let peace be with Jamaat!
Cripple. Let there be weddings, let there be boys born!
Joshuaq and the lady dance in front of Seper Torah. For them the Five Books
of Moses are now
a living being, which they should please with joyous mood. The old man
joins dance. He dances most peculiarly, then asks the coquettish woman
to dance with him, expressing great tenderness towards her its
clear he wants to attract her attention thus. It is a joyous dance, a dancecourting of a male and a female.
Judeo-Christians appear. They follow the festive-celebrating people with a
gloomy
gaze, time and again whispering something to one another.
Esti (to Haia). Why are they following us so?
Haia. Never mind, they are our people Israelites, wanting to see Torah entering.
Old Man (dances with the coquettish woman). Thats it, come on!
Esti. If they are like us, let them come to us. Do you see Johanan standing so far
away?
Haia. Never mind, lets go and dance! (She takes Esti into the dancing group. They
dance). Why dont you dance with Johanan?
31

Joshuaq. Rejoice, neighbors, rejoice!

Haia (to Esti). Hey, go and ask him for a dance (She pushes Esti and makes her
stand in front of Johanan).
Esti (smiling). Johanan! (Johanan does not move. He stands gloomily looking).
Johanan! Come and dance with me, lets dance!
Johanan. Go and dance with a Judean; you belong to them!
Haia (passes by dancing). What does he say? Does he say he loves you no longer?
He doesnt want to kiss you any longer, does he? Is he tired of you so soon? (Rushes
to Johanan and dances before him. Johanan does not move. Haia takes his hand and
makes him move with her dancing). Come on, Johanan, come on, thats good!
Joshuaq. Come on, everybody, come and touch Seper Torah, all of you, share its
graciousness!
Old Man (sits down tired). Oh! I can still do better than some others, cant I?
Cripple joins the dance, now he dances with the coquettish woman.
He, surely, cant dance, he simply keeps jumping.
Coquettish Woman. Well done, old chap! He seems to have been a strong fellow
in his time!
Joshuaq (to Judeo-Christians standing aside). Come and join us, rejoice with us!
(joins them in the circle and asks each of them to come).
Johanan (stops dancing with Haia). All right, thats enough!
Moshe. No, no!
Nathan. What are you doing? Get away from me!
Girl. Leave me alone, Judean!
CoquettishWoman (calls). Everyone wants to dance and sing, come to us and lets
dance!
Cripple. Come and get graciousness, you, too!
Girl. Get away from us!
Haia (to Esti). You see how well Johanan dances with me, dont you?
Johanan. All right, thats enough! (Steps aside).
Old Man. Let God multiply your wealth, Joshuaq!
Fellow (with disgust). How obstinate you are, Judeans!
Joshuaq. Lets be gay and multiply, Israelites!
Abihu ( comes dancing, grasps Haia by the hand). Come, Haia, come! I know you
wish to dance.
Haia (joins dance with enthusiasm). I wont be 18 always, will I?
Abihu (with desire). Oh...Oh... It makes me tremble.
Haia. Here I am with you!
Abihu (Haias free and easy movements intensify his passion). Oh...Oh! Help me!
Cripple (jumping vivaciously). Hey...Louder, quicker!
Old Man. Glory to Our Creator!
Nathan (to Judeo-Christians). Do you see what they are doing? Do you hear what
they are crying?
Fellow. Its impossible to stand this!
Haia. Arent you tired, Abihu, can you dance with me more?
32

Abihu. I can whirl with you all night long.

Esti (to Coquettish woman) Look, why are they looking at us so?
Haia. Dont be sad, Esti, go and ask him once more to dance with you as he did
with me!
Old Man. Glory to God of Israel!
Abihu. Let Romans leave Judea!
Haia. Its no time for Romans, Abihu, come on, come on!
Cripple (jumping again). Rejoice, Israelites!
Joshuaq. Give me your ear, everybody. Let everybody say Amen, all of you! (He
is listened attentively. The phrase, chanted by Joshuaq, spreads all over.)
Shemaq, Israel, Adonai, elohenu Adonai ehad!
All (together). Ameeen!
Nathan. They are screaming, as if they are the only ones in the city!
Fellow. Shouldnt we make them stop?
Joshuaq. Once more, Israelites! Shemaq Israel, Adonai, elohenu Adonai, ehad!
All (together). Ameeen!
Joshuaq. Give me thy ear, the nation of Israel! God of the universe is the one and
that God is our God!
Cries:
- Ameeen!
- Blessed is His name!
- Rejoice, Israelites!
- Blessed be He forever!
Juda (has made long beard and big moustache, walks like an old man). I greet you!
People stare at him attentively.
Esti. Juda, is that you?
Cries:
- Juda!
- He has come!
- Beatslaha!
Johanan. Are they the only ones in this city? Are we nothing here?
Nathan. We should break the teeth of those, which fail to hold a tongue!
Juda (approaches Esti trying to invite her to dance). I want to dance with you, only
with you!
Esti (looking at Juda). No, Juda, you should not!
Juda. Only with you, Esti! (Esti want to go away from him). To be crucified was so
terrible only because I wouldnt be able to see you!
Esti. Dont you say so! (She runs away. Juda follows and catches her).
Juda. You cant run away from me, Esti, I would find you everywhere.
Esti. No, no! (She makes him let her go).
33

Haia. Come on, Juda, come on! She likes you, but Johanan worries her. Esti will
belong to who will always be beside her.
Joshuaq (holds Seper Torah so affectionately as if it were a baby). The main thing is
what God has endowed us: Assyrians, Babylonians, Greeks, and Persians come and
then go, while we stay here, on our land. God gives answer to all. God will take care
of Romans as well.
Cripple. Thats because we are devoted to the Creator!
Old Man. We never forget what we have promised Adonai.
Joshuaq (chanting again). Shemaq Israel, Adonai, elohenu, Adonai ehad!
Cries:
- Ameeen!
- Truly!
- Our God is patron of Israel!
- Rejoice!
Joshuaq. Listen, the nation of Israel! There is one God on the earth and He is our
God.
Moshe, Nathan, Johanan, the girl, the fellow and the strangers attack
those, who take part in the ceremony of carrying Seper Torah.
Quarrel starts. The cries of Judeans and Judeo-Christians
mix among one another:
-

What are you doing, Israelites?

Stop!
The Creator will punish you!
Abandon this belief of yours!
Accept, accept our God!

Juda (attacks Johanan). You have abandoned our God and now dare to attack us!
Johanan. Why have you killed God of mine, what for? (Tries to strike with his
hand, but Juda avoids.)
Juda. How can a man kill God, Johanan, think of it! God is immortal. God is
everlasting! (Attacks Johanan) What do you want from Esti? Leave her alone!
Johanan. I like her.
Juda. Dont you ever approach her, leave her alone!
Johanan. If she converts to my God, she will become my wife.
Juda (attacks him vigorously). Here is your wife; this will be your wife! But it was
you who glorified our God yesterday, wasnt it?
Johanan. You did deceive me. You are all liars.
Esti (stands between Juda and Johanan). What do you want from him? Why are you
beating Johanan?
Johanan (to Esti). I dont need you to protect me. Frushims, get far from here!
(Pushes Esti).
Esti (falls down). Johanan!
Juda (helps Esti to stand up). Why dont you understand, Esti? A man, who changes
God, wont spare a man.
34

Johanan. It was not God I changed. I have found him, Judean, I have found true
God (to Esti). You should find God, too! (Strikes Juda, Juda falls down).
I legionary (enters). Oh! What a show!
II legionary. Thats fine, thats fine! (Loudly, nearly shouts). Whats going on,
whats happening? Keep order!
Coquettish Woman (waves a cudgel to all). Silly, you have lost your mind. Does
the son of Israel want to kill the other son of Israel?!
I legionary. Why are you shouting? Let them do what they want! (Makes the fellow
look at the coquettish woman). This very woman was spitting at you and wanted to
strike you with the cudgel.
Fellow (to coquettish woman). Were you striking this stick at me? (Snatches the
cudgel from her and strikes her).
II legionary. Dont violate order! Keep order!
I legionary. Lets go away from here. Let these people away! Dont trouble them!
(They leave).
Shimon and Shaul enter. The noise stops immediately. All keep silent
and turn to the wings.
Shimon (goes to those quarrelling, watching each of them with attention).
Whichever of you can tell me that our crucified and tortured God would have been
glad to see you, to see how the sons of his own nation are being beaten in his name?
(Stops). Who are you?
Moshe. I am Judeo-Christian Moshe Ben Joseph.
Shimon. No, Moshe remained in the past. You are Phillip. And who are you?
Cripple. No, I am Judean and will remain Judean. Get away from me, Shimon!
(Calmly and more convincingly). I wont become Judeo-Christian (Pause. Shimon
persistently stares at the cripple). You are wasting your time in vain, Shimon!
Shimon. I was Shimon until I was fishing in the Chinnereth Sea, until I became a
disciple to our Lord. Now I am called Peter. And you...I am telling to you in the
name of our Lord, Joshua of Nazareth: straighten your leg!
Cripple. What? Hows that?! Oh! What did you tell me?!
Shimon. Straighten your leg!
Cripple. This leg, it has been so for thirty years... (Very excited) Have you ever
heard, the new moon has come out into the sky for 350 times...The moon has been
filled 350 times...This leg is so...
Shimon. But today, my Lord Joshua of Nazareth orders you: straighten your leg!
Cripple. How does he order me? He orders me, but ... how?
Shimon. Put down your leg, cripple!
Cripple (puts his leg, amazed). Not me...Nothing... I am not to be blamed!
Shimon. Walk so on the earth... Walk!
Cripple (in trance). My leg has straightened... What is my blame...I walk...See, see!
(Lifts his leg up, puts it down, and then lifts up again, puts down). People, men, my
leg... (The people stare amazed, now at Shimon, then at the cripple, who walks
around in confusion.) Here, my leg, real leg, Israelites, here, here! (Now lifts his leg
up; then puts it down).
35

Shimon (to Joshuaq). Why have you stopped bringing the Seper Torah in?
Continue! (Joshuaq doesnt move... He fails to get rid of the miracle, which has
taken place before his eyes). Continue! Bring Seper Torah in!
Cripple. Here is my leg, people, here! (Straightens his leg, kneels it).
Shimon (to Joshuaq). Continue your way, dont stop Seper Torah! (To Shaul) What
is it you order, Shaul, called Paul? (Shaul nods calmly). The way! (Confused
Joshuaq takes Seper Torah and continues the way, but no one follows him. All stand
motionless). Lets walk together, let all of us together accompany Seper Torah!
(They start walking. Both Judeans and Judeo-Christians slowly, without quickening
their steps, accompany a big scroll of the Old Testament). We are accompanying
Seper Torah with chanting the psalms.
They start saying a psalm. The light goes out on the stage.
The proscenium. Festos is outlined in the circle of light.
Festos(looks persistently at the audience). Rome is large, Judea is small.
Rome is hundred times more in number, owner of many seas and lands, governor of
the fate of kingdoms. Spears, swords and daggers are forged for our army
everywhere, in every corner of the world! We can equip with chariots, spears,
swords and daggers the army of any king in the South, North, East or West. We can
paint with peoples blood not only rivers, but seas as well. They, Judeans, behave as
if we were small Judea and they unconquerable Rome. Obstinate, unruly and
unintelligible people...They do not recognize our greatness. We have been to many
countries, but in Judea we have crucified as many people as in all those countries
together... They still keep saying God punishes us for our sins. (Thinks) Their end is
approaching. Judeans will be subdued by changed Judeans themselves... The temple
of their belief is becoming empty... And this means Judea will be destroyed. Soon,
very soon Jerusalem, a rival to Rome will fall (with an ironic smile). Rome is
violence and Judea is spirituality. Just this spirituality will bring end to it. And Rome
will finally conquer Jerusalem, entire Judea.
The lights went out. Esti is running on the proscenium.
Haia (following Esti). Esti, wait for me!
Esti. No, I dont want.
Haia. Esti, whats the matter with you?
Esti (Esti does not stop). If they dont come to dance with you, force them to dance
everyone will say Johanan refused to dance with Esti and danced with Haia.
Haia. Wait for me, I say!
Esti. Whatever do you want, Haia, what do you want to say! You have already done
what you wanted.
Haia. Johanan sent me to you.
Esti (stops and turns to Haia). Johanan?
Haia. Yes, he asked me to talk to you.
Esti (with doubt). What about?
Haia. He says you should take care of Juda, as Juda is a good boy.
36

Esti. Did he send you for this?

Haia. He says he will come to your wedding and have a good time.
Esti (irritated). So, has Johanan said I should love Juda, I should not think of him?
Hasnt he told you he loves Haia and will never love anyone?! You are a liar, Haia,
get away from me! Do you think if I marry Juda, Johanan will be yours?
Haia. Then what do you want? Do you want Johanan kiss you passionately and
Juda be mad with you? Do you want both of them? Johanan does not want you.
Havent you seen he pushed you and did not dance with you?
Esti. You forced him to dance with you.
Haia. Today by force, but tomorrow he will.
Esti. No, never, he will never get used to you.
Haia. Sit down, Esti, lets sit on the ground. Do you know how well it is to sit on the
ground? (She sits and forces Esti to sit. They sit very close to each other). Juda loves
you, loves you very much.
Esti. But I dont love him.
Haia. Johanan loves no one. He loves only his God.
Esti. He used to tell me he loves me.
Haia. He is my bridegroom (tears flow from her eyes). Do you know how I love
him? I dream of him days and nights. I want to be with him all the time. I see him in
my dreams, embrace him and kiss him, and he also kisses me so that I feel Ill faint.
Then I awake and ... only the cold wind of Jerusalem is around me. (Excitedly). Why
doesnt he love me, Esti, why?
Esti (calmly). Because he loves me.
Haia (shakes her). No, no, no! Its a lie, you are a liar! No, Esti (She clings to Esti)
How unhappy I am! Juda loves you...
Esti (interrupts her). Johanan also loves me!
Haia. But no one loves me! (cries).
Darkness. The stage is lighted. Beit Kneset synagogue
stands bright in the light of candles. Judeans, Judeo-Christians
come in chanting sweetly. Shaul and Shimon lead them.
Shimon. Put down Seper Torah with respect! My brothers and sisters, fathers and
sons! Joshuaq presented Seper Torah to Beit Knesset to bless the soul of his mother
Sarah, daughter of Aminadav, begot by Rachel and the wife of Mikhail. Today he
implores God to give his mothers soul an abode in the Paradise. I will show you the
way to Paradise. This is the way of knowing and apprehending Joshua, our God, the
way of his acknowledgement and the way of praying like Him. All, who will follow
His way, will find their abodes in the Paradise.
Old Man. Lets remember Sarah, as we have come here for this!
Johanan. Let him preach!
Old Man. We dont need this, Shimon!
Lady. No, we dont!
Juda. This day is the day in memory of Sarah. We have come here for this and not
to listen to preaching.
Abihu. Shimon, have you abandoned our religion?
37

Shimon. Our religion grew old, and it should be replaced by the new one. Our
people are separated from the commandments, distorted them. Messiah has tortured
because of our sins.
Old Man. Did you say it for our conversion, Shimon?!
Johanan. Do think Judeans! Maybe you are approaching the truth.
Abihu. We want to pay respect to Sarahs soul, let us do it!
Nathan. It is no time for this. We want to listen to preaching.
Shaul. Men, fathers and sons, brothers and sisters. I am the son of a man being of
Frushim-Pharisees origin. I was a Pharisee myself too, till God our Lord appeared
before me on the Damascus way and I understood He was true God.
Shimon. Believe us, follow us. Joshua ascended. Now He is in the Heaven and
teaches us love from there. Joshua is recognized by many and they follow Him. A
great part of Judeans is still obstinate. Be baptized, Judeans! (Silence.) Be baptized
and make others understand to follow the way of Joshua.
Nadab (calmly). Shimon, Shaul, what do you want from us?
Shimon. Believe in Joshua Mashiahad! Follow the way to the truth! If each Judean
accepts the new religion, our nation will be united and powerful.
Nadab. Why should I refuse the one, who released us from the slavery of Egypt,
gave me freedom, commandments and home country?!
Shaul. No, I appeal to you to believe in Joshua Mashiah!
Noise, cries.
- What is he talking about, Israelites?
- Its a sin even to listen to this!
- Dont sin, Shaul?
Old Man (singing). Shemaq Israel, Adonai heloenu, Adonai ehad!
Joshuaq (imitates the old man). Hear, people of Israel! There is one God of this
world and He is our God!
Shaul. Why, why you are so obstinate on this land, among us, God was begot.
Many Judeans acknowledged Him and we observe His commandments...
Abihu. Then, what do you want? Why are you telling us this?
Shimon. Because we want every man observe our advice, recognize our Lord.
Abihu. No, Shimon, we wont deviate from our way, we dont want.
Nadab. It was you, who rejected. We wont judge you. Let God forgive you!
Old Man. Judeans, I tell you all: here we are Judeans and there are JudeoChristians, if anyone wants to share their ideas...
Shimon. You are still on the wrong way, and you still dont want to accept true God,
He, who can revive the dead, can heal the diseased...
Cripple. Yes, we want, we wish, we do want!
Old Man. We are sons of God. We promised our Creator at the bottom of the Mount
Sinai to observe his commandments. Dont change what you have promised. Return
to the Temple of your Belief. Remain Judeans!
Shaul. You show your back to God universal, God of all. If you want so, then,
shoulder the sin of His absence!
38

Call of dissatisfaction is heard among Judeans:

- What is he saying?!
- Why do you shoulder the sin, Shaul?
- Do you want to frighten us and convert?
Shimon. Why are you so agitated, Judeans? Dont you remember Procurator Pilate
did not want to punish him, as he saw no crime in his behavior?
Abihu. How kind and virtuous Romans have been and we thought they have
devastated our home country (to Shimon and Shaul). We have noticed your
flattering attitude towards Romans; you want to represent devastators of your home
country as angels...
Shimon (interrupts). Our home country is the universe and not small Judea! We are
everywhere!
Voice. Let me see who is saying this?
Cries are heard:
- Great rabbi has come!
- Rabbi of Gamlia, the son of Rabbi of Gamlia!
- Step aside!
- Give him the way!
All of them - both Judeans and Judeo-Christians respectfully give way to the
rabbi.
Rabbi of Gamlia. The uttered word is sharper than the sword. (To Shimon) Have
you said so? (Watches him). I know you, dont I?
Shimon. I was your Talmudist, Great Teacher!
Rabbi of Gamlia. My disciples dont speak so, as they weigh their words. (Watches
him). I am so old... I cant remember you... Whoever are you?
Shimon. Shimon... (Pause.) A fisherman.
Rabbi of Gamlia (his face brightens, as he remembers). Shimon Kipa. You have
not studied Torah less than others... You have even written a prayer...
Shimon (with a shy smile). Nishmat Sabbath prayer...The spirit of all the
essence!...
Rabbi of Gamlia. I remember. (In a teaching tone) I have taught you that to say an
evil word is a great sin.
Shimon. It is not an evil word, Rabbi. It was so. Judeans did not accept our God.
You also were there in the Synedrion, werent you? It was the Synedrion that
adopted the verdict, wasnt it?
Rabbi of Gamlia. I am a Synedrion member even now. I shoulder this burden today
as well.
Shimon. And I was standing outside in the yard waiting for the verdict. I kept
waiting when my teacher would come, what decision would be made.
Rabbi of Gamlia. Probably you were... There were many people there.
Shimon. You kept judgment all night long and then you implored the Procurator to
sentence him to death, to crucify him. You, Rabbi, that night you were also among
those who passed the verdict.
39

Rabbi of Gamblia. What? What did you say he said?

Old Man. He said you implored the Procurator...
Cripple. Did you implore the Procurator to sentence Joshua to death?
Rabbi of Gamli (to Shimon). Did you say so?
Shimon. It was so. Procurator Pilate did not want to sentence him to death. He was
even sorry for him. You did not leave him in peace and kept saying: he has rejected
the belief and you should take his life away...
Abihu. How tenderhearted Pilate has been!
Cripple (indignant). How is that? How can one push a man into the enemys
hands?!
Old Man. It has never been so that Romans did not want to crucify Judeans!
Esti. Lets listen to Rabbi, he was there.
Silence. All the people turn to rabbi.
Rabbi of Gamlia (after a pause). No, no, nothing! (To Shimon). You, probably,
did remember what the day was... which day was dawning.
Shimon. I remember everything well. It was the fifth day. Yes, the fifth day night
came and the sixth day was dawning. Thursday night came and the sixth day, Friday,
was dawning.
Rabbi of Gamlia. No, no, I am not asking that. What was that day remarkable for?
Thursday and Friday are in every week, while that day...
Shimon (smiling). Pesach...Pesach had come...Great holiday... It was the day of our
exodus from slavery of Egypt.
Rabbi of Gamlia. Yes...yes...
Shimon. All the teacher and his 12 disciples - went to the garden of Gethsemane,
where we had supper and broke our unleavened bread - matzo the bread of our
tortures, which was eaten in the wilderness by our fathers. (Pause, regretfully). There
Lord of mine told me Before the cock crow thou shalt deny me thrice.
Rabbi of Gamlia. Denial... Denial of the essence... You have acquired a new trait.
Shimon Kipa!
Shimon. The legionaries came there, tall, broad-shouldered, half-naked, half-dressed
in leather Romans and took him away... to the Synedrion.
Pause. The silence is kept long.
Rabbi of Gamlia. So, it was the fifth day and Pesach came in, wasnt it?
Shimon. Yes, we celebrated coming of Pesach.
Rabbi of Gamlia (doubtfully). I dont think it was so. It could not have been the
evening of the holiday, its impossible... It could have happened three days before
or four, four days before coming of Pesach.
Shimon. Rabbi, its too difficult for me to refuse you, but ... I can do nothing... It
was so... Has so much time passed?
Rabbi of Gamlia. No, no! It could not have been so!

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Shimon (convincingly). I forget nothing, nothing at all. We all went to the garden
of Gethsemane and had a supper there Haggadah. What every Jew does the first
evening of Pesach.
Rabbi of Gamlia (keeps silence for a long time). If I have not taught you, why
didnt you study yourself Have you failed to read anywhere?
Shimon (doubtfully). What? What is it?
Rabbi of Gamlia. If the disciple does not know that the court proceedings cannot be
held in the feast evening and that it is forbidden, its the teachers fault.The
Synedrion stops the judgment proceedings a day before the feast. You are right
Pesach came in. The session was impossible to be held the evening before either.
Shimon. Rabbi, when you, the Synedrion members, gathered the moon was
hanging in the troubled sky and you had a counsel till morning. You made a
judgment on Lord our God.
Rabbi of Gamlia. It could not have been so. It is forbidden to hold a counsel at
night and Synedrion strictly observes this rule. It is forbidden!
Shimon. It was night, pitch-dark night.
Rabbi of Gamlia. The Synedrion judgment counsel should start after the sunrise
and be finished before the sunset. No one has the right to violate this law.
Shimon. But I was there... All came after the moonrise (he remembers). You, you
were one of the first to come. I even kissed your hand, Rabbi, dont you remember?
You told me; Hag Sameah! Merry holiday, you said!
Rabbi of Gamlia. I remember, it was so... I live not far from Annas, father-in-law
to high priest Caiaphas, and he invited us, the Synedrion members there.
Shimon. So, you have also remembered, didnt you? I was telling you the truth,
Rabbi!
Rabbi of Gamlia. No, certainly, not!
Shaul (surprised). But you have just said...
Rabbi of Gamlia. Yes, I have said.
Shaul. And what happened then?
Rabbi of Gamlia. I came there, others came too. Not all of them.... There were not
all, all the 71 members... Avshalom Ben Hanania has not come... neither Yitzhak
Ben David was... (Recalls.) Who else? Malkiel Ben Ioram, others as well...
Shimon. And you sentenced him to death. You asked the Procurator of Judea to
punish Joshua of Nazareth through death.
Rabbi of Gamlia (looks attentively at Shimon). Yes, but... Hows that? How? We
have not had a judgment counsel. It cannot be done at feast day. Even if it were not
the feast day, the Synedrion judgment counsel can be held only in the temple, only
in the temple of God. The judgment counsel cannot be held in the family, even if it
is high priests family (stresses). It can be done only at working days and only from
the sunrise to the sunset and only in the temple.
Shaul. Hows that? The Synedrion members did gather for judgment counsel, didnt
they?!
Rabbi of Gamlia. No, no, Caiaphas had Joshua be brought to Annas family. When
Pilate ordered to arrest Joshua, Caiaphas asked a permit to talk to him.
Old Man. Caiaphas was a friend to Romans.
Nadab. Not only Caiaphas was, but his father-in-law Annas was as well.
41

Cripple. Entire Jerusalem kept talking: Annas gave a bribe to Romans and thus
became high priest.
Old Man. Caiaphas did so as well. All knew well he became high priest through
bribes.
Shaul ( Most interested). Rabbi, if you had no judgment, why so many great rabbis
were called, or why our Lord was taken to Annas.
Rabbi of Gamlia. Caiaphas knew well Jews did not love him, and would not share
his advice, his ideas... The mistakes of Caiaphas set Joshua against the Synedrion.
Old Man. He had nothing to be loved for. Why did we have to love him?
Rabbi of Gamlia. Pilate didnt worry that the Synedrion could not make a sentence
in Pesach. He wanted to quickly get rid of the man, who said he was the King of
Judea, as he thus was a rival to King Herod, who was desirable to Rome. Pilate
knew well people listened to and believed in Joshua. It infuriated him how Judeans
welcomed Rabbi Joshua, a rival to hated Herod, when Joshua came to Jerusalem.
And in Pesach, during the eight-day holiday, more and more people would listen to
Joshua. That was why he was in a great hurry and was not interested in the
Synedrions opinion. The rival to Herods throne should have been annihilated.
Shaul. Then, why did Caiaphas call you, why did you gather at his house?
Shimon. If it were not judgment, why did you come?
Rabbi of Gamlia. We came to save Joshuas life, to save one more Judean from
crucifying.
Shimon (bitterly). No, no, it was not so!
Shaul. Brother, Shimon, why are you so troubled? Lets listen! (To Rabbi of
Gamlia). Rabbi, then, why were you called there?
Rabbi of Gamlia (after a pause). Do you know how Pilate died? No other man died
with such tortures the Creator made Pilate, who hated Judeans, answer. No other
procurator had mercy on Judeans. But Pilate, he was crucifying three Judeans at
least every day. And appearance of the rival to Herod made him mad.
Shaul. And what about you? What did you have to do?
Shimon. If it were not for judgment, then why did you gather?
Rabbi of Gamlia. Joshua had to appear before Pilate that morning. We kept asking
him all the night through not to say he was the King of Judea. Rabbi had come to the
devastator of our country, who disliked violation of the Judeans rules and
demanded to strictly observe the commandments. It was possible to save his life
thus, because Pilate didnt worry about the struggle of rabbis. (Pause). We kept
persuading him all the night through in vain to refuse he was the King of Judea.
Shimon. No, Rabbi, you yourselves passed the verdict to our Lord.
Rabbi of Gamlia (without any passion and with the look of an exhausted man stares
at Shimon). I have already told you ... It was impossible either... Dont you
remember, and have you already forgotten what you have studied: Its our rule that
you cannot recognize a man criminal and sentence him to death, unless one or two
men warn him: If you do this, youll be sentenced to death...Unconsciously
committed crime is not punished with death... We have warned him... We wanted to
save the rabbis life, but in vain he didnt accept our advice.
Shaul. Gods dont give ear to mens advice, Rabbi, how could God have accepted
mens advice?!
42

Johanan. Would Joshua walk Caiaphas way?!

Rabbi of Gamlia (watches Shaul with indifferent gaze for some time, as Shaul did
just now). God...
Old Man. Great Rabbi of Gamlia has saved you from the sin if you havent heard
the truth and have said again, what you said before....
Shimon (sharply). No, Joshuas blood is on the Synedrion, the Synedrion!
Shaul. The Synedrion sacrificed our Lord!
Shimon. We have said, well say and will pass to the generations that you, just
you...
Shaul. And not Romans...
Shimon. Romans had no wish to punish our God...
Old Man. But you have said it is the truth... The truth can breathe only when it is
required. Both before and after that it is the carrion, only the carrion.
Shaul. I know only one way for you to survive, only one way exists you all
should be baptized, you all should leave your old belief and pass to the path of new.
Shimon. Thats it. You should accept our God. If you dont walk this path...
Abihu. Do you think they didnt know the truth till the present day? But: if unless
the river of blood flows between us and them, they wont be able to go to the great
way.
Old Man. Do you want to be Judeo-Christians? Do you want to reject our God? No
one will block you, but avoid blood-shedding, dont allow the stream of blood
flowing between us and them.
Shaul. Now, just now, all of you should be baptized in this tiny river, otherwise
youll face great jeopardy for not accepting our God. Judeans, dont you feel:
danger is approaching as a sweeping storm.
Old Man. Be afraid, Israel, be frightened with your sons: they wanted here, in
Judea to betray the promise made at Mount Sinai here, among us there appeared
the thought to refute our Savior. Here a new God was created. Will our God forgive
us this?
Silence.
Abihu. They are well aware: people are sorry for those who shed blood. People
stand beside such men. Thats why they present Joshua as the victim of Judeans.
Shaul. You should walk the path, which can heal the cripple, revive the dead,
accompany the dead into the Paradise and you should accept true God. This is the
only way for your survival!
Coquettish woman. But if we still remain faithful to our God?
Shimon. Your nation will face tortures. The nation will pass to the way of suffering.
Old Man. Our nation may torture, may pass to the way of suffering the idea of
rejecting Adonai was born inside it.
Juda. I know the way for survival: I prefer to silence these two men for ever than to
see suffering of my nation.
Lady. Lets throw stones at them!
Old Man. Lets sacrifice these two men and everything will be finished. Neither this
new religion will spread, nor will the talk be on the guilt of our people any longer.
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Cries:
- Lets get rid of them!
- Lets free our country from this calamity!
- Lets throw stones at them and there will be no Judeo-Christians any longer!
A circle is formed around Shimon, Shaul and their
follower Judeo-Christians.
- Death, death to apostates!
- The traitors were always punished!
Nadab. Rabbi? What will Great Rabbi say?
Rabbi of Gamlia keeps silence.
Old Man. Our Lord wont forgive us his rejection.
Juda. Zealots, they, our flesh and blood attack us and not Romans!
Woman. Our people have no rest, no rest!
Cripple. Israelites, how will this be? What are you saying?!
Nadab. Rabbi!
Rabbi of Gamlia. Every generation of Judeans wait for messiah. There was Pevda
in Judea, the man, the son of a man, who used to say he came as messiah. Pevda was
supported by numerous people. Many people believed in him as in the messiah, but
Pevda died and his followers scattered about. No one remembers Pevda now. No
one! Judah of Galilee had many, very many followers. He used to declare I am the
messiah. They followed him and acknowledged him as the new God. Then he died,
too, and all his followers disappeared as water poured in the sand.
Coquettish Woman. What do you want to say with this, Rabbi?
Juda. Stones should be thrown at them. This will save us and Joshua will be
forgotten as Pevda, Judah of Galilee.
Rabbi of Gamlia. No, we, Judeans cannot walk this way... Each man should
manage to take care of himself. He should choose the way to walk himself. I have
reminded you the story of Pevda and Judah of Galilee. No one remembers them
today, because there was no God in their case, God didnt want...
Nadab. They are telling us the same, arent they?
Old Man. Those believed in Pevda and Judah, these in Joshua.
Rabbi of Gamlia. Only God can make judgment and give the verdict. Lets leave
everything to God. If there is no Gods will, they will also disappear as water poured
in the wilderness sands, however loud they would shout. (Pause.) But what if all this
takes place under Gods will... Judeans, what if God manages it? (Pause.) What can
we do then, or what can we manage?
Silence.
Haia. Rabbi, what advice do you give us?
Lady. What should we do?
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Abihu. Shall we leave it as it is? They slander us, but we...

Silence.
Rabbi of Gamlia. The answer... You demand answer from me. The answer is my
question: If all this is Gods will? (Long pause.) Lets follow our God, walk His
way... We should not deviate from His way... But they... time...time... God himself
will tell us, and God will, surely, give us a sign. They were generated from our rib,
like Eve from Adam. Who knows, God commissions us something else. What does
He preserve us for? What task is He setting for us? Hush, Israelites, hush and...
Shaul (bitterly). No, it wont be so, it is not right!
Nadab (to Rabbi of Gamlia) . It is not right! We are blamed for sacrificing our flesh
and blood and shouldnt we have to do anything?!
Shaul. No, He is not your flesh and blood; He has nothing in common with you. He
is God, the Son of God! Dont say He was born among you anymore Our Savior
and the Son of God were begot on Gods will!
Shimon. There are no Judeo-Christians any longer from this day. We have nothing
in common with you any more. From now on there are only messiahs followers
Christians and you Judeans. (To Judeo-Christians.) Here, come and stand here,
your Judaism has died, passed away. Soon Hanukah begins. You wont celebrate
Hanukah any more, celebrate instead the Christmas of our God Jesus of Nazareth.
And after Hanukah you will celebrate his Epiphany. No, there wont be Rosh
Hashanah harvesting has nothing to do with the New Year the New Year now
begins the day, when Our Savior was born. He died in the Pesach, that Friday was
red with blood, but He was resurrected in the Pesach as well. Lets celebrate not
Pesach, exodus from Egypt, but glorious resurrection of our God. Celebrate the
fortieth day from His death and not adoption of commandments at Mount Sinai till
Shawuot!
Abihu. Rabbi, whats that, do we give origin to opposition with our flesh and blood?
Nadab. Blood? The blood, which is being shed between us?
Old Man. And guilt? What can you do with the guilt of blood, Rabbi?!
Rabbi of Gamlia. The Creator had created the universe and the human being. Here
is the earth and here is the way of a human being. This guilt is also under His will,
probably, to understand who and what the human being serves to.
Shaul. Christians all to this small river! You will all be baptized! Come, and share
the way of true God. Well baptize you as Johanan baptized our Savior! (To
Moshe). Brother Phillip! (Moshe goes into the river. To the girl.) Sister Nino! (The
girl goes into the river. To Nathan.) Brother Nickolas! (Nathan goes into the river.
To the fellow.) Brother George! (The fellow goes into the river.)
Cripple. Me, too, me, too, together with you! (Turns to Judeans.) Why are you
standing, what for are you standing they are our people too. It is not a stranger
calling you! (To Shaul) How are you baptizing me?
Shaul (to the cripple). Brother Alex, take baptizing (the cripple runs to the river. To
Johanan) Brother Bartholomew! (Johanan goes to the river).
Esti (follows him). Johanan, no, no!
Johanan (turns to her). Come on with me, come on, Esti!
45

Esti. No. no, Johanan, where are you going?

Shimon (to Esti). Sister Seraphima, come to us, be baptized!
Esti (stops, looks now at Johanan, then to Judeans). Johanan!
Shaul. Sister Seraphima, come with us!
Esti (bends down). No, no! I cant!
Haia (running to the river). Johanan, Johanan! I, I am Seraphima! (She jumps into
the river and clings to Johanan). I am coming to you, Johanan!
Rabbi of Gamlia. As for us, lets stay on our island!
Esti. What are you doing, Haia?
Johanan. Esti, Esti!
Haia. Farewell, Esti!
Esti (tears are flowing on her cheeks). Why, why, what is my blame, God?!
Rabbi of Gamlia. Dont ask Him, dont reproach Him, my dear, He knows better
how to arrange this world!

Those in the river wave hands to those remained on the bank.

Chanting is heard.
On the floor of the almost darkened stage many splinters are being lighted one
after another just the amount to make a ring on the stage.
The heraldcomes in bringing a sheep with him.
Herald. Look down at us and listen to us, you, all-hearing and all-seeing. Judea is
on the verge of despair. The country granted to Judeans by you is passing away.
Receive the peaceful sacrifice, and give peace on the Promised Land to the sons of
the chosen nation. Give us your pardon!
The Curtain

2007-2010

The curtain is drawing slowly down.

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