only few in the village that owned a house with several rooms. Other inhabitants hat huts with one room in which the whole family lived and slept. However most of them lived in caves, for Galilee was strewn with caves. These living grottoes mostly consisted of one room, the main space inside of the cave. The living room was closed by a wall of piled up stones except for a space for the entrance. Some caves had an extension room built in front of their entrance which allowed the women more room for cooking and baking. There were also barn caves next to and behind the living areas that gave the animals shelter at night.
Joshua loved studying the torah. Since his fifth birthday that was his life. In the beginning it had been burdensome for him to always have to sit still. His concentration suffered from having to endure the strict gaze of his father for hours on end, and always facing the danger of painful punishment when he made mistakes. But then he found solace in the holy writings of his forefathers. He was lucky in that he learned easily and through this he also gained confidence. Studying the torah gave him courage and strength. In this way his father unintentionally showed him a way to be able bear the tyrant, for Joshua often escaped in his mind into other worlds and prayed to God, his real father. Thus he was able to absorb the teachings well and this was also why he was the best at reciting in school, although he was the youngest in his class.
For several years already Joshua was being taught Hebrew by Samuel. Although no one spoke it nowadays, it was mandatory for the study of the torah, for the torah was only allowed to be read in Hebrew. Samuel already began with this when Joshua was two years old. The first books, which were about Moses, Joshua found boring. The books of the prophets on the other hand were more interesting. Joshua was fascinated by the book of Micah. Especially the fifth chapter, in which the Messiah is announced, who is to be born in some small place in Judea. He had however forgotten which the name of that place.
Today once again the study of the torah was on the agenda. Joshua followed his father, who always wore the lightest prayer tunic over his head. Compared to their fathers Samuel was very old. Joshua had once overheard Sarah telling a friend that Samuel was thirty-nine years old when Joshua was born. He knew that other fathers were only half as old.
“Joshua, come along, hurry up. You are dreaming again.” The old rabbi was angry again and let him feel it.
That was not fair. Joshua became angry. Sometimes his hatred against his father was so strong that he could not fall asleep at night. Then he would pinch himself in the arm so that the pain chased away his thoughts and he could then get to rest, sobbing quietly. Joshua was safe from Samuel in the synagogue, which was what the grown-ups called the assembly room. Only in this place was Samuel not angry at him, one might almost say that he conveyed a sense of pride or quiet affection for Joshua here, for he spoke with him here and never beat him. That is why Joshua dug himself deeper into the study of the torah from month to month. Joshua loved the assembly hall, even if he met Simeon there again.
And sure enough, the first person who crossed his path was this demon of a braggart. He was safe from his mocking in the synagogue, for even he dared not speak in this room, but his glances were almost just as painful. If only Rachel were here, next to whom Joshua felt safe. But girls were not allowed to go to school, they had to learn the arts of household duties at home. But no matter, Samuel wanted to read from the book of Isaiah today. At least this would be exciting, even if it would take a long time. Simeon especially needed a long time for translating the texts into Aramaic. Almost all of them had trouble with the translation, but Simeon was completely incapable. And this pleased Joshua.
“The people who walk in darkness see a great light.” Samuel read loudly and clearly from the book of Isaiah. “A bright light shines over the inhabitants of a dark country. You give rich jubilations, create great joy. One is happy before you as one is happy at the harvest, as one sings in joy at the splitting of the bounty.”
Joshua glanced around the room. The twenty-eight boys around Joshua were silent – out of fear of the rabbi and a little out of respect for the writings. Only Simeon, whom he watched from the corner of his eye, was quiet out of sheer ignorance. Joshua knew that he simply could not follow along with what all had heard. Simeon simply did not understand Hebrew, let alone Greek. His little world was strictly Aramaic.
“For a child is born onto us, a son is given to us, upon whose shoulders the rulership lies. He is called wonder-council, God-hero, eternal father, prince of peace.” The rabbi looked up from his torah scroll and turned toward the young faces.
“Who of you would like to translate this part now?” Joseph, a frail boy, raised his hand. Next to Joshua, he was the most talented of the lot.
“Not always Joseph.” Samuel seemed angry. “With him I am sure that he has understood it. How about you, Amos?” The voice of the rabbi was demanding. “I am waiting..”
Amos glanced around the room in fear and eventually took heart and made an attempt. He did not get past a mumbling, but Joshua had to admit it was fairly respectable, since he was the best buddy of Simeon and also not exactly blessed with smarts.
“Yes, not bad, Amos. Show me the passage in the book that is related to this one. Or rather, in which the Messiah is announced.”
However now Amos was at the end of his ability to understand. “Rabbi, I am sorry but I do not know“, he said very quietly.
Samuel looked around among the group. “Who knows it? Simeon?”
He only shook his head.
“Eleasar?” This one too was being asked too much.
“Ismael, son of Jacob? Do you know it?”
“I think it is the passage in the seventh chapter. I will try to recite it. That is why the Lord will give you a sign: ‚See, the virgin will give birth to a son and give him the name Immanuel.’ Is that right, rabbi?”
“Very good, Ismael. Truly very good.” Samuel nodded briefly. “I see you are making good progress. I will let your father know when I see him again.”
At this moment a sadness passed through Joshua, as if a demon had stolen his soul. He could not bear it when his father was nice to other boys. For he himself was hardly ever the recipient of any such kindness. He wished that the friendly words of his father were only for him. He needed the next few minutes in order to calm himself down and not act out his anger against Ismael. It truly was not his fault. And after all Ismael was one of those with whom Joshua got along best. Joshua did not feel like learning anything else today and let his thoughts drift. Fortunately the rest of the morning passed fairly calmly and he could daydream a while. Would the Messiah really come or was it only an old story in order to give the people hope? He did not know, but he was awaited the saviour joyfully. Someday he could come and save him from his father the rabbi, and then he would feel better.
“So, you children of Abrahams“, Samuel continued and brought Joshua back from his daydreams into the house of the assembly, “that is enough for today. You know that the family of the craftsman Joseph is living amongst us once again. This evening there will be a celebration for them. I expect you all to be very polite and demure. Good. May God gift you with insight. The Lord be with you.”
∞
Today Samuel was happy, for he saw some progress with some of his students. Yes, a bright one that Ismael, he thought to himself. There was nothing more beautiful than when young souls understood the teachings of their forefathers and recognized the importance of laws and commandments. Yes, this was his life. He no longer thought about Simeon and his gang, for with those stupid souls every attempt to teach them anything at all was in vain.
A thousand thoughts
