Hold the Faith

Chapter One

January 92 A D

It was early afternoon when twenty-four year old Benjamin neared Levi ben Nathan’s farm. Reaching the gateway, he gave his name and purpose for being there to the young servant on duty. Benjamin, son of Samuel the oil-seller, here to change the wicks and fill the oil lamps for tonight’s celebration.

You are not the one who has been coming on the other days this week, the lad responded, squinting up at Benjamin while keeping the gate closed.

My father’s assistant came on the other days. Today my father needs him at the booth in Ephesus.

I have to check with the master before a stranger is allowed in. Straightening his back, he added importantly, I was told. He paused to let the significance of his responsibility sink in, but Benjamin merely waited patiently. The lad called his young sister who was playing in the soil at the other end of the passage, Anna, ask the master to come to the gate.

As he waited, Benjamin unhitched his robe from his girdle and smoothed it down.

Levi ben Nathan’s robe flapped around his ankles as he walked briskly up the passageway between the buildings to find out why he had been sent for. What’s going on here? he asked. Trouble? Then his brows furrowed as he took in the situation. It was only the oil-seller’s son.

Simon said importantly, This man says he is here to see to the oil lamps master, but he is not the one who usually comes. He added in an undertone, And he is not like us, or any of the guests.

Benjamin pretended not to hear. He was well aware that he was the only follower of the Way at this Jewish wedding, and he felt awkward. His father did business with Levi, but they did not mix beyond business dealings. Turning to Levi, he explained, My father needs Alexander at the market to help with a delivery of heavy storage jars of oil, so I have come instead.

Levi ruffled the lad’s hair. Simon, your vigilance does you credit, but this is the son of Samuel the oil-seller. He is not a pagan. Let him in.

Opening the gate and stepping aside, young Simon kept his gaze on Benjamin.

Benjamin smiled at him as he passed and said quietly, Pagan boys don’t wear robes like us, they wear short tunics.

I apologise for young Simon’s behaviour. Pagan youths have disrupted other celebrations recently. Although we are a long walk from Ephesus, I did not want problems so decided to have a gatekeeper. Simon is on duty because all the men are needed for the heavy work associated with this wedding.

Benjamin chuckled, He is taking his responsibility seriously. He and Levi, walked down the passageway together. They made a strange pair. Levi, not quite as tall as Benjamin. Levi’s dark hair and beard was in the style of the Jews, and he was bronzed from his work outdoors. Benjamin was tall, pale skinned, with auburn hair and beard, in the style favoured by the ‘followers of the Way,' a group seen as heretics by the Jews.

Rubbing his forehead, Levi tried to hide his disappointment that Samuel had sent his son. The colour of his hair accentuated the fact he was not a Jew. The assistant had thick dark hair and beard, so although it was the same style as Benjamin wore, the difference between him and the guests was not so obvious. Then there was the fact Benjamin had gone to the rabbi’s school with his son, Chanan, who had sometimes protected him and his friends from the bullying of some of the friends of the rabbi’s son. He could not help wondering if Benjamin would want to linger. Levi needed to go back to his work, but he felt ill at ease and needed some assurance that the young man would do his work and leave. Levi cast around in his mind for something to say to keep the encounter businesslike and prompt the young man to do the work he came to do. Sighing deeply he turned to Benjamin, "Tell your father I am delighted with the way his system of lamps has worked.

With sunset being early at this time of year, my father was concerned that the light from the lamps might not last all the time the guests were here, Benjamin admitted.

Because his assistant came every day to top them up and change the wicks it has worked out very well.

I will tell my father you are pleased, sir.

The bronze lamps hung on the buildings around the central courtyard have been much admired. I wouldn’t be surprised if your father gains some more business because of this.

Thank you sir, I will tell my father, Benjamin responded, inclining his head. He continued, I won’t detain you as I know you are busy, but would you be kind enough to point out the storeroom where the supplies I will need are kept.

Levi pointed to the other side of the large central courtyard. It’s the one near the festival rooms set up for the guests. Follow the covered walkway around. With a wry smile, he added, You will recognise those rooms when you pass. There are some early arrivals there being entertained by a couple of men with a flute and timbrel... it will probably be noisy. The storeroom you need is beyond them, attached to our family home. Raising his eyebrows, his broad forehead creased as he issued a smiling warning, Stay away from the storeroom down this side of the square. That is the kitchen storeroom. If you go there, my wife will chase you. He chuckled as he added, Although she is supervising the women in the kitchen and they are all busy cooking for the banquet, she will not miss an intrusion into her storeroom.

Thank you, sir, Benjamin said respectfully. Now I had better do my work and leave before your guests arrive.

Levi sighed with relief. You should be able to finish before most of them arrive for the grand banquet tonight. Your father’s assistant was quickly done.

With that, he smiled and hurried off. Like some other Jews, Levi favoured trading with members of this group because of their honesty in the prices they charged, and in the prompt payment of their accounts. He knew it was not the way all the Jews felt, and hoped the young man meant what he said and would do his work quickly and leave before the majority of the guests arrived. Opening the barn door, he surveyed the rush as his men-servants set up for the grand banquet when Chanan would bring his bride to celebrate the end of their wedding week with friends and family. With unexpected suddenness, he was caught up in the memory of his older son’s death, and sorrow there would never be a wedding feast for him.

Master... Master?

Levi’s wistful eyes slowly focussed on the man standing before him. Sorry Joel. You wanted something?

The musicians have arrived and want to know where to set up.

Drawn back to the present, Levi realised he must not let the past ruin the joy of his remaining son’s celebration. Directing the musicians and supervising the setting up of the tables, he shook off his sadness.

Feeling a mixture of agitation and apprehension, Benjamin watched until Levi entered the barn. Clenching his jaw, he turned to walk the path around the centre court. He had a good idea of what had concerned Levi. The last thing Benjamin wanted was an invitation to the feast. He did not want to be here now. A flicker of unease lined his face, and he fervently hoped he could do his work and leave without meeting any of the people he went to the rabbi’s school with.

Distracted by movement to the side of him, he turned hastily drawing in a quick breath. It was only a group of young girls who had come out to dance in the central courtyard. He released his breath slowly. Momentarily forgetting his disquiet at being at the farm, his lips curved in amusement, and he paused to watch. He could hear from their laughter that they were enjoying themselves, although the music from the flute and timbrel was only just audible out here.

One girl, whose black hair tumbled down her back and moved like silk, swinging as she danced, caught his attention. Knowing that some Jews married their daughters off at twelve and a half years old, he wondered how many more times she would enjoy the carefree pleasure of being a child at a wedding. She looked young, and he thought she might have a year or so of freedom yet. A burst of laughter from the room where the early guests were, broke his reverie, bringing him back to the present. He was here to work... not watch girls dancing.

Embarrassed, he looked around checking the position of the lamps while surreptitiously scanning the courtyard to see if anyone had seen him. Satisfied that no one was around, he hurried along the path. Passing the room where the laughter had come from, the noise level increased, and he hurried past the door.

His plan to do his work unnoticed came to an abrupt end when Joseph, the rabbi’s son, noticed him.

Benjamin, son of Samuel! What a surprise! he exclaimed arrogantly. Already inebriated, when Benjamin did not respond, Joseph called out stridently, I haven’t seen you in a long time.

As the son of the gentle old rabbi, Joseph had always been aware of two things... his position in the community, and his good looks.

Benjamin stopped and turned back his heart sinking. This was what he had dreaded would happen when his father had told him that he was needed to take Alexander’s place, and see to the lamps at the wedding. Before he had a chance to speak, Joseph thrust his cup of wine toward him, and insisted, Here, have this, drink up, it is good wine. There was no friendship in Joseph’s voice, and Benjamin wondered what his motives were.

Responding warily, Benjamin explained, I am here to work, not...

Thrusting the cup at him again, Joseph scowled, Don’t be foolish Benjamin; it would be an insult to refuse to drink a toast at Chanan’s wedding.

Benjamin was well aware that if he refused and Joseph made a fuss, the rabbi’s son would not be the one blamed. After all Joseph was a guest, whereas he was not. He reluctantly accepted it and decided to make his escape as soon as possible. He had to see to the lamps and walk back to Ephesus before twilight. Raising the pottery cup, he made the traditional toast, Long life, blessings and many sons to the bridal couple!

He tried to hand the cup back, but Joseph refused to take it. I need a new one, he said, looking at Benjamin through narrowed eyes.

Noticing that Joseph had now grown the full beard of the Jews, Benjamin raised his eyebrows. When they had all gone to the rabbi’s school, Joseph had maintained it was more ‘holy’ to have a full beard. Adding this to Joseph’s comment, Benjamin caught the meaning and said tersely, You shouldn’t have given me your cup then.

Guessing that Benjamin would walk away if he voiced what was in his mind, the cup was now unclean, Joseph ignored the remark, instead asking, What are you doing here? and then noticed they were blocking the doorway. Using his muscular build, he pushed Benjamin into the room. Leaning forward to hear the reply, and missing it the first time, he asked Benjamin to repeat it.

I am here to see to the lamps, Benjamin said looking around, and raising his voice to repeat it. Nearby a group of men was in a loud and lively discussion; at the far end of the large room several men were dancing in a circle, singing joyously. No wonder you can’t hear me, it is so noisy in here, he shouted.

Grabbing his arm and drawing Benjamin past the group and away from the dancers, Joseph headed for the wine vat. Reaching for another cup, he filled it and swallowed the wine thirstily. Looking at Benjamin over the cup, he raised his voice and asked disparagingly, So you are here to work. No longer working at home with your great-grandfather then? Without waiting for a reply, he fired more questions at him. How is the old man anyway? Still believing those heresies about Yeshua ben Yoseph? Or do you call him Jesus to please the Gentiles?

A guest standing nearby heard the hated name, looked at the pair and frowned disapprovingly. Then, recognising the rabbi’s son, he shrugged and went back to his conversation with his contemporaries.

Looking at Joseph steadily, Benjamin responded, Whether I call Him Yeshua HaMassiach or Jesus, He is the Messiah... and you know that I don’t believe they are heresies. Saba was His cousin, and travelled with Him for the three and a half years of His teaching.

Ignoring Benjamin’s confident assertion about his beliefs, Joseph asked cynically, Why do you still use that childish name for the old man? He is not your grandfather anyway. He’s your great-grandfather.

Benjamin replied evenly, People use it as a term of respect.

Letting that go, Joseph, laughed derisively, Look at you, he said, looking his former school companion up and down disdainfully. That dreadful auburn hair of yours trimmed in the manner of the dissidents, no forelocks... and your beard, well it can hardly be called a beard... or do you heretics trim them like that deliberately? He swayed a little and took another drink from the pottery cup he was clutching. My father thought that by allowing you heretic children to attend our school and hear our teachings, you would become faithful Jews. Draining the cup, he added, It didn’t work with you and your friends though, did it?"

I believe what my great-grandfather says, Benjamin insisted, bending closer and keeping his voice low.

God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob preserve us from heretics, Joseph sighed exaggeratedly.

It was an old, familiar taunt, and Benjamin shrugged it off. Watching Joseph fill his cup again, he asked curiously, Does your father know you drink so much?

Sidestepping the question, Joseph responded, This is a wedding, the wedding of a good Jewish family. It is our responsibility to make merry, and bless the marriage.

I haven’t heard that one before, Benjamin laughed spontaneously, holding the cup he had been given, but not drinking from it. He had been polite, now he wanted to leave.

There you are Joseph! called his friends, Thomas and Asaph,, as they made their way through the crowd, to the wine vat.

Benjamin glanced at the young men and shuddered inwardly. He noticed Asaph’s chubbiness had settled into solid portliness, and his beard was scraggly and untidy. Thomas, whose nose he had bloodied in a fight when they were children, proudly stroked his bushy black beard and stared fiercely at Benjamin, tall, lean and dressed in a fine linen robe. Drawing his eyebrows down in a scowl, he wondered if Benjamin’s family bought their linen from his father’s business.

Might have known you would be near the wine vat, Joseph my friend, said Isaac, arriving with Hiram, Phillip and Enos.

And taking it over, added Joseph’s cousin Caleb, as he arrived and joined the group.

Ha, cousin! Joseph welcomed him. You were able to leave the vineyard then?

Yes, my parents said I had worked hard with the men pruning the vines, then helping my father and the foreman plant selected cuttings... so here I am, to celebrate.

Good to see you, it’s been a long time since you last came our way, the others greeted Joseph’s cousin.

And see what I have brought... a skin of wine from our vineyard, Caleb said proudly before adding in a low murmur, And it is undiluted.

Eagerly the friends picked up wine cups and Caleb filled them. Then he noticed Benjamin.

So… you are here, he addressed Benjamin frostily. Still pale and scholarly I see. Turning to his cousin, he asked, Well Joseph, does this mean that you have finally proselytised this heretic?"

I’ve given up on that Caleb... at least for today, Joseph grimaced.

I am here to work, Benjamin said, looking anxiously toward the door. The fact people were arriving worried him... and what would Levi think if he came in and found him with these young men. He should not even be in this room with the guests. He clenched his fists so hard, his nails bit into his palms. Chewing the inside of his lip, he started to edge away determined to do what he came to do. It was not often he was needed in his father’s business, and he did not want to let him down. Normally he worked at home with his great-grandfather.

Here to work are you? That’s unusual, I thought your work was writing rubbish for your heretic great-grandfather, Thomas gibed.

If you are here to work, why are you in here with guests, making the room unclean? questioned Asaph caustically.

The strain Benjamin put on himself not to respond in the way his mind wanted was from a combination of his beliefs, and the fear of causing harm to his father’s business.

There was a stir as some food was brought in and the smell of the spiced patties and savoury breads tempted their nostrils. Before the servants had finished setting them out, Joseph and his friends were on their way to the table. Asaph and Thomas went back to the wine vat to refill their drinks before re-joining the group. Benjamin carefully stepped backward toward the door.

The master of the feast announced that the main banquet would start after sunset. With an apprehensive look at the rabbi’s son and his friends, he encouraged everyone to help themselves to the savouries. Then he started making a round of the room, checking the supply of wine and responding to questions from other guests. Concerned the young men had been drinking too much, when he left the room, he went to the kitchen. Seeking out Joanna, the mother of the groom, he shared his concerns about the rabbi’s son and his friends.

Seeing that Joseph and his friends were busy, Benjamin continued edging away from them, toward the door.

Glancing up in time to see Benjamin’s attempted departure, Thomas, spraying out crumbs as he spoke, demanded, Hey! Where are you going heretic?

Outside, to see to the lamps. It’s what I came here to do.

Joseph shrugged, Leave him be, and turned to his friends. Let him fill up the lamps. It’s the grand banquet tonight when Chanan and Aminta will preside. My mother is helping in the kitchen; goats and lamb are being roasted for tonight! Then looking at his cousin, Joseph raised his cup approvingly, Good wine Caleb, thank you.

Relieved to escape from the strain of being with people he had no desire to be associated with, not to mention the fear of being seen with them instead of working, Benjamin released a shuddering sigh. Hurrying to the storeroom, he collected the supplies he needed. Pulling the skin of oil over his shoulder and across his chest, he tucked the wicks over it. Carrying the hooked pole, he started to make his way around this first side of the courtyard working toward the kitchen side. Carefully he lowered each lamp, replaced the wick and filled the lamp. When he reached the end of one side of the square, he looked to see the next side, and was concerned to see an oversight. Knowing there would be much food carried between the kitchen and the great barn this evening, he was surprised there was no lamp over the kitchen door. Looking around the square, he studied the position of the lamps. He could take one from the wall by the festival rooms as would not be used later and fix it above the kitchen door, but he needed to work out how to attach it. There were no spare attachments in the storeroom.

Moving around the edge of the courtyard toward the kitchen, he could see the girls were still dancing. Refusing the distraction, he turned his attention to the need for a lamp by the kitchen door. He stood well clear so as not to be in the way if any of the women came out.

Joanna spotted him through the open doorway and called out, Go away! Wait for the banquet; then you can eat!

Shocked for a moment, he wondered if she had been told he was with Joseph and his friends. The master of the feast had been looking at them. Pushing his fears aside, he drew a deep breath and introduced himself. I am Benjamin, son of Samuel the oil-seller. My father supplied the lamps, and I am here to check and fill them for tonight’s feast, but I think there has been an oversight. You need a lamp above the door so no one trips while carrying food from the kitchen to the feast tonight. Stepping closer and looking up he saw there was already an attachment for a lamp.

Joanna frowned and pursed her lips, then explained brusquely, I had one of the men-servants take that lamp down and bring it inside. There is a dark corner in the kitchen.

Benjamin knew if she had told Alexander, he would have ensured she had a light for the dark corner, but wisely did not point that out. Nodding, he said calmly, There are four lamps along the side where the guests are at present. After the bridal couple comes out of their chamber and the banquet starts, the lamps along by the festival rooms will not be as necessary. I could move one of them and put it here. The fact there is already an attachment will make it much simpler.

All right young man, do what you think is best, she said letting out a loud breath before adding, Thank you for your thoughtfulness, and bustled back into the kitchen.

The tempting smell of roasting meat and spiced food drifting out made Benjamin’s mouth water. It was mainly at celebrations roast meat was served, and for a fleeting moment, he wished he was a guest. The desire soon passed as he thought of Joseph and his friends.

Hoping they were still inside, Benjamin hurried along the path to remove one of the lamps and move it to the kitchen doorway.

A light shower started to fall, and he raised his face to the refreshing moisture. Hearing squeals and laughter, he looked back in time to see most of the girls who had been dancing, run for shelter in the nearby kitchen where their mothers were working. Fallen leaves and damp soil soon made the ground slippery, and one girl fell over and the others helped her up.

Seemingly unconcerned for herself, the girl he had watched earlier walked over to a younger girl sitting on the bench under the tree at the edge of the courtyard, bent down and spoke to her. Come, Esther, better go inside, or you will be ill again.

The younger girl stood up and smiled, Yes Rachel.

Thomas and Asaph rushed out from the passageway leading from the toilet area, and pushed in front of the two girls, blocking their way. The victim of bullying by these men in the past, Benjamin’s immediate instinct was to run to the rescue of the girls. However, since they did not scream or call out, he concluded they must be relatives and turned back to his work.

Using his pole to detach the lamp from its mount, he took it down and carefully placed it near the edge of an old outdoor cooking area, well out of harm’s way. Deciding to see to the other lamps while he was here, he worked steadily along the side of the square opposite the kitchen near the guest accommodation.

~

We know who you are. Asaph mocked, "Rachel, older daughter of Meshua ben Simon, cousin of the bride... and that pathetic little person behind you is your young sister.

Trying to steer Esther under the shelter of the tree and out of the rain, twelve-year-old Rachel asked nervously, What are you doing? We want to go indoors. Move aside please, and let us pass. She recognised the young men. They were friends of the rabbi’s son and sometimes came to her grandfather’s shop to purchase writing supplies for their family businesses.

Make me, snob! We saw you dressed up as your cousin’s attendant, slurred Asaph, who had drunk too much too quickly and was ready to make trouble.

You’re not dressed up in your wedding finery now so why are you wearing that fancy headdress? Thomas taunted.

Asaph mocked, What do you have to be so proud about? You are merely the daughter of a tradesman; your only value ‘girl’ is as a wife.

And not much value at that, Thomas commented, looking her up and down with a sneer on his lips.

Scrawny isn’t she? agreed the overweight Asaph.

Still, she has unusual eyes, Thomas remarked, enjoying her discomfort.

Asaph moved so close to study her eyes that Rachel could smell the strong odour of wine on his breath.

Let us pass! Rachel insisted, alarmed but staring back at this bully.

You’re right Thomas, they are blue. She can’t be a pure Jew.

Maybe some of her ancestors married the Greeks when the invader Alexander conquered our homeland.

Not being a pure Jew reduces her value, Asaph remarked with a sly look at Thomas, knowing that he was interested in her, or rather the profitable business run by her father and grandfather.

It certainly would, Thomas stepped closer to the anxious girl.

Esther nervously drew in closer to her older sister, leaning into her back, trying to hide. Rachel, her protective instinct aroused, declared, I know who both of you are. Just because you are much older than us, and friends of the rabbi’s son does not mean that you can behave like this.

We can do what we like, can’t we Asaph, hiccoughed Thomas, as the wine he had drunk gave him a false sense of his importance.

The shower became heavier, and Rachel wanted to take her sickly young sister indoors. Although the tree was protecting them from the worst of the rain, she was worried about Esther. Inwardly shaking, she tossed her head in the air and said loftily, "Thomas ben Jonas and Asaph ben Hadad get out of my way. My mother is in the kitchen...

Before she could finish her sentence, Thomas had pushed himself behind her, snatched at her treasured hairpiece, dislodging it and pulling her hair in the process. Ten-year-old Esther was sent sprawling to the ground, but neither of the young men seemed to notice. Taken by surprise, Rachel shuddered knowing she and her sister were at their mercy.

Jeering at them quietly, so as not to be heard from the kitchen, the pair took turns at tugging at the adornment in Rachel’s hair. Esther lay sprawled where she had fallen in the dirt and leaves, sobbing quietly.

~

When he finished tending the lamps on the side where the guest accommodation was located, Benjamin walked back to collect the lamp he was going to fix above the kitchen door. Glancing in that direction, he was appalled at what he saw. The younger girl was lying on the ground crying, and the men were jumping toward the older girl, pulling at her hair.

‘This is not teasing between relatives,’ he decided. Those girls needed help. Thankfully, the shower was over, although he would have to watch he did not slip on the wet leaves. Making sure he had properly stoppered the skin of oil, he removed it, put it with the lamp, laid down the pole, and loped across the distance to the group, coming up behind them.

Rachel, her damp robe clinging to her uncomfortably, and desperate to take her sister indoors, tugged the ornament from her hair and tossed it toward her taunters. Here, if it is so important to you, take it and let us pass. Then her face blanched, and she felt rooted to the spot. Another young man was coming up behind her antagonists. How could this be happening at her cousin’s wedding?

Reaching the group, Benjamin spun the nearest ruffian around, and said firmly, Pick on someone your own sex and size.

Stumbling back a step, Rachel almost tripped over Esther. Sorry, she breathed, and moved aside, her gaze fixed on the scene, afraid to trust what she was seeing. It looked like the other man was helping her and her sister.

Taken by surprise and befuddled by wine, it took the men a few moments to realise what was happening and recognise who was intervening.

Leave us alone heretic! slurred Asaph, tugging at his robe as if surprised it was wet.

You shouldn’t even be here at a Jewish wedding, Thomas ben Jonas jeered, then hit out, aiming for Benjamin’s chin.

Benjamin ducked, and Thomas, intoxicated, overbalanced and fell to the ground. His damp robe clung to his legs, and his feet caught in it as he tried to stand up, and he tripped again. Asaph ben Hadad slipped on some wet leaves and fell over his friend.

Recovering, he stood up shaking his fist belligerently.

Don’t say a word, Benjamin said angrily. You have both drunk too much, and should be ashamed of yourselves, picking on two young girls.

I’ll get you for this! Asaph blustered, chest thrust out. You are just a heretic, and we all know what happens to heretics. You will burn in hellfire, and I will sit in the bosom of Abraham and rejoice.

Eyes blazing and struggling to hold his temper in check, Benjamin ignored Asaph’s words.

As his friend was taunting Benjamin, Thomas ben Jonas ran off in search of Joseph and Caleb hoping they would come back with him and beat the heretic for his interference. On his way, he caught sight of Meshua ben Simon, and a better idea occurred to him. He ran over to the father of the girls.

Sir, he said urgently, your daughters are being harassed by that heretic Benjamin, great- grandson of the dissident John. My friend and I tried to stop him, and he knocked me over. Look at the state of my robe. Brushing some leaves off the damp garment, he continued, I came to find someone to help me rescue them.

Meshua, who had been working at his booth in the marketplace, had just arrived. He had been caught in the shower on the way and was glad he, his wife and family were staying in the guest accommodation. He had been on his way to change into a dry robe before joining the other men for a few drinks and some conversation before the wedding feast. His daughters should have been working in the kitchen with his wife. Tilting his head to the side, he studied the young man and then recognised him. Your father is Jonas ben Isaac isn’t he?

Thomas nodded Yes sir. Please come, your daughters need help.

Meshua was unsure whether to trust the young man who had a strong smell of wine on his breath. On the other hand, his father was an importer of the pure linen used by the wealthy people of the city, including the rabbi’s family.

Asaph came running up, and Thomas called him over, Asaph, that’s right, isn’t it? That great-grandson of John, the dissident was harassing this man’s daughters, and when we tried to help them, he knocked me to the ground.

Yes, sir, that’s correct.’ Asaph replied, quickly tucking Rachel’s hair ornament into a fold in his damp robe. He tripped me up and then threatened me. I came for help, and he is still over there with them now," he said in a rush, hoping his words were not slurred.

Show me! Meshua instructed. Changing his robe could wait if his daughters were in danger.

~

Unaware of the trouble brewing, Benjamin approached the frightened girls cautiously and introduced himself. I am Benjamin, son of Samuel the oil-seller.

Rachel looked at him timidly, unsure of him. She would have run for the safety of the kitchen but for her sister, still lying where she had been pushed.

Let me explain. I was tending to the lamps when I saw those bullies run at you. When I worked out you were not family members being teased, I decided to intervene. I hope they didn’t hurt you.

Rachel decided to trust him and smiled shyly as she tried to smooth her tangled hair. No they didn’t, but they frightened my sister. Thank you for rescuing us.

Bending over, he held out his hand and helped the frightened child to her feet.

Panicked, she raced off toward the kitchen without a word of thanks, calling for her mother, Aima, Aima!

Rachel thanked him and was apologising for her young sister’s lack of manners when her furious father appeared.

"What do you think you are doing out here alone with my daughter? Face flushed, eyes flinty he strode across the distance between them and pushed Benjamin aside.

Jonas and Asaph, who had followed him, exchanged triumphant glances and slipped away.

Bewildered, Benjamin protested, "I was intervening to protect two young girls from the unwanted attention of two slightly drunk young men who were making nuisances of themselves.

That’s not the way I heard it! Looking round, he saw the accusers had gone. It did not matter; he had the evidence in front of him.

A flush spreading across his cheeks, Benjamin swallowed his annoyance and said quietly, Sir, my father is the oil-seller who supplied these lamps; I am here to ensure they are ready for tonight’s celebration. I would never do anything to harm a child.

Listening, Rachel bristled at being called a child. She was twelve years old. Gazing up at her rescuer, she sighed and forgave him for calling her a child. He was so tall, handsome too. Not anything like the bossy Thomas ben Jonas or his overweight friend.

The veins in his neck pulsing obviously, Meshua stared furiously at the young man standing before him. The fact of the matter is you are out here, in the rain, alone with my daughter. From what I have been told, you attacked Thomas ben Jonas and knocked over his friend Asaph ben Hadad.

Benjamin stiffened. Tense and exasperated by the accusation, it took all his self-control to reply calmly, Sir, I didn’t harm them. Both of them had too much to drink. One fell over when he tried to hit me, and the other slipped on some wet leaves and tripped over his friend. They were the ones making nuisances of themselves.

Rachel wanted to tell her father that this was the truth, but she knew he would not approve of her interrupting.

Just then, Rachel’s mother, Elizabeth, hurried out of the kitchen with Esther anxiously clutching her arm.

That’s the man who saved us, the girl whispered to her mother.

Flustered and torn between her need to be in the kitchen and her anxiety over her other daughter, Elizabeth sped over to the group, her bare feet giving her a safe grip on the damp soil.

Meshua, greetings, she said nodding to her husband, you closed the booth early then. Quickly thanking Benjamin for helping her girls, she turned anxiously and asked Rachel if she was alright.

Before Rachel could reply, her astounded father asked, What’s going on here? I have been told that this young man was tormenting our daughters, and you are thanking him!

Biting her lower lip and slowly shaking her head, Elizabeth replied, All I know Meshua, is that Esther came running into the kitchen, crying because two men had been troubling them. She said Rachel called them Thomas ben Jonas and Asaph ben Hadad, but that another man saved them. She has just told me it was this man.

Well? Meshua queried looking down at his older daughter.

Yes, Abba, Rachel said softly, eyes lowered, that is correct. This man rescued us from those other two. She blushed and turned to gaze at her rescuer.

Turning back to Benjamin Meshua cleared his throat, struggling to contain his dislike of the beliefs of the group Benjamin belonged to, Well it seems I owe you thanks and an apology.

I was glad to be able to help. I know what it is like to be taunted. Over the years I have suffered much for my beliefs.

Meshua knew that this would be the case. None of the Jewish community liked these followers of Yeshua ben Yoseph. They might do business with them, but they did not like them.

Benjamin saw a range of emotions pass over the older man’s face, before settling into a strained smile. You suffered because you are a heretic. Meshua hedged, not wanting to admit the Jewish boys were in the wrong.

My beliefs are similar to yours. The fellowship of the Way keep the Sabbaths, the Holy Days and Feasts; we keep the clean and unclean food laws and teach from the same scriptures. There are some other differences, but the main one is the matter of the Messiah.

Whom we Jews know was an itinerant teacher. He was no ‘Messiah. The Messiah is yet to come. Meshua said firmly, taking a step backwards, his distaste apparent. There have been many like him in the past and surely will be again."

Benjamin chose not to reply to what he knew would be a no-win argument, having already endured many in his young life.

Elizabeth looked down at her daughters, then seeing the enthralled, adoring look on Rachel’s face said, Come on girls, come into the kitchen and dry yourselves. Look, Rachel, your hair is damp too. Concerned, she hustled them off.

Dismissively, Meshua said, I will talk to the fathers of those young men. Barely hiding a scornful look, he said, It might be wise for you to make yourself scarce young man; their fathers are important men in our community.

A dozen answers tumbled through Benjamin’s mind, but he said none of them; instead he replied, I will finish my work, then be on my way.

Retrieving the lamp, wicks, oil and the pole from where he had put them, Benjamin went and