The year is 792 AUC according to the Romans; 3800 by the ancient Jewish calendar. It is a typical day in the month, Sivan, hot and dry. Arriving in this tiny village of Nazareth, one is immediately made aware of the activities. Everyone is hustling about; some attending to their tasks while a few participate in the most animated forms of conversation or debate. Without exception, all seem willing to socialize or to lend help to any stranger.
Directed to a small group, I am immediately drawn to the mother of my God. Miryam greeted me as though I had been expected, and that did indeed turn out to be true. During the course of our discussions over the next few days, there was no hesitation. Nothing was held back. It was as though there were essential stories to be told and feelings to be shared.
The two of us relaxed in front of her home. A welcome slight breeze stirred. Anxiety, born of curiosity, rather immediately propelled me to address the purpose of my visit.
[Gabe] Miryam, there is so little documentation concerning your life. If you are so inclined I should be blessed to just listen, but as you may find, I shall probably interrupt with some questions.
[Miryam] Gabe, be assured that your presence, although most welcome, is somewhat curious. You speak our dialect as one who has lived here. But your voice has a certain sound, smooth, reassuring and somewhat familiar. It is almost as if I were to close my eyes, listening only, that I would imagine a previous meeting. Is such a thing likely? Perhaps we might speak to that later.
So important to me are the lives of my son, Yeshua, and of my most beloved husband, Yosef. However, in due course I do so wish to discuss the lives of the other young ones and my friends and kin. I believe, however, that as learned on the lap of my grandmother, it is best that one weaves tales together. The result, like a fine woolen garment, is smooth and a joy upon which to reflect.
[Gabe] Yes Miryam, this is to be just as a conversation, certainly in an order of your choice. If you would then, share any thoughts, experiences, adventures and sentiments.
[Miryam] Well Gabe, that suits me just fine. I love to talk, especially when it is with someone so well-mannered. I would like to speak first of some thoughts always on my mind.
Our Jewish traditions tell that the Most Holy One made all that there is more than 4,000 years ago.
My dear grandmother would tell to me of ancient tales; the history of times when there was but one tribe of our people, led by Shem, eldest son of Noe. So often she would recall exciting stories. Such adventures of the strengths and weaknesses of the Jews, the honor given to and love received from Adonai. She said that Adonai means “My Lord,” and told me of so many other names for and praises to him. It is good for a child to listen to the words of the old ones. They tell of times gone by. This is to be cherished.
Grandmother would speak in the Hebrew tongue as well as in ours. But never did I hear from her the language of the Invaders. It is interesting that in each district they would conquer, in public all under their sword were to speak as they, lest the harshest punishment would befall. It was much easier for the young to take on their dialect, but for the old ones, it was not without great effort. Then there were some soldiers, who coming upon the elderly, so often would taunt by questions. Knowing full well that most do not possess the ability to respond gives way to a slap with hand or with whip. The younger ones, if dependable, upon seeing this mistreatment would come to aid. And be beaten, too, as a reminder of the authority.
Oh Gabe, there I go, off on another tale. Back, now.
Some 1,000 years in the past, our tribes sought relief from famine in the country to the south of the Great Blue Sea called Egypt. After 100 years, the rulers had enslaved almost all of the Jews. Moshe was ordained to take our peoples to a new home and so, in the time set by our Adonai, the tribes settled throughout these regions. There are so many other stories to account, but let us come to more recent events.
I believe that it was just 45 years before my birth that the Roman conquerors came. But they were just the most recent of invaders. And who is able to prophesy when they will suffer the need to leave our lands? As a child, I recall mother telling me that her grandmother had passed on stories of other attackers, the barbarians from the East, I think.
It is most worthy to recall that the elders have taught for years that a strong leader would appear to vanquish all invaders and return our nation, Yisroel, to the glory days of King David.
As I grow old and contemplate all that has happened since the birth of Yeshua, and even now, it has been just some 11 years since his murder and resurrection.
My beloved Yosef and I, as well as vast numbers of others and so many more to come in the future, were aware that the Moshiach and liberator of our tribes had arrived, indeed. But, is it not so often true that the image of the one anticipated might well be so different than he who appears?
That is as with Yeshua. All peoples shall come to learn that we can bring about that which our Creator promised by means much different than the force of lance or slice of the sword.
Gabe, thank you for listening, as I am comforted by the opportunity to speak of these thoughts. Please, now, how may we proceed?
[G] Thank you, Miryam, and now, your early years, please tell me something about your childhood.
[M] This will be such fun. To start, I was born in a village called Sepphoris. It is just one half of a day walk from here. That year was 3742. The Invaders cause us to use their measure, so that would also be called 734. I believe it is from the year of the founding of Rome, their city. That is of no concern to me. Oh, but now you will be able to determine my age! Do not tell anyone, as it is to be our secret.
My mother was named Anna and my father, Joachim. We moved to Nazareth when I was but two years of age. Something humorous now comes to mind. You may not be aware of a very old expression that the mother of my mother would use. Whenever two friends would argue or quarrel, one could always bring it to an amusing end with the words, “here we are breaking heads.” Mother and I and Rivka and the children would always use that phrase. But if I ever whimpered to my mother, she would pretend to sigh, and with a smile say, “Wished for child, that is the meaning of the name, Miryam.” The ancients had meanings for every given name; I was wished for, indeed.
I am an only child, but was, and still am, close to my friend, Rivka. It seems as though I spent more time at the home of her parents than I did my own. My Mother, Anne, and the mother of Rivka also would laugh, wondering which one of them had two daughters. As children we would tease them saying, “I shall ask my ‘other’ mother if I may have a treat or get out of doing the chores.” Such amusing times we had, and still do. In fact Rivka still lives in the village with her husband Aaron. They have a most precious son. He is called Caleb. Well grown now, he resides with his own family in the city, Tyre, on the shores of that Great Blue Sea. They visit often and we share such fun.
Rivka and Aaron were especially attentive to me at the death of my beloved husband, Yosef. It has now been some 16 years. Oh, I so miss that man.
Aaron has been a loyal and devoted husband and father. In earlier years, he was herdsman for the flocks of others. Now, he owns great flocks of many sheep and goats, hiring others to shepherd. Aaron is supplier of fine meats to many people and, especially, for their celebrations.
Even as a child, Rivka learned of the skills of weaving. By her guidance, I was also taught well of the same. I must say that even to this day, it is a wonder to behold her at shuttle. The tool sings by her direction. And the goods she turns out are most free of flaw or blemish. She and I are even now conducting trades with my darling, the merchant, Miryam of Magdala.
Oh, Gabe, be patient with this old lady, I so often wander between tales, not unlike walking a familiar trail, distracted by the multitude of exciting items observed. We shall speak later, of the place of Miryam in our family.
The boy, Caleb, and my dear Yeshua became bar Mitzvah at the same time. Of that, too, we shall speak later.
I was also close with my dear cousin, Elizabeth. She was older than me by some nineteen or so years, but we were as sisters whenever together. Her parents, my aunt and uncle, were named Shayna and Isaac. Although they lived somewhat a far distance, down in Judaea at Ain Karim, we visited often, especially during holy days at Temple in Yerushalayim. They also came to our village for long stays. Oh, what fun it was to show off my Judaean cousin to my friends.
Gabe, with your indulgence, it is hoped that you might allow this visit with me to extend for more than just this day.
[G] Yes, certainly, I am most appreciative of that gracious offer.
[M] Good, I have to say that as I arose from my pallet this day, prior to first light, I was most strangely made aware of the coming of a special visitor. He turned out to be you. Well, in the tradition of the proper Jewish woman, I made haste to tidy my dwelling and bake some fresh breads. Oh really, this place is always clean and ready for any guest. I am having fun – you laugh!
And still another thought. Over there you can see the home of Rivka and Aaron. I have spoken to them and they are anxious to meet you. It is also proper that they have offered room for your evening rest. We shall go to visit those two. But first we must taste of the fresh bread with some cool water.
Later, I must show off this marvelous home, constructed by the hands and skills of the most accomplished stone and wood crafter on earth, my dearest friend, my beloved Yosef.