Reb Nicodemus, Member of the Sanhedrin, heavy-set, of medium height, with a high forehead, Semitic nose, sensitive lips, and dense charcoal brows, beard, and sidecurls – a startling introduction to his soul-searching blue-grey eyes – had just finished delivering his weekly Torah commentary to the congregants of his synagogue when a blinding light flushed the entranceway! It was He – the rude intruder / miraculous Healer, resented/adored Man of Contradiction, juggler of souls!
‘Welcome! We are honored!’
Yeshua of Nazareth walked towards the pulpit, followed by his eight disciples, and He and Reb Nicodemus embraced. The congregants sat entranced, their mouths open... ‘I understand you wish to honor us with a sermon. Please – but I should like to add an epilogue.’
The gentle eyes of Jesus caressed Reb Nicodemus with gratitude. ‘I shall offer a minuscule sermon,’ He said, ‘because the grains in the hourglass show it is late...’
‘Precious souls, verily I say unto thee that universal love far surpasses ritual; that the love of man for his fellow creatures should outweigh his love for G�d; that it is not what you eat which is important but what you are! Turn your other cheek to the “enemy”; be humble, for the meek and righteous shall inherit the earth. I shall be giving a more elaborate sermon outdoors, on a hillside between Capharnaum and Gennesaret, which you are welcome to attend...’
‘Abrupt but effective,’ said Reb Nicodemus, searching the faces of his congregants – the majority of whom showed resentment, although a few were obviously attracted to the charisma of the Holy Man.
‘I shall begin with a parable. If you were to inherit a purseful of diamonds, would you throw it away? None of you would, for these precious gems could bring you a life of physical and sensual delights! The physical is important, but what of the spiritual? As the Chosen People, you have inherited a far more important treasure – a gift of potential – beginning with Abraham’s covenant and brought to its superlative finale during the Mount Sinai revelation! What other nation has been blessed with such a sensitivity of introspection and humility, which reaches its climax during the New Year, Rosh HaShanah, and particularly on Yom Kippur? There is no jubilant celebration but a critical self-examination and a humble return of the sprit to its Maker in direct communication – with a request for mercy, even for those sins committed unconsciously! This core of spirituality renews itself each time we engage in ritual prayer and reaches its peak on the Sabbath and on holidays. We are nested in G�d’s Hand – not only our physical vessels but our souls. Kashrut is one of the ways we express our sensitivity: to the act of slaughter, which is done with an extremely sharp-honed knife; to the ingesting of blood, which is not permitted since blood represents the spilling of the life-force; and to aimless gluttony...
‘We are the Children of the Book! The light to the nations – their conscience, their tuning-fork. Each time someone forsakes his legacy, the light is dimmed, for each soul is vital in HaShem’s tapestry – and we express our grief with shiva – the seven days of mourning... If anyone has any questions, I shall be happy to meet with him or her at the synagogue or at my home.’
Not one of the congregants stirred, and the soul of Reb Nicodemus soared with the glory of positive persuasion. ‘Bless you, My lamb!’ said Yeshua – and the congregants and his disciples looked at Him with amazement; ‘you have proved to Me that dialogue is possible between the Children of the Book and those embracing the magnificent new religion, rooted in the Hebrew Bible, which is about to yield its first fruits under My guidance. With tolerance, love, and mutual respect we can create a better world, with peace on earth and good will towards all...’
‘My dear friend,’ said Reb Nicodemus in a choked voice ‘my admiration for you is limitless but please be careful...Your life may be in danger...’
‘Yes,’ said Jesus, his doe eyes gentle, ‘a dramatic episode – so that I can be remembered eternally...’
Simon-Peter stood between the two – his powerful fist lifted high. ‘His life is not in danger, for I shall protect Him, even if I have to die for Him!’
‘Until the cock crows thrice!’ said Yeshua with a smile. The confused Peter stared at the Master. Was this not an additional proof that Jesus was the Son of G�d? What Simon-Peter was able to glean from the Holy Torah was that G�d’s wisdom is limitless, at times incomprehensible...
‘I shall put balm on your wounds,’ the prophetic Reb Nicodemus whispered with tears in his eyes – but perhaps this can be avoided; there must be another way...!