The Prodigal

In the times before Christianity,

only a few people believed in one God.

Most people believed in many gods.

It was mainly the believers in Jehovah

who stood against a multitude

of some 65,000 strange and different gods.

Of these, two of the most notorious

were Baal and Astarte,

the male and the female.

Gods of the flesh, not of the soul.

They were supposed to renew

the fertility of the earth every year.

In exchange,

they demanded of their believers

the sacrifice of money,

jewelry and human life.

Out of these times comes our story,

based upon the parable of the prodigal son

as told in Luke, Chapter 15.

This is the seaport of Joppa,

in the year 70 B.C.

- Who is he?

- A slave, a runaway slave.

Then he shouldn't be too expensive.

- What's his price?

- I have my orders. There is no price.

He must die.

- Why?

- Ask him why.

He's a mute. He has no tongue.

But you have a tongue. Use it.

For the last time, what's his price?

He cost my master 20 pieces of silver.

- Joram, my purse is empty.

- As always.

So as always,

I could make use of a little loan.

Twenty pieces of silver, according to him.

Our father did not tell us

to bring home any slaves.

True. But he's always told us,

- "He who loves his fellow man is of...' '

- "The true seed of Abraham.' '

You always have an answer.

Don't kneel there like a fool. You're free.

Take my advice.

Get as far away from here

as you can. Here.

You've managed to find trouble

in every town from Petra to here.

You've managed to frown in every town

from Petra to here.

The level of the well is high,

the field is parched.

Let the west field be watered now, today.

Father, this man is hurt.

Careful.

We pulled a spear out of his shoulder.

Caleb, put him in the large chamber.

Be sure that his bed is warm.

And, Caleb, give him hot broth

when he opens his eyes.

- Who is he?

- A runaway slave.

He cost Micah 20 pieces of silver

and very nearly a spear through the heart.

But as you've so often told us...

"He who loves his fellow man

is of the true seed of Abraham.' '."

True words,

even if they do come back to taunt me.

How went the journey to Petra?

As for gold and silver, better than usual.

As for Micah learning anything

from the trip, he learned.

Nothing about business but all about

every wine between here and Petra.

Your family, Joram.

You keep them waiting.

Miriam! Deborah! David!

I ate half the sand of the desert

and brought the other half with me.

I need a wash.

Scrub well, Micah.

A man cannot be too clean

for his betrothal.

- Again?

- Again.

A wife.

Whom have you chosen?

The daughter

of our good neighbor, Tobiah.

- Ruth?

- While you were away I spoke to Tobiah.

Tomorrow morning we visit them

to draw up the betrothal contract.

Have I chosen well?

A sensible choice, Father.

I admire her, respect her,

more than any other.

But it's difficult to

find the proper words.

We've always understood each other,

whatever the words.

You mean to say you don't love her.

I did not see your mother

until the day of our betrothal.

And yet...

I know how lonely it's been

for you without her.

Not when you're with me, Micah.

You've Rachel's spirit and her love of

life. Come, get on with your washing.

- Then we'll say the evening prayer...

- And eat.

I'm hungry enough to devour

a whole fatted calf.

"According to the Law of Moses

and of lsrael,

"on this seventh day

of the month of Nisan,

"a holy betrothal is entered into between

Micah ben Eli and Ruth bat Tobiah,

"whereby he doth promise to please,

"to honor, to nourish and to care for her."

"The terms and conditions

of the marriage agreement"

"shall be as follows...' '."

Tobiah, all the terms and conditions

can be readily agreed upon.

However, much as I respect your feelings,

my good friend, I cannot overlook my own.

Do not think, Eli, that you can

win your way with soft words.

The boon I seek is that the first son

born of this unin

shall be named after my father.

No! After mine!

He will be my first grandson!

But by all the writings

of the learned doctors, I have precedence!

Asham!

Asham, I've warned you

to stay in bed until tomorrow.

Give your wound a chance to heal.

You will do what I say when I say it.

How long have you been a mute, Asham?

And you've always been a slave?

Five moons... Five months!

You didn't wait long to try and escape.

No wonder. The whipping post.

How did you lose your freedom, Asham?

Sold into slavery to pay your debts?

Here, only make certain

you don't use these the way I would.

Ruth! Ruth!

Ruth, don't hide.

We've known each other for several years.

Now it's time

we became better acquainted.

Our fathers are taking a long time inside.

It's comforting to know

that it takes longer

to arrange a betrothal

than to buy a flock of sheep.

When I left, they were arguing

about the name of our first son.

By now they've probably named a dozen

of his brothers and sisters as well.

Is there a name for the feeling

we will share, Micah?

It'll be no effort to learn to love you.

I shall try to merit your love.

They'll probably decide

upon an early wedding.

Yes.

Yes, a very early wedding.

Micah's first gift to Ruth.

It is sweet and good.

This afternoon I am going to Joppa

to invite the Grand Rabbi

to the signing of our betrothal contract.

- What can I bring you?

- There is nothing I need, Micah.

Not something you need.

Something foolish, feminine.

Something you've always wanted

but never let anyone guess.

- You won't laugh at me?

- Never.

Then, if it please you, Micah,

bring me a dove from Smyrna.

With wings as white

as the snows of Lebanon.

Yes, it would please me

to bring you such a gift, Ruth.

- Micah!

- I must go.

- Micah.

- Yes?

I am an able cook.

Worship graven images...

Why, there it is!

That's what the Grand Rabbi

told us about!

Now, Micah...

A caravan of infidels worshipping idols,

here in Joppa.

Look at the townspeople.

- They hate this sacrilege as much as I do.

- And l.

But it is a matter for the Elders

to handle, according to the laws.

The Elders!

They talk and talk and never do anything,

but this time...

- Joram, look! He who tried to spear me.

- The pagan ceremonial tent!

Micah. Micah!

I have been expecting you.

I arranged for you to see Rhakim

and meant you to follow him here.

- Who are you?

- My name is Nahreeb.

I know of you.

You and your unholy temple in Damascus

with its 500 women of the temple gardens.

- Five hundred priestesses.

- Priestesses.

Women who would do anything

for a silver coin.

Painted women

serving painted graven images.

Yesterday you took title

to a slave of mine for 20 pieces of silver.

I should like to buy Asham back

for 200 pieces of silver.

A thousand?

Two thousand?

You hunger for him as a pig for husks.

Everything has its price. Name yours.

Asham is my friend.

Would you sell a friend to death?

Her name is Samarra.

She will be High Priestess of Astarte

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