BOOK I
The Second Exodus
CHAPTER IX – Caleb the Benjamite
The Hebrews awoke early in the morning to find three Greek tunics nicely folded and sitting on a table in their room. Clearly Larissa, or perhaps one of the other slaves, had entered sometime during the night to leave the fresh clothes. Though it felt somewhat awkward, the Hebrews wore the tunics, preferring to wear clean clothes after their bath last night. Their only alternative would be to continue wearing their dirty, smelly robes.
After changing clothes, they opened the door to their room, and found Larissa standing there, waiting for them. She bowed, and motioned for them to proceed down the hall. As she did so, she said, “Good morning to you, masters. My master requests your presence at his breakfast table. I will show you the way.”
As the three Hebrews followed the girl, Jehu was surprised to notice that he found her attractive somehow. Being only ten years old, he had never before developed an interest in girls. But now, suddenly, he found himself entranced by this young slave girl who looked to be about his age. It was a strange, new feeling for him, and one he did not yet fully understand. Her straight brown hair was tied in a loose ponytail that reached down to her shoulders. What had really caught his attention were the freckles on her face, and her blue eyes that looked to be the colour of the sky.
At last they reached the dining room. There were six tables, each with a couch in front of it. Sitting in one couch was Nikodemos, with his wife and son on couches at either end. Across from them were the other three couches, which were currently vacant.
Nikodemos waved his guests over, and said, “Friends! Come, have a seat! I want you to meet my family!”
Larissa showed them to their couches, and then Nikodemos dismissed her. Jehu was sad to see her go. His gaze followed her until she left the room.
“This is my wife, Anastasia,” said the Greek, “and my son, Petros. He is 11 years old, about your age, Jehu, like I said.” Then, motioning to each of his guests, Nikodemos said, “Wife, son, I want you to meet Ahaz Bar-Caleb, Chief of the Hebrews. To his right is his son, Jehu. And to his left, this is his trusted friend and guardian, Ezra.”
Pleasantries were then exchanged. Food was brought in, but the Hebrews did not each much of it. Not wanting to be rude, Ahaz explained to Nikodemos about the Laws that Adonai had given them concerning food. He explained that some foods were Kosher, and therefore eatable by the Hebrews, and other foods were not Kosher, and could not be eaten without the Hebrew becoming unclean. Nikodemos seemed to understand, much as he had last night in the bath. Ahaz smiled and thanked him for being so understanding.
After breakfast, Nikodemos arranged for the tour of the city. Petros could not come. He had to go to the
Didaskaleion, the school, for his education. But Nikodemos did bring along Larissa, who carried around a purse of her master’s money, in case the guests should find anything at the
Agora which they wanted, Nikodemos wanted to be ready to purchase it for them. Jehu was very pleased to have her accompany the group.
And so the five left the house. As they walked through the streets of Kerkinitis, Nikodemos pointed out many different little points of interest. From time to time, Jehu would sneak a look at Larissa again. His attention was torn between her and the many wonders of Kerkinitis.
The first major stop in the tour was the reservoir. Nikodemos explained that this was where the city’s fresh water came from. There was an underground aqueduct which brought water from distant places and deposited it here in the heart of Kerkinitis. The Hebrews were all amazed by this. Nikodemos, being modest, replied, “This is nothing. To the west, the Romans have developed a more efficient and awe-inspiring method of transporting water in above-ground aqueducts. I hear that the Seleukid Empire even has a few brining water to their capitals of Seleukeia-on-the-Tigris and Antiocheia-on-the-Orontes. They are indeed amazing sights to behold. Perhaps one day we will build one ourselves.”
Nikodemos next showed them the public bath house. There was no need to enter it, he said. From inside it was basically just a larger version of the one in his home. But the building’s architecture was astonishing, and that was what he wanted his guests to see. And indeed they were awe struck.
Next he led them to the religious district of town. There they found shrines to many of the Greek gods, including Zeus, Area, Apollo, Poseidon, and others. The architecture was impressive, but the Hebrews felt uncomfortable around pagan centres of worship. Ahaz at last expressed his discomfort, and Nikodemos quickly led them away from there.
They next visited the
Agora, the market place. There were many vendors there, selling everything from food and clothes to jewelry and perfumes. There were philosophers discussing the latest issues of the day. The Hebrews saw priests of the pagan deities there as well. Even some of the Citizen-Soldiers of Kerkinitis were there, keeping an eye out for thieves and pick-pockets. Amidst all these wonders, Jehu still could not stay focused. His gaze kept straying to Larissa. He hoped she wouldn’t notice him staring at her. If she did, it would be very embarrassing.
Nikodemos told them that there was one place of special interest at the
Agora that he really wanted them to see. They asked what it was, but he said he did not want to tell them. They would have to wait and see.
He led them to one of the vendors, and they saw many paintings and writings for sale. The man who sold them did not look Greek at all. Rather… he looked like a Hebrew. The man greeted Nikodemos and said, “
Lochagos! How have you been my friend?”
Nikodemos embraced the man and said, “I have been well! I want you to meet my friends. This is Ahaz, Chief of the Hebrews, and his son, Jehu, and his guard Ezra.”
The man shook hands with all of them and said, in Hebrew, “I am most honoured to meet you. I have heard all about your people’s journeys and exploits, and I must say, to be shaking your hands right now is truly a blessing.”
Ahaz replied, “How is it that you know our tongue and look like one of us?”
The man slapped his forehead lightly, as if to say ‘How could I forget?’, and said, “I apologize. I was so excited I did not introduce myself! I am Caleb Bar-Simeon of the Tribe of Benjamin.”
“You… you are a Jew?” asked Ezra.
“I am indeed,” replied Caleb.
“How is it that you came to live in this city, so far from Canaan?” asked Ahaz.
Caleb replied, “My father, Simeon, was a cartographer in the service of King Seleukos during his campaigns to claim his portion of Alexander’s empire. After the founding of the Seleukid Empire, my father retired from the King’s service and came with his whole family here to Kerkinitis. He was tired of the wars between the
Diadochi, the Successors, and wanted to get as far away as possible. However, not being very wealthy, he could not afford to take us too far. But, the
Diadochi do not often interfere with the Krimea, so this was good enough. We came here ten years ago, when I was only ten years old. I have learnt my father’s trade, and I make maps here in Kerkinitis now. I also use my skills to paint pictures, as you can see here.”
Indeed, Caleb had many paintings. The three Hebrews recognized many of the scenes depicted in Caleb’s paintings. The Garden of Eden, Moses before Pharaoh, Samson bringing down the temple to Baal, David slaying Goliath, Elijah’s contest with the priests of Baal on Mount Carmel, and many many others. Caleb explained that his paintings sold extremely well here in Kerkinitis, and even in other cities in the Krimea, because it provided fresh images to his Greek customers, as opposed to more of the same old mythology they had known all their lives.
Ahaz smiled, “Your work is indeed impressive, Caleb. I could use someone of your talents. What would you think of leaving Kerkinitis to join with my people?”
“I am honoured that you would ask me,” replied Caleb. “But I would like to ask that the offer extend to the other Jews in the city, as well.”
“You mean your family?” asked the Chief.
“Yes, my family. But also, the rest of the Jewish community,” came Caleb’s answer.
“The ‘community’?” asked Ahaz. “You mean, there are more Jews here in Kerkinitis?”
Caleb laughed jovially, “Indeed there are! We Jews have a way of getting around. There are Jewish communities in almost every Greek
polis. Some of us have even travelled as far as Rome.”
“I did not know this,” said Ahaz. “But it makes sense. When Cyrus the Great conquered Babylon, he freed your people and returned them to Judea. But my people, the Ten Tribes of the north, we were not freed by him. We remained slaves as we had been since the days of the Assyrians. It wasn’t until Alexander invaded Persia that some of us were able to escape.”
“I would love to hear all the details from an actual participant of the Second Exodus! If Nikodemos doesn’t mind, I would like you all to come over to my home for supper tonight!” exclaimed the Jew.
Nikodemos nodded, “Indeed. But make sure that you return to my house in time to sleep. Tomorrow is your audience with the Tyrant. You should get your rest. Larissa will stay with you, and she will guide you back to my house when you are ready. I think I shall leave now. I will see you tonight.”
With that, Nikodemos left.
“So,” said Ezra, “You said that there were other Jews here? A whole community?”
“Yes,” replied Caleb. “But we are a small community, here. There are only about fifty of us. But I and my family are the only members of the Tribe of Benjamin in this city. Everyone refers to me as ‘Caleb the Benjamite’ to distinguish me from the other Caleb in our community. Most of the Jews here are Judahites. Although we do have one Levite, who serves as our Rabbi in the synagogue.”
The three men talked together all day. Jehu, being too young to understand or care about most of what they said, quickly grew bored. He decided to ask Larissa if she wanted to play. “Are you as bored as I am?” he asked. “Let’s play together!”
“Whatever you wish, master,” she replied.
“Do you not wish to play?” asked Jehu.
“I will do as you wish,” said the slave girl.
“That’s not what I asked,” said the boy.
Larissa’s lips drew into a shy smile, “I do indeed wish to play.”
“What would you like to play?”
Larissa was shocked. Nobody had ever cared about what she wanted before. Nikodemos and his family had always been kind masters. She had never been mistreated by her masters, and she certainly couldn't complain about her life. Though it wasn’t grand, she had seen free men who lived in worse conditions than she had. But, in all her ten years, nobody had ever actually cared about what she wanted. She smiled at this Hebrew boy who showed her such kindness, and said, “I would love to play whatever you want.”
“You not just saying that because you’re a…” Jehu was hesitant to use the word.
“…a slave?” replied Larissa. “No, I’m not just saying that. I really do want to play whatever you want to play.”
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That evening, the guests were taken to Caleb’s house. They were introduced to his mother, and his two younger sisters, all of whom lived with Caleb, who was now head of the household, as his father had died a few years ago.
The women made Caleb’s guests feel very much at home. They cooked food and brought it for all of their guests, even Larissa. She was not treated like a slave, but rather she was treated just like the Hebrew guests. It was a nice change for her, and she decided to treasure this night forever, as she would probably never experience such a thing again for as long as she lived.
While they ate, Ahaz told Caleb the story of the Ten Tribes. Because of the Sacred Writings of the Books of the Kings, which recounted the history of Israel’s monarchy from the days of Saul, through David, the greatest of kings, to Solomon the Wise, to the split into the northern and southern kingdoms, and onwards until the fall of each kingdom, Caleb knew all about the kings of the north. Most of the kings had been Ephraimites, starting with Jeroboam I, the first king of the north. Because the Tribe of Ephraim was the dominant tribe in the northern kingdom, that realm was often referred to as the Kingdom of Ephraim, whereas in the south, the kings were all descended from King David, a Judahite, so the southern kingdom was called the Kingdom of Judah. Caleb knew that the last King of Ephraim, Hosea, had been an Ephraimite, and he knew that though Hosea had at last abolished the idols at Dan and Bethel, which Jeroboam I had set up, he had done other evils in the sight of Adonai, and together with all the people of the Ten Tribes, Hosea had angered Adonai to such an extent that He sent the Assyrians upon them, to destroy their kingdom and enslave them. Hosea was imprisoned, and his family, along with most of the Israelites in the Kingdom of Ephraim, were carried off and enslaved. But this was where Caleb’s knowledge ended. Nothing in the Sacred Writings discussed what happened to the Ten Tribes after the fall of Samaria.
This was where Ahaz began his story. Hosea had had three sons: Jonathan, Ahaziah, and Ish-Bosheth. Jonathon and Ish-Bosheth had both fallen in the battle at Samaria. The Assyrians had planned to kill Ahaziah, so that Hosea’s line would be ended and the Hebrews would have no more hope of resistance. But a loyal servant of the House of Hosea offered to wear Ahaziah’s royal robes, and to pose as the prince. The servant was slain, and the Assyrians thought they had wiped out the Hoseid line. But Ahaziah lived on. The people of the Ten Tribes looked to him for leadership. Unlike his father, and nearly all of the kings who had come before him, Ahaziah loved Adonai. According to Ahaz, only two other kings had ever had as much love for Adonai as Ahaziah Bar-Hosea, and those two kings were David, and Hezekiah of Judah.
Ahaziah told his people to be faithful, to beg Adonai for mercy, and to hope that one day their enslavement would end, as it had in Egypt 700 years earlier. And so, under the leadership of Ahaziah and his descendents, the Hebrews prayed for their deliverance. When the Babylonians conquered the Assyrian Empire, the Hebrews thought their salvation had come. But the Babylonians kept them as slaves, and even enslaved their Jewish brethren. When Cyrus the Great conquered Babylon, founded the Persian Empire, and freed the Jews, the Hebrews again thought their deliverance was at hand. But Cyrus, like the Babylonians before him, kept the Hebrews as slaves. It was not until Alexander III of Makedonia, known the world over as Alexander the Great, invaded Persia, that deliverance would come. In the turmoil and chaos that followed as Persia fell apart before the Conqueror’s onslaught, a descendant of Ahaziah Bar-Hosea, a man named Caleb Bar-Menahem, led the people to their freedom.
Most of the Hebrews had, by now, lost their Faith in Adonai, however. After 400 years of slavery to three different empires, they believed that Adonai had abandoned them, and so they abandoned Adonai. But 25,000 people still believed that Adonai loved them and cared for them, and they trusted Caleb when he said that it was Adonai’s Will for them to leave. They followed him north, out of Persia, and into the mountains, into a place called Iveria.
The Iverians ignored them for the most part, and the initial journey went well. However, when they came to the foot of the mountains of Iveria, they reached a vast plain, the steppes. The Hebrews did not realise that they were entering the land of a people known as the Skythians. Shortly after they reached the steppes, a large Skythian raiding party attacked. Many were killed in the ambush, including Caleb. This left Caleb’s son, Ahaz, a mere boy of 15, to lead the tribes. He led them to the mighty Bosporan Kingdom, the only state in those parts that did not fear the Skythians. The King of the Bosporus refused to help, and sent the Hebrews away. And so they were forced to wander for the past 39 years in the land of the Skythians. Their numbers dwindled over the years, due to Skythian attacks as well as starvation. Now the 11,000 survivors were seeking refuge here in the Krimea.
Caleb thanked his guest for telling him about the Ten Tribes, and expressed his sympathies for the hardships that had befallen them. He encouraged Ahaz to remain strong in the Faith, and to remember that Adonai would never abandon them.
The hour was now late, and so they said their goodbyes. Caleb said he would consider the offer to join the Hebrews, and he would present the offer to the other Jews of Kerkinitis.
Larissa then led the Hebrews to Nikodemos’ house, and took them to their room. After they closed the door, she returned to the room where the slaves of the house slept, and, lying on her mat, she thought of the young boy who treated her so well, and of the horrible history his people had endured. She pitied him. Though he had been free his whole life, he had lived a far worse life than she had. She hoped that somehow, she would be able to repay his kindness and help his life be better…
