We begin by viewing a community of tent dwellers near twilight in 948 B.C. around Chinnereth, the ancient Hebrew name for the Sea of Galilee. A grandson asks his grandmother, Savta in Hebrew, questions about the preparations he sees everyone making for Shabbat. He wonders why it is celebrated every 7 days. She explains, "Shabbat is a time for rest and celebrating family and others in our lives. Most important of all, we honor God and all His works. We rest to refresh our souls to know Him better."
At sundown and when the first star is visible, the boy's grandfather, Saba, begins Shabbat with the Eshet Chayil, an ode to women of valor from Proverbs 31: "A woman of valor, who can find her? Far beyond jewels is her value. Her husband’s heart trusts in her and he shall lack no fortune." After that declaration, the grandmother says to her grandson, "May God make you like Ephraim and Manasseh." A father standing nearby says to his little daughter, "May God make you like Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, and Leah." They and others are blessing their children and grandchildren in the hope that they will follow the virtues of these early biblical patriarchs and matriarchs. The people in general wish each other Shabbat shalom, which is peace on the Sabbath.
As they sit down to eat at tables in the open air as family units, the head of the table summarizes the beginning of Genesis 2 from Scripture: "On the sixth day, the heaven and earth, and all their hosts, were completed. And God finished by the seventh day all His work that He had done. Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe."
Moving forward to the city of Capernaum on the Sea of Galilee in A.D. 26, we are in a hairdressers' shop, where the redeemed Mary of Magdala is now working. It is especially busy every Friday before Shabbat starts at sundown since that is when many women want to look their best. Mary is sent out of the shop for a few minutes to pick a fresh buttercup flower to complete a customer's hairstyle.
While Mary is on her errand, Rabbi Yussif is walking through town in his full clerical garments with his hands folded before him. People stop before him and cast their eyes down respectfully as he passes by. Yussif pretends not to notice them, but he does notice Mary as she walks in his field of vision while looking for a buttercup blossom. His eyes widen as he observes how tranquil she is inhaling the aroma of the flower she picks and walking back with a smile to the hairdressers' shop. Remembering the terrible demon-possessed state she was in when he recently saw her, he heads back to the synagogue to report this amazing news.
Meanwhile, Matthew the tax collector and his Roman escort, Gaius, are now at the head of the line to see the Roman prefect, Quintus. Matthew is concerned about a tax matter concerning the brothers Simon and Andrew, but Gaius, knowing how savage Quintus can be, is concerned they might lose their lives by implying Quintus has to clarify anything to them. As they talk while they wait, Roman soldiers filing by in the compound routinely bump into Matthew as if he were a nonentity. One of them says to Gaius with typical Roman contempt, "See to your dog."
Quintus is surprised that a publicanus or tax collector is requesting an audience with him and asks, "Why should I not kill you both?" Matthew addresses him respectfully: "Dominus, I was recently approached by a man while at my tax collecting—" Quintus, working at his desk while listening, interrupts, telling him to skip to the end. Matthew obliges: "Did you hire a man to spy on Jewish merchant vessels fishing on Shabbat to avoid taxation?" Quintus confirms that Simon's tax debts are forgiven.
Gaius bows and starts heading out, but Matthew stands firm, persisting, "As well as those of his brother?" Quintus answers impatiently, "Yes, forgiven. Goodbye." Gaius returns to bow again and says, "Thank you for your time, Praetor." Matthew, undaunted, states calmly, "I do not find Simon reliable and question his connections with the merchant class. I do not believe you have an accurate understanding of what he can deliver." Quintus looks at Matthew as if taken aback. Gaius now bows on one knee and apologizes for this dishonor. A soldier standing by Quintus draws his sword and says, "Say your last prayer, Jew!"
But Quintus stays his hand and asks, "Are you saying I made a bad deal?" Matthew answers affirmatively without visible fear. Quintus chuckles and says, "My brothers across the world search for brave men to spare and recruit, but our power prohibits those very efforts, for what sane person would stand up to the Roman Empire?" "I am sane," replies Matthew. "Yes," affirms Quintus, "but a very different kind of sane. It won't surprise you to learn that, to date, Simon has not fulfilled his obligation to uncover the tax evaders." "He is in breach of contract," concludes Matthew. "Not yet," corrects Quintus, "but time may prove you out. I may yet have need of your keen powers of observation, Matthew—a special assignment." Matthew quickly responds, "I would relish the opportunity, dominus." "Of course you would," says Quintus. "I'll be in touch, Matthew of Capernaum." Matthew thanks Quintus, who thanks him in return. Gaius quickly escorts him out.
At The Hammer, Andrew looks disgusted as Simon buys a round of drinks for the merchant class (which includes future fellow apostles James and John) and tries to charm them. Andrew accuses him of fattening up lambs for slaughter. Simon tells him, "Believe it or not, I don't like it either but these men, they're not family. You and Eden are my responsibility, not them." Andrew shakes his head sadly at his brother's line of reasoning.
Rabbi Nicodemus, still feeling like a failure for not removing the demons from Mary, is studying a scroll on demons and exorcism and making notes. He is shaken out of his intense work by Rabbi Shmuel and irritably demands to know what is so urgent. Shmuel tells him breathlessly, "The judges of our Sanhedrin sent for you. The Av Beit Din himself requests your presence! God is good!" Nicodemus wants to know what happened, but Shmuel simply hurries him along with other rabbis following because the Av Bet Din himself is waiting for him now in Capernaum.
The Av Beit Din, seated on his judgment throne, tells Nicodemus they are honored by his presence. Nicodemus replies, "The honor is mine, Av Beit Din. I was given the impression that this is a matter of some urgency?" The Av Beit Din tells him, "We are considering a formal inquiry." "What are the charges?" inquires Nicodemus. The Av Beit Din smiles broadly and clarifies, "A miracle, rabbi of rabbis!" Pointing to Rabbi Yussif, he explains, "This man's testimony is clear; his account, miraculous. The woman in the Red Quarter, to whom you offered rites, she is redeemed!"
Nicodemus asks Yussif, "You saw her?" He answers, "Yes, teacher. Perfectly restored and radiant." Nicodemus wants to know where. Yussif explains he saw her while she was on an errand for the hairdressers' at the market, adding, "I believed my eyes betrayed me, so I followed until I was certain. There can be no doubt." The Av Beit Din states, "This is unparalleled revelation. You yourself pointed out that the depth of her demonic oppression was beyond human aid. We want to send word to Jerusalem at once."
Nicodemus asks for permission to investigate this sighting and interview the woman himself, explaining, "Just as this exorcism took some time to prove effective, it may have a tentative hold. It could come as a shock for a young woman of her station to be poured over by your learned judges, whereas mine is a familiar face." The Av Beit Din pronounces, "It is decided: Conduct your investigation, but please be efficient. News of this kind, it grows legs." Nicodemus bows and leaves to begin at once.
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| "News of this kind, it grows legs." |
Simon is seated on the Galilee shore, keeping watch for merchant fleets. Andrew is next to him, dozing off. Although it is a dark night, Simon reminds him that they saw 3 of their merchant friends come in, offload, and clean the holds of their boats. He knows that others are still out there and will not be cleaning out their holds so they can fish on Shabbat the next evening, so he plans to see who they are when they come in. Andrew reminds him that one of the teens sailing with those merchants looks up to Simon like a father. Simon asks coldly, "Is it my fault that a dumb kid does not know better?" Incredulous, Andrew blurts out, "I keep waiting for you to tell me this is all part of a plan to double-cross the Romans!" Simon claims defensively, "That crew is stealing food out of Eden's mouth! The Romans are going to take our boat, maybe our lives." Andrew concedes, "Maybe, but we made our choices too." Simon retorts, "You think this is a choice?"
Nicodemus arrives at his quarters earlier than his wife, Zohara, expected. He explains he has research to conduct, but she tells him to make it fast since they have guests arriving for Shabbat soon. The disappointed look on his face prompts her to remind him, "These are dear colleagues who have been waiting weeks for the teacher of teachers to lead Shabbat. It will be like sharing loaves with God Himself." Shocked, Nicodemus looks to heaven and says, "Am I the only one hearing this!" Zohara ignores that and persists, "It is a small gathering. You can go through it quickly." Now Nicodemus resorts to sarcasm: "I'll try to avoid spending too much time honoring God and our heritage." She ignores that comment as well as he walks out, continuing to apply her makeup for that evening.
Gaius walks in the busy marketplace, grabbing grapes without paying for them since he feels entitled as a Roman. He mutters fools under his breath as he observes various locals. When he sees two of them striving with one another, and a Roman soldier trying to break up the fight with restraining hands, Gaius trots over and brings down the pommel of his sword on the back of the taller man's head. The other man looks with fear at the fallen man, now unconscious. Gaius threatens him so he flees the scene. The other soldier thanks him. Gaius tells him, "Only one language keeps their peace, Marcus. Learn to use it."
When Gaius reaches Matthew's tax booth, he observes Matthew dabbing a bloodied face. Gaius asks, "Another unhappy citizen expressing his disapproval?" Matthew merely says, "I'll be fine," wiping his clothing. Gaius says, "Ugh, you're disgusting—go home." Matthew tells him, "I have a job to do. My father never allowed me to shirk responsibility." "Well, he raised you right," volunteers Gaius. "We don't speak," says Matthew. Gaius asks, "How can you not have a relationship with your own father?" Matthew answers, "He says he has no son." Gaius thinks about that as Matthew takes on the next customer.
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| Matthew the Tax Collector: "My father says he has no son." |
Mary Magdalene, at the hairdressers', talks excitedly with two co-workers there about planning to host her first Shabbat dinner in a very long while since now she is healed. She just bought Shabbat candles, and they give her tips about baking bread and giving herself plenty of time to be ready. As Mary steps out of the covered shop to head toward the modest home she was able to get for herself, she discovers someone waiting for her.
Nicodemus says to her with wonder, "It's you! It's real." Mary, not knowing what to make of this statement from a religious official, looks down and starts to walk away. Nicodemus, following, says, "No, please don't be frightened. My name is Nicodemus. I ministered to you, Lilith." Mary informs him, "I don't answer to that name. I am Mary. I was born Mary." "But you were called Lilith, yes?" inquires Nicodemus. She tells him she must go, but he humbly responds, "I am desperate for your help, Mary." He explains he is a Pharisee visiting from Jerusalem who believes she has experienced a miracle.
She asks if he really is a Pharisee. He says yes and shows her his prayer shawl, which he tucked away to avoid looking too intimidating. Misunderstanding, she covers her head, but Nicodemus is quick to reassure her he isn't there to enforce Jewish traditions. He makes her feel comfortable enough to ask, "How do you know who I am?" Surprised, Nicodemus responds, "You really don't remember me at all? I burned incense." Mary tells him in a trembling voice, "It's all a blur. I can't go back into that." Feeling sympathy, Nicodemus says, "No, no. I don't want you to. I can't even imagine."
He continues, "But you are healed. That much is clear. I just want to understand how it happened." Mary smiles and says with a little laugh, "That makes two of us." Nicodemus gently asks, "How long after my visit did you feel the change?" Mary answers, "It wasn't anything you did. It was someone else." Thunderstruck, Nicodemus repeats, "Someone else?" Mary nods yes and says, "He called me Mary. He said I am His. I am redeemed." Nicodemus shakes his head in wonder, asking, "And it was so?" Again she nods.
"Who did this?" asks Nicodemus. Mary tells him, "I don't know His name, and even if I did I could not tell you because He said His time for men to know has not yet come." Astonished, Nicodemus says with admiration, "He performs miracles and seeks no credit? What does He look like? Is He a member of Sanhedrin? Would you at least know Him if you saw Him again?" Mary smiles and laughs again, saying, "I don't know why I am sharing this with you. I don't understand it myself, but here is what I can tell you: "I was one way and now I am completely different. And the thing that happened in between was Him. So yes, I will know Him for the rest of my life."
Nicodemus simply looks at Mary, happy and speechless. She tells him kindly, "I have to be home to prepare for Shabbat, as I'm sure you do." He smiles and says, "So mended you're even hosting Shabbat dinner!" Mary says humbly, "It will be nothing like yours, I am sure, but I'm going to try. Shabbat shalom, Nicodemus." Nicodemus returns her greeting of peace as he watches her head home.
Eden is cutting cucumbers while Simon greets her after waking up late. She asks how fishing went and he says fine, but she observes suspiciously that he has not taken a catch to market for days. He says evasively, "Yet you have flour and vegetables. Did you sleep in a warm bed last night?" "In fits," she tells him. "I don't understand what is happening. Your hours are upside down and your face is frozen in worry. Don't tell me nothing is happening." "We are in a challenging season right now," Simon answers. "I just need to work hard tonight to get caught up."
Eden questions, "You need to work on Shabbat?" "It's a special circumstance," Simon claims. "I can't get into it right now. Andrew will be here for dinner, as usual." Eden makes it clear she does not like what Simon is doing, so he tells her, "Listen, love, I know this is not ideal—" She angrily interrupts, "Don't 'Listen, love' me! I am not a child." He says to her quietly, "I need you to trust me. I've got this, Eden." She tells him firmly, "You answer to God, not me. But next time you answer to the both of us because whatever this is, I don't have the strength for it twice." Then she turns away from him.
It is now Shabbat evening and Matthew is walking along a quiet street with a covered dish of food in his hands. A big black dog follows him. Matthew turns around and orders the dog to halt, telling him, "If there is anything left when I come back, I'll give it to you." The dog obeys him. Matthew approaches a house and looks through the window, where he sees an older and younger woman at a table set for Shabbat. He suddenly backs away, losing his nerve about making his presence known to them, and swiftly heads back the way he came.
Nicodemus is looking sadly across an elegant table seated with guests in religious garb. His wife is telling them about the artisan settings: "This is the last of a long line of traditional works that his family had made. This is solid gold, from the finest goldsmiths in Jerusalem. I hope you will enjoy eating off these beautiful plates. The clay had to sit for many days, and then it had to be reworked." To distract his mind from an increasing sense of tedium and superficiality, Nicodemus fixes his attention on a wall tapestry.
Zohara wanders over and asks, "What's on your mind, love?" He gestures at the tapestry, informing her it is Hasmonean. He asks, "Do you know the significance?" "Tell me," says she. Nicodemus explains, "Two hundred years ago, we were ruled by the Greek king Antiochus IV. He suppressed our religious observances. It wasn't until the Maccabees revolted and ushered in the Hasmonean dynasty that our worship was restored." Zohara smiles at him proudly, saying softly, "You are as smart as you are handsome." He sighs and says, "Who is responsible for suppressing our worship now?" She says, "Well, it is a beautiful tapestry. Should the artist have made it less so? To what purpose: sadness, a conquered people?" Nicodemus smiles and responds, "You are wise as you are beautiful."
When she walks away to answer the door, however, we see from the expression on his face that he is still sad. Zohara greets the couple at the door, a Pharisee and his wife, with Shabbat shalom, which Nicodemus, recovering himself, echoes as he faces the guests. The Pharisee tells Nicodemus, "We are humbled and honored by your presence in Capernaum. You make us whole." Frowning, Nicodemus replies, "Only God can do that." Zohara, trying to smooth this over, asks them: "Shall we join the others?" The wife says, "Thank you." Her husband mutters to her, "Try to get a seat near the head of the table." Once these last guests move past him with Zohara, Nicodemus begins the Shabbat dinner in a weary voice, asking the opening question, "A woman of valor, who can find?"
Meanwhile, Mary is in her little house, setting out dishes on her table by the lit candles, bread, and other foods. She slips a buttercup flower into a vase and then answers a knock at her door. Mary welcomes in a friendly man with a limp and walking stick. His name is Barnaby. He looks around and says, "This is a fine place, Miss Mary!" Following Barnaby is a blind lady named Shula, asking, "Are we on?" They are good friends who enjoy teasing one another. She reaches out to him to assist her to the table, commenting, "Looking as handsome as ever, Barnaby!" "Lucky guess, Shula," he quips.
Just then two young men dressed like students of a rabbi show up by the still-open door. One asks, "Is this the place?" The other responds, "If Mary is here, it is." Mary, overhearing, asks, "Do I know you?" One says, "Oh, sorry. I'm James. This is Thaddaeus. We were told this would be a good place to come. We can leave if it is awkward." Mary quickly says, "Oh, no. Please come in. You are most welcome here." James asks, "Can we help?" At first she says no but then admits, "I don't know what I am doing." Thaddaeus says, "I see food. That is a victory." Mary tells them, "If I'm not doing something or doing something wrong, you tell me." James says kindly, "Nonsense. It's already great."
Shula says as they all get settled, "I can't remember the last time I was invited to Shabbat dinner." Barnaby adds, "Me, never." Mary asks with surprise, "You've never been to Shabbat?" Barnaby answers, "Of course, I've been to lots. Just never got invited!" Everyone laughs. Barnaby asks, "Who is the extra seat for?" Mary says it is for the prophet Elijah because she remembers a long time ago as a girl her mother doing that. James and Thaddaeus explain that the tradition of setting a seat for Elijah is only once a year at Passover. She laughs at her mistake and says she now will be ready for Passover when it comes.
Mary laughs again nervously as she looks over her notes. Barnaby is impressed to discover she knows how to read, which her father taught her to do when she was little. She asks, "Is the first star out?" Barnaby answers, "Yes. Let's eat!" Just then there is another knock at the door. Barnaby says to Mary, "You're very popular." Shula says, "Maybe it's a Pharisee to shut us down for letting you be here!"
When Mary answers the door, she is stunned to see Jesus standing there. He says, "Hello, Mary. It is good to see you." Overjoyed and at a loss for words, she manages to say, "Yes!" After an awkward silence, Jesus ventures to say, "I don't want to be rude, but would it be okay if I—" Recovering herself, Mary warmly invites Him in. James and Thaddaeus rise and greet him, saying, "Rabbi." Mary asks Jesus, "Oh, you know these men?" Jesus answers, "They are students of mine. I trust they have been polite?" She says, "Of course," and then another awkward silence ensues around the table. Shula ventures, "Your guest can take the seat, yes, Mary?"
When Jesus takes His seat, Mary announces, “Friends, this is the man I told you about who helped me.” Shula says to Him, “Oh yes, Mary told us so much about you.” Jesus smiles and says humbly, “I hope not too much.” Barnaby introduces himself and Shula, adding, “She is blind.” Jesus says, “Ah,” and Shula quips, “As if He couldn’t tell!” Mary apologizes, “I actually don’t know Your name.” “I’m Jesus, of Nazareth,” says the man who redeemed her. Barnaby cannot resist saying, “Well, apparently something good can come from Nazareth,” laughing at his own joke. Others at the table frown, but Jesus gives him a wink, knowing it was said in good fun.
Jesus says, “Mary, I’m honored to be here. Why don't you begin?” She replies, “Oh no, I couldn’t now that You are here.” He responds reassuringly, “Thank you, but this is your home. I would love for you to do it.” Mary smiles and says okay, reading from her notes, “The heavens and the earth were completed, and all their hosts. God competed on the seventh day the work that He did.”
We now see and hear Shabbat being celebrated in several homes at the same time. Nicodemus says to his guests, “God abstained on the seventh day from all the work He did. And God blessed the seventh day and He hallowed it, for on it He abstained from all the work that God created to do.”
At this point in Nicodemus’s recitation by heart, we see Matthew returning in the dark, where he is greeted by his faithful dog, waiting where Matthew left him.
At Simon and Eden’s table, Andrew lifts his glass and says, “Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who creates the fruit of the vine.” Simon is across the table from Eden.
As Nicodemus continues, “You have lovingly and willingly given us Your Shabbat as an inheritance in memory of creation,” we see Matthew sitting outside with his dog, sharing with him the food he prepared for the family at whose door he was afraid to knock.
When Nicodemus says, “Because this is the first day of our holy assemblies, in memory of the Exodus from Egypt,” we see Simon rise from his table to kiss Eden before leaving to make good on his promise to the Romans. Eden looks unhappy. She and Andrew share an uneasy look.
We then see all the different households conclude, “Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who brings forth the bread from the earth. Amen.” Jesus nods at Mary in approval. She looks down modestly and smiles. The last scene in this episode is a sad one: Simon meeting with Romans at the shore in the dead of night to hunt for the Jewish merchant fleet on Shabbat.
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