GISCHALA OF GALILEE CHAPTER NINE- Page 3

THE MORNING IN Tarsus was brilliant when a crowd gathered at the home of Rabbi Benjamin to bid farewell to Miriam. The spirited horses seemed to sense they were ready for their homeward journey, and their driver struggled to quiet them while Miriam's baggage was loaded in the carriage. Then, a final embrace of her father and mother, and Saul, and fond good-byes to her longtime companions and friends. There was a sincere farewell to Marcus, who had been a true and honorable friend. Miriam was helped into the coach, and the door closed. The carriage moved down the avenue and soon was lost from sight. Marcus rode one of his father's horses as far as the edge of town and waited until the carriage had been lost from sight.

Saul and his parents returned home to what now seemed a strangely quiet house. The atmosphere was almost depressing. The absence of Miriam's laughter and cheery conversation was already felt, and missed by each member of the family.

In a matter of a weeks word arrived back that the wedding between Miriam and Esrom was to be a fact. Great excitement shook the household.

Saul tried to bury himself in his studies and tell himself his own life must go on independently. But try as he would, his thoughts continually turned toward Miriam in Gischala, and the thought of her marrying Esrom and moving to Jerusalem. In conversation, he talked about Jerusalem, and at night he dreamed of the day when he might go there.

After making a flurry of wedding plans, Benjamin and Esther became unusually quiet. They spent more time together talking in subdued voices, which was not their customary manner. Saul assumed that they must be discussing something personal. Not hearing any words about Miriam, he had a feeling it pertained to him.

One afternoon, after a ship had docked at Lake Rhegma, Rabbi Benjamin stood at the window anxiously awaiting the mail courier. There was one letter, and the rabbi hastened to Esther to share its contents.

Saul sat across the room reading. Unable to contain his curiosity, he continued to keep his book open but strained to hear any comment that his father might make concerning the letter. His heart began to beat with excitement. He heard his father say, "He has agreed." Turning to Saul he shouted, "Gamaliel will accept you as his student!"

"God be praised!" Saul felt so much relief he almost felt faint. A smile beamed from his face. A tremendous tension that he had carried in his stomach during the long wait, now released him to be himself once again.

"I believe the timing is ordained of God," Benjamin said. "If we sail to Joppa, we can all take a coach to Gischala for the wedding. And from Gischala we can go to Jerusalem, where Miriam and Esrom will be soon living in their new home. It is also perfect timing for us to attend the Feast of the Passover, and have Saul enrolled in his studies with Gamaliel. Only God could arrange so many details of our lives at once!"

Suddenly, joy and excitement filled Saul, surpassing any disappointments and jealousy that he might had felt previously. Even the familiar furnishings of his house seemed to glow with happiness as he contemplated his being accepted by the most prestigious Pharisee of their day. Deep inside, Saul had felt his life to be special somehow. He was meant for great and important things, and acceptance by Gamaliel confirmed that.

Meanwhile, Rabbi Benjamin busied himself with preparations for their journey. He wrote of the plan to Hasham. His immediate response was to say he would send his son Dan to Joppa with the Carruca coach to bring the family to Gischala. Then they would all travel together to Jerusalem.
And Hasham also forwarded a request from Rabbi Gershon, studying in Jerusalem. He was the son of Ben-Lemuel's friend, Rabbi Jehonadab, who had died on the steps of the synagogue during the occupation of Cassius' legions. Rabbi Gershon's wife had died while they were in Jerusalem, and he had sent his two lively twin sons back to Tarsus to live with his sister. The boys, Shallum and Jephuneh, were well known to Rabbi Benjamin, who had taken them under his wing, so-to-speak, at synagogue. Rabbi Gershon was an intense student of the Law, and did not care to be burdened with his two boys in Jerusalem. They had interfered constantly with his studies after his wife's death. However, now he desired that they come back to Jerusalem where he lived. When he heard about Rabbi Benjamin's plans, he sent word through Hasham of his desire, "If only Rabbi Benjamin would be kind enough to bring them."

When Esther heard this request, she sighed at the imposition. She did not want responsibility of these two unruly boys. But Saul's father, always willing to be kind, and of service to a fellow rabbi, persuaded his wife that he would see to their behavior, and of course, to the added cost for their travels.

The days that followed were full of activity, packing personal things for the coming trip. Meanwhile, Saul began to talk of nothing but ships.