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 THE CRIMSON THREAD
The Struggle To Become Jesus During The Revolt Against Rome

A Historical Novel

By
Royston Potter

1
 The Crimson Thread

THE CRIMSON THREAD

The Struggle To Become Jesus During The Revolt Against Rome
Copyright © Royston Potter 2005
All Rights Reserved
Evanston, Wyoming

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 The Crimson Thread

NOTABLE REVIEWS

“Royston Potter's novel is the way one should go about approaching history in the First
Century in Palestine and he does so in an imaginative, thought-provoking, and
historically compelling manner. Since one is largely dealing with fictionalized romance
except for Josephus (even at times, Josephus) where the First Century is concerned,
fictionalized romance is the way to correct it; and Potter's experience as a Colonel in the
U.S. Army gives him an edge over others who are similarly trying to reconstruct the
events of this period through the prism of the novel. With a practiced eye, he is able to
peer through both the Gospels and Josephus and revive this period with more accuracy
than others relying on 'folk' and 'miracle-working wonder tales'. Bringing to bear the
precision provided by the Dead Sea Scrolls, he has brought to life a 'Gospel Truth' more
incisive than previous more 'wide-eyed', 'Neoplatonic' forays. Choose it for your must-
read list.”
- Robert Eisenman, author of James the Brother of Jesus.

"This book is an excellent window into the true spiritual and religious practices in Israel
2000 years ago, including the impact the Hechalot (later, Kabbalah) had on events in
history. He effectively negates the disinformation which has surrounded the official
origins of what is now called Christianity, and he does so using historical events that he
weaves into an exciting story line with a master‟s touch. A superb and entertaining novel,
it clears the air."
- James A. Kirkwood, author of Jacob's Ladder, and Biblical Meditations, 22 Spiritual
Gifts of Ancient Israel.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page
Notable Reviews
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments
Dedication
Pronunciation Guide and List of Principle Characters
Introduction (Author‟s Notes)
Prologue
Chapters 1-14
Glossary
Bibliography
Author‟s Biography
Endnotes

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 The Crimson Thread

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I wish to thank all those who have assisted me in the completion of this book. Of
course, there is my wife, Carol, who encouraged me onward; also, my good friend, Jim
Kirkwood, who guided me in the often difficult aspects of Jewish Mysticism, the
Hechalot and the Kabbalah. In particular, I would like to express my deep gratitude to
Professor Robert Eisenman‟s encouragement and inspiration. He is one who, as a true
patriot, sacrificed himself for the establishment of truth and academic freedom in spite of
the odds mounted against him. May we all be so engaged in the battle against tyranny
over the mind of man.

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DEDICATION

This book is dedicated to the memory of my loving parents.

And, to my wife, Carol, without whom I would have no inspiration.

“Everything in the Old Testament is perverted and distorted into meanings never
intended by the writers. The practice which the writers of the books employ is not more
false than it is absurd. They state some trifling case of the person they call Jesus Christ,
and then cut out a sentence from some passage of the OT and call it a prophecy of that
case. But when the words thus cut out are restored to the places they are taken from, and
read with the words before and after them, they give the lie to the New Testament.”
-Thomas Paine

“I have recently been examining all the known superstitions of the world, and do
not find in our particular superstition (Christianity) one redeeming feature. They are all
alike, founded upon fables and mythologies.”
-Thomas Jefferson

“Those who can induce you to believe absurdities can induce you to commit
atrocities.”
-Voltaire

“The All wise Creator hath been dishonored by being made the author of fable
and the human mind degraded by believing it.”
-Thomas Paine

“I have sworn upon the altar of God, eternal hostility against every form of
tyranny over the mind of man.”
-Thomas Jefferson (Stated by Jefferson during his campaign for a second term as
President of the United States when Christian ministers and lobbyists were insisting he
support Christianity as the national religion as a condition of his re-election.)

“Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish
ought from it…”
-Deuteronomy 4:2

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Pronunciation Guide and List of Principle Characters

Amelaus (Ă mĕ lay' ŭs) Herodian noble.

Athronges (Ă thrăn' jŭs) Zealot Leader.
Bethshemesh (Bĕth shĕm' ĕsh) Same place as Emmaus.
Beit Lechem (Bayit Lĕkĕm) Bethlehem.
Caiaphas (Kye' ă fŭss) High Priest.
Cleophas (Klē ō' phăs) Miryam‟s husband.
Elazer (El ā' zĕr) Mystic teacher.
Eleazer (El ē ā' zĕr) Miriam‟s brother.
Emmaus (Ĕm ā' yŭs) Same place as Bethshemesh but called Emmaus by the Herodians
and Romans. The Jews sometimes used this term to disguise their affiliations.
Jacob (Yă ā' kōv) Miryam‟s youngest son who was known as James in the New
Testament.
Joachanin ben Zechariah (Yō ăh' kă neen ben Zekĕrīyă) John the Baptist and the
Teacher of Righteousness.
Jochanan (Yō kă' năn) Martha‟s son.
Joseph of Arimathea (Ār ĭ mă thē' ă) Cleophas‟ brother.
Joses (Yō' sŭs) Miryam‟s oldest son.
Jude (Yū' dă) Joses‟ twin brother.
Kefa (Key fă) One of Miryam‟s sons whose given name was Simon.
Miriam (Mēr' ē yăm) Benjamin‟s daughter and wife of Joses .
Miryam (Mēr ē yăm) Joses‟ mother.
Nikdimon ben Gurion (Nĭk' dĭ mōn) Member of Sanhedrin.
On (Own) City of mysticism in Egypt.
Reu (Ray' yū) Amelaus‟ servant.
Sabinus (Să bī' nŭs) Roman Procurator.
Sicarii (Sĭ car' ē) Roman term for militant, armed Zealots.
Simon Magus (Sī' mŭn Mă' gūs) Mystic, healer, and magician.
Zealots (Zĕl' ŏts) Jewish patriots/firm believers.

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INTRODUCTION

The man, legend, or concept known as Jesus can be found in ancient texts long

before the New Testament was written, in Old Testament characters, parts and elements

found in various so-called Pagan mythologies, principles heralded by Greek philosophers,

evidences presented by scholars, new-fangled interpretations, and outright lies. With all the

disinformation, sacred cows, and reputations at stake, the whole truth is probably lost

forever, corrupted like so many of man‟s other endeavors. Likewise, my effort cannot be

judged as anything less or more than those before me.

But, there is one difference. I wrote this book and its sequels to force me to study the

issues in detail and arrive at the most reasonable answer given what facts are available, and

try to balance the rest. One does not challenge the fundamental concepts of a world religion

without serious reflection, considerations of moral responsibility, a sense of vulnerability,

and raw naked awe at the revelation of the magnitude of the project.

This story is based on historical facts and events, which have been ignored or lost to

us over the centuries. Academics and researchers have long known of these issues, but I

know of few, if any, who have placed them into a readable story. The events of history in

the Roman Empire 2000 years ago impact our perceptions and loyalties even today. That

fact must be considered when evaluating the actual circumstances of the birth of a new

religion around the efforts of Jewish patriots to free themselves from tyranny. The name of

the game was liberation from oppression, the independence of Israel and its survival as a

nation and people, and the guaranty of individual dignity and liberty.

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 The Crimson Thread

The revolt against Rome, for that is what it was, was led by a number of aspiring

liberators. The greatest of these liberators taught the idea of the freedom of the individual

combined with what modern psychiatry identifies as logotherapy,1 not the prescription of

blind acceptance or feel-good spiritualism. He taught that any requirement to obey a dogma,

no matter how well meaning, was unrighteous force. While all peoples fashion their gods

after the understanding of their own hearts, any attempt to force that image on others upon

some pain of retribution or vengeance does not fit in with the need for the right to discover

truth for oneself. This is admittedly contrary to the way this story has been handed down

through the millennia.

History shows us there were many “saviors” at the time in history we are presenting.

From the Pagan god-myths of Mythra and Dionysus, to the historically verifiable Hebrew

messiah claimants beginning with Yeishu ben Pandeira (100 BCE) through Judas of

Sepphoris, Athronges, Judas the Galilean, and even Simeon Bar Kochba (as late as 135 CE)

to name a few, there has hardly ever been a time without someone trying to fit the profile

and lay claim to the title. The historian Josephus even named the then soon-to-be Emperor

Vespasian as the promised messiah from Judea! The fact is, many peoples, if not all of them,

have a legend of some “man-god” who saves mankind from himself. Whether it is a

collective subconscious hope, or a teaching of the ancients assimilated into every culture and

tongue according to their understandings, the fact is it exists. The extant existence of this

hope, especially amongst the so-called pagans, seems to me to be more of a revelation of the

validity of this hope, rather than detraction from it.

But, this brings us to a more plausible explanation of the legend, not of a God-man,

but a man accepted by God because of his works and faithfulness. Perhaps, it is most likely

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a blueprint, if you will, for each individual. The truth is not done for you; you do it for

yourself. You are the one ultimately responsible. The greatest gift to us is our unquenchable

thirst for answers, and no one has the right to inhibit honest inquiry and the experimentation

inherent with that as long as we do not interfere with the rights of others. Who really knows

the absolute truth? Usually, as history proves, not those who proclaim they do. Often, it is an

individual struggle, rewarded with the awe of discovery that brings with it true conversion,

not blind obeisance for mere survival. As one of my former teachers put it, the man Jesus

was the first to realize the benefits of his religion for himself.

The premise of the story I present here is based on a family that was steeped in

Judean and Galilean resistance to the kittim (Hebrew for foreign invaders or usurpers, the

time in reference occupied by Rome and the Herodians). This family appears to provide the

central figures of the revolt against Rome, and their names are shown not only in the New

Testament, but in other references as well. The distortions concerning these individuals

resulted from the fog of history as well as the deliberate attempts by those who saw this

information as somehow damaging to their theology or political control.

Evidence of this can be seen in the historian Josephus‟ works, where the period we

are discussing basically takes up only four pages in his Antiquities of the Jews and little

over two in his Wars of the Jews. By contrast, a similar period during Herod‟s reign took

fifty-three pages in the Antiquities alone! Explanations for this abound, but none are

satisfactory. Either someone, hopefully not Josephus, omitted the material concerning the

time frame in question, or Josephus was a party to the subterfuge: a possibility given his

position with the Roman Flavian Imperial family.

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 The Crimson Thread

Those who supposedly wrote the Gospels under such names as Matthew, Mark,

Luke, and others were likely decades removed from the real events as were many of the

historians of the period. The truth of the matter, sadly, is lost. But, one need only see the

modern world to recognize what happened. The winners write history. Fortunately, they

frequently forget to erase all the details or completely cover the evidence of what they

desired to destroy. All one need do is have the courage to look to find the truth. Like a

criminal investigation, the truth is only a matter of the evidence left behind. Do we have the

courage to reveal it and call it what it is?

Another factor that can partially explain the historical/scriptural discrepancies is the

recognition that the major events described in the New Testament actually occurred at least

ten to fifteen years prior to the dates traditionally accepted. For instance, the historian

Eusebius, and the Acti Pilati (Acts of Pilate) mentioned by Epiphanius, place the start of

Pontius Pilate‟s rule in about 19 CE. This is a full seven years earlier than alluded to in

Josephus and the Gospel chronologies.

But, the most significant evidence of a calendar discrepancy is in the New

Testament. Luke 2:1-2 states “in those days that there went out a decree from Caesar

Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius

was governor of Syria.” It is subsequent to this tax, as explained by Luke, that Jesus was

born. But, Matthew 2:2 has Jesus being born during the last days of King Herod. The

problem is that King Herod died in 4 BCE. The tax of Cyrenius was not until 6 CE. Here is

at least a ten-year difference. It is likely that the person we know as Jesus may actually have

been born as early as 15 BCE, and Epiphanius places it even earlier at around 35 BCE with

the calculation that James, Jesus‟ brother, was 96 when he was martyred in 62 CE. Many

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have tried to explain this discrepancy away with the possibility that Luke was referring to

another tax altogether. But, there is no historical evidence of such an event. The end result is

that the chronologies of the New Testament are in serious question, as are Josephus‟, and it

could have been an inadvertent error because of the lapse of time, or a deliberate attempt by

others to distort the facts for their own purposes.

In fact, what was born amongst the Jews in Judea and Galilee in 6 CE in direct

opposition to the tax was what Josephus called the Fourth Philosophy, “innovators”, a

Zealot Messianic movement that held inviolable the principle of liberty and the right to repel

tyranny and oppression. These principles are at the very heart of a leap in consciousness that

would enable mankind, despite efforts by the powerful to suppress them, to envision a world

where the individuality and freedom of the soul was as important, or more so, than the

government or the nation-state. Indeed, as stated in the Gospels, they envisioned a kingdom

“not of this world” (meaning the world of Caesar and tyranny in general). The original

books depicting the efforts of these people were written for the Jews who lived in those

times and knew the Law or Torah where we generally do not. Living under oppressive

occupation, they often wrote in symbolism and parable to try and convey ideas, not the

history of a real person per se.

What do these recognitions accomplish for us? Historical events of the Messianic

Movement that seemed removed from New Testament time periods now are likely

simultaneous events with the lives of those people we recognize: Jesus, John the Baptist,

James, Jude, etc…. In other words, the characters of the revolt against Rome from 10 BCE

to 70 CE are likely the same people who figure so prominently in the New Testament under

12
 The Crimson Thread

another story line that deliberately, and incorrectly, removes them from any political

activity.

Regardless, the evidence that survives appears to show that at or around 20 BCE to

35CE there was a real man whose true character and intentions were lost to us through time

and history thanks to opportunists and liars who desired, for their own purposes, to build one

of the greatest frauds ever perpetrated on the world. The man known to most of us as Jesus

of Nazareth was first and foremost a Jew, more appropriately a renewed Israelite, dedicated

to the Law of Israel. He worshipped and lived his life in that context. Also, he was not from

Nazareth as it is unlikely such a place existed at the time. But, he apparently was a Nazarene

or Nazarite, referring to specific oaths he had taken much like the Essenes. And, of course,

his name was not “Jesus” which is the Greek rendition of the Hebrew name, “Yeshua.”

Even the name “Yeshua,” in this case, was likely only an appellation or identification of

purpose or calling, meaning “one who saves.”

His mission took place in the environment and culture of the times, especially those

of his national and spiritual roots, and he cannot be understood outside of them. From the

subtle evidence available, he attempted to obey what we know as the Old Testament,

especially the first five books, called the Pentateuch or Torah. He is credited as saying that

with him the Law (Torah) was fulfilled, or in other words, he did it exactly. He did not

eradicate it, change it, or modify it, but instead stated that no point of the Law, "not one jot

or tittle", could be taken away. If any one did so, and taught others to disobey it, that person

would be the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. There are no more authentic words in the

New Testament than these.

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 The Crimson Thread

But, he was not a fanatic, either. He disdained efforts to interpret the law to say more

than the scripture intended and he refused to require unswerving devotion to some brand of

interpretation of Torah beyond its own framework. Therefore, there is evidence that he

found his spiritual path in the mystical Hechalot (meaning “Chambers,” and this later

became known as Kabbalah, meaning “to receive”) and not so much in the literalist

philosophy or even the Pharisaic interpretations passed down as the Oral Torah. Also, he

undoubtedly rejected the foreign occupation of Palestine. This put him at odds with the

Greco-Roman empires and the puppet rulers and collaborators. All the indications show that

he did not approve of the Roman system, especially its despotic rule over Judea, Galilee and

the Nation of Israel. However, he did not dislike Romans, if the reader will see that

difference.

While maintaining a separation (holiness) from those of the world who ate “meat

sacrificed to idols,” “slept with women in their periods,” or otherwise “polluted the temple,”

he believed, I am certain, in attempting to understand the whole condition of mankind, and

offer them a chance to discover the truth on their own even though he recognized his

mission was to his own people, Israel.

He took to heart the prayer for the seventy nations of the world offered by the High

Priest of Israel. He lived as a man, with all the responsibilities, rights, joys, and concerns

that condition brings to any man. He was also confronted with the greatest of contradictions,

yet did not turn away from investigating them, nor did he proceed with an invocation to

dogma. He studied the heights and depths of every subject, a characteristic that may have

branded him a backslider by those closest to him. As a result, he experienced difficulty at

the hands of his family and friends (something common in life), all the while trusting in a

14
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power superior to his own, and without a great deal more than the hope that what he stood

for was not just his own will or a figment of his imagination. And, he did it without falling

short of the mark. He lived the Torah exactly, neither adding to it nor diminishing from it.

Since that time, various religions, governments, and sects have tried to structure

history from faith and impose it upon us as immutable fact. We must examine, with

particular demands on reason, all aspects of the evidence if we are to be honest with

ourselves. One point in Christian scripture seems to make sense given our place in the

world, and the chance, albeit a small one, to become something greater than we are. If the

self-appointed apostle Paul said anything of value, it was that we are to be joint heirs with

Christ; meaning we cannot make the Creator anthropomorphic, but it seems obvious that the

Creator has provided us a path to achieve a higher level of understanding, to take some of

the Creator‟s attributes to ourselves. A most important aspect of that character is to look for

the truth. As one author put it, “To put dogma above truth is no way to honour God.”2

This is the story of the beginning of that consciousness which would cause the

great kingdoms of the Earth to tremble. The empires and governments of the world, the

rich and powerful rulers over the common man, saw a vision of their own demise in the

rising of the people to new levels of realization. During and beyond the events of this

book, the great powers of the world would use highly refined systems of fear and

manipulation to hide the truth of these events from subsequent generations, and seek to

suppress the swelling of liberty in the hearts of individuals over whom they held power.

The Roman Empire, the Inquisition, and even on to the present day, the powerful try to

manipulate and control the masses using a potent mixture of religiosity, superstition and

15
 The Crimson Thread

fear. But, the truth whispers to our consciousness like the remembrance of a son for a

father. Will we listen?

For most of my life, I have studied numerous religions and spiritual paths,

particularly Israelite culture and tradition. Most fascinating and enlightening, in my view,

are the Torah along with its rabbinical interpretive techniques and the mystical Kabbalah.

This story is the result of that most rewarding journey. I must, however, emphasize that this

is a story, a novel. It is based on historical and religious research, but it is still a novel. I

found it necessary to use some of the esoteric language of the people in this period and that

may become awkward for the reader. Where possible, I have defined the terms and

conditions. Often, however, I could not. I am not a master of these traditions and techniques;

I am merely aware that they exist and played an important part in history. Hopefully, those

who find these things of interest or value will search them out on their own.

So, what I can promise here is that I have attempted to keep the story within the

framework of historical believability and scriptural law that a most dedicated man,

represented in today‟s world as Jesus Christ, would surely manifest in his life in every way.

While this fictionalized account may appear primarily conjecture, it is no more so than the

versions handed down through the centuries by theocratic and political leaders. This

depiction of the man we know as Jesus does not diminish from his purpose or his

contribution to the spiritual advancement of mankind. What it does do is de-Romanize

the mission of Jesus, and returns his story to its Jewish origins. The message of his life

and his example is that the Kingdom of Heaven is reached, not through the auspices or

approval of any man or organization, but only through a personal relationship with the

Creator and individual spiritual advancement. Therefore, it is not and cannot be bestowed

16
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upon one without warrant. If one only follows in his footsteps and obeys “the law and the

testimony,” the individual can indeed find his way to the Throne of Glory.

In this book the reader will discover the humanity, and the true spirituality, of the

man called HaMashiach (Hebrew for The Messiah). In his story is the hope of individual

freedom, and its cost, along with the realization that our condition is the basic blueprint for

approaching the Divine.

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 The Crimson Thread

PROLOGUE

The world is at war! Any nation or people who will not bow down to the western

empire is crushed, destroyed, or absorbed. Under the guise of restoring liberty to the

oppressed, a tyrant justifies his expansions and influence. “We know what is best for you,

and that we intend to force upon you under the pain of death or economic destruction.

You have the right to choose our way; any other is contrary to the will of your people.

We are the great republic turned empire, overseen by our beneficent Emperor.”

It is the period of 50 BCE to 35 CE and the Roman Empire has swallowed the

western world and secured its usurpation of the trade routes to the east. It was all

necessary for the national security and the freedoms of the people of Rome. In the wake

of the onslaught, millions of people are killed and enslaved, and whole peoples are

victims of mass genocide. To ensure control, the Romans have placed their own rulers

over the lands they conquer. These rulers are not selected by the local people or by their

traditions. The rulers are foreigners and traitors appointed by Caesar. In Caesar‟s name,

these rulers plunder the land, kill or imprison their detractors, and incite the people with

contrived disturbances to further justify their presence. They offer a false security in

exchange for the people‟s acquiescence.

Opposing these invaders and usurpers is a group of patriots who do not want to

accept the invitation to the Pax Romana. Like all those who want to determine their own

course, a number of their brave join ranks and seek to expel the invaders even at the peril

of the loss of their fortunes, families, and lives. Their own system of government had

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worked for them, and if they had had tyrants in their system, well, they were their tyrants

and would deal with them accordingly. The rulers put in by the invaders are not of the

peoples‟ choosing, and despite all claims to the contrary, offer no abiding guarantees of

good and righteous government. The people conquered by this irresistible force do not

lightly accept their fate and know that the real reason for the presence of the invader is

robbery of the resources of their own lands and religious treasures.

This is the seedbed of the Jewish resistance against Rome. They do not assent to

Roman occupation or rule, and are fierce in the defense of their land. Their leaders are

Kefa, Jude the Sicariote, Simon Magus, Eleazer, Jacob, Joses, and even Jesus or Yeshua,

the Messianic King. They rise in defiance of the Roman war machine and out of respect

for the traditions of their fathers. Their God is the God of their fathers, and they have

sworn not to place any man or thing ahead of this deity. To those who listen to the heroes

of Judea and Galilee, they hear their plea: “Seek for the truth, and the truth will make you

free.”

Yet, in the midst of this maelstrom stand two men, brothers, who trace their

lineage from King David. They both lay claim to the throne of Israel and neither will

surrender to the other. The outcome of this rivalry may decide the fate of Israel and all

history. This is their story- and ours.

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CHAPTER ONE

The arrow had found its mark in his chest. He had no immediate sense of pain,

only of confusion. His compatriots were fleeing towards the rocks in the mountain ravine

to the east, knowing they did not have the numbers to stand off an attack by a well-armed

and determined Roman Army Century (a unit of infantry of 100 soldiers). They had been

caught by surprise while traveling to northern Judea on a recruiting mission to gather

converts to the resistance. It was not a normal situation as the Sicarii (the Roman name

for a group of Jewish revolutionaries known to carry an Arabic dagger called a sicar)

were extremely careful to avoid detection.

But, the haste of the travel had caused them to err in judgment, and now Jude lay

helpless on the warm ground watching his life‟s blood stain the sand a bright, almost

iridescent red. He was stunned, but more conscious than he believed he had ever been in

his life. The color of the blood reminded him of why he was here, and why his mission

was so important. Like King David of old, he had fled to the wilderness to sustain the

movement and consolidate his alliances. Though not the recipient of the crimson thread,

he still laid claim to the throne of King David, the throne of all Israel, because his twin

brother who was the first born, had forfeited his right to the heirship by his refusal to

submit to the requirements of the Torah as pronounced by the High Priest.

His small band had fought bravely, fighting the Roman ambush with a fierce

counter attack. But, the odds were against them, as were the professional techniques

exhibited by the Romans. The Roman Officer had placed his soldiers not in the hills

20
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above the path, but in a cleverly concealed depression in the roadside. It was all but

invisible until the Sicarii were almost on top of it. Jude himself had killed two Roman

soldiers, their corpses now laying not ten feet from his own wounded body. Of his band

of 30 warriors, it appeared 20 or more were dead, and several wounded were screaming a

short distance from him as the Romans interrogated them, probing the wounds with their

blades while demanding answers. The Roman Officer stood above Jude.

“I am impressed with your knowledge of the necessities of close and deadly

combat,” commented the officer with a broad and victorious smile. “But, then again, a

leader of the Sicarii, maybe the chief leader, would understand basic tactics.” Jude tried

to remain unnerved. How did the Romans know this much about him? Much had been

done to cloud the reality of his true identity and the purpose of his mission.

“I think you are the leader of the Sicarii,” stated the Roman with an assurance that

left Jude unable to contradict. “These men deferred to you during your travels. I believe

others have called you, among other names, Simon the Zealot, and Judas the Galilean, is

that not true?” asked the officer in a broken Aramaic. But, Jude felt no need to answer the

charge. The Roman continued, “Yes, you are in disbelief, I understand. Your god has

failed you again. When are you going to admit that all you have stood for is a shepherd

god of no consequence?” the officer mused.

Jude remained silent, and the light of day seemed to be fading. Actually, it was

near noon, and it was not the rays of the sun that were abating, but Jude‟s eyesight. He

had now lost much blood and the pain was becoming unbearable. He laid his head down

on the sand, no longer able to hold it up and look into the eyes of the Roman commander.

Was all lost? Would he now never sit on the throne of David?

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 The Crimson Thread

Kefa, one of Jude‟s younger brothers and second in command on this mission,

was trying to push the remnant of the small band of Zealots up into the hills as fast as he

could. The climb, while not high, was difficult for these men as they had just spent much

of their energy during the combat. All were weary from the battle, breathing hard and

sweating profusely, some wiping sweat from their eyes with hands still dripping with

blood that marred their faces and brows. None but Kefa dared look back to take account

of the situation they left behind. They could not afford capture, which would prevent a

proper message to the revolutionary leadership back in Damascus by the Dead Sea. An

heir to the Kingdom of Israel had been wounded and captured, maybe even now dead.

There was no thought of rest.

“We must keep moving,” Kefa gasped as he pushed one man ahead of him who

was particularly slow. “The ambush was only a small part of the Roman force here. See,”

he pointed to the hilltop across the small valley for anyone who dared to slow down long

enough to look, “over there is the main body of the Romans, and they are trying to

maneuver around us to stop our retreat.” He was pointing to the west where a visible

cloud of dust was already rising above the hills, an unmistakable sign of a sizeable

Roman force on the move, possibly a century, or even a cohort (300-600 soldiers).

“We have only the hope that HaShem3 will conceal us from their eyes. We must

keep moving and make it across the Jordan before they encircle us to the south.” Kefa

continued to push them, some stumbling as they headed down the opposite side of the hill

and on toward the Jordan River some three furlongs (about 600 meters) to the east. None

dared stop until they reached the river.

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 The Crimson Thread

“There, see? Cross at the widest point so that the water can cover our footprints,”

Kefa commanded. Two of them men hesitated. “What are you waiting for?” Kefa

demanded.

“We are afraid we will drown!” one of the exhausted men replied.

“Go, now!” Kefa yelled, making the men fear him more than the uncertainty of

their abilities. As it turned out, the water was also relatively shallow at this point as none

of the men‟s heads went below the surface during the crossing. The water cleansed their

skin and clothing, most of the blood and dirt washing off, while it cooled their hot and

stressed bodies. Once all were on the other side, the party split up, doing their best to

cover their footprints with weeds and other vegetation until they reached a traveled path.

Kefa was nearly a madman when it came to fighting the Romans. But, he was also

wise enough to know when to live to fight another day. Large, but not rotund, he could

kill silently with a twist of his blade, or his hands. Unkempt hair and soiled clothing

marked his constant state of agitation and lack of attention to detail. The men following

him did so not out of respect for his ability to make a plan of action, but because they

knew he could fight off any small patrol of Roman infantry, as well as help them get

across the sometimes swelling waters of the Jordan. And that is precisely what he did.

They lost no more men to the Romans that day. What they lost was their hope.

Kefa separated from the last of the band and headed north to the Sea of Galilee,

the area where he had taken up residence. Most of the rest of the men had to travel much

further south near the Dead Sea to the community named Damascus by their priestly

head, the Teacher of Righteousness. But, they were now far from the action of the past

day and the likelihood of discovery by Roman soldiers and scouts who would recognize

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 The Crimson Thread

them was remote. Kefa would have accompanied the other men to aid in the report of

their captured leader, but his job at the moment was to keep his eyes and ears open in

Galilee and notify his oldest brother in Tarichaeae so that the leaders could make

decisions based on timely and accurate information. It was to one of the other survivors

of the ambush that the responsibility to notify Damascus would fall.

Judea, indeed all of Palestine, was in an uproar. As had been the case for a

thousand years or more, Palestine was a primary gateway to the East and to Africa, and as

such was always the center of power struggles between major and minor kingdoms. The

trade routes through her were prone to raids by robbers and resistance fighters, so those

who conquered the area decreed that in the interest of national security, the lands there

should be under military control if not also puppet governments. Several times, these

puppet governments had been put into place by the predominant power. So it was for

Palestine during the last couple of centuries.

The last legitimate Jewish High Priest known to history was Onias III who died in

about 175 BCE. The Greek Seleucid King Antiochus refused to allow Onias‟ brother to

take the office, and Onias‟ son was still but an infant. The King replaced Onias with men

of Onias‟ family who basically apostatized and became Greeks in all their ways. The

faithful Cohanim, priests descended from Aaron, almost vanished from the scene. At

about this time, the Maccabean rebellion against the Seleucids began.

The Maccabees, a family of Jews, successfully organized the Jewish people and

threw off foreign rule by the Seleucid Kings (Alexander the Great‟s Generals), but their

power had been corrupted as they played politics with Rome, the rising power in the

western world. The Maccabees assumed priestly and kingly roles, but had no solid claim

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 The Crimson Thread

by their ancestral descent in either case. Most, if not all, Israelite tribal genealogy had

been lost since the Babylonian Captivity several centuries earlier. Anyone claiming

specific lineage was usually only adopting it according to legend or family tradition.

In fact, the conduct and claims of the Maccabees caused a rift with those who

insisted they were descendants of King David, and these descendants left Jerusalem,

presumably followed by the remainder of the legitimate Cohanim/Priests of the line of

Aaron. They founded the community by the Dead Sea called Damascus (Qumran) about

152 BCE. Believing they could restore some semblance of the true order of Israel outside

of the contested wranglings of the Hasmonaean Maccabees whose spiritual observances

had decayed in their placation of Rome, these people who settled Damascus formed a

“righteous” or Zadokite community there.

Eventually the Maccabees fell from power and the Romans replaced them with a

group of non-lineal Jews (converts) from the Idumean Edomites under the family name

eventually known as Herodians. The Maccabean King John Hyrcanus had forcibly

converted this family of Idumeans to Judaism around 125 BCE. Force always generates

more problems than it solves. The Herodians, as this family and their supporters were

called, had submitted to Roman control and presented the Romans favors, for which they

were rewarded the rule over the Jews. Indeed, Augustus Caesar had crowned Herod

Antipater‟s son, Herod the Great, as King of the Jews and ruler of Judea, second only to

Augustus himself.

This entire arrangement did not set well with Jews. When Herod had the

Maccabean Jonathan, his wife Mariamme‟s (a Maccabean princess) younger brother,

drowned after the Jewish people had fondly accepted him as their legitimate High Priest

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 The Crimson Thread

(in fact he was not a Cohanim or of Priestly descent as were none of the other

Maccabees), Herod took control of the High Priest vestments and appointed these priestly

leaders himself. The Roman Governors who would follow him did the same. This took

away any hope of a legitimate birthright high priesthood and gave it to foreigners, a

primary cause of the new messianic uprisings against the Roman occupiers and their

Herodian puppets.

Herod‟s jealousy and concern for his throne even caused him to direct the murder

of his own sons from the Maccabean women he had married. Such ruthlessness caused

Augustus Caesar to comment, “It is better to be Herod‟s pig, than his son.” He executed

other family members and friends as time went on. These and other encroachments on the

Jewish national identity brought resistance to the new regime. Numerous would-be

leaders claiming to be the Jewish Mashiach (in Jewish thought, not a savior of souls as

much as a “crown prince,” or “anointed king in waiting”) would promote themselves as

the new King of Israel, only to be quickly and completely destroyed by the Roman war

machine aided by Herod‟s spy apparatus and army.

With the destruction of the Maccabees by Herod and Rome, Herod and his reign

further alienated the Jewish bloodlines, inadvertently adding support to the resistance in

and out of Damascus. Eventually, several brothers who considered themselves of the

lineage of King David of old would make their appearance at Damascus and the new

messianic movement would change the course of history. What was known as the “Star

Prophecy” (Numbers 24:17), a coming of an Israelite messianic king to rule the world,

and the many prophecies of a messianic deliverer in the Book of Daniel, were upon the

hearts and lips of most Jews.

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 The Crimson Thread

The people looked to the royal lineage in hiding as never before. In fact, the name

of their city, Damascus, meant the cup of blood, or the vessel holding the royal bloodline.

They had built an extensive and well-trained group of followers who supported them in

their claims and exhibited a military proficiency in the guerilla warfare tactics of the

time. Known as the Zealots (Kanna‟im in Hebrew), Nazarenes (those who have taken a

Nazarite vow), or Sicarii, they were influential in many of the Jewish sects and divisions,

even the Essenes.

Of course, the Herodian rulers and their puppets, though claming to be Jews, or

who were Jewish turncoats, considered these Zealots to be criminals. But the true Jewish

sects, with all their differences, shared one hope that bound them all, and that was the

restoration of the Mashiach ben David or Davidic King who would remove the invaders

and usurpers and bring about another, even permanent, golden age under HaShem.

The story of the brothers, four in number, began many years after the rise and fall

of the Maccabean dynasty. Sometime before the death of Herod the Great in 4 B.C., a

young Jewish woman named Miryam of the tribe of Levi married a man claiming descent

from King David. His name was Cleophas. Cleophas, well schooled in the Davidic

requirements of succession as practiced at the time, had married Miryam and been

sequestered from her for a definitive period. Unlike the methods of older Israelite

Kingdoms, these periods of sequester were intended to demonstrate that the children born

of the union were of the union and under very pure circumstances, thus producing a pure

bloodline.

The first children born to these new parents were a set of twin boys who were

born at Beit Lechem in the month of Adar (March/April) during the feast of Purim. For

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 The Crimson Thread

the Davidic dynasty, this month of birth was a problem for anyone who sought to claim

the right to the Davidic throne as the Mashiach was supposed to be born during the month

of Tishrei (Sep/Oct) around the celebration of Yom Kippur, or Day of Atonement. Yet,

this did not deter the family from following all the other requirements. As was the

custom, the firstborn was the heir. This was recognized by the attachment of a crimson

thread around one of the firstborn‟s limbs at the moment of birth. That first-born child

was named Joses. His twin brother was then born and the parents named him Jude.

Over the next few years the couple bore two more sons, named Jacob and Simon.

They eventually nicknamed Simon, Kefa, as the youngster proved to be impetuous, yet

predictable and fearless. Also born into the family was a sister named Salome.

During the course of the raising of the family, it was necessary for Cleophas to

move to northern Egypt. Herod the Great had been trying to hunt down and destroy all

remnants of the Maccabean Dynasty as well as anyone claiming descent from King

David, even those in Damascus. While Herod had a respect for the Essenes of Damascus

because of the prophecies by Menachem the Essene that seemed favorable to Herod, he

could not allow Damascus to shield this potential threat. His insatiable rage and jealousy

even necessitated the murder of his Maccabean wife, Mariamme, and his own son by her

who would have been the High Priest (popular, but still not of the proper bloodline). It

was what he needed to do to ensure that no new threats to his rule would arise. Certainly,

he could not afford such an eventuality in his own household, no matter how remote that

may be. Herod‟s ruthlessness had convinced Cleophas to ensure the survival of his family

by leaving for the time being.

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 The Crimson Thread

While in Egypt, Cleophas had the oldest boys schooled at On, where a Hebrew

Temple and priesthood were located outside the reaches of Herod and the questionable

purity of the priesthood he presided over in Jerusalem. In fact, the temple at On was

nearly as well recognized by certain Diaspora (dislocated from Judea into other regions

of the world) Jews as was Herod‟s Temple in Jerusalem, which was basically a

renovation and improvement over the older temple structure conceived by King David

and begun by his son, Solomon.

The Temple at On, on the other hand, had been built by Onias, the same

legitimate High Priest who the Seleucid King Antiochus had deposed. Onias had fled to

Egypt and gained the support of the Greek ruler, Ptolemy. Ptolemy allowed him to build

the Temple at On at the same ancient site used by the Israelites before the exodus in the

previous millennium. In this Temple, Onias established the Torah and all its mysteries for

those who desired them and were proven worthy. In addition, known members of the

priesthood conducted the sacred rituals, as would those who eventually fled to Damascus.

Here another issue arose that was based on the historical and scriptural “enmity”

between the Israelite Tribes of Ephraim and Judah. Shiloh, north of Jerusalem, was the

original repository for the Ark of the Covenant, and, therefore, considered by many to be

the true location for the Temple4. This had been in dispute for centuries. King David had

moved the Ark to Jerusalem, a fortified city, for protection, and then planned a Temple,

or permanent Tabernacle, to contain it. While David‟s son, Solomon, originally built the

Jerusalem Temple, it was subsequently destroyed and rebuilt several times. The real

problem then became the fact that Herod‟s improvement of it was, by many, considered

defiled, partly because he was not a purebred Israelite or descendent of King David.

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 The Crimson Thread

Furthermore, he had brought in other non-Jewish priests to preside over the rites

conducted in the temple he built in Jerusalem, and these priests then permitted other

activities technically prohibited by the Torah.

In other words, those ruling the Jews who were called Jews at the time may not

have been Jews at all, but Herodians or sympathizers of the Herodians. In either case,

they were not the legitimate rulers according to Israelite lineage and the purity of the

Jerusalem Temple was brought into question. Hence, Cleophas believed the boys could

receive an untainted education outside of Judea and Damascus only in On, Egypt. This

entire issue of the Temple would eventually become a point of contention between the

sons of Cleophas.

Upon Herod‟s death, Cleophas returned the family to Judea and settled again at

the city of the Nazarenes, also called the Wilderness and Damascus. It was here that the

sons of Cleophas and Miryam would define their roles in HaShem‟s Kingdom on Earth.

One of the twins‟ younger brothers was named Jacob. Even as a child he seemed

special, almost angelic. As Jacob grew and matured he accepted a Nazarite vow to devote

himself to HaShem and took additional vows to ensure his purity. He maintained a

serious piety throughout his life. He never ate meat, not even in childhood, he drank no

wine, and he shunned strangers and lived a life of monastic separation and poverty. He

treated all men well but maintained a separation from the unholy and impure.

He never associated closely with women and never engaged in sexual intercourse.

In this regard to women, he did not entertain distaste for them or a desire to disobey the

first commandment to multiply and replenish the earth. To the contrary, his devotion to

HaShem brought him to an understanding that he was to join himself only with his

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 The Crimson Thread

female counterpart, his bishirtah or soul mate. In regards to his life‟s mission, any other

was not needful or acceptable. He believed he needed to keep himself separate from the

activities of the world so that he could receive direct assistance from HaShem in all

matters pertaining to the conduct of his righteous duties.

Furthermore, Jacob entered the Mikvah, a ritual bath, several times a day to

maintain his bodily cleanliness and purity. Jacob, like his cousin Joachanin ben

Zechariah, was a priest, a high priest. But unlike Joachanin‟s claims through Levitical

lines, Jacob had no claim by birth to the Levitical Priesthood or priesthood of Aaron.

Jacob was a High Priest after the order of Melchizedek, a particular priesthood based on

righteousness, lineage being a secondary consideration, if at all. He had obtained that

priesthood through a process of discipline, piety and absolute righteousness, recognized

by the mystics of Emmaus and Damascus, and through the declaration of the Teacher of

Righteousness. In fact, Jacob was called the Just, or Righteous One.

Jacob‟s piety had been taught to him by Chananya ben Menachem, son of

Menachem the Essene as Chananya was initiating others, including Joachanin into the

sect of the Nazarenes. Chananya, Teacher of Righteousness at the City of the Nazarenes,

was the master of the mysteries and the leader of the Community. His principle calling,

as he saw it, was to bring about the rise of two mashiachs, a Messianic King from the

house of David and a High Priest from the line of Moses‟ High Priest, Aaron. The first in

line for the High Priesthood was Joachanin who was the son of the Priest Zechariah and

his wife Elizabeth who was the first cousin to Jacob‟s mother, Miryam. Joachanin was

held as the true High Priest of Israel in opposition to the Herodian hierarchy. As

Joachanin matured and began his ministry, he placed Jacob, Jude and Simon into the

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running Mikvah of the Jordan River and proclaimed them members of HaShem‟s

Kingdom on Earth, soon to be that Kingdom‟s administrators. Joses, the oldest of the

brothers, entered the waters only some years after he was married.

While commendable in many degrees, Jacob‟s extremism in interpreting the

Torah became a point of contention between him and the oldest brother, Joses. In fact,

Joses often tried to point out to Jacob that his example was beyond Torah Law, possibly

even to the extent of actually defying it. Jacob clung to the Oral Traditions of the Torah

as well as the traditions surrounding the Hechalot (early mysticism later to become the

Kabbalah). But Joses, seeing the extreme legalities of the Oral Torah as mere

commandments of men, clung only to the Torah itself and the Hechalot. As a result of his

position and his quests for enlightenment, Joses‟ efforts were met with ridicule from the

entire family and the members of the Community. This brought into question Joses‟

ability to perform as the kingly mashiach, and all were quick to insist that his younger

twin brother, Jude, be recognized as the legitimate heir to the throne.

Joses was born first, before Jude, and received the crimson thread which he wore

until the twins were old enough that all could recognize them. Early in his development,

it was obvious that Joses was given more to exploration and study, questioning and

discovery. This was most evident in his spiritual studies, particularly the mystical

Hechalot as taught in On of Egypt and at Emmaus in Judea. While he believed in Torah,

his family did not judge him valiant in defending it to their satisfaction, particularly his

brothers.

He was somewhat sickly throughout most of his childhood, and developed a slight

hunchback as a result of his infirmities, and he did not particularly look the part of a king.

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Also, he failed to attain to any satisfactory height, being much shorter than his younger

brethren.

He was sent away by his mother, Miryam, after his father Cleophas‟ death, to be

with his uncle, Joseph of Arimathea. Joseph was a businessman of considerable wealth

and traveled the known world trading goods and raw materials, especially tin. Miryam‟s

motive had more to do with peace in the home than Joses‟ penchant for discovery. He

was in constant contention with his younger brothers over the application of Torah and

the rigid interpretation Jacob placed upon it. It was not that Joses did not follow the

Torah; it was that he believed its message was summed up in the first two great

commandments to love HaShem and to love one‟s neighbor.

While this teaching of the Torah was also explained and taught extensively in On,

Emmaus, and Damascus, Joses felt the leadership of Damascus had added weighty and

unnecessary requirements. For one, Joses did not feel it right that Chananya had decreed

that any Gentile found discussing Torah should be forced to undergo circumcision and be

converted. Yes, the Torah was for Israel, but there could be no harm, in Joses‟ mind, of

people discussing its great lessons and stories. It was done everywhere in the world,

anyway, why inflict such regimens on those in Judea? According to the brethren of the

Community, these were ostensibly to ensure righteousness, but they went beyond the

mark as far as Joses was concerned.

At the same time, Joses had taken the mystical side of the Torah to heart, studying

diligently under the tutelage of the priests at On and the mystics of Emmaus. While the

mystical side of Judaism was also used and respected by Jacob and Jude, Joses‟ approach

bore what was considered to be some aspects of the eastern religions of India and Persia,

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 The Crimson Thread

along with the Egyptian, where he had traveled with his uncle, Joseph of Arimathea. It

made him ever the more suspicious to his siblings and others who thought him lazy in

other aspects of his responsibilities. Indeed, even his mother Miryam had decided that

Joses was not a serious boy in his preparations to assume any leadership role. That

seemed, by default, to fall upon his younger twin brother, Jude.

Almost Joses‟ direct opposite, Jude kept himself separated from anything but the

regimens of Torah as interpreted in Damascus, and he was an active and fierce soldier for

the resistance. He fully respected Chananya, Joachanin ben Zechariah and Jacob, in all

their interpretations of the Torah and its implications to the chosen people. He considered

himself to be, like Jacob the son of the patriarch Isaac, the true heir deserving of the right

of the firstborn since Joses did not seem to take the birthright seriously.

Jude was the obvious choice for the leader of the military side of the revolutionary

movement, or in simpler terms, to be the Davidic King. Large, quick, agile and even

handsome, he could command attention by his mere presence. He was a spectacular

orator and could elucidate on the most difficult aspects of the Torah and the Kingdom of

HaShem, as well as plan and execute detailed guerilla warfare plans designed with the

hope that they could force the Romans to leave Judea. In short, he could perform the

duties of a king.

Jude recognized early on that his speeches in public sectors had to be delivered

with veiled references and codes, also known as parables. Those who could understand

the veiled words were the already chosen members of the movement who understood the

codes and took the directed actions. To all others, the speeches were quite benign and

even pacifist in orientation. Converts to his brand of Judaism spread quickly as his

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 The Crimson Thread

message became more extant. Converts to the more militant side of the Messianic

Movement or Zealots (called by the Romans, Sicarii) were then mined from this group.

But, he did not let anyone know his true identity or origins in order to protect the

movement. In fact, the Romans and Herodians believed most of the inhabitants in

Damascus at the time to be a benign, ascetic and eccentric sect of Jews called Essenes.

The cover worked well until the two twins began a competition over the birthright.

The inhabitants of Judea began to see Jude as the kingly mashiach promised to

them. After the death of Chananya ben Menachem at the hands of the Romans, the people

then recognized Joachanin ben Zechariah‟s position as Rabbi Tzedeq or Righteous

Teacher, the legitimate High Priest in opposition to the Herodian High Priest in

Jerusalem. These early leaders of the new messianic movement found followers eager to

hear their messages and join in the revolutionary activities against Rome and the Roman

puppets, the Herodians.

Particularly in Jude‟s efforts, he was seen as Yehoshua, the savior of his people.

As a result, he was called by another name by his friends and his enemies. He was

Yehoshua ha Mashiach, Mashiach ben David, Yeshua ha Mashiach, Jesus the Messiah or

Jesus Bar Abbas, Jesus Son of the Father, which can also be Yeshua ben Elohim,

interpreted to mean, Jesus, Son of God. He was Barabbas.

As a result of these messianic underpinnings against Roman rule, Rome

continually built up the military occupation of Palestine. Roman Procurators and larger

army units were sent to Caesarea on the coast of the Mediterranean not far from Galilee.

These Roman governors and the military forces under their control were there to ensure

that no power would attempt to dislodge the puppets, the Herodians, or threaten Roman

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national security and control of the trade routes. It was a fierce and violent time, the

Roman army slaying thousands at a mere whim. Not a day went by without military

action. The Romans sharpened their swords every night.

It is under these conditions that the story unfolds.

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 The Crimson Thread

CHAPTER TWO

Years before the ambush of Jude and his band of Zealots in northern Judea, his

twin brother was sent on one of many journeys.

It was a glorious day! The ocean was relatively calm and swayed the ship gently

from side to side as a warm breeze assisted the oarsmen in making headway. The sun

shown brightly, warming the wooden planks of the deck as the ocean water glistened and

shimmered like diamonds. The crew talked excitedly about their arrival on the shores of

India, laughing with the young apprentice of the Master of the Vessel. They had been at

sea for nearly two months, dropping off trade goods and tin and picking up spices and

other assorted luxuries.

The Master reviewed the scroll of inventory that listed the items soon to be

delivered in return for a handsome profit. The laughter and friendship of the crew with

his young nephew and apprentice pleased him. He smiled as he thought how the boy was

always witty and fun loving, able to hold his own in any company.

The Master had been a businessman all of his life, and had done extremely well.

In fact, his family was very wealthy, as were most of the Jewish nobility. He was also a

counselor in the prestigious and powerful Sanhedrin in Jerusalem, a legal organization or

high court that technically held the highest legal and religious authority over the Jews,

even interpreting Torah law. Trading tin with the Roman Empire, as well as much of the

rest of the known world, he was well respected. But, there was more about him than just

his money.

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He was also a man of wisdom, understanding, and vision, which enabled him to

hold his faith sacred as he dealt in the world at large. His sister-in-law, Miryam, respected

him so much, that she had encouraged him to take her eldest son with him so that the boy

might learn more about other places and people. The boy's father, the Master‟s brother,

had died and the ingenuity and creativity of that father was the boy's gift as well. It

needed to be channeled properly to allow it to grow. Furthermore, the boy was at constant

odds with his siblings, his younger twin brother and two others younger still. He was

certainly different from the rest in his habits and interests. While considered lazy by most

of his family in regards to certain standards of conduct, the Master of the Vessel felt

much differently about him.

As the Master made the final corrections to the scroll, he looked up in time to see

the young man of seventeen years leave the workmen and move to the bow of the ship.

The boy was of short stature, but had developed his strength by a constant program of

physical work and training to try to overcome the infirmities he had experienced from

birth. He had, with some effort, overcome the imbalance of a minor spinal deformity that

caused a small hunchback just below his shoulders, and had worked to develop a surety

in his walk that was almost regal. The Master watched as the young man‟s long brown

hair blew in the wind, his bluish-gray eyes returning the gaze of his uncle as he moved.

Neither needed to speak; only smiles of gratitude and respect were exchanged between

them. The young man looked again ahead of the ship toward the shore that was now

visible in the distance.

When small children, the young lad and his siblings were taken to Jerusalem by

their parents, the adept and able Cleophas, a builder who was the area's foremost

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architect, and his young wife, Miryam, a daughter of a priestly family. Cleophas

considered himself to be a descendant of the royal house of King David, and in fact,

Cleophas was considered the heir to the throne by those acknowledging his lineage.

However, the Herodians had been put into power by the Roman Empire, the Davidic

Dynasty shattered by long and brutal wars and intrigue. Cleophas was no threat to Herod,

or to Caesar, and paid his due respects like everyone else. His expertise in building was

evident throughout the province and the needed skill took second place to any concerns

about his rights and claims to royalty.

The oldest son, now with his uncle, the Master of the Vessel, was considered by

some to be the next legal heir to the throne of David, although he had been raised in

Egypt in the city called in Greek, Heliopolis (On in Egyptian), making him now

somewhat foreign to the Jews of Judea. The situation bearing upon his alienation was

made even more so after the family had moved to the City of the Nazarenes by the Dead

Sea. His particular stand for the Torah and its interpretation would probably cause not

only the Judeans, but also even his own family, to reject him in the unlikely event that

Herod and Rome relinquished control. But, that did not really matter. The young man

was making a name for himself despite the difficulties.

The Master, Joseph the tin trader, also known as Joseph of Arimathea, was at the

Temple in Jerusalem at the time the lad‟s parents took him there when he was about

thirteen years of age, and he heard the young man talk with the priests and rabbis for

sometime. It was then, more than the genealogy and signs of royalty, that Joseph

recognized something intensely different about the young man. Was it his training in On

that gave him such power and wisdom in his questions and answers? The priests in On

39
 The Crimson Thread

were known for their mystical and speculative ways, although rejected by the Herodian

puppets in Jerusalem and most of mainstream Judaism. Yet, how else could one account

for the wit of the youngster?

"And what about the flood?" one of the priests asked the boy. "Did it not fill the

whole world?"

"More than a flood of water," responded the boy, "it was a loss of the spirituality

of the people, the light of HaShem taken from their minds because they did not seek for

Him."

"Your Bar Mitzvah is complete, young Joses, but you seem to deny the scripture

so soon," retorted the priest.

"Did not our father Abraham place his tent under a tree between Bethel and Ai?"

responded the boy.

"Yes," answered the priest.

The boy continued, "Then Abraham was the receding waters, and was the type

and shadow for the dry land, placing his tent under a symbol of the Tree of Life. He

recognized the balance one must obtain to achieve the notice of Him Who Rules All

Things. Therefore, what does it matter if the world was covered by water as long as

Abraham's children search for HaShem always in their hearts?"

A Sadducee broke in, "Abraham is our father, but Moses gave us the Torah after

he spoke with HaShem on the mountain. Who is greater?"

"For every thing under heaven there is a season," began the boy, "and who is

righteous is he who does the will of HaShem. Noah sought HaShem, and built an ark to

save the seed of Adam. Abraham sought for HaShem and was HaShem's friend, the

40
 The Crimson Thread

father of our people and the most blessed of all nations. Moses sought for HaShem and

received the Law that had been lost after Israel's enslavement in Egypt. Mashiach will

free us from the kittim, restore Israel, free our spirits, and then present us with the

Kingdom. All things are to be done in order, in their time and season. The least in the

Kingdom who does the will of HaShem is as great as any of these."

"Will not HaShem free us from Roman rule and restore the Throne of David our

King?" interrupted a Pharisee who was not as closely tied to Herod as many who were

present. An argument ensued.

"What is this?" demanded a priest sitting close to the boy. "Such talk is sedition

and can bring about all our deaths. What good is it to HaShem if we are no more? Quiet

this talk of HaMashiach. There are dozens of these crazy ones walking around claiming it

and the Romans kill them as soon as they are known. Let us live in peace."

"How can there be peace when Rome dictates our lives, even demanding tribute

that should be given as sacrifice in the temple?" responded another.

"You cannot speak against Romans and the Herodian leaders!" exclaimed the first

priest. "HaShem has set them above us and it is His will, or otherwise it would not be so.

The Romans leave us to our faith for the most part. They only demand allegiance to their

politics. Why do our discussions of the faith always come down to this political debate?

Leave it alone and live in the world as HaShem has given it to us."

“You are not truly one of us!” interrupted another priest, “You are an imposter

sent by Herod and the Romans! You are the one that should leave us alone!”

41
 The Crimson Thread

Everyone recognized the danger of the moment and a thick air settled upon the

assembly. The boy stood so all could see he desired to speak. As was the custom, he

waited to be recognized by the senior man present.

"Yes, son of Cleophas, what is your idea on this?" asked the old patriarch.

"It is true," he began, "that we must live in the world as HaShem has delivered it

to us. However, Torah requires us to have only one whom we worship and that we must

forsake all others, as a bride forsakes all others for her love. The Roman Emperor

demands the worship of his subjects, and Torah forbids us to worship any but HaShem.

Worshiping other gods, an act similar to adultery, is death under Torah. So does it matter

more if Rome kills us or if HaShem kills us?"

No one answered him.

***

Joseph was suddenly reminded of his duties as the ship entered the harbor.

Without incident the crew began unloading the slabs of tin under the direction of Joseph's

nephew. In perfect order and with expert precision, each slab was taken from the ship and

loaded on the dock. On the steps leading from the dock to a warehouse, Joseph moved

towards the merchant who was buying the material and handed him the scroll.

"Arimathea!" exclaimed the merchant. "You have delivered on time and I thought

there was no possibility. A god of the seas looks after you! How long will you stay this

time?"

"I plan on visiting for a period long enough to allow my nephew some time to

become acquainted with the area. I will let him finish the unloading of the vessel and will

have my next assistant take over loading what you have for us. But, how are you, Rajak?"

42
 The Crimson Thread

"There is much talk of your arrival here," Rajak said excitedly as he looked past

Joseph to try and get a look at the boy. "I have tried to keep the time of your arrival a

mystery as you requested. Why does he draw that much attention?"

"He attended school in On as a young boy." Joseph looked over toward the ship

and took a deep breath. "The priests of On trained him and his twin brother, but he was

their brightest student, even teaching his teachers. He may be a person of importance, an

heir to the Throne of David, but there is much contention over the matter even in the

family. His mother was raised in the temple in Jerusalem. His father, my brother, was a

great architect, but had no political ambitions and is now dead. My brother had claims of

descent from King David, and this has been a source of notoriety for the family even

though he never pursued the claims. So, as for the young lad, his fame precedes him no

matter where we go and even if he is unknown, everywhere I have taken him he naturally

gravitates to the people, understanding them even when he has not known them. His

mystical training was so complete, that I am sure he can even converse with the sages of

your land."

"Yes, I have spoken to some who are awaiting the opportunity. Just today, a

number of the local mystics asked me if I knew when you might arrive. Of course, I

honored your request not to reveal it. But, if they knew you as I do, they would know you

would be on time. Can I meet him?"

"Oh, but of course, I am so sorry, my friend," answered Joseph as he motioned for

Rajak to follow him.

43
 The Crimson Thread

At that point, the young man looked up and saw the men walking towards him.

He smiled and adjusted his clothing which had become somewhat disheveled from the

work. He tightened his belt and brushed some ore dust from his shoulder.

"Rajak, this is my nephew, Joses ben Cleophas. Joses, my friend and colleague,

Rajak," said Joseph as he proudly placed their right hands together.

"I am pleased to meet you," Rajak announced as he looked deep into the young

man's eyes and studied his features, "and I welcome you to India."

"The pleasure is mine, sir," responded Joses, "I trust you and your family are

well."

"Yes, I have a wonderful family, and a young son not too far from your own age.

He will be most happy to meet you and has traveled some like you. I think you will enjoy

his company."

"I am anxious to meet him," said Joses, "What is his name?"

"Rashan," responded Rajak.

"A name of respect, well-deserved I am sure," said Joses. "You are a father who

loves him very much."

"We should go now, if you can leave and let our men finish the job," said Rajak.

"My wife will have food and it will meet with your approval, prepared carefully

according to your requirements."

"We are most happy to go with you now," stated Joseph, and the trio walked

towards the city.

"How long have you lived here?" Joses asked Rajak.

44
 The Crimson Thread

"I came here when I saw what the Romans were doing to Judea," he explained.

"Things do not look promising there, and I fear that the worst is yet to come. So, I

decided to come here where no one will bother me. Besides, my family loves it here and

the weather is good all the time. Where else can you see a sea of such exquisite beauty

and a land of such wonder? Anyway, I make lots of money," and he heartily laughed.

"You always were good at trade," said Joseph, "I am glad we kept our ties after

you left. I am continuing with my business in Gaul and Britain since they provide the tin

for me in limitless amounts. My family continues to be the backbone and beneficiary of

this enterprise. Rome has made me a citizen because I supply them so well."

"Always the diplomat, eh Joseph?" Rajak said in good humor. "How about you,

Joses, how do you like this business? Is your uncle paying you well?"

"It is payment enough just being with my uncle," he replied.

"Well, do not be too humble, nephew, for you are a master in your own right,"

said Joseph. "Rajak, he was a fine student of his father who was a master architect and

builder, may HaShem remember him. Joses can accomplish any engineering feat you

require; He is also a master builder, even at his young age. He forgets nothing and

requires so little direction."

"You flatter me, uncle, with your praise," interrupted Joses. "I think you should be

less illustrative lest Rajak take you up on your words and put me to work here for him."

Everyone laughed, and the noise of the marketplace faded as the group entered the

home of Rajak, a comfortable and well-furnished home, deceptively plain from the

outside. They were greeted by Rajak's family who waited eagerly to meet the new guests,

especially the young Joses they had heard so much about.

45
 The Crimson Thread

"Wash your feet and relax yourselves," Rajak offered, knowing the tradition of his

guests‟ homeland of welcoming visitors with water so they could clean off the dust and

refresh their feet. "This is my wife, Havel, my daughter Rachel, and my son, Rashan.

Havel held out several towels for the two men and Joses smiled and nodded his

head in gratitude as Joseph dipped his feet in the washbowl. When Joseph was done,

Joses handed him a towel and then washed his own feet. The water felt cool and

refreshing and the towel mildly massaged his feet as he dried them. He looked over

toward Rashan and Rachel and noticed that they had not yet taken their eyes off of him.

Rajak had continued talking, as he seemed so used to doing.

“Is the whole family now working with you, Joseph, or are they still assisting

Herod?” asked Rajak.

“A little of both,” responded Joseph, “but a larger part of the family has taken up

the cause of liberation from the Roman occupation. It is a situation I fear may end in

great violence. You know, I am old and willing to negotiate, but these younger men...”

“I am glad I left when I did,” Rajak commented with a sigh of relief as he reached

for a cup from a tray that Havel had just brought in. “I think it unwise to do anything

rash...pardon me I should not speak of your family that way.”

“No, Rajak, I understand what you are saying. Even Joses and I have had long

talks about this dilemma. His brothers, including his twin, are most boisterous about this

occupation by the Romans and their Herodian rulers. Being of the royal lineage, they

cannot stand the situation. Some are prominent leaders and members of Nazarite societies

and advocate acts of violence to overthrow the Roman occupation. Things are becoming

more desperate.”

46
 The Crimson Thread

“Yes, I understand. But, is not young Joses here the heir apparent, the legitimate

successor to the throne of King David?” Rajak was trying to draw in Joses to the

conversation.

“It‟s much more complicated than that,” responded Arimathea. “I suppose I can

try to explain it to you. You see, Joses is the oldest of the twins, Jude being the younger

by moments. However, Jude considers that Joses has turned from the heirship.” Joseph

looked towards Joses. “That is a long story. It has caused a rift amongst the brothers,

especially Jacob, one of Joses‟ younger brothers. Miryam, the boys‟ mother, has taken

great efforts to ensure that Joses is given the training he needs and has tried to encourage

cooperation and understanding among the siblings. But, the weight seems to be slipping

to Jude who abides strictly by the Torah interpretations of Jacob and the Community.

Joses leaves it all in HaShem‟s hands, but he is well-versed in the Nazarite discipline,

having been raised around it and schooled there as part of his early childhood. His

understanding is considered an improper hybrid. The whole problem is similar somewhat

to the story of Jacob and Esau, where Esau gives up his birthright to the younger Jacob in

the first book of the Torah. The priests at On considered that story of some similitude to

our present situation.”

He stopped, realizing he had gone too far with his explanation. Rajak stared with

wide, anticipating eyes at Joses.

Joses was usually silent around adults out of respect for the elders, and because he

knew that listening was the better part of understanding. Looking at Joses and then

Joseph, Rajak continued. “Yes, I see the dilemma. But, let‟s say you should be the heir,

are you going to say something about this violence in Judea, or eventually act?” he asked

47
 The Crimson Thread

Joses. “I mean no disrespect, because I truly feel that your current course with your uncle

is a much wiser one. Even your father did not pursue his rights because he knew the

power of Rome would destroy him.”

Joseph looked at Joses as the young man gazed around the room at the expectant

faces of Rajak and his family. Joses did not answer at first, but deferred to Joseph who

shrugged with slightly upraised hands that signaled to Joses that a response was up to

him. Joses decided to address them.

“If I may answer you with respect for your house?” asked Joses. Rajak nodded his

head and raised his hand in agreement as Joses continued, “The purpose of Israel is to

honor HaShem and keep His commandments that the seventy nations of the world may

be blessed. Without the priestly ordinances and the protection of the anointed King of

Israel, the world suffers as it does now because the hand of HaShem, our Holy Nation, is

stayed. But, I am not ready at all. My understanding is still limited. I desire to learn the

ways of all peoples and broaden my experiences, seeking for the will of HaShem not only

from the Torah, which is to Israel, but also from the nature of how HaShem works with

those of other nations. So, while the Torah is to Israel, I believe that an understanding of

it applies to blessing the world through the application of its principles.”

“So,” noted Rajak, “You again prove your wisdom and foresight. But, this does

not sound like the philosophy of your other family members. As I understand it, they seek

a strict separation from all others not part of their own.”

“Yes, that is correct in strict terms of marriage, eating, close associations, and the

like, but they still travel and speak to many people,” replied Joses, stopping to gather his

thoughts for a moment. He bit his lip, and then continued. “I believe I will take a Nazarite

48
 The Crimson Thread

vow for a time, but I will not do so my entire life. The period of the vow would be for

specific purposes, and I would then return to normal Torah life, amongst the people.”

“How is your mother handling your time away from home?” asked Rajak, seeing

that the topic of the Nazarite lifestyle was one of some concern for Joses, and that he was

in some discomfort discussing his differences with his family members.

“She expresses her love for me, but knows I must study all things, even outside

Israel, to better prepare for my life‟s work.”

“And, what is that?” asked Rajak.

“To allow HaShem to use me to answer the prayers of the fathers,” stated Joses.

Rajak and Joseph looked at each other, both wanting to ask the same question of

what that may really involve; but neither had the courage to take the conversation any

further. Rajak broke the silence.

“Let us dine together on this wonderful day of renewal and celebration to our

lasting friendship. The food is prepared and you have traveled far.”

A few days later, Joseph of Arimathea decided that it was time for a serious talk

with his nephew. Joseph could see that the lad had the maturity and vision to claim his

rightful place. Even his infirmities had slowly dissipated because of his attention to his

health and his efforts to get well. The only outward sign that the young Joses had ever

been ill at all was his slight hunchback. While he had not grown any taller, it was not

readily apparent that his lack of stature would be the result of any ailment.

“Joses, it is time for you to return home and begin your life. Your destiny is not in

the merchant trade. It is in the footsteps of your fathers. While these travels have served a

wonderful purpose in teaching you about the world and giving you time to consider your

49
 The Crimson Thread

place in it, you must see the inevitability of the necessity of your leadership in Judea,” the

Uncle was more serious than Joses had seen him in a long time.

“Uncle, you know my family looks at me as an outsider. I follow Torah, but not

their fanatical determinations. And, I do not have the ability to fight as well as they do,”

said Joses. “Furthermore, HaShem has not given me any light concerning it. Do I step

beyond my place?”

“Men are meant to reach further than they believe they have strength, Joses. It is

time for you to do so. I believe you have it in you, and your humility will temper

ambition. I think you will use good judgment and wisdom. While your family and the

community look to Jude, they also know that the issue is not finally decided. If that were

so, Jude would be held in a much higher regard. Also, you don‟t need to embrace the

fanaticism. You only need to show your recognition of the rightful leaders, Chananya ben

Menachem and Joachanin ben Zechariah in particular. And, I think you have already

done that. Just formalize it.”

“I have no objection to what you say, Uncle. I just don‟t desire the

contentiousness of it all.”

“You will prevail, Joses. You will prevail. And, it is coming closer for the time

for you to marry. Your bride-to-be has been waiting patiently for you.”

“You know, Uncle,” commented Joses with a fondness in his eyes, “I really do

miss her. She has always been such a good friend, and I can tell she is so committed to

me.”

“Miriam bat Benjamin Nikdimon is a jewel,” Joseph emphasized, “and she is of

the proper lineage, well reared. She will complement you as no other that I can think of.

50
Other documents randomly have
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THE FIGHTER. See

KID'S STUFF. Episode no. 33.

THE FIGHTER AND THE LADY. See

THE REAL MCCOYS.

THE FIGHTERS. See

BONANZA.

FIGHTING ALONE. See

GRAND JURY.

THE FIGHTING E. See

THE TWENTIETH CENTURY.

FIGHTING FEAR WITH FEAR. See

THE 21ST CENTURY.

FIGHTING HARADA VS. ... See

TURN OF THE CENTURY FIGHTS. Masahiko

(Fighting) Harada.

D' FIGHTING ONES. Warner Bros. Pictures.

7 min., sd., Technicolor,
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© Warner Bros. Pictures, Inc.;
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THE FIGHTING PRINCE OF DONEGAL. Walt

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sd., color, 35 mm. Technicolor.
Based on the book Red Hugh, Prince of
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THE FIGHTING SKY PILOT. See

DEATH VALLEY DAYS.

FIGURE CONTROL. See

NATIONAL STUDIOS PRESENTS A COURSE IN

MODELING.

FIGURES ON A PLANE. Holt, Rinehart

& Winston. Released by South Carolina
 Educational Television Network.
30 min., sd., b&w, 16 mm. (Introduction
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FILE CHARACTERISTICS. See

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FILE MAINTENANCE. See

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FILE MAINTENANCE LOGIC. See

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FILE ON THE GOLDEN GOOSE. Theme Pictures.

England. Released in the
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FILE 777. See

WHIRLYBIRDS.

FILET MEOW. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.

7 min., sd., color, 35 mm. (Tom &
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FILET ON THE HOOF. See

 BROADSIDE.

FILIBUSTER, BIRTH STRUGGLE OF A

LAW. See

CBS REPORTS.

THE FILIBUSTEROS. See

THE HIGH CHAPARRAL.

FILING. Jam Handy Organization. 2 min.,

si., color, 16 mm. (Automotive sheet
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Organization; 20Jan67; MU7766.

FILING AN EDGE SQUARE. See

MACHINE SHOP SERIES: BENCH WORK,

SET I.

FILING AND POLISHING. See

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FILING PROCEDURES IN BUSINESS. Coronet

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FILING WOOD. See

WOODWORKING SERIES: HANDTOOL OPERATIONS,

SET 2.
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PETER GUNN.

THE FILLED-UPER. Chevrolet Motor Division.

Made by Jam Handy Organization.
92 sec., sd., b&w, 35 mm. © Chevrolet
Motor Division of General Motors
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FILLING BOTTLE. See

LERN & FINK CONSUMER PRODUCTS TELEVISION

COMMERCIALS.

FILLING WITH SOLDER, PART I. Jam Handy

Organization. 2 min., si., color,
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20Jan67; MU7767.

FILLING WITH SOLDER, PART II. Jam Handy

Organization. 3 min., si., color,
16 mm. (Automotive sheet metal repair,
film 11) © Jam Handy Organization;
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THE FILM CAN CAPER. See

DICK TRACY.

FILM FLAM. See

CORONADO 9.
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EARLY 1900'S. Coronet Instructional
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NM: compilation, re-edited & additions.
© Coronet Instructional
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17Jul67; MP18245.

FILM NO. 1. Mark Eisenstein. 58 sec.,

b&w, 6 mm. © Mark Eisenstein;
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THE FILM PARADE. William P. S. Earle.

70 min., b&w, 35 mm. © William P. S.
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FILM RECORD OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE IBM

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A FILM STUDY OF ROBERT FLAHERTY'S

LOUISIANA STORY. University of Minnesota.
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1Mar62; MP13113.

FILMBIT NUMBER ONE: HOW TO CENTER A

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FILMED INSTRUCTION IN THE LANGUAGE OF

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Appl. author: Louie J. Fant, Jr.
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3 min., si., b&w, 8 mm. © Golden
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THE FILMS OF DOUGLAS FAIRBANKS. See

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THE FILTERED CIGARETTE THAT NEVER

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No. OGF-9-10.

FILTERING. Encyclopaedia Britannica

Films. 3 min., si., color, 6 mm.
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FINAL APPROACH. See

FLIGHT. 1200-17.

FINAL ARRANGEMENTS. See

ALFRED HITCHCOCK PRESENTS.

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ALFRED HITCHCOCK HOUR.

THE FINAL FACTOR. AAA Foundation for

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Produced in association with Starbecker.
© AAA Foundation for
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THE FINAL HOUR. See

THE VIRGINIAN.

FINAL JUDGMENT. See

CAIN'S HUNDRED.

FINAL KICK WINS FOR IRISH. See

SPORTFOLIO.

FINAL PAYMENT. See

COLT .45.

THE DEPUTY.

FINAL PERFORMANCE. See

ALFRED HITCHCOCK HOUR.

THE FINAL SCORE. See

HAWAIIAN EYE.
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MICHAEL SHAYNE.

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min., sd., b&w, 16 mm. © University
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FINAL VOW. See

ALFRED HITCHCOCK HOUR.

THE FINAL WAR PATROL. See

SILENT SERVICE. Series no. 1, 5626.

FINALLY FREE: YOUNG HOUSEWIFE,

VIGNETTE. See

BEECHAM, INC. TELEVISION COMMERCIALS.

FINALLY FREE: YOUNG MAN, VIGNETTE. See

BEECHAM, INC. TELEVISION COMMERCIALS.

FIND LEROY BURDETTE. See

SURFSIDE 6.

FIND MY FACE. See

BOURBON STREET BEAT.

FIND THAT BOMB. See

 RESCUE 8.

FINDERS KEEPERS. See

THE DETECTIVES.

ZORRO. 7235.

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Productions. 71 min., sd., color,
35 mm. © Eve Productions, Inc.;
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FINDERS WEEPERS & 8 OTHERS. See

MACK AND MYER FOR HIRE.

THE FINDING IN THE TEMPLE. See

THE FIFTEEN MYSTERIES OF THE ROSARY. 5.

FINDING THE MELODY. See

READING MUSIC: FINDING THE MELODY.

FINDING THE RHYTHM. See

READING MUSIC: FINDING THE RHYTHM.

FINDING THE SPEED OF A RIFLE BULLET I.

Canada, National Film Board of Canada.
Distributed by Ealing Film. 1 min.,
si., color, 8 mm. © National Film
Board of Canada; 25Jul68; MFO-37.

FINDING THE SPEED OF A RIFLE BULLET II.

 Canada, National Film Board of
Canada. Distributed by Ealing Film.
1 min., si., color, 8 mm. © National
Film Board of Canada; 16Sep68; MFO-48.

FINDING YOUR WAY TO SCHOOL SAFELY.

Film Associates of California.
10 min., sd., color, 16 mm. © Film
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MP16400.

THE FINE ART OF MURDER. See

RICHARD DIAMOND, PRIVATE DETECTIVE.

FINE FEATHERED FIEND. Paramount Pictures

Corp. 6 min., sd., color, 35 mm.
(Noveltoon cartoon) © Paramount Pictures
Corp.; 1Sep60; LP17410.

FINE FEATHERED FRIEND. See

LASSIE.

FINE FEATHERS. See

THE DONNA REED SHOW.

FINE GRINDING. Buehler, Ltd. 8 min.,

sd., color, 16 mm. (Metallographic
sample preparation) © Buehler, Ltd.;
30Nov68; MP19722.

THE FINE LINE. See

THE DEFENDERS.
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by Warner Bros. Pictures. 103 min.,
sd., color, 35 mm. Technicolor.
Screenplay by Elliott Baker based
upon his novel. © Warner Bros. Pictures,
Inc.; 25May66; LP32664.

A FINE ROMANCE. See

THE BING CROSBY SHOW.

FINEST HOUR. See

COMBAT!

THE FINEST HOURS. Le Vien Films.

Released by Columbia Pictures Corp.
114 min., sd., color, 35 mm.
Technicolor. Based on the memoirs of
the Rt. Hon. Sir Winston Churchill
from, The Second World War. © Le
Vien Films, Ltd.; 1Oct64; LP29348.

THE FINGER LAKES. Eastman Kodak Co.

26 min., sd., Ektachrome, 16 mm.
© Eastman Kodak Co.; 11Aug61; MU7082.

FINGER PAINTING. See

CHANDLER ART EXPERIENCE FILMS.

THE FINGERS OF FEAR. See

THRILLER.
THE FINGERS OF HENRI TOURELLE. See

NAKED CITY.

FINIAN'S RAINBOW. Warner Bros.-Seven

Arts. 145 min., sd., color, 35 mm.
Panavision. © Warner Bros.-Seven
Arts, Inc.; 1Oct68; LP37259.

FINISHING STAINLESS STEEL IN THE SHOP.

Republic Steel Corp. Made by Wilding.
34 min., sd., Kodachrome, 16 mm.
(Stainless steel) Appl. author:
Wilding, Inc., employer for hire of
Junius Eddy. © Republic Steel Corp.;
1Feb62; MP12163.

FINLANDIA. CBS News & Finnish Broadcasting

Co. 30 min., sd., b&w, 16 mm.
© Columbia Broadcasting System, Inc.;
10May65; MP15770.

FINLAND'S TUG OF WAR. See

THE TWENTIETH CENTURY.

FINN MCCOOL. See

STAGECOACH—WEST.

FINNEGAN. See

LAREDO.

FINNISH WAR ENDS. See

 GREATEST HEADLINES OF THE CENTURY.

THE FINNY FOOT AFFAIR. See

THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E.

FINSTERWALD-GOALBY SHOW. See

CHALLENGE GOLF.

FINUCANE'S KILLER. See

MANHUNT.

FIRE ABOARD LINER MORRO CASTLE, SEPT. 8,

1934. See

ALMANAC NEWSREEL. Sept. 8, 1960.

THE FIRE AND BRIMSTONE RAID. See

RAT PATROL.

FIRE AND ICE. See

BREAKING POINT.

FIRE AND OXIDATION. Coronet Instructional

Films. 11 min., sd., b&w,
16 mm. © Coronet Instructional
Films, a division of Esquire, Inc.
2Jan64; MP14207.

FIRE AWAY, THE STORY OF A TROTTER.

Paramount Pictures Corp. 2 reels,
sd., color, 35 mm. © Paramount Pictures
 Corp.; 1Apr62; LP21786.

THE FIRE BOMBERS. See

MANHUNT.

A FIRE CALLED JEREMIAH. See

WALT DISNEY'S WONDERFUL WORLD OF COLOR.

FIRE DANCE. Rowe Manufacturing.

3 min., si., color, 8 mm. © Rowe
Manufacturing, division of Canteen
Corp.; 15May67; LP35056.

THE FIRE DANCER. See

EMPIRE. No. 7.

FIRE DRILLS AND FIRE SAFETY. See

IN CASE OF FIRE.

THE FIRE EATER. See

CASEY JONES. 31.

THE FIRE ENGINE. See

CISCO KID.

FIRE FIGHTER. Davidson Films. 19 min.,

sd., color, 16 mm. Eastman color.
Appl. author: San Francisco Local
no. 798, International Association of
Fire Fighters. © Davidson Films;
 25Mar64; MP14554.

FIRE FIGHTERS. See

ICHABOD AND ME.

FIRE FIGHTING AT CHEVROLET-INDIANAPOLIS.

Chevrolet Motor Division. Made by Jam
Handy Organization. 14 min., sd.,
b&w, 16 mm. © Chevrolet Motor Division
of General Motors Corp.; 11Mar60;
MU6871.

FIRE HOSE. See

HAMM'S BEER COMMERCIALS.

FIRE IN A SACRED FRUIT TREE. See

BEN CASEY.

FIRE IN BOSTON NIGHT CLUB, NOV. 28,

1942. See

ALMANAC NEWSREEL. Nov. 28, 1960.

FIRE IN THE GLADES. See

GENTLE BEN.

FIRE IN THE HOLE. See

OVERLAND TRAIL.

FIRE IN THE LIQUOR LOCKER. See

 MCHALE'S NAVY.

FIRE IN THE SKY. See

M-SQUAD.

FIRE ISLAND. See

NAKED CITY. 23.

THE FIRE MAKERS. See

M-SQUAD.

THE FIRE TRAPS. See

GRAND JURY. 2.

THE FIRE TRIANGLE. Film Associates

of California. 13 min., sd., color,
16 mm. Eastman color. © Film
Associates of California; 27Nov62;
MP13781.

FIRE WATCH. See

MY THREE SONS.

THE FIRE WATCHERS. See

LASSIE.

FIRE WATER. Elysium. 4 min., si.,

color, 8 mm. © American Sunbathing
Assn., Inc.; 4Jun65; MP15467.
FIRE: WHAT MAKES IT BURN. Encyclopaedia
Britannica Films. 11 min., sd., color,
16 mm. © Encyclopaedia Britannica
Films, Inc.; 16Aug62; MP12972.

FIRE WHEN READY, GRAMPA. See

THE REAL MCCOYS.

THE FIREBALL. See

THE DONNA REED SHOW.

THE FIREBRAND. Associated Producers.

Released by Twentieth Century-Fox
Film Corp. 63 min., sd., b&w, 35 mm.
CinemaScope. © Twentieth Century-Fox
Film Corp.; 7Aug62; LP22827.

THE FIREBRAND. See

DEATH VALLEY DAYS.

FIREBRAND ON ICE: STAN MIKITA. See

THE TWENTIETH CENTURY.

FIREBUG. See

GENERAL ELECTRIC'S TRUE.

MANHUNT.

FIRECHIEF MAGOO. See

MISTER MAGOO.
FIRECREEK. Warner Bros.-Seven Arts.
104 min., sd., color, 35 mm. Panavision.
© Warner Bros.-Seven Arts,
Inc.; 24Nov67; LP35847.

FIREHOUSE. See

GILLETTE CO. TELEVISION COMMERCIALS.

FIREHOUSE DOG. Film Associates of

California. 10 min., sd., color,
16 mm. Eastman color. © Film
Associates of California; 18Jan56;
MP14013.

FIREHOUSE LIL. See

LAWMAN.

FIREMAN. See

GILLETTE CO. TELEVISION COMMERCIALS.

GGS-3-61.

FIREMAN AT YOUR DOOR. Aetna Casualty

& Surety Co. & Standard Fire Insurance
Co. 19 min., sd., b&w, 16 mm.
Filmed in cooperation with Rockford
Fire Dept. © Aetna Life Affiliated
Companies; 7Apr61; LP19256.

THE FIREMEN WHO RAISED RABBITS. See

BEN CASEY.
THE FIRE'S NEVER DEAD WHILE THE
ASHES ARE RED. See

HAZEL.

FIRES OF THE MIND. See

THE DEFENDERS.

FIREWALKERS OF FIJI. See

EXPEDITION.

THE FIRING LINE. See

FLIPPER.

THE FIRING WALL. See

THE HIGH CHAPARRAL.

FIRST ACT. August Films. 27 min.,

sd., b&w, 16 mm. © August Films,
Inc.; 9Nov66; MP16499.

FIRST ADDITION. See

THE DONNA REED SHOW.

FIRST AID—ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION.

American National Red Cross. 28 min.,
sd., b&w, 16 mm. © American National
Red Cross; 11Jun65 (in notice: 1964);
MP15429.

FIRST AID BANDAGING. American National

 Red Cross. 28 min., sd., b&w, 16 mm.
© American National Red Cross;
11Jun65 (in notice: 1964); MP15436.

FIRST AID FOR BURNS. American National

Red Cross. 28 min., sd., b&w, 16 mm.
© American National Red Cross;
11Jun65 (in notice: 1964); MP15432.

FIRST AID FOR COMMON EMERGENCIES. American

National Red Cross. 28 min., sd.,
b&w, 16 mm. © American National Red
Cross; 11Jun65 (in notice: 1964);
MP15434.

FIRST AID FOR INJURIES TO BONES, JOINTS,

AND MUSCLES. American National Red
Cross. 28 min., sd., b&w, 16 mm.
© American National Red Cross;
11Jun65 (in notice: 1964); MP15433.

FIRST AID FOR POISONING. American

National Red Cross. 28 min., sd.,
b&w, 16 mm. © American National Red
Cross; 11Jun65 (in notice: 1964);
MP15431.

FIRST AID FOR SHOCK AND ARTIFICIAL

RESPIRATION. American National Red
Cross. 28 min., sd., b&w, 16 mm.
© American National Red Cross;
11Jun65 (in notice: 1964); MP15430.

FIRST AID FOR WOUNDS. American National

Red Cross. 28 min., sd., b&w, 16 mm.
© American National Red Cross;
 11Jun65 (in notice; 1964); MP15428.

FIRST AID MAGOO. See

MISTER MAGOO.

FIRST AID NOW. Johnson & Johnson.

28 min., sd., color, 16 mm. An MPO
Production. © Johnson & Johnson;
13Jan64 (in notice: 1963); MP15729.

FIRST AID TRANSPORTATION FOR THE SICK

AND INJURED. American National Red
Cross. 28 min., sd., b&w, 16 mm.
© American National Red Cross; 11Jun65
(in notice: 1964); MP15435.

THE FIRST AMERICANS. National Broadcasting

Co. 52 min., sd., color,
16 mm. © National Broadcasting Co.,
Inc.; 17Mar69; MP19236.

FIRST AND THIRD BASEMEN. Ethan N.

Allen. 12 min., sd., b&w, 16 mm.
(Baseball instruction series)
© Ethan N. Allen; 1Nov60; MP10725.

THE FIRST ANNIVERSARY. See

THE DANNY THOMAS SHOW. No. 1-E (154).

FIRST ARMY-NAVY FOOTBALL GAME, Nov. 29,

1890. See

ALMANAC NEWSREEL. Nov. 29, 1960.

FIRST AUTO TO EXCEED 300 M.P.H., SEPT. 3,
1935. See

ALMANAC NEWSREEL. Sept. 3, 1960.

FIRST BLOOD. See

THE TALL MAN.

THE FIRST BORN. See

BONANZA.

FIRST CHESS TOURNAMENT IN THE UNITED

STATES, OCT 6, 1857. See

ALMANAC NEWSREEL. Oct. 6, 1960.

THE FIRST CHILD. See

THE DONNA REED SHOW.

FIRST CITY-OWNED STREET CAR OPERATED,

DEC. 28, 1912. See

ALMANAC NEWSREEL. Dec. 28, 1960.

FIRST CIVILIAN ATOMIC POWER PLANT,

DEC. 2, 1957. See

ALMANAC NEWSREEL. Dec. 2, 1960.

FIRST CLASS HONEYMOON. See

ALFRED HITCHCOCK PRESENTS.

FIRST CLASS MOULIAK. See

ROUTE 66.

FIRST DATE. See

THE REAL MCCOYS.

THE FIRST DAY. See

COMBAT!

KENTUCKY JONES.

MRS. G. GOES TO COLLEGE.

FIRST DAY OF SUMMER, JUNE 21. See

ALMANAC NEWSREEL. June 21, 1960.

FIRST DEMONSTRATION OF HOME TELEVISION,

AUG. 20, 1930. See

ALMANAC NEWSREEL. Aug. 20, 1960.

FIRST EASTWARD PACIFIC FLIGHT, NOV. 4,

1934. See

ALMANAC NEWSREEL. Nov. 4, 1960.

FIRST EDITIONS. See

DENNIS THE MENACE.

FIRST EXPERIENCE. Alberto-Culver Co.

30 sec., sd., b&w. © Alberto-Culver
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