Chapter 12: Thomas and Matthew Return with News

After breakfast and the morning lesson, all of us went to refurbish Isaiah’s gardens and house. Ariel and Ruth helped Martha and Anne pickle fruits and vegetables for later in the year. The rest of us plastered the inside walls and mended overhangs and fences. It did not take so long having as many volunteers as we had.

In the late afternoon, we washed ourselves using water from the mikveh kept on the roof.

Ariel and Ruth prepared a substantial meal in the outdoor kitchen so that Martha and Anne had a day off, though both of them offered continual suggestions as is typical of old matrons.

As I watched my two wives in the kitchen, I saw how happy they were to be doing things together as mother and daughter. I thought to myself, “Life is really about the simple moments of joy when people are helping each other.”

Thomas and Matthew arrived before the sun had set, cleaned, and joined us for dinner. They had much information to share.

Before the arrival of Thomas and Matthew, I was deep in my daily prayer for the intercession of Holy Mother in the lives of the innocent and oppressed. Grandmother and Mother did what they could given the circumstances that the manifestation of her Love always was thru my Mother.

In a few hours, the sun was setting and all of our family were ready to share bread and wine together. It was a perfect evening for the courtyard was cooled by a fresh breeze and the moon was going to be full.

Tonight, Ruth was to give the blessing, as she and Ariel shared everything with each other. As I looked at them, I thought, “People think I have two wives, but really I have only one wife. For Ruth and Ariel are so psychoistically connected that they are one soul seen from two different perspectives. They are the ultimate example of complementarity as if each were as obverse faces on the two sides of a single golden coin.
“Then, I heard Mother say, ‘Honey, it is as you say for my own Father informed me that when your Divine Sister’s Soul was placed within Ruth’s Womb, Ruth’s and Ariel’s Souls fused together in an inseparable pair in the physical.

‘I am so very proud of you for loving your sisters so truly and caring for them as your complementary wife. You are the first fruit of my spiritual womb and so I am closest to you. I love you, Zahar-el.’”

As was expected of me, I was to make the first toast as the eldest son. I arose from my seat and took a piece of bread into my left hand, “Whenever, you take a piece of bread into your hand, remember that both Ruth and my mother, Miriam, provided the corporeal wombs for Ariel and myself so to incarnate. Their wombs represent the entrance of souls into corporealness and the return to spirituality, for without wombs and bread there is no life.

“Pick up a piece of bread and say, ‘For this bread is the Womb of Eternity, Infinite Space in the impersonal form and Holy Mother personally,’” I said.

Everyone took up a small piece of and ate it.

I lifted up my wine saucer saying, “This wine represents the Light, Life, and Love forever flowing from Holy Father into the corporeal form of Holy Mother. Life is brought to each part of the body by the blood carrying air and nourishment. Grace flows to you from Ariel and me, without Grace there is no eternal life.

“So, when you lift up your saucer say, ‘This wine represents the Blood of God entering into my soul. Everyone took up his or her saucer and drunk some wine.”

When the saucers were on the table, I said, “Remember this blessing so to use it when I am gone.”

I turned to Ruth, “Darling, say the blessing for all of us.”

Ruth said the blessing and she and Ariel got up to serve the food.

As we ate, Thomas and Matthew reported on their trip to Tiberias.

“It is a rather nice city being quite new. We did not find any residents who were Jewish. We found many Samaritans, Canaanites, Greeks, and other nationalities. The city seemed gayer than Jerusalem as the better to do did not wear their piety on their sleeves. We did locate suitable dwellings near the public square where the philosophers held their discussions.”

I allowed them to describe more of the city and its peoples. When they were finished, I asked, “I imagine this city has many harlots?”

The world ‘harlots’ immediately caught the attention of Ruth and Ariel”

Thomas replied, “Yes, prostitution seems quite prevalent in Tiberias, most of the ladies being quite young. Why do you ask?

“For, I have decided to change the purpose of this visit. I am not interested in Alexandrian philosophers, but I am interested in the ladies who must prostitute for a living,” I said.

Turning to Ariel and Ruth, I continued, “I would be most pleased, dearest Wives, to free these young ladies from their current profession so they can pursue a more healthy one. I want to buy some property in this city so that these ladies can live together and share a trade so to support themselves.

“I would like that these ladies, after their home is established, to introduce more women, especially orphans, to the option of becoming a house-member and working together so to protect the equality of all females.”

Ruth stood up and ran over and threw her arms around me saying, “What a spectacular idea, Husband. I agree to fulfill your wish to help abused women. I have a great understanding of all the factors which make women harlots. Do you have a plan already?”

“Yes, Precious, I have a plan. I shall teach to the harlots a simple faith above reason and gain their trust by curing many of them of their sexual diseases. You and Ariel, accompanied by two brothers, will speak of your lives and how you found a way out, how the Son of God found and married you, and gave you children in your womb. That Holy Mother loves each of them most dearly and it is her that we are helping.

“Matthew will purchase a large house with rooms for weaving, baking, preparing herbs, sewing, and other needed activities. He will also buy sufficient tools and material. Matthew will stay so to manage the funds of the house and he may marry one of the rehabilitated ladies if he wants when I return to get him.

“During our stay in Tiberias, we will find some god-fearing widows to help with training the young ladies. They will be taught about Holy Mother and Holy Father every day as they will attend prayers in the morning and the evening.

“No women will leave the house alone, but only in threes. This is my wish.”

Ariel asked, “Husband, will I stay with Mommy?”

I replied, “Yes, my love. For the first house must be self-supporting and self-ruled in six months. I will return frequently as I know you and Ruth will miss me very much. I wish for a group of older ladies to make these types of houses available in all cities and in all countries.

“Finally, Matthew will employ good, God-fearing soldiers to guard the house and the inhabitants.

Everyone was quite surprised at my change of heart. Thomas said to John and Daniel, “It is impossible not to love our Rav. Houses for wayward females is a wonderful idea.”

“This evening, I have a fairy tale to share called ‘The Three Sisters.’

“Once upon a time, a prince had three beautiful daughters. He raised them himself as their mother died after the youngest was born.

“The eldest daughter had blue eyes and blonde hair. She could play the flute and had a melodious voice. She was well read and spoke several languages.

“When she reached a marital age, she fell in love with a good prince. They were married and she moved away.

“The second daughter had dark eyes and dark hair. She was very interested in sports and won many contests on foot and on horseback. She was excellent with the bow and with a javelin.

“When she reached a marital age, she fell in love with a good general. They were married and she moved away.

“The youngest had green eyes and red hair. She loved animals and spent much time looking for orphans and hurt creatures. She started an orphanage and hospital for animals and learned all about animal medicine. She did not like fancy clothes, jewelry, and parties like her sisters. Her best friends were the children who helped her and her father who loved her the most as she was more like her mother than the other two.

“When she reached marital age, she said she was too young to get married.

Her father did not pressure her, though she turned down many men.

“One day, a very polite, but poor prince came to the palace. He said that he had heard of a princess who loved animals and took care of them. He asked if he could live at the palace and help the princess.

“The father was very astute and realized that this poor prince was nobler than the husbands of his elder daughters and he allowed the poor prince to move into the castle.

“When the princess met the poor prince, she was very happy for she had always wanted to be married, but, not just to anyone. So the princess taught the prince all about doctoring animals.

“One day, the poor prince and princess came to ask Father if they could get married. Father was overjoyed and agreed and arranged for a simple wedding for them with only close family and friends.

The poor prince and princess were very happy helping their animal friends and soon began helping their human friends. They had some children who were very much like them in heart and mind.“One day the old prince called his daughter, his son-in-law, and his grandchildren to his room. The old prince told them that he was going to leave soon for his other kingdom. He said he would leave this one to his other daughters and they will be satisfied.

“But, I want to take all of you to my big kingdom for it is far richer than this one. There was no point telling you about it until now. Let me show you my real kingdom.

“A large door opened onto a beautiful land with trees, flowers, bees, butterflies, birds, and other animals. As you see, I have many animals which need to be cared for as well as many human friends who could use some help by all of you.

“The princess said that we would like to go to the other kingdom if there are people and animals to help. She turned to her children and husband and they nodded yes.

“The royal family could not be found anywhere the next day and what happened to them is a great mystery. However, one old lady knows. When she was asked she said, they are in Father’s Heaven, where else would they go.”

When, I was finished I said, “This fairy tale is not difficult to understand, dear family. For one day, I will return and take all of you to the Grand Kingdom so to live in peace, joy, and love for an imaginable time.

“As our meal is over and we have a long day ahead of us, I suggest all of you return to your home or the inn and pack for tomorrow as we leave three hours after the sun rises. I will stay here with Ariel and Ruth. Godspeed to all of you.”

The Rabbis stood up with the brethren and everyone said goodnight.

Ariel, Ruth, and the rest of our family went inside to sleep.

Rabbi Isaiah said, “Goodnight, my son. I guess you make up your parables and stories spontaneously? And your idea of creating spiritual houses for the protection of ladies where they can work and live is brilliant. How did you think of this?”

I replied, “Yes, Isaiah, I do create my stories and parables spontaneously. As to spiritual houses for ladies, such a project arose out of my deep love for Ruth and how she took care of Ariel, despite her abuse. Moreover, Ruth truly understands the pain these poor harlots feel within and so I know she can make this happen.

“I tell you, Isaiah, I listen to the soft Voice of Love for this Voice guides my actions. The Greeks might call her my daimon. But, really the Voice is my Mother’s. Goodnight, Isaiah. Godspeed.”

I found my two wives already in bed and awaiting my tender caresses. I had come to terms with Ruth’s and Ariel’s physiological state of lust for me as I knew underneath it was supported by unconditional love. Though, I knew they had not as yet figured out how I could make love to them, separately and at the same time. Another sweet mystery of life.

Still, I have discovered that the more I love Ariel and Ruth, the more loving and less judgmental I am becoming overall. I see why the ancients recommended that married couples practice love between themselves so to blend their soul personalities together into one mind, one will, and one altruistic love. When this is accomplished, they can work with the rest of the family, then neighbors, and finally all mankind.

As our bed was on the rooftop and our lovemaking was finished for this night, I turned onto my back to look at the moon and the stars. I said, “Goodnight, Moon Maiden, goodnight Stars so Bright,” and I fell asleep in the arms of my wives.