The Galilean Secret: A Novel Read Online Free PDF Page A

mattered was fleeing from the man who had seen him try.
    The Pharisee called after him in Aramaic, “I saved your life and lied to keep you out of prison. You owe me an explanation!”
     
    Gabriel wanted to keep going, but the urgency of the man’s words stopped him. He faced the Pharisee and said, “I didn’t ask for your help. You had no right to stop me from jumping.”
     
    The Pharisee approached him, brow furrowed, close-set auburn eyes flashing. “You were about to commit a grievous sin. It was my duty to stop you.”
    “Was it your duty to lie for me?”
     
    “Of course not. But I could no more let you get thrown into a filthy Roman jail than I could watch you kill yourself.”
     
    Gabriel heard compassion in the Pharisee’s voice and this surprised him. He had always thought that the Pharisees lived up to the meaning of their name—“separated ones.” They avoided contact with anyone who didn’t strictly obey Jewish law and they bitterly opposed the Sadducees, the Temple priests whose compromises with the Romans and whose unorthodox beliefs offended them. He knew the Pharisees as severe men who cherished their privileged status in the Jewish caste system.
     
    The Pharisees prided themselves on being members of the chaburah or brotherhood. Obsessed with the minutiae of God’s law, they strove to honor every regulation—the Sabbath, the dietary laws, the requirements of ritual purity—and to monitor who complied and who did not. Gabriel respected the Pharisees’ learning and dedication, but he saw them as wearisome meddlers. This man’s sensitivity took him aback. “Why would a Pharisee care about someone he doesn’t even know?” Gabriel asked.
     
    “I do know you.” The Pharisee reached out and squeezed Gabriel’s shoulders. “Are you not Zebulun’s son? You are the mirror image of your father; I have known him since before you were born.”
     
    Gabriel’s mouth gaped open in disbelief. “Who are you?”
     
    The Pharisee extended his hand. “I am Nicodemus ben Gorion, a member of the Sanhedrin. I often seek quiet on this wall before beginning my duties in the Temple.”
     
    “The Sanhedrin!” Gabriel stepped back in awe. He revered the Sanhedrin as Judaism’s Supreme Court. Its seventy distinguished priests, scribes, Pharisees, and Sadducees ruled on the fine points of Jewish law. Not only did they determine the verdicts and punishments of those accused of violations, but they also advised Caiaphas, the high priest, and Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor, on religious matters.
     
    Those who served on the Sanhedrin were often wealthy and always influential. Gabriel hesitantly took Nicodemus’ hand and said, “Yes, I am Gabriel, Zebulun’s son. It doesn’t surprise me that you know my father. He has many important friends.” Gabriel paused and stared at the ground for a moment; then he met the Pharisee’s eyes. “It’s partly because of my father’s friends that I wanted to jump.”
     
    “How could they make you so desperate?” Nicodemus asked.
     
    Gabriel again turned to go, his arms weak with shame.
     
    Nicodemus tightened his grip on Gabriel’s hand. “Sometimes problems seem unbearable. May I help?”
     
    Gabriel felt tears burning in his eyes. He had attempted to end his life and never expected to meet such a kind man. He didn’t want to talk because he feared breaking down. But the sincerity of Nicodemus’ concern emboldened him. He decided to try. “I lost the woman I loved.” Gabriel cleared his throat and withdrew his hand. “She has run off with my brother. Now I have nothing to live for.” Gabriel took a deep breath and his story came pouring out—how he had dreamed for months of marrying Judith, and how she had run away with Dismas and left Gabriel to face their wedding guests alone. “Can you understand why I want to die? How can anyone recover from such humiliation?”
     
    Nicodemus didn’t answer right away. When he finally spoke, his voice