1

Return to Me
Act 1

(Stage is dark. Spotlight up on Narrator as she enters SL

between Matteniah’s and Iddo’s home, following her as she
walks picking flowers, stops picking flowers at CS when she
notices audience)
Narrator:
Welcome all to this time together. I am so pleased you
have come. I am going to tell you a story. A story very
personal to me. This story is of an epic journey. It is of a
people who witnessed God’s miraculous power and of
course there is a love story…or two. But most important, it
is a story of faith. You know we all come to faith
differently. Faith in God is not found in a bubble. Faith is
found as we navigate this messy world with its many
cultures, trials, and forces that work against faith.
Sometimes by sheer stubbornness we stay on the faith
journey, but for others faith is a gift. The people in this
story are my people…your question is are they your people
too? What part of this story is your story? Sit back and
enjoy the adventure. The adventure of a lifetime…a lifetime
with the Almighty One.
(Lights Down, Narrator; Lights up SR top of school balcony.
Iddo starts singing, setting the stage for what is about to
happen).
Introduction - song -Iddo
It’s 536 B.C.
Belshazzar the king is in great need
Daniel is who he will call
For the handwriting on the wall

The news isn’t good, the Persians are coming

And Babylon’s kingdom will fall.

(chorus-Jewish sing chorus with Iddo)

God always keeps his promises
The prophecy can’t be denied
After seventy years things are changing
The temple’s rebuilding is nigh

(Verse- Iddo only)

God’s people have lived in exile
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Ensemble freeze
Far, far away from their home during verses.
Judah was conquered, the people enslaved
Jerusalem’s temple is gone.

It’s finally time to go back to Judah

God would be leading them home.

(chorus-Jewish sing chorus with Iddo)

God always keeps his promises
The prophecy can’t be denied
After seventy years things are changing
The temple’s rebuilding is nigh

(Lights fade- All ensemble exit and head to back of house for
parade scene)

Scene 1
(Lights up SL as Yael comes running over to Zechi’s house Diana and Berkiah are
yelling excitedly Zechi is up on rooftop) in their home

Yael: Zechariah! Where are you?

(looking up at Zechi on rooftop) Parade begins to enter
Can you believe what has happened? from back of house.
Making way to CS.

Zechi: (He looks down at her from his rooftop)

What has happened?

Yael: The Babylonians have been defeated by

the Persians! King Cyrus is throwing a
celebration!

Zechi: (looking down at Yael)

YES! See I told you God does keep his promises!
(Zechi begins down the stairs)
I just didn’t think it would be in my lifetime!

Yael: The procession is coming down main

street now!!

Zechi: Wanna go see it?

(they take off running together through the crowd of parading
people, Lights up as the parade enters with lots of pomp and
circumstance. Z&Y sneaks to the top of the assembly house
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overlooking the canal SR. As the parade passes by the

assembly house, music becomes muffled and the crowd
becomes quiet but still pretending to be celebrating.)

Zechi: Oh, look Yael! There he is!!!

Yael: Who? ……...Oh, Zechariah, I don’t get it. What

is so exciting about a change of kings. One king
or the next, we are still slaves. But…Oh! Oh!
Oh! Oh! Wow!!!! Look at all the colors, all the
sparkle, and… those must
be all his magicians!!!…There must be 100s of
them! Magnificent!!!!!

Zechi: Really? That is what you see? All the colors and
Magicians? (Laughing)…you are such a girl!

Yael: Well …duh! Zechi, I am a girl!... and if you can’t

see that… No wonder you can’t see the
true beauty of a parade. Aw, come on... Tell me
what YOU see!!!!!

Zechi: (in a trance, talking but not to Yael)

I see the hand of God! Prophesying that a King
Cyrus would let all the exiles from Jerusalem
return to their land. (realizing Yael is standing
quietly and looking at him weirdly)
Wow! We are going home!

Yael: But this is our home! Zechi, I don’t want to

leave Babylon!

Zechi: Our people have waited for this time! As God’s

chosen people we have to rebuild God’s temple .
(Pausing, Zehi Looks back down at the parade)
You are right! The vibrant colors and clothes
are stunning!

(Yael pushes Z and they start giggling and head down from the roof
top? While Babylon people are enticing others at the market
place. As Zechi and Yael head back home. They encounter a
gambler who begins to entice Zechi, handing him dice and
encouraging him to roll them.)
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Zechi: (Takes the dice and looks at them)

I don’t understand what he wants?

Yael: Oh Zechi!
(Yael takes the dice and gives them back to the gambler and pulls
Zeki in a different direction)
You are so naïve. You better stick close to me,
I will protect you.
(Other enticements along the way as they come up the aisles in the
audience. Parthia is among them; Yael runs to see what Parthia has
and Zeki pulls her back and shakes his head no. This is a back and
forth of Yael and Zechi pulling each other out of the harm’s way.
Having fun along the way. They finally end up at home and they
Parade ensemble
stand in respective doorways.)
exits the house
back, winding
Zechi: It is nearly time for Sabbath we had better get through the
ready. Are you joining us tonight? audience.

Yael: No, my mother is still very sick. See you

later? (Goes to enter house, step back hurriedly)
Zechi? (a tone of anticipation and fondness) I love
our walks to the canal! If we move to
Jerusalem will there still be a canal?

Zechi: (shrugging and grinning) I don’t know, but I

promise we will always go on walks! (Yael turns to
go in and Zechi calls her) Yael! I know going home
is scary but you know I will always keep you
safe, right?

Yael: Yeah, I do!

Zechi: Yael! You will always be my best friend!

Yael: And you mine! (smiling and they both enter their own
homes).

Scene 2
(In Iddo’s & Dinah’s courtyard. Lights up on Dinah preparing to take
the Sabbath meal to Mattaniah’s family. Dinah carries a pot over to
Mattaniah’s home. Lights down CS. Lights up on SL. Dinah calls to
Yael and Yael opens the door - farther inside are Miriam lying down
and Parthia is next to her conducting a ritual.)
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Dinah: Yael, come help me dear….Miriam, I brought

something for your Sabbath meal. (turning to
speak to Yael)
How is your mother feeling today?

Yael:   (shrugs) The same. You going to visit a while?

Dinah: I can’t stay, Sabbath begins soon. 

(Placing food on the table as she asks Yael)
Who is that with your mother?

Yael: Parthia - she is here to read Mama’s fortune

and give her a ritual blessing.  She promised
to read my future too – Do you want her to
read yours? She is always right!

Dinah: I’m not sure that is such a good idea.  

Miriam: Dinah.  (speech is weak; waits till Dinah comes to her)

This is Parthia, my new seer.
(Dinah Nods hello towards Parthia, otherwise ignores her presence.
Speaks to Miriam)

Dinah: Ibrought you some stew for your Sabbath meal.

Can I help any other way?

Miriam: Dear Dinah, you’re always so good to us.  But

Parthia has foretold good news today - my
stars are moving into a favorable position for
healing.

(Awkward silence from Dinah - Yael enters with cups of water and
passes them around.)

Miriam: I want to repay you for all you’ve done for me

Is there something you’d like to ask the seer?

Dinah: Thank you...but no - my husband, Iddo,

became angry when I asked your last
astrologer for signs ..he says…it is forbidden
and (hushed secret whisper) pagan. (clears throat.
Smiles and nods at Parthia giving her a false nod of
acknowledgment)
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Miriam: Well, he doesn’t have to know. Give Parthia your

cup.
(Dinah gives her the cup, not realizing what she is going to do -
Parthia drops a pinch of herbs in, stirs it around, and looks intently
into the cup)

Parthia: I see a great tearing in your life, something

very precious to you will be ripped away and…
Dinah: (cutting her off) Stop!  I don’t want to hear
anymore! We all have sorrows and blessings
ahead of us, and I will face whatever the future
holds when it comes. Miriam have a blessed
sabbath I will check in on you tomorrow.
(Dinah exits house abruptly. Goes directly to her home through
front door. Parthia watches Dinah leave with contempt and turns to
speak to Yael)

Parthia: Come with me, little one.  I brought the charts

as I have promised! Let’s begin your studies so
you can learn to read the stars.

(Yael walks over to Parthia as the lights go down on the scene.)

(Lights up CS on Iddo’s house. Family puts food and candles on the
table and then gathers around the table talking excitedly. Dinah
Enters home at the front door and takes her place. Iddo enters. All
chatter ceases.

Zechi: Saba can you believe it! We are returning

home!!! It is so cool, you saw the temple
destroyed and now you will get to see it rebuilt!
Iddo: (smiling) Ssh! My Zechariah. First things first…
the sun is setting.
(pink sky for sunset; as Dinah rises and begins the Sabbath meal
with the prayer of shema.)

Dinah: Hear Oh Israel… (waving her hands over the lit

candles as is tradition and then begins to serve her
family)

Iddo: Now Zechariah, yes, I can believe it!

(Excited)
God always keeps his promises! My sons,
Berekiah and Hoshea, we must start planning
for our journey back to Jerusalem!
(reaching for Zechi to sit on his knee)
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Zechariah, you will need to help at the

assembly hall with the packing of all the scrolls.
You will be 12 soon, so you will be a man and
will be able to take on a man’s role now. We
have so much to do!
(sends Zechi back to his seat)
This is a glorious time to be alive.
(Others are looking doubtful and shaking their heads, mumbling
quietly, Hoshea elbows Berekiah to speak on their behalf)

Berekiah: Abba!?! We haven’t even heard if King Cyrus

knows anything about us Jews or where
we came from. Don’t you think all this
“returning to Jerusalem” is premature crazy
talk!

Iddo: You will see. Soon, we will be going on a

journey all the way up the mighty Euphrates
River valley and across the sand into the land of
Israel…our home!!!
(leaning towards Zechi, ruffling his hair)
Zechariah, do you remember what we
studied the other day about God’s four
promises? Zechi Stands up at
table, holding up a
Zechi: Yes, Saba. (he smiles - pleased to be included.)  pointer finger and ticks
He promised to give us the land. off each points as he
says them.
He promised that we would be as numerous as
the stars in the heavens…

Hoshea: (muttering with a joking smile on his face)

It must be a pretty dark sky if we’re the only Iddo is getting irritated at
stars that are left. the disrespect of his
sons and this starting to
(Hoshea and Berekiah laugh. A harsh look and loud clearing the
show in his actions.
throat from Iddo quieten them. Iddo smiles and nods to Zechi to
continue. Zechi points another finger to note the third promise)

Zechi: He promised that through us all the

nations of the earth would be blessed…

Hoshea: That's funny, as I recall...All nations hate

(louder)
us. We sure are blessing a lot of
people. (everyone is nodding in agreeance)
 Dinah slaps Hoshea’s
8 upside the head...Then
returns to the loving
disposition and with a
Dinah: Children, children...listen! smile she speaks

Zechi: And fourth. He promised to live among us and

be our God.

Iddo: Yes! We were created to live with God, in His

dwelling place on earth. (the next line is directed to Iddo stands with hands on
Iddo’s sons) Which is His temple in Jerusalem! table speaking load and
pronunciating underlined
That is why it is so important for us to return words to his son’s.
and to rebuild it.  Without it, our sins
will continue to separate us from Him.

Hoshea: But does it have to be in Jerusalem?

Iddo: What did I just say? Of course, it does!  Do you Almost yelling with
think He would dwell among us here, alongside controlled rage at the
attitude of his sons.
these pagan idols and pagan temples? 
(the brothers look at each other, not understanding the anger Iddo is
exhibiting. Hoshea elbows Berekiah and nods toward Iddo)

Berekiah: Abba you know Hoshea and I, started this

business of transporting… for the family. We
are doing very well these days and well…. and
it's just not a good time to move to Jerusalem.

Iddo: Bah! You won’t need to run a business when Iddo brings anger back
into check and grows
we return to Jerusalem! YOU were born to excited trying to ignite
be priests, We were born to be priests and excitement in Berekiah.
priests we will be! Just like all our fathers
before us!

Berekiah: Oh Abba. You are faithful to these old tales. But

I fear, as all the times before, this too is just a
rumor and once again you will be disappointed.
Why, (Pause) not…just wait and see what the
new King Cyrus declares and then our future
will be clear!

Iddo: You will see…very soon. God will

(raising his cup)
return His people to Jerusalem!
(All raise their cups and drink. Visitor comes to door in need for a
Midwife)
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Dinah: (Dinah puts on a cloak, head covering and gathers her

things as she is talking)
Well, I’m needed to welcome another one of
God’s little children into this world. Babies
don’t wait for the end of Sabbath! (Chuckling at
her humor) I will be back late. Good night to all of
you, my precious children (giving the young one’s
kisses and then speaking to Hoshea & Berekiah).
Boys, don’t give your father too hard of a time…
But do keep him in the land of reality while I am
gone. (all Laugh at Dinah’s last sentence as she heads
out.)

(*Lights are lowered to change to night and Iddo steps outside the
house - watching and waiting for Dinah to return whistling the
chorus to family business and randomly talking to God as the rest of
the men leave through USC. Women clean off table and exits USC
with all dishes. Iddo goes inside home. Dinah enters SL, enters
home taking off her headscarf. She is excited but tired. Iddo greets
her with a hug.)

Iddo: Any problems?

Dinah: Thankfully all was good...mother and child. I

love being a midwife!  There is nothing more
miraculous than the birth of another one of
God’s children! Whew! It is work for the mother
and me – (Pausing and chuckling) I guess that’s
why it’s called labor! (she continues laughing at her
own joke)

Iddo: Dinah, I am sorry about earlier! Forgive me

for upsetting dinner. Do you agree
with our sons? Should we honor their request
to stay here or do I demand they return with
us?

Dinah: I do know this…even I am having trouble

accepting what you are asking me to do!
Iddo…. please understand. We don’t know your
Jerusalem; this is the only home we’ve ever
known. I was born here! Our children and their
children! Our family memories are here! And
as much as what you love Jerusalem, we love
Babylon. Our sons were only asking you to see
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what you have now, in this place. What they

have! Iddo this has always been your dream,
and demanding them to follow your dreams,
without any consideration for their feelings may
be a little unfair don’t you think!

Iddo: But this isn’t someone’s worldly dreams! This is

about God’s promise and our obedience. He
said as long as the sun and moon remain, Israel
will remain. We must put our trust in that
promise!

Dinah: Maybe so but, last I looked, the sun rose above

Babylon too! Do you not see that God has
shown favor to us here? I’m happy here with
our family, my work…besides this life is all we
have ever known.

Iddo: Following His teachings and commands is not

easy but how can we be justifying not following
them out of convenience, self gain or fear.
  
(Dinah walks away from Iddo and stands hugging herself)
Dinah: I just think…

Iddo: What?  What do you think?

Dinah: I think…. if Rabbi Daniel and the other

prophets had never filled your mind with these
thoughts, or offered you this hope... Oh, Iddo!
Have you even thought, What if they are wrong?
(Iddo cross to hold Dinah’s hands)

Iddo: They’re not wrong, my sweet Dinah!

You know how I know? (Pauses)
Because God always keeps His promises. And
this is His promise to us, His people!

(Lights down on Iddo & Dinah. Lights up on Parthia SL. Mystical

sounding music is playing as she speaks)
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Parthia: I see a great tearing in your life… (Lights down on

Parthia)

Scene 3

(Lights up CS on Iddo, Dinah, And Zechi)

Narrator: Now you have met the four main people of our
story. Four people I love dearly! You can’t help but enjoy
Yael, she is so full of life and energy. She has practically
raised herself since her mother has been ill her whole life.
And then there is Zechariah, who even at this young age,
is deeply aware of God’s workings in the world. Iddo,
whose life as he knew it was destroyed at a very young
age. He lived through the destruction of Jerusalem and the
temple and made the grueling journey on foot as a child to
the pagan city of Babylon. But now you hear him
embracing the journey home. And then we have
our precious Dinah. She marries Iddo because of his great
faith. Her life is full. Two sons and daughters-in-law and
many grandchildren already. She thrives in this little
Jewish community as a midwife and is somewhat unaware
of the Babylonian influences all around her. Why would
she want to go to Jerusalem? Babylon is predictable and
safe! But, soon all of their lives will be turned upside
down. I often wonder, would I have left the
“comforts” of Babylon and gone on this epic journey?

(Lights up CS-Dinah in home tidying up as Iddo and Zechi hurriedly

passing through home, leaving for morning prayers)

Iddo: Come Zechariah we don’t want to be late.

Dinah: Heading off for morning prayers as usual?
Iddo: Yes and it will be an exciting discussion today
with all the changes here!
(Iddo joins with other priests coming from many directions, Iddo
starts the prayer and then fades to no sound, only movement of him
and other priest)

Iddo: “O Lord, the great and awesome God, who

keeps his covenant of love with all who love…..
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(Kids are playing CS. Zechi sneaks away from the prayers and goes
to play with the children in the street. Berekiah comes in SR
passing in front of the assembly hall looking for Zechariah. Friendly
nodding at the men who are scattering after their prayers, heading
off stage at different exits. Berekiah finds Zechi among the children
playing and goes to him. Meanwhile Iddo is putting things up after
prayers and getting ready to leave, he begins to search for Zechi
around the middle of Berekiah’s first verse.)

Berekiah: Oh, there you are Zechariah, I want you to come

with me to work today.
(Music begins and the market place comes alive. Berekiah shows
Zechi merchandise and the procession of wealthy goods is all
around)

Song Business

Berekiah Zechi, it is time to learn the business (proudly)

You’re twelve years old and almost like a man
The days are getting longer 
And I’m not getting younger
There’ll be a good living, living in Babylon

In spite of all the ups and downs

I know our profits will abound
Berekiah distracted by
These Persian women sure know how to shop. merchants, allows Iddo
I need you here with me to motion for Zechi, Iddo
begins to share his
There’s much to learn you see vision of the family
This business will be rising to the top. Business)

Iddo: Zechi, it is time to learn the business (matter-

of-factly)
Not trade or money, but the business of God
The scriptures we must read
And prayers are all we need
God’s business is what we need in Babylon

With all of life’s ups and downs

God will never let us down
The Torah’s words are calling you today
I need you here with me
There’s much to learn you see
God will be beside us all the way
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(Berekiah realizing that Zechi is gone, finds him with Iddo takes his
hand to walk away back towards the marketplace carts)

(Bridge) ( Switch keys - to A flat) Berekiah takes Zechi

by hand and kneels
Berekiah: Zechariah, he is my son and I will take him down in front of him
with me... 
Those prophets were just dreamers don’t you
see? Berekiah stands and
No matter what Saba thinks looks towards the
You and I will never be priests merchant carts)
So put your faith in Babylon, that’s the key (to G7)

Ensemble:Zechi has a choice to make

He’s got to get it right
He’s pulled in two directions so it seems
Even though we know the answer
Because we’ve read the book
His future is just waiting in the wings (repeat
line)

(Lights fade on Berekiah and Zechi as they exit up the aisle-BSC.

Iddo heads home. Up to his rooftop. Where he watches Yael in her
courtyard. Lights up Parthia enters Yael’s courtyard and begins
looking over the star charts with Yae.)

Parthia: These months that you have been learning from

me has shown me that you have a great
gift to see the future. You have grasped the
concepts of fortune telling so quickly. I want
you to be my apprentice. I will teach you
everything I know about potions and spells.
And, you will be able to earn money and help
pay for your Mother’s medicine. Your
Father will be so proud of you.

Yael: Really? Will you teach me everything? Will I be

able to heal my Mother? She grows
weaker every day.

Parthia: I am doing everything I can for her. But the

spirit of unbelief is strong here (she points to
Iddo’s house.) But we will pray to our goddess of
life and make sacrifices and she will
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hear our request!

(Parthia begins in a ritual as Yael mimics Parthias movements. Iddo
begins to pray)

(Lights up SR as Shoshanna and Dinah, and a group of ladies enter

returning from the market carrying baskets of food)

Shoshanna: So, I haven’t heard your plans for returning

to Jerusalem.  Aren’t you excited? 

Dinah: Oh Shoshanna, dear cousin...We

(more subdued)
don’t even know if we are going...There has not
been anything official from King Cyrus yet.

Shoshanna: (Scolding disbelief tone) Dinah!?! The

scriptures tell us we are going!

Dinah: Did you know the journey

(changing the subject)
will take over three months? I can’t
begin to imagine such a long trip, can you?
Seems...impossible.

Shoshanna: (Jolly attitude again) Well, I think it is

exciting.  My Joel was not sure he wanted to go
at first, but, you know me, I convinced him!

Dinah: Shoshanna, why?

Shoshanna: Because, this is the most important thing we

could ever do.  If we don’t obey the
Almighty One and rebuild our temple, we’ll be
separated from Him forever. You’ll see

Dina:. The announcement will come any day.

(All the ladies drift away, waving to Dinah, who enters her home’s
courtyard.  Iddo is still on the rooftop. Zechi returns home coming
up the aisle from the back of the room and is full of excitement).

Scene 4
Zechi: Safta, I learned so much today about our
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business. I have never seen so much money

change hands. The Babylonians respect Abba
too. It was a good day. Where is Saba?

Dinah: Probably up on the roof.

Zechi: (Zechi climbs to the roof and joins Iddo)

Saba it was such an interesting day with Abba
today! So much to learn.
(Zechi notices Iddo’s disappointment)
But I missed my Torah studies too.

Iddo: We can study Torah in the evenings so you can

keep up. (Iddo turns toward Yael’s house and points.
Says angrily...) Tell me Zechi, who is that woman
with Yael?

Zechi: That is Parthia, she is the fortune teller for

Yael’s mother. Yael thinks she is really powerful.
Saba, I have been having strange dreams
lately... about Yael hiding in a big basket.
And Parthia is there
(Zechi goes to look at what Iddo is staring at intently.
Parthia and Yael are digging a hole and burying
something)
What are they doing?

Iddo: Burying an idol at the door of the house. This is

very bad, Zechariah. After dinner I must talk
with Mattaniah and warn him about what his
daughter is getting involved in.

(lights fade on rooftop, Parthia and Enter home. Matteniah enters

his home USR through back door as Dinah enters from houses front
door. Parthia is standing over Miriam oddly and steps over to a table
to mix potions when others enter)

Dinah: Miriam, I have brought you some fresh fruit.

Miriam: (very sick and weak) Mattaniah, are you here?

(Miriam grabs matteniah’s hand and looking at him,
then around at the others)
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Mattaniah: Yes, my love, I’m here.  

Miriam: (Miriam reaches for Dinah, and Dinah's Takes Miriam’s

hand) Dinah, you’re here.  I have...something to
ask you.

Dinah: Miriam, yes my dear friend, anything!   

Miriam: Dinah, promise me you’ll take care of my Yael.

Be her mother and take her under your wing, as
your very own daughter....

Yael: Mama, Stop!  Don’t talk that way! (frightened and

angry)

Miriam: I should be
(looks at Mattaniah, then back to Dinah)
teaching Yael things... She must learn our ways.
Promise me you’ll teach her, Dinah! And find a
worthy husband...Promise
me!  

Dinah: Of course, Miriam Miriam:

Miriam: Mattaniah be strong for her. Remember the

stories you would tell us about the standing
stones! Moses and Joshua? She needs my love.
(looks at Yael and smiles)

Mattaniah: Nodding and crying.

Yael: Mama, no!  You won’t die!  I have prayed to my

stars and they all say you will be healed!
(Everyone is crying, understanding that Miriam is dying)

Miriam: They are wrong my sweet Yael, but today

the Almighty waits for me in paradise
(looks at Mattaniah) My husband… I’m so tired...
I can’t fight anymore... I’m not afraid…
(Miriam smiles weakly and breathes her last)

Yael: (screaming) Mama! No, please don’t leave

me!  
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(Yael is crying, laying on her mother Pathia pulls her up and guides
her out to the courtyard. There is a moment of silence on stage as
Dinah covers Miriam with a sheet, reaches to comforts Matteniah,
then steps to the window it is at this time we see the exchange of
Yael and Parthia)

Yael: (to Parthia in a confused state) You said she

wouldn’t die!
Parthia: (Parthia holds Yael and comforts her)
Believe me little one, I did everything I could,
but the spirit of unbelief was just too strong.
 (Parthia holds Yael by the shoulders in order to see her
eye to eye) I’ve been waiting to talk to your father,
the time has come. I will not wait any longer.
Yael, you have the gift of deep spiritual insight -
- I will arrange for you come and live with me. 
You will be my daughter and I’ll teach you
everything I know. Together we will build a life,
a better future than you could ever imagine!

Dinah:  
(Dinah speaks through the courtyard window)
You need to leave here right now! You have no
business making promises you can’t keep!
(Dinah Exits house through USL back door)

Parthia: Quick, I have something for you.

(Yael kneels beside Parthia as she slips a necklace
around Yael’s head). 
It’s the moonstone amulet I promised you. 
Wear it at all times. It will protect you.
(Dinah enters courtyard and Parthia address Dinah)
Yael can decide for herself if she wants to live
with me. (places her hand on Yael’s head)

Dinah: She isn’t yours. (Dinah pushes Parthia’s hand away

and help Yael stand up as she is talking)
Yael is Jewish.  She belongs with us.  How dare
you fill her head with crazy ideas when you just
heard her mother last request.
(looking at Yael)
This was what your mother wishes! Remember,
Yael?
(Dinah takes Yael into her home and they exit USC back door of
Iddo’s home. All lights fade except for spotlight on Parthia!)
 18

Song - The Stars and Me (Parthia’s)

I must have Yael
I’ll whisk her away
Me and the stars
Will show her the way
I must have an apprentice
To help me get by
The stars could explain
Why her mom had to die

(Chorus)
If she’ll live with me
I’ll give her rest
Me and the stars
We’ll do the rest
Master and apprentice
Forever will be
Yael just has to believe
In the stars and me

The stars they have told me

That it would be so
That Yael, she would be mine
And be mine alone
I look to the stars
And what do I see
The future belongs
To the stars and me

(Chorus - repeat last 2 lines)

(lights down on Parthia, who exists SL. Lights up on assembly hall

where men are having their morning prayers. Drums are heard)
 19

Scene 5
(Drums sounding) Announcement read from the assembly house over
the yeshiva school. Many Jewish men there too. Women and children
are drawn in by the sound of the drums)

Persian banner bearer: By order of King Cyrus. All Jews

may return to their homeland in Canaan and
repopulate the hills and cities including
Jerusalem. You are to rebuild the temple to the
God of heaven. All objects taken from that
temple by King Nebuchadnezzar will be returned
to you. The entire journey is to be paid for from
the royal treasury. Persian guards will go with
you for protections and to act as guides for your
journey. (quietly be over excited excitement among
everyone, hugging and happy tears, very little sound as
the song begins by the crowd but a low muffle of
happiness)

Song- We’re Going Home

Iddo: Today is a day of glorious news

A proclamation from the Persian king.  
Rebuilding God’s Temple in Jerusalem
His people to Judah returning

The prophet Isaiah had said this would be

Over one-hundred years ago
Even King Cyrus was mentioned by name
In scripture all scholars would know
  (chorus)
We’re going home (home, home)  - to Jerusalem
(home, home)
Our time has come (home, home) - Our new
lives begun
(This part needs to be 4-part harmony with lots of voices and choro)
And yet, there are some who will choose not to
go For whom Babylon was their home
It was a long journey over difficult land
And life was too good to let go
(chorus)
(end with second singing of “our new lives begun” to resolve melody)
 20

(Great joyous celebration. Dancing and crying in the streets. Dinah

overwhelmed and sits down shaking her head)

(Lights up on Yael and Zechi run off to canal together to SR)

Zechi: I haven’t had a chance to talk with you in so

long...there has been so much happening
around here. I can’t believe your mom has been
gone for a month...I sure wish she could
have come on this journey with us. How are
you?

Yael: All right, I guess. Abba is not himself...he’s so

quiet, and the house feels so empty. I
Don’t know what I would do without Parthia. She
visits me every day and we talk about
stars and potions and many other things too.

Zechi: Yael! I wish you wouldn’t even be around her. All

those things she is teaching you are
not true and they are against our laws.

Yael: Are you saying my mother was wrong? Because,

my mother believed them, and I
believe them too! Besides...YOUR GOD let her
die!

Zechi: Look, I don’t want to argue. I just care about

you.

Yael: You’re right! I don’t want to argue either. So

(sighs)
Tell me, what is new with you?

Zechi: Saba Iddo is arranging everything for our trip to

Jerusalem. Abba and Uncle Hoshea have decided
to come later. Of course, Saba and Safta are
heartbroken leaving some of our family behind...

(Yael interrupts Zechi’s rambling)

Yael: Zechi! I asked about you!

 21

Zechi: I will be 12 soon! I’ll be able to read the

scripture passage in the assembly hall for the
first time! And I will be old enough to make my
own decision about going to Jerusalem.

Yael: So. What are you going to do?

Zechi: Haven’t decided! What about your family?

Yael: Can you keep a secret?

Zechi: Sure.

Yael: Pinky promise? (Zechi nods head yes) I am NOT

going.

Zechi: Yael, you have to go!

Yael: No, I don’t! Parthia says that I am strong

enough to make my own decisions…

Zechi: Your Abba will never let you!

Yael: That’s the secret! I am not going to tell him! I

will sneak away and hide and Abba won’t even
know until he is a full day away.

Zechi: You will break your Father’s heart! Your

mother is gone and now you want to leave him
too? I don’t know if I can keep this secret.

Yael: You have too! You pinky promised.

You can’t break your promise. I trusted you,
Zechi!

Zechi: I can’t look out for you if you are here

and I am there?
(Zechi shaking his head)
Sometimes you make my life so hard!
(throws up hands and smiles at her)
But you can count on me.

Yael: Zechi you are the best! (Yael gives Zechi a hug) My
best friend! Come on, we need to head home.
 22

Zechi: Wait! This may be our last time to be at this

canal looking over Babylon. I will miss you,
Yael.

Yael: Yep (punching Zechi in the arm and running off) So

you’d better stay here too!

(Lights down)

Scene 6
Lights up on Narrator

Narrator: So, what do you think about Yael now? She has
experienced such tragedy. Her grief is quite powerful and
has led her on a path, which will lead to certain
destruction. And what about Zechariah? What a decision
for a twelve-year-old to make. When God speaks to him,
will he be able to hear God’s voice? He is listening. Even
Iddo and Dinah are not sharing the same journey now.
Yes, there is a great tearing coming in Dinah’s life. But
trust me…God is not done with any of these people yet.
Zechariah has spent much time in prayer over his decision
to stay or leave. As we return to our story Zechariah is
sharing the reading from the holy scrolls with the whole
assembly for the first time. A true coming of age moment
in this young man’s life…

(Zechi climbs the steps with his prayer shawl on at the assembly
hall and looks out over the people. Spotlight on Zechi)

Zechi: The reading today is from the Genesis scroll.

The Lord said to Abram, “Leave your
country, your people and your father’s
household, and…
(God’s voice is heard speaking directly to Zechi at this time) ”
and go to the land I will show you.”  
(All freeze - lights change to blue?)

Lights up on the narrator who is now beside the assembly hall.

 23

Scene 7

Narrator: And just like that, Zechariah knew what God

was calling him to do.  To leave his family and go to
Jerusalem, to the land promised to Abraham’s
offspring. But God isn’t just talking to Zechariah…others
have decisions to make also. Preparations for departure
are complete. The journey is imminent. Today Dinah is
leaving her home of many years, where she has raised her
children and is now full of grandchildren. Has her full life
gotten in the way of her faith journey?

(Lights down on Narrator SR and pink lights up on Iddo’s home

signifying morning CS with Iddo and Dinah.

Rooster crows.

Dinah combing out her hair. Iddo pulled on his wrap talking with
Dinah.)

Iddo: What are you thinking about, Dinah?

Dinah: I feel like I’m in the middle of Noah’s ark with

all these animals around - there must be
thousands of donkeys and camels outside.
After years in the same house, I feel as though
all the pieces of my life have been tossed
haphazardly into a sack, shaken together, then
dumped out again… (Dinah picks up an object that
is being left behind) I’m only taking a
tenth of my life with me on this journey.

Iddo: It will get easier. I wish you could have been

with me yesterday to see all that gold and
silver...the temple treasures. The Persian
treasurer counted out every single item to
Prince
Sheshbazzar, more than 5000 articles, for us to
take home to Jerusalem. Can you believe that
Prince Sheshbazar, King David’s descendant will
be leading us home!
 24

Dinah: Home?... to Jerusalem? today….?

Iddo: I was very disappointed there will be only
42,000 of us returning.

Dinah: 42,000? That seems like too many to travel

together…

Iddo: The caravan has been divided into smaller

groups. We will be in the first group leaving
today. The other groups will follow a few days
apart.

Dinah: (stares despondently) Oh….

Iddo: It will be alright...you will see.

(Wagons gathering Far SR-all lights up. Everyone is running around

to make sure that everything is in
place for the journey home.)

Iddo: The caravan is assembling over on the main

street. I have loaded all of our things, but
look around and make sure we didn’t forget
anything.

(In the street, donkey carts going all different directions, children
running around with moms chasing them. Different people can say
things like.)

Man #1: “It is time to get in line”.

Child #1: I have never been outside the city gates! What
will we see Abba?”

Father of Child #1: I do not really know...maybe nothing

but sand.” 

Female #1: Have you seen my goat?

Male #2: Are we there yet?

(General chaos. This will all be arranged with the ensemble that will
fill in several gaps throughout the play. The “elders and families”
will already be lined up behind curtain stage right with their
wagons and donkeys...etc.) 
 25

Shoshanna: (with great excitement) Dinah, today is the

day! We are really going! Can you believe it?
I didn’t think I would see this day. I am so
ready! Come Joel, let us take our place in the
caravan!

Zechi: Abba, you will come later, right?

Berekiah: Yes, Son. (Tearfully)As soon as we can.

(Everyone begins to load up by picking up bundles. Matteniah

running in from the side yelling))

Mattaniah: Has anyone seen Yael? She helped me

load up this morning and said she was going to
go sleep in the wagon. But she isn’t there.
(Zechi goes to sneak away, until Matteniah calls him)
Zechariah, Do you know where she is?

Zechi: (looking very guilty and backing away)

I promised not to tell. I cannot break a
promise. 

Iddo: If it is a matter of life and death, it is all right to

tell. 

Dinah: Matteniah, What about that

(stepping forward)
seer, Parthia? She wanted Yael to live with her.
Have you gone there?

(Mattaniah turns to go to leave when Zechi runs up to give him

information).

Zechi: I had a dream, … a dream…that Yael was

hidden in a big basket!  Look for her in a
basket. 

(Chaos takes over again: Extras chatter)

Female#1: How long will this journey take?

Male #1: Will we sleep in Jerusalem tonight? 

(Lights pan down, spotlight on Zechi who is standing alone amongst

the chaos.)
 26

Zechi: Oh, Almighty One, look at our chaos. Can we

ever do anything right? Families torn apart.
And Yael, she is going to hate me for telling her
secret. Even Safta Dinah is miserable. I’m
scared! I want to trust you…. That you will
keep your promises. Please show me how to do
this!

(Iddo makes his way to Zechi and begins clapping leading by

example into the Hava Nagila. Prince Sheshbazaar and others head
to places.)

Song - Hava Nagila

(Mattaniah is seen dragging Yael to his wagon. She is glaring at

Zechi. As Hava Nagila winds down the wagons start moving around
the room. Babylon set changes to desert as the journey begins.
As the wagons travel around the room on the overhead pictures of
Babylon, Euphrates, deserts are being shown to symbolize the
passing of time. Tent camping scenes to show passing of time. While
this is happening, the stage is continued to be emptied. We will need
music to play as the slides are changing and the wagons are rolling.
As the music stops the main characters are setting up camp in the
sand CS.

Stage becomes emptied or covered with black fabric. Anything left to

be taken off can be finished during scene 8)

Scene 8
(Lights up on CS the rest of the characters and the sun is starting to
set, and mains are gathered around a campfire.)

(Yael laying on ground, arms folded behind her head looking up at

the stars, Zechi comes and sits by her)

Yael: Okay, don’t say “I told you so” but I’m actually
kind of liking this journey. I can see so many
more stars.

Zechi: I knew you would! And you will get use to our
new life in Jerusalem too.

Yael: Just to let you know, I will never get used to all
this grit in my clothes from the sandstorms and
camels spitting on me every chance they get!
 27

Dinah: Iddo, is this the way it will be in Jerusalem? I

haven’t seen anything green in weeks. The
wind blows, the sun scorches. Will we have a
view of a river, or at least a couple of palm
trees in our courtyard?

Iddo: So many questions? My love, there will be

sights you have never seen before! You didn’t
have mountains and hills in Babylon, but we
will have plenty in Jerusalem! There are
caves too!

Dinah: (despondently) Caves?

Iddo: Ah, it is beautiful! (Dinah looks shocked and shakes

her head. Iddo continues on cheerfully) Our Father
Abraham began with a journey like this into the
unknown. Traveling in the desert, camping
beneath the stars. (poking and being playful with
Dinah to get her to lighten up. Until she gives in and
smiles)

Dinah: You have become more and more long winded

as we’ve traveled. But you're looking so
much younger these days and you’ve lost that
stoop. And your energy, (With laughter.)
what is happening to you?

Iddo: (Smiles and winks) I am nearly home!

Shoshanna: Tell us more about the story of Abraham and

his wife Sarah, who went everywhere with
him. (She reaches for Joel’s hand, and looks lovingly
into Joel’s eyes, and then leans over to Dinah) You
know, the man may be the head of the
household, but us women are the
neck, and the neck turns the head!
(she laughs merrily)

Iddo: Zechariah, do you know why the Almighty

One chooses to take us through the desert?
(Zechi shakes his head) It is because He wants us
to learn to trust and depend on Him for
 28

what we need, and not rely on our own self-

sufficiency.
Zechi: This desert will definitely do that!

Iddo: We are in Bethel now and just over that hill is

Jerusalem. Tomorrow we see the temple
mount!

Yael: This is exactly what I meant

(Yael speaks to Zechi)
by you are not fun anymore. Talking, talking,
talking! Boring, boring, boring!
(Yael gets up to run away from the storytelling. Her Abba stops her.)

Mattaniah: You can’t go running off by yourself anymore.

There are many men who would steal a
beautiful young girl like you and sell you into a
rich man’s harem.

Yael: But Abba! I won’t go far, just over there.

Zechi: (grabbing his bow and arrows) I will go with her.

(Spotlight follows them.)

Yael: How did you know I would be hiding in

that big basket at Parthia’s?

Zechi: I had a dream. I know that sounds weird, but

it’s true. I dreamt I saw Parthia hiding you
in a storage basket…

Yael: You have dreams that foretell the future? Why

didn't you tell me!?! I knew you were
different from all the other boys. You know the
gods speak to people in dreams!

Zechi: Don’t say gods, Yael. There’s only one God. You
need to forget all that pagan stuff
from Babylon. Anyway, why do you want to
know the future so badly?
 29

Yael: Because everything in my life keeps changing-

first my mother died, now my father is
taking me hundreds of miles away from my
home. The future is like a huge, deep hole in
the road up ahead, but the stars! The stars can
tell me how to get around it. 

Zechi: We’re supposed to trust the Almighty One, Yael.

Abraham didn’t know what was ahead of Him
either, but he had faith---

Yael: That’s the God of your family. My mother

believed in the moon goddess. I wear the moon
goddess’ image all the time (shows Zechi her
necklace). You follow your family’s beliefs, and I
will follow mine. Now…(smiling and teasing) tell me
more about these dreams and visions!

Song - I don’t want

Zechi: I don’t want to see visions

Ensemble: He doesn't want to see visions!

Zechi: I don’t want to dream dreams!

Ensemble: He doesn't want to dream dreams!

Zechi: I just want to be normal!

Ensemble: He just wants to be normal! (spoken)

Zechi: But God’s person I want to be!

Ensemble: God’s person he wants to be!

Yael: I want to understand the stars!

Ensemble: She wants to understand the stars!

Yael: The fu-ture I want to see!

Ensemble: The fu-ture she wants to see!

Yael: I don’t want to be normal!

Ensemble: She does NOT want to be normal! (spoken)

Yael: In control I want to be.

 30

Ensemble: In control she wants to be!

Dinah: Well tomorrow …. We see Jerusalem.

(Lights down. Everything is barren on stage.)

Scene 9-Arrival in Jerusalem

Narrator: After months of traveling through the seemingly

endless wilderness, Zechariah and the first group of the
42,000 reached the snow-capped peaks of the Mount
Herman range and the countryside had turned greener. 
They are finally about to catch their first glimpse of
Jerusalem.  Can you imagine the anticipation? The
yearning in their hearts, their souls, and probably even in
their feet!

(show the travelers looking up  - use the projector to show what
Jerusalem looked like - a wasteland. What they saw were piles of
rocks and rubble, overgrown with weeds, no signs of life)

Zechi: Are you sure this is the right place? Maybe

Jerusalem is on the other side of that hill? 

Iddo: No, son, that’s it...that’s Jerusalem...well,

what’s left of it. But, that’s why we are here!

Yael: It doesn’t even look like a city!  No temples, no

buildings, no color, and no shopping!

Zechi: Where was the temple?

Iddo: Up there...on Mount

(pointing toward the mount)
Moriah.  And that is where we will
rebuild it.

Dinah: It will take a lifetime to

(despondently)
rebuild!  Where will we live?

Iddo: We will camp!  

 31

Dinah: Camp? What have we been doing for the last

3 months? Really appealing! I need a bath
and a real bed! (saying exasperatingly, almost
whining)

Mattaniah: Our families are vulnerable living in tents

here.  We should start building homes higher
up on the ridge right away.

Iddo: No, the temple must come first!  We will have

people working on the temple primarily, others
working on our houses and getting water to our
homes, and others…may have to be on guard
duty. And Zechariah, you have the most
important job of all...studying the Torah!

Zechi: Ah Man! (kicking the dirt) more studying?  The

Torah?  I could have done that in Babylon.
(mumbling and gesturing around him) And there’s so
much fun work to do….! (stomps the ground in
unfairness)

(Looking SR Iddo announces visitors)

Iddo: Joel! Mattaniah! Look! We have company! There

is a group of men coming from the East….Hmm
a really Big group (concerned tone) …maybe they
are coming to greet us? (more confident tone trying
to ease peoples worries)

(everyone joins Joel and Mattaniah who are putting on their cloaks
and several men from the camp, including Prince Sheshbazzar and
Prince Zerubbabel move SR to meet the large group of Samaritans.)

Zechi: What could they want, Saba?

Iddo: I imagine they’ve come to see what the new

caravan of foreign people, who just invaded
their hills are doing here.

Zechi: Are they Jews like us?

 32

Iddo: Some of them might be.  The Babylonians left

the very poorest of our people behind and
carried away all our leaders, craftsmen,
scholars and priests.

SONG: This is Our Land

Sheshbazzar: We’ve come in peace (holding up his hands)

I’m Sheshbazzar (speaking)

Ensemble:
We’re sons of Abraham and we’ve come from afar
We’re here to stay
Take back our land
The city here, Jerusalem, ours to command

Samaritan leader: You have no right!

Sam #1 This is our land!
Sam #2 We’ve been here for generations and
we stand!
Sam #1 You’d best go home
Sam #2 We’ll help you pack

All Samaritans:
Take your caravans and leave and don’t come back!

Sheshbazzar: We can’t do that (speaking)

Jew #1: We’ve come all this way
Jew #2: We have permission from the king not to
delay
Jew Ensemble:
You check it out What we say is true

Samaritan leader:
We will fight to make our land empty of Jews (Spoken)
Samaritans Ensemble:
(Chanting above line as they exit SR)
 33

Scene 10

(Women adjusting to Jerusalem-unpacking)

Narrator: Have you ever had life change in a way that you
knew the world would never be the same? Oh I have been
there and done that. Remember how these people looked
with longing and anticipation toward Jerusalem? From
the highest high to the lowest low..the emotional, mental,
physical, and spiritual journey of your world gone awry is
shattering. I am quite confident that every one of the
42,000 asked the question, “What have I done?” as they
gazed over the ruins and desolation of Jerusalem. Over
the next six months they will struggle to establish a new
normal. Some will become bitter and resentful, others will
be so stubborn that they will damage all their
relationships, and a few will assimilate into the culture of
the Samaritans. How will anyone find joy in this difficult
journey?

(Dinah, Shoshanna and other women are at the spring)

Dinah: (without enthusiasm) Iddo says, this is where we
will build our houses. I asked him, Here?!  You
must be joking! (she chokes this out - depressed but
laughing)

Shoshanna: Once we clear away these stones and repair

the walls...it won’t be so bad...why, it will be
just like back home in Babylon.
(more convincing herself than Dinah)

Woman #1: Eventually, we can build a wooden roof over

the rooms and channel water into the
cistern when it rains.  Then it will be just like
our house in Babylon.

Shoshanna: Isn’t the view beautiful? Think what it will

look like in the Spring. It will be just like
Babylon.
 34

Dinah: Oh, my friends! This place will never be like

Babylon! (Looks up and smiles to her friends and
chuckles as she thinks of their despair) Forgive me….I
alternate between sitting in a puddle of tears to
hysterical laughter at the condition of our lives
now! (more serious and directed to Shoshanna) Don’t
you ever get discouraged? Don’t you ever want
to go back?

Shoshanna: Across that desert of sand?! Nope!!! But I

would like to at least have a cow. (grins)

Woman #2: Or a well! Maybe one that did not require

armed guards on the walk to protect us from
the Samaritans.

Shoshanna: Things will get better, Dinah! Just have a

little faith.

Dinah: I just...I don’t know if I will be able to live

here! I miss everything about Babylon,
especially my family. I miss delivering babies…

Shoshanna: The babies will come, you’ll see! And so will

our families. Let’s just be happy because

(Dinah cuts her off)

Dinah: I know...we’re in Jerusalem now.

SONG:You’re in Jerusalem Now

(lead-in - 4 chord progressions)

You’re in Jerusalem now

And we don’t even have a cow
The neighbors are snootie
They think we have cooties!
Yep, you’re in Jerusalem now.

(2 chord progressions)
 35

In Babylon, we had four walls

With Hanging Gardens and waterfalls
There’s dust everywhere
And lice in my hair,
Yep, you’re in Jerusalem now.

(2 chord progressions)
(begin walking toward the spring and Samaritan women block them)

(chorus)
It’s a really long walk to the spring
The Samaritans, they bring rocks to fling
They always block our way
Tell us to stay away
Yep, you’re in Jerusalem now.

Jewish woman Ad libs: Canaan, The Promised Land

(Lights down on CS and up on narrator)

Scene 11

(Jewish men frozen building the temple)

Narrator: While the women are figuring out life without …

much of anything…what will they eat, where to get water,
where to sleep, how to get a roof over their heads…the
men are …what are the men doing?

(Lights up on assembly hall-temple mount)

(Scene opens with the Jewish men singing “Building the Temple”
-The men are silhouetted building the temple, women are bringing
water to the men. Jugs are being passed from working man to man,
each stopping to drink from the jug before passing in on. Woman
are coming and sing the chorus)

SONG: Building the Temple

(chorus)
Ensemble: And we’re building the temple
Building the temple
Building the temple for our God.
We work hard every day
Bass Man: Except for Saturday!
 36

Iddo: The altar must be first

Haggi: The storehouses are next
Stan: We need to build new pens
Matteniah: For lambs, and rams, and hens
Ensemble Men: Come back our Holy One
Return to us

(chorus)
Ensemble: And we’re building the temple
Building the temple
Building the temple for our God.
We work hard every day
Bass Man: Except for Saturday!

(Lights up on a tent with table and storage boxes, and all men are
gathered around)

(Iddo looking towards the mount rubbing his beard in deep thought)
Iddo: This can’t be right.  How could the temple
Mount has trees growing on it?  I don’t
remember any trees.

Joel: (Opening the maps and rolling them out on the table)
Nearly fifty years have passed since the temple
was destroyed.  That’s plenty of time for
saplings to sprout and grow into trees.

Mattaniah: It’s going to take a tremendous amount of

work to clear this plateau.

(opening bundles sent from King Cyrus and unpacking them. Zechi
holds up a large head covering and overlarge priest gown)

Joel: There is enough gold and silver to equal

hundreds of years of wages and over one
hundred linen garments for the priests to wear.

(Mattaniah holding up garments and putting them up against

himself. Lots of gold candlesticks seen..etc)

Zechi: Hey, I’m gonna look cool!!!

(Begins acting like a priest giving blessings, everyone laughs at the
look of the over large gown and hat that is over his eyes)
 37

Joel: You will look like a true Priest my little one! But
today I believe you are in over your head!
(as he takes the robe and folds it back properly. All laugh)
Iddo: And finally,(he opens a box and pulls out the shofar.)

Zechi: Is that the shofar?

(whispers the word shofar like it is holy as he is taking off the hat)

Joel: Who will play it?

Iddo: The high priest says because my ancestors held

this honor, it will fall to me and my descendants.
Zechariah, it will be yours to play someday too.

Zechi: Can you teach me?

(Mattaniah leaves temple mount and heads down to main stage area)

Iddo: I remember hearing the magnificent sound. It is

like a sound from another world. It is like the
voice of God calling (looking wistfully off in the
distance-eyes tearing up) I remember my Father
talking about how to hold your lips (laughing and
smiling with Zechi)…but I never played it.

Zechi: Can I hold it? (Iddo Hands the Shofar with great care)

Iddo: Certainly! Do you remember where the tradition

of the ram’s horn comes from?

Zechi: It reminds us that God is our provider. He

provided the ram for the sacrifice in the place
of Isaac.
Iddo: Very good! And do you remember what the
sound of the shofar symbolizes?

Zechi: God’s salvation. Abraham told his son that God

would save him. The ram that took Isaac’s place
was captured by its horn…like this one.

Iddo: And now it is time for a little practice…over

there! (Zechi blows and blows with no sound…face
turning red All laugh)
 38

Iddo: It is a good thing there is 6 months until

Passover! Now let us head to morning prayers.

(All lights up-everyone but Iddo leaves the temple mount. Mattaniah
has already left the temple mount and is nearing the camp. Iddo
yells this over the banister from the temple mount.)

Iddo: Mattaniah, we are ready for morning prayers.

Mattaniah: Go on without me.  I have plans. I’m heading

over to the Samaritan village.

Iddo: What business do you have there?

Mattaniah: I found a piece of land there that I would like

to farm, and I’ve decided to talk to the village
elders about buying it from them.

Iddo: We already have been given this land by the

Holy One.  You offering to purchase it sets a
bad precedent.  I recommend you talk with the
elders before such a decision.

Mattaniah: Mattaniah is in front of the homes now where Dinah is

in his courtyard with Yael)
I’ve made up my mind, Iddo.  

Yael: Where are you going Abba? May I come with

you?

Dinah: Are you sure it’s safe for her to go near the
Samaritans, Mattaniah?  The pagans often
choose wives as young as Yael!

Yael: (angrily towards Dinah) I’m not afraid! (lovingly to

Mattaniah) Please, Abba. I’ll stay right next to you
and do everything you say!

Mattaniah: Maybe having you with me will make me seem

less threatening. (they turn to walk away)

Dinah: He doesn’t know her very well, does he?

 39

Scene 12

(SL has been loosely transformed into the Samaritan village, a

group of Samaritan men stand a line as a barrier in front of the
village. Matteniah approaches the men and pretends to talk with
men)

Yael: Look father. (,

speaking with great excitement) There is a girl about
my age!

Samaritan Man 1: To discuss land you must talk to

Zabad, our village leader.  

(Barricade part and allow passage and disperse. Women working,

grinding grain, or weaving. Leyla, looking sickly is sitting working
with a ball of yarn. Rafi sitting beside her. Mattaniah begins to exit
and Yael tugs on Mattaniah’s cloak pointing at the young girl and
pleads with facial expression. Mattaniah smiles and nods yes and
then exits to talk with Zabad. Yael walks over to the young girl and
stands next to her as Leyla is talking)

Leyla: (yarn rolling out of her hands) Oh, I can’t do this! 

It’s too hard! (Leyla speaking to Yael) Hey! Would
you get that for me?

Yael: Sure. (handing Leyla the ball of yarn) Hi! I’m Yael by
the way.

Rafi: Thanks! What kind of a name is that?

Yael: It’s Hebrew. What’s your name?

Leyla: Leyla! And this here is my brother, Rafi. I don’t

believe I have ever seen you before?  Did you
come with that big caravan everyone is talking
about? The one that is camping in the valley?

Yael: Yes, but I used to live in Babylon (very prideful). 

Leyla: Babylon!?! EEK!!! I’ve always dreamed about

going there! Tell me! Are the stories true? Is
it paradise on earth?
 40

Yael: Yes! So beautiful, with flowers and trees! So

many colors everywhere you look. The streets
are so clean. Canals down every turn!

Leyla: Wow, so it is true! It sounds absolutely perfect!

Yael: Yes, and Nothing like this place! I didn’t want to

come here. Wanna know a secret? (Leyla shakes
her head yes) In Babylon I was an apprentice!
Learning how to be a seer (proudly) I have the gift,
you know?

Rafi: I’ll have to see that to believe it.

Leyla: Really? And so young!

Yael: I’m 11, almost 12!

Leyla: Me too!  Rafi is 14!  

(Rafi rolls his eyes, not wanting to be part of a girl’s conversation,

after all it is not by choice that he has to be there)

Yael: Do you live here with your family?

Leyla: Yes, that’s my Papa talking with your Papa, he

has three wives with many sons, but I’m the
only daughter!  That makes me very valuable!

Yael: And where is your Mama?

Leyla: My Mama died when I was born. But I have my

brother Rafi – who loves me and protects me,
and because of that just happens to be my only
friend - (nudging him sideways).

Rafi: Stop Leyla! And I am not your friend, I’m only

here because I have to be! (Leyla and Yael laugh)

Yael: My mama died too, just before we

journeyed here. And my only best friend is a
boy too! We are a lot alike!
 41

Leyla: The stars must have brought us together. I

have prayed to the stars for a friend just like
you. I know we’re going to be best friends!

Yael: So, you believe the stars speak to us? (excited)

Leyla: Yes, of course.

Yael: Your necklaces are special, aren’t they?

Leyla: Yes, they are amulets.  I have ailment of pain

and fevers. Rafi gave them to me, to bring good
luck and healing from the gods.

Yael: My friend Parthia gave me this moonstone! It’s

for good luck. (as she pulls it from under her cloak to
show Leyla)

Leyla: You’re lucky!  The moon goddess is very

powerful.

Yael: The Jewish faith don’t believe in these things.

That is why I have to keep it a secret that I
worship her. I also have to keep my star charts
a secret. I have a lot of secrets.

Rafi: You know how to read astrology? Who taught

you?

Yael: The Great Parthia, sorceress of Babylon.

(As she says her line, Yael stands straight and tall as if she is a
goddess herself and then makes a bow, it is then that her attention
is caught by one of the girls across the courtyard)
Who is that girl?
(Leyla looks in the directions but doesn’t know which woman she is
talking about so Yael points her out)
That one over there! The one that is... with
child? (almost as if a whispered question)

Leyla: Oh! That is Raisa. She is my father’s third wife.

They have only been married a year.
 42

Yael: But she can’t be much older than us!

(Mattaniah walks towards yael and motions for her time to go)

Leyla: Promise to come visit again! I’ve never had a girl

as a friend.

Mattaniah: Time to go Yael.

Yael: I’ll come back when I can. We can

(hugs Leyla)
study the stars together and I will tell you all my
secrets!

Mattaniah: (extends hand to hold Yael’s hand) Let’s head back

to Jerusalem, my sweet one. (exit SL, Lights down)

(lights up SR on Temple)

SONG - Building the Temple

(chorus)
Ensemble: And we’re building the temple
Building the temple
Building the temple for our God.
We work hard every day

Bass Male: Except for Saturday!

Iddo: The altar must be first

Haggi: The storehouses are next
Stan: We need to build new pens
Matteniah: For lambs, and rams, and hens

All men: Come back our Holy One

Return to us
 
(chorus)
Ensemble: And we’re building the temple
Building the temple
Building the temple for our God.
We work hard every day
 43

Bass Male: Except for Saturday!

END SONG

Zechi: What’s that terrible smell, Saba?

Iddo: Something dead, what in the world?

Levite 1: Vandals dumped rotting animal carcasses into

the mikveh last night.  We now have to drain
and purify it all over again.

Iddo: (angry) Another delay!

Levite 1: We sent for volunteers who aren’t priests to

clean it out. 

Iddo: Every time we make progress building the

temple something happens to delay us. The
Samaritans are crafty in their sabotage of the
temple. They harass our women when they fetch
water, and now this. Resistance is building.
What will happen next? 

Scene 14:

(Dinah, Yael, and a couple of other women walking with their water
jars down to the spring. Two armed guards accompany them, and
Shoshanna is hurrying to catch up to Dinah)
Shoshanna: Dinah, wait! (she catches up and they hug) I’ve
missed you so much!

Dinah: Oh, my Shoshanna, I’ve missed you too! I don’t

know what has gotten into Iddo lately. I say,
even becoming cross towards Joel! And now
they aren’t even speaking to each other.

Shoshanna: Men! They sure seem to be doing more

arguing rather than agreeing these days. And
over the best way to make peace with our
 44

enemies. I just told Joel the other day, “We

need to offer an olive branch to show them our
God’s love.” You know it is the only way we can
learn to love our enemies in return.

Dinah: And what did he say?

Shoshanna: (Sarcastically in a mimicking tone, with hand on hip)

“Oh, Darling Shoshanna, you are so cute! But
leave these matters to us men. Woman, have no
idea what is needed to bring about peace and
make a nation great!”

Dinah: Same thing Iddo tells me! But one day they will
see we too have good ideas and…..

(Suddenly they hear many voices and a ruckus. Looking ahead, they
see a mob of veiled Samaritan village women blocking the path to
the spring.)

Yael: Why don’t the guards push them out of the way?

Dinah: They don’t dare. If our men even got close to

those women, there would be war.

(As the men got closer, the Samaritan women started pelting the
Jewish woman with small rocks.)

Dinah: Let’s go back to the city. Come on. Iddo and

the other men will just have to find us
another source of water.

Shoshanna: No. I want these women to know that we

aren’t their enemies.
(shoshanna sets her water jar down and began walking forward
toward the Samaritan women, hands lifted, and empty palms open)

Dinah: What are you doing? Shoshanna! Wait!

Shoshanna: (looking over her shoulder) Somebody has to be

a peacemaker. I’m offering the olive branch.
(Shoshanna skirts around the guards)
We aren’t your enemies. We’re wives and
mothers just like you. Please, can’t we…
 45

(A huge rock hits her in the side of her head and many more stones
are thrown at her by the women. Shoshanna topples to the ground.
the Samaritan women move back towards the city Dinah and the
other Jewish woman rush to Shoshanna)

Dinah: No! No, Shoshanna, no! (she is sobbing)

Somebody help us!

(lights down. Spotlight on the Narrator)

Narrator: Shock, violence, and devastation. Our

Shoshanna - cheerful, kind, and funny, was dead. There
was no way to know who threw that stone, with such a
crowd of women, all wearing veils. Joel, of course, blamed
Iddo for his staunch decisions to avoid compromise with
the Samaritans. Even Dinah’s anger over losing
Shoshanna grew into resentment toward her own husband
Iddo. Part out of anger and part from missing her best
friend, Dinah began to spend more and more time away
from home.
(Sl, Lights with a dim spotlight on Dinah walking to Joel with a
basket of food {no sound dialogue just acting} Dinah and Joel
Pretending to talk and laugh)

Dinah came to find herself in the company of the only one

closer to Shoshanna than her…. Joel. What started as
quick stops to offer meals to a man in his time of grief,
slowly developed into afternoon visits as the two of them
shared memories of Shoshanna . Laughter during past
tales recounted, gave new life to Dinah. But yet caused a
great splitting in her life.
(Dinah exit SL and spotlight follow Joel as he walks to SR, and sits
under a tree looking at the sky, thinking of the talks and smiling)

Dinah looked forward to her time with Joel and after some
time Joel made an acknowledgment to Dinah she couldn’t
have anticipated. A crossroad in the path that a young
woman she was once so sure of.

(Light’s up on Joel SR of Iddo’s house, sitting under the tree waiting

for Dinah to arrive. Soft light up on Iddo who is on top of his home
looking over the city when he sees Dinah crossing and follows her to
the encounter with her and Joel. As Dinah gets closer, Joel stands
and meets her, takes the basket from her hand, sets it on the
ground and hugs Dinah. Joel breaks from the hug anxious)
 46

Joel: I’m leaving here, Dinah. I’m going back to

Babylon. Several others have decided to return
too. We’re all fed up with the hardship and
danger of this place.

(Dinah turns away from Joel)

Dinah: What?! Babylon? (almost dreamily) When are you

leaving?

Joel: Three days. A caravan is going back to the

Persian capital with tax revenue.

Dinah: (Turning back towards Joel and grabbing his arm)

Take me with you, Joel!

Joel: You’re not serious!

Dinah: I am serious!

Joel: What about Iddo? Your home here?

Dinah: Please! I never wanted to come to this terrible

place to begin with. I only came because I had
to, because Iddo gave me NO choice. But I don’t
love him anymore. I want to go home! I long to
see my children again!

Joel: I don’t Know Dinah… I (Dinah cutting him off)

Dinah: Please Joel! Take me with you! (Dinah falls to beg

as she begins to cry)

Joel: (Joel pulls Dinah up and holds her in an embrace)

Dinah, don’t cry. If your wish is to return to
Babylon, then I will see you safely there.

(Iddo Gasps loudly Joel and Dinah look up and see Iddo watching
and hearing them. Iddo leaves the roof top and exits behind CS
behind his house. Dinah pulls from Joels embrace)

Dinah: Wait Iddo!

 47

(Dinah leaves Joel to enter her home and search rooftop, home for
Iddo. Exits back of her home CS. Lights up on Iddo at the assembly
area SR. Praying and pacing)

Narrator: Iddo spent the rest of the day and all night in
prayer, trying to figure out what to do next. He couldn’t
believe that she loved someone else. The law said that
Dinah and Joel should both be stoned to death for
committing adultery, but Iddo couldn’t kill Dinah...he
loved her. If he forced her to stay, she would hate him
even more than she already did. He would have to let her
go back to Babylon. All of a sudden, Iddo begins to
understand. God wanted his love, a relationship with him.
Not just obedience to the law. No one could keep all 613
of the Torah’s laws perfectly. No one! Even a priest like
Iddo. Iddo had tried and tried but never measured up.

Iddo: What do you want me to do Go? How do I make

this right again?

God: Forgive her!

(Spotlight follows Iddo as he walks into his courtyard. Dinah is
trying to start a fire. She looks frightened when she sees him)

Iddo: Come! (Demanding with a starch tone of

voice...Dinah steps backward. Iddo changes his tone
and talks soft and lovingly)
Forgive me... Dinah, come with me, you have
nothing to fear.
(Dinah sets down the kindling and goes with him. Spotlight follows
them as the approach Joel)

Joel: How dare you! Get out of my sight.

Iddo: Joel, I beg you give me a moment, hear me out

I promise it will be worth your time.
(Iddo turns to speak to Dinah)
Dinah, when you return to Babylon with Joel, if
you’re still married to me, you will be shunned,
a fallen woman. I want you to know I’m offering
you a divorce. You and Joel can marry…
 48

Joel: Wait! Are you mad? I never said I wanted to

marry Dinah. You think that could replace my
Shoshanna? You are a crazy old man!

Dinah: But you said you would take me back to

Babylon with you.

Joel: Is that what you thought? That I was in love

with you? Dinah, I will always be thankful to
you. You helped me get through some pretty
dark days. But my heart will always belong to
Shoshanna. (pausing)
If it is your wish to return to Babylon, I will keep
my promise and take you safely back as your
friend! But never as my wife! Forgive me, if I
have given you the wrong idea!
(Dinah turns and flees back to her home)
(Joel turns his direction to Iddo)
You are to blame for all this tragedy. Your lack
of leadership in our community and in your very
own household! Is what has allowed all this to
come upon my household and yours! I will
never forgive you!

(Lights down on Joel as he turns his back on Iddo, spotlight follows

Iddo as he walks solemnly back to his home and finds Dinah
weeping. Joel exits. Iddo comes to her and gently places a hand on
her shoulder)

Iddo: I know you don’t love me anymore, Dinah, but

I’ve never stopped loving you. If you want to go
back to Babylon, I’ll take you there myself.
(Dinah looks at Iddo for a long moment)

Dinah: Why would you do that for me?

Iddo: Because I’ve made too many mistakes. You

were right from the beginning, I was blinded
and too hard on our sons. I want to make
things right with them, with you. I want to be
as the Almighty One whose love is deep and
wide. Everlasting; He doesn’t force His love on
 49

us, and I won’t force mine on you. If it is your

wish, I’ll take you back to Babylon.

Dinah: You would do that, even after I turned away

from you?

Iddo: Yes. The Almighty will provide for us, whether

we are here in Jerusalem or in Babylon. I’ll find
out when the next caravan is leaving.

(Turns to leave, stops when Dinah speaks)

Dinah: What about Zechi? (through muffled crying)

(Iddo with back to Dinah, standing in the opposite direction with

head down)

Iddo: He will have to make his own decision whether

or not to return. (As taking a few steps without
looking back) I’ll sleep on the roof tonight.

( Iddo exits CSB)

(Stage is dimmed with a soft spotlight on Dinah. Dinah is alone,

slight pacing and looking to the heavens pondering whether to
reach out to God)

Dinah: (shaking her fist to the heavens)

I have never needed you before, why should I
listen now? (pause)
What have I been thinking! (emotional, sobbing)
Oh, I did need you! (“Sing” Oh, I need you)
What have I done?
(She steps forward and begins to talk with God, a light shines
directly on her as the stage goes dark).
Almighty One,(Sings, “Almighty one”)
I don’t know how to talk with you or even where
to begin. Where is this joy you have promised
your people? I have searched for true joy
endlessly in this life. It’s not there! I waited as I
worked hard to achieve joy by my works but, it
never came. And then tonight I heard you!
Through your faithful servant Iddo. He showed
me what you had been trying to tell me all
 50

along. I was foolish thinking that filling my

days with things of this world could help me
find joy. The distraction of this busy-ness
almost cost me everything. Iddo is right, joy
comes from you and you will provide!
(Lights down)

Scene 15

(Yael comes running through the back of the audience house, out of
breath, stopping in front of the audience to take a breath. Walking
out of breath she enters Iddo’s house, Dinah is inside preparing
food)

Yael: (talking out of breath but hurriedly)

Safta Dinah!
You must come quickly. To the Samaritan
village.

Dinah: Yael Slow down! First, what are you doing in

the Samaritan village? You know it is not
Safe!

Yael: My friend Leyla needs you. Her father’s wife,

Raisa is having a baby and the baby won’t
come. They will both die if you don’t help them.

Dinah: You know nothing about birthing babies!

(giggling at Yael) Who told you they will die?

Yael: The stars….I have been with them reading the

star charts.

Dinah: You are still reading the star charts? Oh Yael!

Yael: Not now Safta Dinah, we need you! The star

charts say that the mom and baby will die!
You must save them. Come quickly, please!

Dinah: Yael, the Samaritans are our enemies. They

hate us. If I go and something bad happens,
they will blame us.
 51

Yael: Oh please! Believe me, Leyla and Rafi are not

like that. They are my friends!

Dinah: It is not them that I fear, little one. This decision

is bigger than me and you and not ours to
make. (Dinah looks up to the ceiling)
Almighty One, is this what you desire?
(tilts head and smiles as she listens for God’s voice.)
Well ok then. (nods head yes and then looks at Yael
with a cheerful smile)
Delivering babies is what I do and this mother
needs me now.  I will help her.  Yael, you may
come if you like.  You may be useful. Besides,
it's time you learn to birth a baby.  
(Dinah and Yael leave the house.  Lights down on Dinah’s house.
Lights up in the village where Dinah and Yael enter the room with
Raisa and her grandmother Numari)

Dinah: (whispering) Is Raisa Leyla’s sister?

Yael: No, she’s Leyla’s stepmother.  

Dinah: Her stepmother…?

Yael: Zabad has three wives.  He married Raisa a year

ago.

Dinah: (to Numari)  How long has she been in labor?

Numari: Since this time yesterday. (carries a cup of liquid

for Raisa to drink)

Dinah: Yesterday! You should have called sooner. You

probably know, but it’s very bad for the baby as
well as the mother when a birth takes this long.
I can’t promise anything, but I’ll do everything I
can.

Numari: I see no one here to blame you? For you can’t

change what is written in the stars. The stars
proclaim death for both mother and child. You
think you are more powerful than the goddess
 52

of life? That you can overturn the stars my

dear? (laughs)

Dinah: The stars!  Well, the stars certainly, didn’t come

when you called for help, did they? But I do
know one that is more powerful..Let’s see what
the Almighty One has to say about this!

Raisa: Am I going to die? (moaning, crying) I don’t want

to die…

Numari: (Speaking sternly) Raise your head and drink.

(as the cup passes in front of Dinah, she smells something awful)
Dinah: What is that?  (taking the drink from Numari’s hand)
What are you giving her? (Dinah smells the drink,
makes a bitter face and hands it to Yael, who takes the
cup away)
(Speaking to Numari) She is in no condition to
swallow anything. She could choke! 
And what is that burning smell?
(Dinah looks around seeing pagan incense burning)
Yael, get that smoke out of here!
(Numari drops two more amulets around Raisa’s neck as Dinah
examine Raisa.)

Dinah: Raisa, your baby is facing the wrong way.  We

are going to try to turn it around.  I am sorry,
but it will hurt.  Are you willing to try?  If it
works, your baby will be born soon.  

Raisa: I don’t want to die…

Dinah: Nor do I so it is important that you do exactly as

I say.  We’ll take it one step at a time. (dramatic
music)

(lights down to a shadow, spotlight on Yael as she goes out of room

to get fresh linen. Yael silently weeps and ask the almighty speaks
to god)
Yael: Almighty One if you are here and as powerful as
Safta Dinah says please save Raisa and her
baby. 
 53

(We can still see movement in the shadowy area of the bed. Baby
crying)

Dinah: You have a daughter and she has strong lungs!

(lights back up on the bedroom) 

Numari: (Numari takes the child from Dinah.) Give her to me;
I’ll take care of her now. (Numari walks outside and
out of sight)

Raisa: (Weakly)  Where is my baby?  I want to hold her.

Dinah: The Almighty has smiled on you and your baby

tonight. You both are going to be just fine! Now
rest! Let me attend to your baby and I will bring
her to you. (Dinah looks around, not seeing the baby,
question’s Yael) 
Where is the baby?

Yael: Numari said she

(Shrugging and picking up things)
needed to take her to the courtyard.
(Spotlight follows Dinah as she goes outside to the courtyard,
finding Numari) 

Dinah: There you are! Where is the baby?  Raisa is

asking to see her.
(Yael enters the courtyard and observes the events taking place)

Numari: The child died.

Dinah: You are mistaken.  She was breathing fine. She

was crying and….  Where is she?  I demand you
let me examine her.

Numari: It’s too late to do anything for her.  Besides, the

father has rejected her.

Dinah: What do you mean?

Numari: Zabad, the father, saw this child, saw that she
was a girl and that she had a crooked foot, he
refused her.  But even if he hadn’t, that baby
was too weak to survive.
 54

Dinah: (Dinah grabs the old woman’s shoulders)  What did

you
do with that baby?  Give her to me!

Numari: My dear. It is Better to let the child die.  She

will never walk, never have a dowry, and no life
Because of her crooked foot. Is this what you
wish for a child? Beside it will be an impossible
choice for Raisa to make.

Dinah: What do you mean impossible choice?

Numari: She would never be able to walk away from that

Child. If she keeps it her husband will
divorce her and if that happens neither Raisa or
that child will survive in our world.

Dinah: You cannot let that child die! Where is she?

Numari: I am grateful for your attendance of my Raisa,

but you have done what you came to do, now
you need to leave. You see my dear this is our
way.  Our village.  You have no right to tell us
what to do here.  

Dinah: I won’t leave without that child!  Tell me where

you left her!  
(Dinah stops as she hears a whimpering noise.  She looks around in
the darkness and finds the baby left alone to die.  It is in a basket
with a blanket on top.  Dinah takes her from the basket and wraps
her in her own headscarf, warming her against her body and
calming her frets)  

Don’t cry little one! You are safe. I promise I

won’t let anyone hurt you.

Numari: You will see the stars will not be wrong about
this. She will die.  

Dinah: Not if I can help it.  As you said yourself, our

 55

ways are not your ways.  Because our ways say

that all life is precious to God and a blessing
from Him, and He chooses who lives or dies! 

Numari: Take “it” if you must and be gone before Raisa

hears it! And no one must ever know her child
was alive this night. Remember, this is your
secret to keep! For however long the child lives!

(Lights follow Dinah as she walks swiftly away with Yael behind
her. lights down on Numari)

Yael: Were they really going to let the baby die?  

Dinah: Yes. But God has rescued her through us, she
will live, and the Almighty says we are to call
her... Hodaya.  It means “God be praised”.

Yael: I just don’t understand it.  According to the

stars, Raisa and her baby were both supposed
to die.  I read them myself.

Dinah: Oh Yael! The stars have no power! Do you not

know that God himself created them all? Our
God is in control and he is the one who decides
how long our lives will be. These Samaritans
and other pagan people do not see the
preciousness of life the way we do, or the way
our God does. Be secure in knowing He has a
purpose for all His people!

(They arrive back at home.  Iddo is obviously surprised as they bring

in the baby.)  

Iddo: Well, that’s not your

(joking to hide his surprise)
usual payment for midwife services or have you
gone up on your prices dear?

Yael: Her father rejected her because of her crippled

foot.

Iddo: Ah I see! (looking at Dinah) She will thrive in your

hands, Dinah this is sure. (Iddo exits to the
 56

courtyard)

Yael: Safta, Can I hold her?

Dinah: (Dinah nods and gives her the baby.  Yael walks to the
back of the house.  Dinah follows Iddo into the
courtyard) Can you ever forgive me?

Iddo: I already have.

Dinah: And...can God ever forgive me?

Iddo: That is the desire of his heart. That’s why we

have an altar and daily sacrifices, so we will
have a way to come to the Holy One and ask for
forgiveness. 

Dinah: I’m so sorry.  I want to make things right.  Will

you make the offering for me?

Iddo: Yes.  And we'll both be free to start all over

again.  I love you, Dinah.

Dinah: And I love you.  

Iddo: We can take the main road north to join up with

the local caravans and be back in Babylon
before winter.

Dinah: Iddo, we’re not going back to Babylon.

Iddo: What?

Dinah: I don’t want to go back.  I want to stay here with

you, in Jerusalem. I want, no I need to continue
this journey of discovering the Almighty One.

Narrator: So, Dinah has new knowledge and experience

with the Almighty One and it is changing her and making
the desires of her heart anew. Yael also has learned about
the stars and the culture around her. And now, let’s see
 57

how Yael is handling her new knowledge of her Samaritan

friends...

(A few days later.  Zechi and Yael are in the courtyard and Yael is
taking care of Hodaya.)

Yael: There now...go to sleep little one. (patting

Hodaya’s
back and rocking her)

Zechi: You’re very good with that baby.  How do you

always get her to sleep when nobody else can?
Are you charming her?
Yeah….will, Safta said that the Samaritans were
going to kill her? Because she was born with a
crooked foot? 

Yael: (Yael nods yes slowly, then hesitantly responds)

It’s true.  I don’t know how anyone could kill a
harmless, beautiful baby. And she is such a
good baby too! Never cries, except when she is
hungry or wet!

Zechi: Pagan people do it all the time, Yael.  They even

sacrifice their children in fire to appease their
idols.  

Yael: They put her outside in a basket to suffocate. I

wouldn’t have believed it if I hadn’t been
there.

Zechi: I never wanted to believe those stories in the

Torah either. Yael. Is that why you haven’t been
back to the village to see Leyla?

Yael: Maybe…Leyla’s world is more different than I

thought. I use to think we were so much
alike…she is my best friend. But after this, how
do I not see her differently? I just don’t
understand how she could have done nothing
while they killed her baby sister? Unless she
didn’t know what Numari was going to do!
 58

Zechi: Saba reminds us to study the Torah to teach

us right from wrong and what is valuable to
God. That all life is precious because we are
made in God’s image.

Yael: But what about Baby Hodaya? She was born

Samaritan, does that mean God will not accept
her because she came from their village?

Zechi: The Almighty doesn’t see her as a Jew or a

Samaritan! The night she was born God chose
you and Safta Dinah to rescue her. That alone
shows how much God loves Baby Hodaya!

Yael: Then praise be to your God Zechi who has

blessed our family with this wonderful baby.
Who I will chose to love no matter who she was
born too!

(Mattaniah enters the courtyard.)

Mattaniah: Yael, Leyla’s brother just came to see me. 

Leyla’s sick and he asked you to come.

Zechi: Don’t go.

(Yael stands to hand the baby to Zechi so she can go)

Yael: I have to.  She is still my friend.

(Yael goes inside of house where she hears a voice. Parthia is

spotlighted in red light Up on the balcony in her Lair)

Parthia: Bring your star charts. They will help Leyla.

(Yael, shrugs, and turns back to grab her star charts and slip on the
moonstone amulet that she had left lying on the back of a chair,
Stage goes dark)
 59

Scene 16

(Spotlight on Narrator. As the narrator is speaking...Families are

seen passing the bread…etc. Much joy. Sharing the cups)

Narrator: Our exiles have been home now for nearly a

year. The foundation for the temple is finished. A
somewhat new normal for life has been found. But as you
can see Yael was taken out of Babylon, but it is so hard to
get the Babylon out of Yael. Now it is time for the first
Passover in Jerusalem. The shofar blows for the first time
and the families gather.

(Lights up on temple platform as Zechi blows the shofar. Zechi and

others are watching from the watchtower and see soldiers marching
up the road to Jerusalem.  

Zechi: Look!  Soldiers!  Marching up to Jerusalem!

Caleb: I see them too! It looks like a dozen or more. I

wonder who it is?

Zechi: Look...the banners...it’s the governor of Trans-

Euphrates Province. 

Caleb: Why they are here?  They know it is Passover. It

has to be important or they would not have
Come on Passover. There are people coming
from all directions. They must have sent
messengers to all the surrounding villages! I got
a bad feeling about this. (Zechi and Caleb head
down to join the others)

(Drums sounding as visitors make their way up the center Aisle

towards the Temple. It is the delegates of the capital: everyone
begins to gather at the Temple Mount to hear the news -the
Samaritan delegation and governor make their way to this area too.
They are seen talking with the two princes. Sheshbazaar is very old
and tired, obviously discouraged.)

Zechi: (speaks to Iddo) What do you suppose it’s about?

 60

Iddo: I imagine they have their answer from King

Cyrus about us building the temple. It must
be serious if they’re asking men to leave their
land and crops and come to Jerusalem at this
time of year.
(Judah’s two princes climb onto the platform at the Temple Mount,
Sheshbazzar and Zerubbabel, They both look weary and sad.)

Sheshbazaar: Thank you for coming.  Governor Rehum of

Samaria has sent a letter to King Artaxerxes
in Persia, the son of King Cyrus who now reigns
as a co-regent with his father.  Let us listen to
what it says:

(lights dim here and spotlight on Governor Rehum who is SR

reading/singing from a scroll. Iddo and Zechi exit)

SONG - Country-Western  

Governor Rehum:
Artaxerxes noble king
We think there’s something you should know
These Jews they’ve been busy
Jerusalem has really grown

We think you’ve got a little problem

These Jews they have a history
They’re just a bunch of crafty rebels
Trouble with a capital T.

(chorus)
You won’t get no more taxes
Your treasury is dwindling
We just think that you should know this
And put a stop to their building.

Zerubbabel:
You see that Rehum said nothing in his letter about
the Holy Temple, the true reason King Cyrus
commissioned us to return.  This will make it very
difficult for them to find the original proclamation in
 61

the archives.  Governor Rehum deliberately misled

the king.  Now here is King Artaxerxes’ reply.

Artaxerxes:
Greetings to all my loyal subjects
I did some searching and must say
I think you’re right about these people
Revolt has always been their way

(chorus)
We need to collect those taxes
Persia needs the money don’t you see
See that you enforce this decree
And bring their construction to its knees.

(There is an immediate reaction as the song ends - the people all cry
“NO!”) 

Ad Libs:  “We’ve just begun” etc.

Zerubbabel: (waving his hands to hush the crowds) We have

been ordered to stop working by Governor
Rehum, under threat of force...unfortunately,
that includes work on the temple.

Crowed ad libs.

Crowd #1: “No” 

Crowd #2: “that can’t be!” 

Crowd #3: “What does this mean?” 

Crowd # 4: “I can’t believe it!”

Zerubbabel: (waving his hands to hush the crowds)

And since we can no longer build our city...it
also means that new immigrants, our people
from Babylon who planned to come in the next
caravan will not be allowed to come.

Crowd: a loud wailing here of sorrow, crying, ad libs.

 62

Zerubbabel: Rehum has assured us that once we stop

building, our neighbors will make peace with us
and the violence will end.  (waves his hands to quiet the crowd
as everyone starts bickering at this news). Now we all know that
King Cyrus commissioned us to build the temple.  Once
the king’s original proclamation is found, it will confirm
our right to be here and build here.  I’m sending my own
emissaries to Persia immediately.  But be forewarned, it
will take time.  

Crowd #1: No!  We can’t stop building.

Crowd #2: No No No!

Crowd #3: “What about the feast!”

Crowd #4: “And our Sacrifices?”

Zerubbabel: The daily sacrifices and annual feasts will

continue.  No one can prevent us from
worshiping God as we wait.  
(Everyone looks shocked and hopeless - lights fade on this scene and
up on the courtyard/home of Iddo)

Zechi: Why won’t the Holy One help us?  He can do

miracles!  (Dinah shakes her head)

Iddo: We don’t question The Almighty's ways! He

does have a purpose for this.  Be patient,
maybe waiting is good for us.

Zechi: How can it be good for us?  We should fight

back instead of giving in to our fears.

Iddo: I have argued this, Zechi.  I told them we should

obey God.  God is the one who
commanded us to rebuild the temple, not the
men who told us to stop.  But the Prince
fears that with Jerusalem labeled as a rebellious
city, they will retaliate with force if we
 63

disobey.  And that means bloodshed for all of

us.
Zechi: But the Almighty One could protect us!

(Iddo lays a hand on Zechi’s shoulder) 

Iddo: You and I are among the few who believe that.  

Zechi: And now Abba and Mama won’t be able to come.

Iddo: Your abba had a choice ...just

(very sadly says)
like us... and he made the choice of waiting.
When we hear God’s call, we need to respond to
it immediately. There is nothing we can do
about that now.

Zechi: How long will we have to wait?

Iddo: I suppose it depends on how long it takes our

people to learn the lessons of faith and
obedience.  One good thing...we’re reopening the
yeshiva tomorrow.  If you really want to fight for
God, then find out what is in His word and
speak His truth.  Will you help me convince
them that the temple must be rebuilt no matter
who tries to stop us.

(Zechi nods excitingly)

SONG -Return to Me (Minor Key)

Return to us, dear Lord

Guide us along your path
We need to know your ways.

END ACT 1
 64

ACT 2
Return to Me - Act 2
Scene 1

(Spotlight the narrator, dimmer light on the temple mount where

Zechariah is with the other young men learning from Jakin, their
instructor.  

Narrator: Ten long years have passed since the Jewish

people were forced to stop building the temple. Everything
remains how it was left that day so long ago. The ropes on
the crane have begun to rot along with piles of timber. And
the building site is overgrown with weeds and brush. All a
sign of lost time. Zechariah has grown into a tall young
man and is well on his way to becoming a priest for the
Almighty One.  Zechariah usually finds contentment in
following God’s call.
Oh, Yael! You haven’t seen Yael in ten years! Well, she has
become a beautiful young woman who combs her hair
now! Still very much full of spirit, independent and
definitely a mind of her own! And, yes... still pursuing
something...something not inspired by God. Instead, she is
walking deeper into the darkness of pagan religions and
sorcery.  Pondering how Yael will ever find her way back
to God, Zechariah becomes discouraged and grows angry.
Eventually directing that anger towards others for the lack
of progress on the temple.
all students stare at
Zechi
Jakin: And that’s how you skin the
ram. 
Zechariah…Zechariah?
students leave
Zechi: Yes, Rabbi...I’m sorry. 

Jakin: Would you stay behind for a moment, please? 

The rest of you are dismissed!
What’s wrong with you today?  You were a long
way from here, and not even pretending to listen
to our lesson. You’re one of our best students.
 65

Please, tell me you are not reconsidering your

commitment to the priesthood.

Zechi: No, Rabbi.

Jakin: Then what’s wrong?

SONG- “Fed Up” -

Zechi: (hesitates, then singing strongly)
I’m fed up! 
I’m frustrated!
If we believe the Torah’s words then we should
show it.
It’s been ten years
We’ve lost our way
A temple should be standing but we blew it.
Jakin:
We do believe.
It’s not our fault
Our leaders tried their best but there have
been setbacks
Zechi:
My God is greater
Than politics
Step out in faith and build the temple back!
(oh yeah)
Step out in faith and build the temple back!
(end tune)

Jakin: Stop shouting, Zechariah.  This is a sacred

place.

Zechi: We’ve waited long enough. Do you believe that

He sent ten plagues upon the Egyptians?

Jakin: Well, that was a special time in history.

Zechi: Do you believe He parted the Red Sea?

Jakin: He doesn’t always work miracles when we want

him to.
 66

Zechi: “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but

we trust in the name of the Lord our
God.”  Do you believe it?

Jakin: This behavior is unacceptable! Zechariah, go

explain your behavior to Iddo or maybe even the
High Priest!
(Zechi goes to walk away. Jakin mimic’s Zechi under his breath)

Jakin: ”Do you believe he parted the red sea????”

Zechi : (turns around) Did you say something Rabbi?

(Jakin embarrassed to be caught...points for Zechi to go!)

(Lights down, Exits SR)

Scene 2
 (Lights up on the home of Iddo and Dinah.   The home is more
complete now with plaster, a sturdy roof and steps to the top.  Iddo
is on the roof.  Dinah and Hodaya are in the courtyard, and Yael is
finishing up her chores in the home. Hodaya enters home and see
Yael)

Hodaya: Yael! (gives her an affectionate hug) Aren’t you

going to see your friend Leyla today?

Yael: Yes, my sweet Hodaya, and there is also a

festival tonight.

Hodaya: (holding herself up taller, partially with her crutch)

May I go with you?

Yael: I wish... but it’s too far to walk, little one. You
would be exhausted before we were
halfway there.

Hodaya: What about Zechariah? He doesn’t like you

going off to the Samaritan village alone.

Yael: Well, what Zechi doesn't know, won't hurt

him! (Yael is putting on her cloak and head scarf.)
 67

Besides sometimes he acts like he’s my boss,

always butting in on things that are not
his business. Telling me what to do or where I
can go! I am my own woman Hodaya, I
can take care of myself! Besides us girls have to
share some secrets of our own... right?
(Hodaya Smiles and nods yes)

Dinah: Hodaya, come help me please.

Hodaya: Coming Momma. (whispering to Yael) You better

hurry out or she will catch you too. Us girls
have to stick together.

Yael: See you later, little one!  

(she pats Hodaya on the head and exits through front of house- she
leaves behind her signature scarf on the table)

Scene 3
(Lights down on Iddo’s house. Spotlight follows Yael to Leyla’s
house in Samaritan village.  Leyla is propped up in bed; her
grandmother, Numari, is preparing a drink for her.  She beams
when she sees Yael.) Yael walks to Leyla’s beside and
sits next to her. Leyla sits
smiling giddily holding back the
Leyla: Yael!  I have wonderful news!  Come and have information)
a seat!  

Yael: Will?!? Come on tell me! What is it!

Leyla: I’m betrothed!  Can you believe it! I’m going to Yael stands and walks to
be married! Eeek!   another area of room and
(Leyla shrieks in excitement and Yael’s smile fades as she is fiddles with something,
shocked)  becoming distant in her
Abba made all the arrangements this very own world as she begins
asking her questions in a
morning and settled on my dowry, so it’s official! dreamy state, not really
wanting an answer from
(Yael asks each question on the heel of the next, while Leyla Leyla but more speaking
pretends to start to answer but can’t) her own thoughts

Yael: Who is he? 

Have I ever met him?  (Leyla shakes head no)
Is he young and handsome?

Leyla: Wait!
 68

(ticking off on fingers answering Yael’s 3 Questions) His

name is Basam!
No, I don’t think you have ever met him!
And it doesn’t matter if he is young and
handsome!
What I can tell you is My husband is nearly as
rich as Abba and nearly as Mature (laughs). A
strong, stable match, and our marriage will
seal their business partnership. 

Yael: (trying to smile)  Wo... that is some news.

Leyla: I was so lucky that Basam accepted me… since

I’m very much past the age for marriage. And,
He is paying a big bride price for me.

Yael: I see….Will he must love you very much!

Leyla: Now, he already has one wife, but she has

only given him daughters.  As soon as I give him
a son than I will become the primary wife. That
is why I asked you to come! I’ll be needing you
to make me a potion as soon as you can.

Yael: Of course, I know lots of good ones for health.

Leyla: No! I need to become with child immediately

after we are married if I am to give him a
rightful heir! I need you to make a potion, do a
ritual whatever it takes that will guarantee me a
son! Isn’t it so exciting!!! Eeek! Yael...you ok?

Yael: So, you don’t mind that your father chose him
for you?

Leyla: NO! Silly Yael , women should never choose for

themselves. (laughing) Our fathers and
husbands know what is best for us. (pausing)
It is more important that we focus on me having
a son! Besides, the Torah says that the
husband shall rule over his wife.

Rafi: Leyla, I…(stopping short in surprise) 

 69
When Yael sees, Rafi she
goes to a table to busy
Yael, hello.  I didn’t realize you were here.  Did herself by working on a
my sister tell you her good news? potion. She acts bothered by
Rafi’s intruding presences.
Short toned answers as if she
Yael: Why...Yes! I am so happy for her. is annoyed.

Rafi leans up
Rafi: I don’t understand why a beautiful young against wall looking at Yael.
woman like you is not betrothed yet

Yael: OH! My Safta Dinah has tried to marry me off

several times, (laughing and serious for next line) but
I informed my Abba I preferred to not get Takes an apple off the table
and tosses in air, shines it on
married to any”THING” around here! his shirt

Rafi: Really? The fathers in our village would never

allow our daughters to have that control, let
alone speak what is best for them.

Yael: Well, ... I’m much too busy to even think

about a husband.

Rafi: And that is exactly why it is a man's

responsibility! Proof of the preposterous
thinking that a woman can make that big of a
decision on her own without a man’s guidance.
Besides, it takes lots of intelligent thinking to
make such an important decision!

Yael: I’ll have you know

(hands on hips, getting riled up)
I don’t need a man to do my thinking, I seek theRafi gestures at the sky with his
stars for my guidance! hand
(realizing how it sounded she stammers to correct that
she is in control) But…And… I am very intelligent
on my own thank you!

Rafi: (stays calm and cool)

Ah, yes. That's right! Your work as a seer.  A
reader of the stars.
 70

Yael: I’m also learning to be

(annoyed at Rafi mocking) 
a midwife. Which keeps me too busy for a
husband at this time. What is your excuse?
Why haven’t you married yet? Or, have you
not been able to find a woman with less
intelligence than you? (smiling as his mocking
has backfired) Rafi winks and leaves the
room, Yael is flustered
Rafi: (smiling at her statement, responds matter of factly)
No, I have found her! It is just that Yael, still distracted by Rafi’s
the one I will marry, thinks she is too busy for a last comment, was he
referring to her? She
husband ...  retrieves the charts that are
kept in the trunk at the foot
Leyla: Yael, come read my stars.  I have to find the of Leyla’s bed. Then spread
the charts out flat on the
best date for my wedding. And we have to plan bed) 
for my son the new heir!

Yael: I see so much happiness!   You will have a

prosperous new life, Leyla, and many, many
sons. (a horn sounds)
Oh! I am late. (Yael rises and heads to the door)
I have to head home now.
(turning around and looking at Leyla)
Congratulations my dear friend. You will invite
me to the wedding? Won’t you!

Leyla: What a thing to ask! You are my best friend.

I could not do this without you there!

Scene 4 Leyla is walking in with Yael

(At the Samaritan village – dim light in Leyla’s house as Yael fixes a and Rafi on each side of her
as she is too weak to walk
potion and gives it to Leyla. Spotlight up on narrator only as she
alone. They help her to sit on
speaks next part of narration.) a throne type chair adorned
with wedding decor. Her
Narrator: On the day of the wedding, like so many other much older husband comes
to stand next to her, being
days, Leyla has a fever and is too weak to even stand. married in background as
Knowing that postponing the wedding would bring shame narrator speaks
to her father, Leyla has Yael fix a potion for strength. That
very night Leyla is married to Basam.
 71

Leyla is so happy and thankful for Yael’s magical healing

potion that she promises to send for Yael as soon as the
wedding week is over. The wedding party will freeze
and smile as the Wedding song
is performed by ensemble.
The Wedding Song – As wedding song draws to a
(this song is sung by a chorus of females who will float in with close, Leyla leaves and lights
flower crowns and flowing robes all holding ribbons.) dim on wedding scene as they
freeze.
(chorus) It’s wedding time, it’s wedding time
It’s why we’ve gathered here.
Be fruitful and multiply
The highlight of the year.

(Verse) A man is now a husband

A woman now a wife
The two become much stronger
Traveling through life

Together they will be one

As happy as can be,
And soon you’ll be a family
As one and one make three.

(Chorus) It’s wedding time, it’s wedding time

It’s why we’ve gathered here.
Be fruitful and multiply
The highlight of the year.

(lights down on wedding scene and up on narrator)

Narrator: 4 months have passed since the wedding and

neither Leyla’s family nor Yael have heard from the new
bride. Rafi and Yael spent countless hours at the village
marketplace discussing their growing concern for Leyla.
What could possibly keep Leyla from contacting them? Is
she so happy that she has forgotten them? Yael became so
desperate for information that she began to send message
to Leyla daily, pleading for a response. Then one
afternoon Yael got an answer, just not what she had hoped
for!
 72

(Spotlight down on the Narrator and up on Iddo’s home. Rafi arrives

at Iddo’s house looking for Mattaniah.)

Rafi: Mattaniah!  I need your help, my lord.  I have

just received word that my sister Leyla is Yael enters
not well.  She’s asking to see your daughter,
Yael.  May she please come?  

Yael: Please let me go with him, Abba. 

You know how I’ve been worried about Leyla.

Mattaniah:We will go together.

(Yael and Matteniah quickly gather their things and follow Rafi - the
spotlight follows them)

Yael: What’s wrong with her, Rafi?  Is she sick?

Rafi: Not sickness! But no one will tell me what is

wrong. The only thing they would tell me
was... she needs a healer and she is asking for
you. 

Yael: Why me? Why not you?

Rafi: She wants you to read her stars and tell her
which god to petition.

Mattaniah:(turning back, confused)  Read the stars! What are

you talking about?

Yael: It’s nothing, Abba.  You know Leyla has

always been a little superstitious. (Speaking in
hushed tones directly to Rafi) Rafi, this doesn’t
make sense if she is not sick then what is
wrong with her?

Rafi: I pray for him if he has done anything to have

caused this! I will kill him if he has!

Yael: Who Rafi! What are you talking about?

 73

Rafi: Leyla’s husband, Basam. Villagers gossip

that he has been known to train his new
wives with a heavy hand. Even rumors that his
last two wives succumbed to his training.
Yael: Oh Rafi, surely not! Leyla is much too frail to
survive something like that. We must
hurry!
(Yael and Rafi rush into the house but find that Leyla has already
passed. Numari is mumbling incantations)

Yael: No!!!! (screams) The stars told me she would

have a long life. This can’t be!

Rafi: Look at the bruises...it is as I feared.

Yael: No! This is my fault, I told

her the stars were aligned for her to marry. I
hate this life! It’s nothing but pain! (holding
herself and crying) Parthia where are you! You said
you would not leave me! I can’t do this alone! Rafi moves to comfort
Yael and hold her
Rafi: Shhh. You are not alone! I will be with you.
We will go through this together.

Yael and Rafi Song

Yael: You were my best friend.

Now you are gone.
You never had strength

The stars were so wrong

The moon goddess told me

That you would live long.
That you would be happy
The stars were so wrong

I spent my whole life

 74

Watching the sky

I’m all alone here
Wondering why.
(bridge)
Rafi: Is anyone home?  
I thought you’d be here
I must talk to someone.
Yael: I’m so glad you’re here.
(verse)
Yael: I have no more faith
Rafi: My sister is gone
We’ll miss her together
Yael: The stars were so wrong.

Together: The moon goddess told us

That she would live long
That she would be happy
The stars were so wrong
(bridge)
Rafi: But someone will pay
I don’t need a sign
A life for a life
Vengeance is mine! (outro)
Yael: Rafi! 
 
Rafi: Let me walk you home, and we will plan how
to be together tomorrow.

(lights down.  Spotlight on narrator.)

Narrator: Over the next several weeks, Rafi made an extra

trek to Mattaniah’s farm each day to see Yael while her
father was away working at the temple.  Then slowly, their
shared time turns into something else...Yael believed she
was in love. For me, this is the saddest part of our
story...I was so young at the time, and I don’t remember
everything, but I do remember the fear, the tears and the
heartbreak of many, and how it all ended.
(lights up on Yael and Rafi walking hand in hand)

Rafi: So, have you given any more thought to this

 75

whole marriage thing?

Yael: (Laughing) I have been thinking a little about it

lately!

Rafi: You still too busy for a husband these days?

Yael: Even more so! (joking and flirting) I mean I

have this responsibility now! I can’t just
abandon you? Who would help you fill all your
afternoons?

Rafi: Yael, I want you for my wife. Will you marry

me?

Yael: Oh, Rafi. Yes! I love you too! Let’s tell my

Father, now! Together! He will be so happy
for us.

Rafi: That’s not the way it’s done among my

people.  I will tell my father that I’ve found a
wife, and if he agrees, he’ll go to your father and
ask for a marriage contract. Of course,
your father will accept.

(Yael continues dreamily and happily into her courtyard and into the home.  She helps Dinah
set out baskets of bread as her father arrives and everyone sits to eat - Iddo, Dinah,
Mattaniah, Yael, Hodaya, Zechi) 

Dinah: Yael you seem awfully happy today!

Yael: I have wonderful news...I’m in love.  Now,

Abba, when Rafi’s father asks you for my
hand, you will say yes and (everyone stops
eating, then they all speak at once, Zechi
is quiet through it all)

Mattaniah: Wait - you’re in love?....with Rafi?

Iddo: The Samaritan?

Dinah ushers Hodoya away

Dinah: What?!  No, no, no,no! from the room - Hodaya exits
and then crawls back in the
room to lay and hide under
 76

Hodaya: Boys are icky!

Dinah: Hodaya -it’s time for you to go to bed.

Yael: Yes, he wants to marry me.  You know his

father, Zabad.

Mattaniah: (stops eating, shocked and worried looking)  Yes, I

know him all too well.  I don’t think it’s a very
good idea for you to marry Rafi or any
Samaritain.

Yael: Abba! Safta Dinah please! I love him!

Dinah: No! Absolutely not! He will never do!  I

promised your mother that I would find a
suitable husband for you.

Yael: He is suitable.  He’s part-Jewish.  And he

loves me… He is very rich, and I will want for
nothing! That is a suitable Husband.

Dinah: How could you possibly live with people who

kill their own children?

Yael: (shaking her head) How many times do I have to

tell you, Rafi- is- not- like- that!

Dinah: So naive! Once you’re married to him,

he might turn out to be just like his father or
worse.  Remember your friend Leyla? That life is
all he knows, Yael.

Iddo: Rafi is the eldest son, right?  The heir? 

Someday, as village elder, he must marry other
wives for political alliances and Prestige.  Why
would you endure such humiliation?

Yael: He wouldn’t do that!  He loves me, only me.

Dinah: What if he forbids you to see your family. 

 77

Think of Hodaya, she would be heartbroken. 

And because of who she is, she would never be
able to visit you.  Think Yael, she’s Rafi’s half-
sister

Yael: I know Rafi!! He would let me come home and

as far as Hodya is concerned... he never
needs to know, remember what the old woman
said, “it is our secret!”
Dinah: What about your work as a midwife?  You would
need his permission to continue.

Yael: I’m sure he wouldn’t mind.  Their

(uncertainly)
women need midwives too.

Dinah: But they don’t share our values, Yael.  You

know that.  You only have to look at Hodaya
to remember what they’re like.  Can you leave a
baby to die?

Yael: I’ll figure it out. (uncertainly)

Dinah: Yael, I’m saying this because I love

you.  You’ve always been stubborn and
independent, but for once in your life, please
listen to our wisdom.  Once the rush of love
fades, you will be trapped in a place where the
people think and believe differently than we do,
and you’ll have to obey your husband for the
rest of your life.

Yael: But…

Mattaniah: Dinah is right!  Yael, I have always been

lenient with you, and in doing so you’ve alway
had the privilege of going your own way, but not
this time.  I will not allow you to marry Rafi. 

Yael: Abba, no! (outraged) I will marry him anyway! 

Mattaniah: My mind is made up! We will discuss this no

more!
 78

(Lights down on the house.) 

(Lights down and then rooster crows showing next morning)

Scene 5 -
(Lights up on Iddo’s home)
Dinah and Iddo’s are talking at breakfast and Zechi walks in to join
them.

Iddo: Don’t worry, Dinah.  Mattaniah assured me

that he will refuse Zabad’s offer.

Dinah: If Yael doesn’t get what she wants she will run
away with him. Mark my words I know
her Iddo!    She’s always had too much freedom
to do whatever she wants.  She’s fearless and
high spirited that one!

Iddo: High spirited or not! Until Mattaniah can find

an honorable way to decline Zabad’s proposal, it
falls to us to watch her and make sure she stays
here. He fears a flat refusal will start another
war, and I agree. We cannot risk insulting him.

Zechi: Saba, I know an honorable way for Mattaniah

to decline Zabad’s proposal.  He can say it
came too late, that he has already chosen a
husband for Yael and has a signed marriage
contract.

Iddo: Ah, yes, I thought of that too...but finding a

willing man that quickly…and it is Yael we are
talking about...(shaking head no)

Zechi: I’ll marry Yael.

Iddo: No, Zechi!  You deserve a wife who loves you

and is devoted to the Almighty as much you are!

Zechi: She’s the daughter of a Levite. And she does

love God. (speaking to self) She just doesn’t
know it yet!
 79

Iddo: But mingling with the Samaritans all these

years has given her a taste for this whole
sorcery nonsense!

Dinah: She confesses her love for Rafi! What kind of

a marriage do you think you will have if
she loves someone else and is forced to marry
you?

Zechi: I don’t know! All I do know is this is the best

solution.  Yael and I have been friends
since childhood. I have a love for her, and I
believe she does for me too, in some way.
We can start there!
Iddo: Slow down! Let’s not rush into this!
Zechi: You have taught me to be my own man,
Saba.  This decision, as a man before God, is
mine to make. If Yael and Rafi run off together,
there’s nothing we can do about it, but this way
at least we tried. When we were very young, I
promised her I would always
protect her. THAT is what I plan to do!
(turns to exit house)
Iddo: Zechi where are you going?
Zechi: To talk to Mattaniah.

(lights down)mi
(lights up on Narrator, in Mattaniah’s home)

Narrator: So how do you think this will go over with Yael?

She is not one to take “No” without a lot of drama! But this
time…terrible.

Yael: Abba, no!  Please don’t make me marry

Zechi!  I don’t love him!  I love Rafi!

Mattaniah: It’s done, Yael.  I have already explained to

Zabad and he understands that it is a father’s
right to decide for his daughter.
Yael: (distraught) How could you do this?  You totally
do not understand me!

Mattaniah: Zechariah is a good man, and he’ll treat

 80

you well. The Samaritans aren’t like us,

especially in the way they treat women. How can
I allow my daughter to marry into a
family that sees nothing wrong with having
multiple wives or that grown man can marry
a child?

Yael: But Rafi wouldn’t do that!

Mattaniah: Yes, he would eventually.  It’s a sign of

prestige in their culture to have multiple wives.
My decision is final.

(Yael cries out and runs out of the room. Lights down.)

Scene 6
Defiantly, Yael runs up to Rafi’s village out through the
audience and then back as the scene has changed. The elders of the
city are present as are the women who know Yael for her sorcery. 
She strides past the elders as they look back at her in
astonishment, shaking their heads at her impertinence.  Women
from the village begin surrounding her, asking her for help with
their fortunes, making it hard for her to move - they all have little
gifts in their hands offering them to her - a bag of grain, a bouquet
of lavender, a pomegranate, etc.

Women #1: When should I marry?  Please read my

stars, I’m begging you. 

Woman #2: We need your guidance. 

Woman #3: Why won’t my goat give milk? 

Woman #4: Will we have a son?

Yael: I-I’m sorry but I didn’t bring my charts with

me...maybe another time.

(they follow her all the way to Rafi’s house as if worshiping her. 
Rafi sees her coming and strides over to her angrily and grabs her
arm, hurting Yael)

Rafi: Leave us (to the women in the courtyard - they

scurry away)   What are you doing here, Yael? 
 81

You shouldn’t have come! 

Yael: Rafi, I love you.  I came so we could run away
together.

Rafi: (condescending tone) You know nothing of my

ways! (laughs like she is stupid) Asking me to bring
shame on my family?  My father is a village
leader!  Men of our standing don’t run off to be
married. No, we pay a dowry for a suitable
bride. One who is not already betrothed, and
certainly not one who is unworthy to give us an
heir!

Yael: My betrothal is a sham. Only to keep us

apart.

Rafi: It doesn’t matter the reason!  Yael, you are a

soiled woman (spits on the ground) unworthy of
becoming my wife.

Yael: But you love me! Look at me. LOOK At (Crying,

raising her voice that is demanding and then back to
normal at “me” crying) me and tell me you love me,
Rafi?

Rafi: With all that I am. But family duty is always

first. (his face turns hard he turns his back to her) Go
home, Yael.  Marry your Jewish friend.

Yael: We can defy our fathers and-

Rafi: I would never defy my father! It would cost me

my inheritance.

Yael: Not even for me?

Rafi: (hesitates for a moment) No, not even for you.  

(Yael turns and runs away. Lights up on the narrator. Soft

music in background)
 82

Narrator: And so, a wedding is planned. A heartbroken

bride. A sacrificing groom. A situation of convenience.
This night could be a turning point for Yael, but will she
take this second chance, this new path that is being
offered?

Scene 7
Lively music is playing as people gather for Yael’s wedding to Zechi,
in Iddo’s courtyard, the mood is festive and happy for everyone, but
Yael is merely going through the motions.  Once everyone is present
and in position, the Wedding Song is sung by the chorus girls - have
flower crowns and ribbons as they sing and circle around the
couple.  Others will be bringing a new robe for Zechi and a veil for
Yael as we transition immediately into the next scene.   Women all
do choreography for The Wedding Song this time.

The Wedding Song

(Verse 1) It’s wedding time, it’s wedding time

It’s why we’ve gathered here.
Be fruitful and multiply
The highlight of the year.

(Bridge) A man is now a husband

A woman now a wife
The two become much stronger
Traveling through life

(Verse 2) Together they will be one

As happy as can be
And soon you’ll be a family
As one and one make three

(As soon as the song has ended, there is a joyous sound of everyone
celebrating, congratulating the couple, as ensemble exit stage.
Dinah hugs Yael, Iddo kisses her on each cheek, Mattaniah hugs
Zechi and gradually everyone disappears from the scene Zechi and
Yael are alone in the courtyard)

Zechi: I know you don’t love me,

(Standing next to Yael) she starts to cry
Yael, but we have been friends for a
long time. I did what I did because I love your
spirit, your sense of adventure, your zeal
 83

for life and I didn’t want the Samaritans to

destroy those things. (she shakes her head) And
they would have, you know.

Yael: (looking defiant but sad at the same time)I just can’t
help it. I love Rafi so much!

Zechi: I know you do, but I’m afraid your life with the
Samaritans would have become a miserable
prison. You can hate me if you want, but I
would do it all again if it meant rescuing you
from a terrible, undeserving life. But...I also love
you too much to make you stay in a marriage
you don’t want. If you want to leave, I won’t
stop you.

Yael: (still crying, angrily shouts as she covers her ears)

I just need time to think!

Zechi: Yes, of course. I’m sorry. Take all the time you
need. Yael, you know…we’re not married until
you decide that we are. (Yael turns to leave) Do you
want me to go with you?

Yael: No, I just need to read the stars, they will

guide me in the right direction!
(Yael looks up at the stars, and begins to hum. Zechi shaking his
head disturbed goes to lie down in the courtyard, pretends to be
sleeping. Yael hears a rustling at the gate in the darkness and
looks to see Rafi entering the courtyard, she is overwhelmed with
joy).

Yael: Rafi!  (she runs to him and throws her arms around
him - he doesn’t return her embrace)
Rafi: Where is your new husband?

Yael: Rafi, I was looking

(crying but laughing with joy)
for a sign about what to do, and then here you
are! Oh, Rafi I knew you would come back for
 84

me! Let me get a few belongings together and

we can leave and never….

Rafi: I didn’t come here for you, Yael.  

Yael: What do you mean?

(laughing as if he is telling a joke….she finally notices that he
seemslike a stranger, angry and cold.  she steps away from him and
he grabs her arm tightly and drags her to the courtyard where Zechi
is sleeping) Rafi, you’re hurting me.  Let go!

Rafi: You belonged to me, Yael.  You were mine! 

I don’t like losing someone I love. 
Basam had to pay for Leyla.
Now it’s your husband’s turn to pay.
(Zechi walks closer, startled) 
Neither of you make a sound, or she dies now.

Zechi: Rafi, put the knife down! You Don’t want to

hurt her. (Talking slowly and calmly as he
raises his arms in a surrender gesture)

Rafi: (crying with rage)You ruined me. Not only did

you steal my property but you caused me a
lifetime of humiliation. In front of my family, my
village! I will never be able to show my face
again. I have lost everything! But you have no
Idea what that feels like, do you? To have
nothing? But you will know…I will show you!
Tonight, you will lose the one thing you love in
this life and you can do nothing about it!

Zechi: Rafi, wait! Let Yael go, it’s me who you want to
hurt. (pausing) Listen to me. Yael loves you.
Think about this. You can’t kill someone who
loves you! Me! Kill me instead.

Rafi: You truly don’t get it do you?

Zechi: Rafi… Rafi come on.

Rafi: You have given me no other choice! She is

 85

mine! You will never have her because she and I

will be together in paradise tonight.

(Suddenly, Iddo bursts into the courtyard and breaks a heavy water
jar over Rafi’s head.  He staggers.  Zechi grabs Yael away, as Rafi
turns towards Iddo, attacking him.  Zechi pushes Yael out of the
way and attacks Rafi from behind. The three men struggle with the
knife. 
The lights go down and we hear shouts and a long curling scream)

Yael: No!

(Stage is Dark, Lights up on Parthia in her Lair, complete silence,

she is defeated and acts Enraged. Lights fade down on Parthia.
Spotlight on Yael who is SR.)

Song: Into the Sea(It’s going to be ok)

(Verse)My heart is breaking
In a way I never thought it could
My mind is racing
With the question, "Are you still good?"
Can you make something
From the wreckage?
Would you take this heart
And make it whole again?
(chorus)Though the mountains may be moved into the sea
Though the ground beneath might crumble and give way
I can hear my Father singing over me
"It's gonna be okay, it's gonna be okay"
(Verse)I've blamed myself
And if I'm honest, maybe I've blamed You too
But You would not forsake me
'Cause only good things come from You
(chorus)Though the mountains may be moved into the sea
Though the ground beneath might crumble and give way
I can hear my Father singing over me
"It's gonna be okay, it's gonna be okay"
(Bridge)From beginning to the end
You're so close
You have never let me down
And You won't
In the valleys, in the shadows, I know
You're so close
You're so close
(chorus)Though the mountains may be moved into the sea
Though the ground beneath might crumble and give way
I can hear my Father singing over me
"It's gonna be okay, it's gonna be okay"
"It's gonna be okay, it's gonna be okay"
 86

I'm gonna be okay

I'm gonna be okay

(Lights down on Yael. Lights up on Iddo’s home)

Scene 8  
(Spotlight up on narrator)
Narrator: Three long days passed, three days before Iddo
was well enough to sit up a little in bed. Rafi had stabbed
him in the stomach before Iddo was able to kill him.  The
Samaritans came and took Rafi’s body back to the village
and every member of the Jewish village worried that there
might be vengeance, but none ever came.  Even Rafi’s own
people could see how insane it was for Rafi to attempt to
murder innocent people.

Zechi: I’ll stay with him for a while. You go do what

you need to Safta. (Dinah kisses Zechi’s head and
exits).  

Iddo: (opening his eyes) Is the sacrifice finished?

Zechi: Yes.  And everyone prayed for you. All the

priests and the people...Saba, how are you
feeling?

Iddo: Like I’m still dreaming. Tell me about today’s

Torah portion.

Zechi: It’s one of your favorites.  The passage where

the Holy One says to Abraham, “Look up at
the heavens and count the stars - if indeed you
can count them.  So shall your offspring be.”

Iddo: Zechi - (begins to cough)

Zechi: Just rest, Saba.  Don’t try to talk until you’re

stronger.
 87

Iddo: From the very first moment you were placed

in my hands, God spoke of your greatness in
His kingdom to me!

Zechi: Saba, how do I find Him again?  Where do I find

Him?

Iddo: Pay attention to his voice as you read the

scriptures. And then, when he knows you are
listening, He will cause a stirring inside of you.
He will tell you to do the impossible! And when
it happens Zechariah, run! Run and do it
straight away.

(Lights down.  Lights up on the courtyard )

Yael: Zechariah. Can we talk? I’ve been wanting to

tell you, I’m sorry for everything.

Zechi: For what?  Loving the wrong person?  (shruging)

You couldn’t have known what Rafi would do.

Yael: I should have seen it.  This is all my fault,

what happened to your grandfather.  

Zechi: It wasn’t just you. I mean,I don’t blame you. 

I shouldn’t have interfered with your life!
Offering to marry you! I thought I was helping,
saving you from a horrible mistake!

Yael: (emotional)You did save me! How stupid I was!

Everyone was right about him. If I had only
listened.  Please, please forgive me.

Zechi: Of course, I forgive you.

Yael: I destroyed all the star charts...I threw them

all into the fire and watched them burn.  I
will never, ever look at the stars for guidance
again.  I will only worship the God you
serve.
(Yael breaks from Zechis hug and takes his hands in hers) 
Will you give me a second chance at this wife
 88

thing Zechi?

Zechi: You don’t have to do this Yael.

Yael: Please… listen. I have been blinded by the stars

when it was their creator that had the answers. His
love and forgiveness are simple amazing! And it was
you Zechi, who always point me towards Him. When I
thought I would loose you that night, I knew...all I
had been searching for was right here my whole life.
The way you have always loved me Zechi. The way
I’ve always loved you! And to imagine a life without
you. Without us! (holding back tears until the end)

Zechi: (holding and comforting her) Everything will be all

right, Yael.

Yael: I want to be your wife...a real wife.

Zechi: You have no idea how happy you have made

me. I have been in continuous pray to God to
bless our union for a long time.
I love you Yael, I always have.
(They embrace and Zechi gives Yael a tender kiss on her forehead
before letting her go as the prayer horn sounds.)
Excuse me my dear, I must go for evening
prays, but I will be back very soon.

(Zechi walks into the night as Yael goes into the house and exits. 
He kneels, spotlights, and prays.)

Return to Us - Minor chord

Return to Us dear Lord
Guide us along your path
We need to know your ways.

(Zechi goes to say good night to Iddo on his bed)

Zechi: We need to rebuild the temple.  We need to trust

the God of the impossible. 
(Standing pacing and talking more to himself)
So...how do I get the others on board?
 89

Iddo: You’ll have to convince them.  

Zechi: Then you, my old Saba will have to help me. 

You must fight to get well so we can do this
together. For your dream is now mine.

Iddo: (Nods and smiles) I’ll do my best and I believe you

heard the voice of God again?

Zechi: (Smiles and nods) Yes regularly now.

Scene 9

Narrator- Fast forward, 6 years. Zechariah has become a

priest! He works alongside Iddo preparing sacrifices and
being a peacemaker for the People of Jerusalem. Yael has
turned all her feisty energy into knowing the God of her
fathers for the first time. She and Zechariah have
experienced much joy in their marriage, including two
beautiful daughters. Oh, and remember Prince
Sheshbazzar? Well, he died...and yep, you guessed... still
no temple! Because of the long, ongoing disobedience,
God allows a drought to plague the land. There are hot,
sandy, gritty desert winds that blow day and night. The
livestock and crops begin to die. It was just awful! So,
Prince Zerubbabel and High Priest Jeshua asked the
Israelite nation to pray for God’s mercy.

(The Temple: Zechi and Iddo are preparing their clothing for
working in the temple area.  They are constantly wiping sweat from
their faces, etc. -very hot. People fill the temple preparing for
worship service, the congregation performs prayers and such in
complete silence.  We see Zechi praying.  We can see how hot and
dry it is - everyone is uncomfortable, etc.)

Zechi: Why can’t our leaders see that we’re

disobeying by not completing this temple. And Zechi helps Iddo tie on
until we obey the Almighty One’s command this his red sash
famine will continue!  I wish we could do
 90

something to wake everyone up, but I don’t

know what to do.  

Iddo: You need to pray the way you did as a boy

and ask God to give you the answer.

(lights down and a light blue spotlight is on Zechi. We see Zechi

praying. He is alone in a separate place from the congregation for
prayers.)

Song Confidence (Zechi)

I'm not a warrior, I'm too afraid to lose
I feel unqualified for what You're calling me to
But Lord with Your strength, I've got no excuse
'Cause broken people are exactly who You use

So give me faith like Daniel in the lion's den

Give me hope like Moses in the wilderness
Give me a heart like David, Lord be my defense
So I can face my giants with confidence

You took a shepherd boy and made him a King

So I'm gonna trust You and give You everything
I'll be a conqueror, 'cause You fight for me
I'll be a champion claiming Your victory

So give me faith like Daniel in the lion's den

Give me hope like Moses in the wilderness
Give me a heart like David, Lord be my defense
So I can face my giants with confidence

I'm gonna sing and shout and shake the walls

I won't stop until I see them fall
I'm gonna stand up, step out when You call
Jesus, Jesus
I'm gonna sing and shout and shake the walls
I won't stop until I see them fall
I'm gonna stand up, step out when You call
Jesus!...

Give me faith like Daniel in the lion's den

Give me hope like Moses in the wilderness
Give me a heart like David, Lord be my defense
So I can face my giants with confidence, yeah!...
Give me faith like Daniel in the lion's den
Give me hope like Moses in the wilderness
Give me a heart like David, Lord be my defense
So I can face my giants with confidence
 91

I'll face my giants with confidence

(only Zechi hears these words in his head, the congregation

performs prayers and such in complete silence.)

Voice of God: The seed will grow well, the vine will yield
its fruit, the ground will produce its crops, and
the heavens will drop their dew.  I will give all these things
as an inheritance to the remnant of this people.  As you
have been an object of cursing among the nations, O
Judah and Israel, so will I save you, and you will be a
blessing.  Do not be afraid but let
your hands be strong. (Zechariah 8:12-13)

Zechi: Where have I heard that

(talking to himself) 
before?  I just can’t think of which prophet
spoke that?  (shaking his head, lights back to normal!
We see Zechi enter the congregational setting and
speaks to the congreation)

Zechi: God, hear our cries today deliver us from this

famine and guide our footsteps along the path
you have for us! (Zechi dismisses the service.)

(Suddenly, Haggai steps forward from the crowd. He is wearing

simple robes.  Yellow spotlight on Haggai)

Haggai: Hear, my people of the Almighty One!  Listen,

Zerubbabel and Jeshua.  The Lord Almighty has
something to say.  (everyone is instantly quiet
and still) Why do you keep saying that the time
hasn’t come for the Lord’s house to be built? Is
it time for you to be living in your paneled
houses, while His house remains a ruin?
(Haggai 1:3,4)

(we see Zechi visibly react to these words - as if it’s what he is

thinking too)

Haggai: Now this is what the Lord Almighty says, 

 92

“Go up into the mountains and bring down

timber and build my house, So that I may take
pleasure in it and be honored. My house has
remained a ruin, while each of you is busy with
his own house. Therefore, because of you the
heavens have withheld their dew and the earth
its crops.I called for drought on the fields and
the mountains. (Haggai 1:7)

(SFX thunder boom)

Haggai: “I will shake all nations. I will fill this house

with glory And in this place, I will grant peace
(Haggai 2:4-9) (Haggai turns and walks away
through the crowd - lights back to normal.
Various responses from the people ad lib’s such
as - “who was that man?”  “I’ve never seen him
before” “Sounded like a prophecy to me”, etc. 
Zechi runs after Haggai.)
Zechi: Wait, we want to hear more.  Would you
please come back and speak with us and with
our leaders.
(Haggai nods yes. And Zechi leads him to Prince Zerubbabel’s
platform) 

Prince Zerubbabel: What is your name?

Haggai: Haggai

Zerubbabel: You spoke God’s word to us today, Haggai.

Haggai: Yes, my lord.  He told me to say, “I am with you”

(1:13)

Jeshua: You are a prophet.  

Zechi: (shouting - he can no longer contain himself) We need

to do what the Holy One said!  Our

fathers didn’t listen to their prophets. Will we

follow the same mistake? We must listen to
Haggai!  The Holy One has been waiting for us
to get desperate enough to seek Him - and today
 93

in our prayers we asked for his deliverance. 

God has answered us through Haggai, his
messenger.

Zerubbabel: You say that God wants us to resume

building the temple? I haven’t received word
from Persia that the sanction has been lifted.

Haggai: You don’t need the Persian king’s sanction.

You have the Almighty One’s sanction.  “I am
with you.”  That’s what he is telling you. All you
have to do is obey!
Jakin: But what if it brings renewed attacks by our
enemies? 

Zechi: We can’t live in fear!

(everyone begins arguing at once - Zerubbabel holds up his
hand in silence)

Zerubbabel: Listen, I’m allowed to govern Judah and

Jerusalem, but I am still under Persian
authority.  All building projects require their
approval.  If we resume building without it,
they could interpret our actions as a rebellion.  I
don’t want to risk another invasion and exile.

Haggai: And if we don’t obey, the drought will continue. 

We’ll slowly starve to death.  Shall we submit
to Persian authority and die or to God’s
authority and live?

Zechi: All of the

(talking to the people in the crowd)
leaders who made us stop construction are
dead now.  God is telling us to rebuild and He’s
promising to be with us.  (lifting his voice to

rally them) What more do we need? Let our

enemies try to stop us!  “It’s not by might nor by
power, but by my Spirit,” says the Lord
Almighty (Zechi 4:6). (cries of agreeance are
heard throughout the crowd!)
 94

Zerubbabel: I need some time to think about this.

(becoming overwhelmed)

Zechi: Do you believe the Holy One has spoken

through Haggai today, my Lord?  We came
together here to pray about the drought -was
that not your request? Do you believe this was
God’s answer to us or not, my Lord?

(crowd becomes high spirited, and questions Zerubbabel's faith)

Zerubbabel: Yes.  The Holy One spoke through Haggai

today...And I admit that I’m afraid to disobey
Him - but I’m also afraid of the consequences if
we do obey Him. 

Haggai: Why not trust God, my Lord- who brought us

out of captivity in Babylon by His mighty hand
and gave the order to resume building?  Our
enemies will send a report to the emperor telling
him what we’re doing...but we all know the slow
movements of justice, let them be the ones to
wait.  Meanwhile, we’ll keep building - and we
will be smarter than our enemies this time.

Iddo: Put me in charge of it.  I’ve been waiting for

this day for nearly twenty years.

(several priests start arguing against the idea, but most of the
people are siding with Haggai - arguments grow louder and louder)

Zerubbabel: Enough!  The decision is mine alone to

make, for it is I who will bear the responsibility
for it.  Your arguments for and against won’t
sway me.  I need to discern the word of the
Lord for myself.  And today I believe that I have
heard from Him...It IS time to rebuild the
temple!
(a great cheer from the people goes up)

Zechi: (following Haggai)  Wait, may I speak with you?  

 95

(Haggai indicates assent and they step to the side - CS) I

have some questions that only a prophet of the
Almighty can answer.
(Haggai nods his head yes to suggest Zechi continue) 
When I was a boy in Babylon, I felt the Holy
One’s presence in a powerful way.  That is why I
chose to leave my abba and mama and come
here to help rebuild the temple. I have this
unfulfilled desire to be able to worship in his
presence again and again.  I know that
whenever I open the pages of scripture, He is
there. But….(stops to think)

Haggai: My son, what is it you want to know?

Zechi: When I’m ministering as a priest, especially

then, I hear his voice, clearly and forcefully.
”Thus saith the Lord” (saying in a deep tone) It’s
like I’m hearing scripture verses that I’ve
memorized... but...the words I hear aren’t found
anywhere!  I’ve searched all the prophets and
writings to no avail.  I’m beginning to think I am
losing my mind.  And this overwhelming feeling
of urgency to rebuild the temple! To tell others
we need to return to God by obeying him and
seeking him with all our heart and soul and
mind. It’s crazy…..

Haggai: My Son, God is calling you to be his prophet.

Do you not see that our messages have a
connection. You are hearing the same message
from God that I am.  The Holy One wants
to speak through you too! Now allow his words
to flow through you.

Zechi: Me?  Am I old enough? 

Haggai: Do not be afraid! Be faithful to His message

If the Almighty wants to speak through you
How can you keep silent?
 96

Zechi: I think God is saying...Return to Me

(There is a long introduction to this song. Time it so this song starts

as Zechi and Haggai are talking and then go straight into singing.)

Song -Return to Me
When the world is too hard to please
When contentment is too hard to find
When the narrow way is an uphill climb
It’s time to return to me.  

When your heart is breaking inside

When strength is too hard to find
When the world you know fills you with lies
It’s time to return to me.

(Chorus)
Return to me
And I’ll never leave you
Return to me
A best friend I’ll be
In joy or in pain
In loss or in gain
In whatever this life puts you through
Return to me
And I’ll return to you

(Bridge)
Any road that you choose to travel 
I’ll be there each step that you take 
I will give you hope for tomorrow
I will give you strength for the day

Chorus (Modulate Key)

 Return to me 3x at the end of the chorus

(Men head to temple mount)

(Pause - everyone looks around and listens - here sound will be ready
to replay the music a second time as crowd ad libs)

Crowd #1: “Do you hear it?” 

Crowd #2: “It’s gone!” 
 97

Crowd #3: “The desert winds!” 

Crowd #4 “Hallelujah!”
Crowd #5 “Praise the Almighty One!”
Crowd #6 “The drought is over!”
(resume music, ensemble cheer and keep working as we hear the
rain get louder and louder.  Lights down with spotlight on Zechi)

Zechi: All these years I wondered why you have been

silent...why you stopped speaking to me. 
But...you haven’t been silent; you simply have
not changed your mind.  You told me to leave
Babylon and to rebuild your temple...those
instructions never changed. You are the God of
the impossible!  

All: Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.  His

love endures forever.

Scene 10
(we see lots of activity at the temple site - young boys are pulling
weeds, cleaning up the area, Iddo is directing everyone, carts of
rocks and timbers are being brought in.)

Song: Building the Temple

(chorus) And we’re building the temple
Building the temple
Building the temple for our God.
We work hard every day
Except for Saturday!

(Verse) First we need some wood

building stones are good
We must repair the crane
Clearing weeds is a pain
Come back our Holy One
Return to us
Scene 11
The courtyard of the temple.  The priests including Zechi, Iddo, and
the prophet Haggai are standing together.  

Zerubbabel: We’ve heard the word of the Lord through

two of His prophets.  I believe that God’s
 98

word is to be exalted above all men. The

decision has been made; it will not change. For,
I will not be swayed!

Haggai: This is what the Lord Almighty says: “Now give

careful thought to this and consider
how things were before you began rebuilding
the Lord’s temple...I struck all the work of your
hands with blight, mildew, and hail yet you did
not turn to me.  But, from this day
on give careful thought to the day when the
foundation of the Lord’s temple was laid. From
this day on I will bless you.”

Iddo: (quietly to Zechi) This must be a warning to us to

not quit again.

Zechi: He must have heard about our meeting with

the village leaders, who are still fearful to obey
God. Saba! I fear we unwanted company!
(Pointing to the arriving caravan)

(Entering the area is a delegation from the Trans-Euphrates Province

with standards from Persia - along with some Persian soldiers.
Trumpets are sounded, drum roll as the soldier announces the
presences of Tattenai.)

Soldier: Trans-Euphrates Province, Tattenai, a delegate

of the Emperor Darius!

Iddo: Well, they didn’t wait very long to show up.

Tattenai: (stepping forward to address Zerubbabel)  Are you

the official in charge?

Zerubbabel: Yes, I’m Zerubbabel, Governor of Judea and

Jerusalem.

Tattenai: I have recently learned of a large-scale

construction project taking place here.  Since I
was not informed of any building permits being
issued, I decided to come and see for
 99

myself.  This is definitely no ordinary structure.

(looking up and around in surprise)

Zerubbabel: That’s right.  We are rebuilding the temple

that King Solomon built here many years ago.  A temple to
the one God whom we serve.

Tattenai: I see.  Well, on behalf of Emperor Darius, I

demand to know who authorized you to rebuild
this temple and restore this structure?

Zerubbabel: The God of heaven and earth did.  We are

His servants.

Tattenai: God did?!

(scornful tone, laughing, looking at his entourage, and they start
laughing too)

Zerubbabel: Yes.  King Cyrus issued a decree in the first

year of his reign permitting us to rebuild this
house of God.  

Tattenai: King Cyrus is dead.  Darius is king now.

Zerubbabel: So, we have heard.

Tattenai: You need authorization from King Darius. And

I’ll need the names of all the men who are
constructing this building.

Zerubbabel: My name is Zerubbabel.  Should I spell it

out for you?

Iddo: And my name is Iddo

Jeshua: I’m Jeshua, high priest of the Almighty One.

(One by one, all of the men begin telling the secretary their names
with many shouting their names - the secretary is flustered and
frustrated and starts nervously dropping his parchments and quills
- the soldiers all go to help him - it is a comical scene)
Tattenai frustrated holds
up his hands
 100

Tattenai: Wait.  Don’t talk all at once!  My secretary can’t

record all these names!

Zerubbabel: He’s going to need many hours and dozens

of scrolls to record all of our names.  More
than 42,000 of us returned to our land from
Babylon, and our population has grown even
larger over the last 16 years. We the people of
the Almighty One, are building this temple
together, as one man!
(Tattenai indicates with his hand for his secretary to stop.)  

Tattenai: Well, then...(trying to walk through the group of

people but unable to) let my men through they
will need to inspect the project as part of my
report.

Jeshua: They will have to do it from a

(stepping forward) 
distance...this is a holy site.

Tattenai: (angered) I’ll
have you know I am the great
Tattenai, Governor of…
pauses talking, moving in different directions but seeing that he is
surrounded by all directions,
(states shakily)
I’ll be sending a report to King Darius
immediately. 
(recomposing some bravery sticks out chest and lifts nose towards
the sky, trying not to look like he is accepting defeat )
In the meantime, all construction must halt
until you receive official authorization.

Zerubbabel: (shaking his head)  With all due respect,

Governor Tattenai, we intend to continue
working. (Handing the declaration back) We already
have authorization from King Cyrus and more
importantly, from God.  We will obey Him.
(the crowd of Jewish men and women nearby cheer and hold up
their fists.  The governor and his entourage practically trip over
themselves trying to get away.  Lights down)
 101

Scene 12

  (Lights up Inside Yael and Zechi’s home - Yael is picking up the

main room when Hodaya peeks in)

Yael: Hodaya. Please come in! We haven’t had time

to talk with all that has been going on at the
temple.

Hodaya: Can I ask you something, Yael?

Yael: Sure. Hodaya, what’s wrong?

Hodaya: I want to know the truth about who I am...

who my parents are and how I came to be here?

Yael: Hodaya, (closing her eyes for a moment and rubbing

her neck after a tiring day)   haven’t we told you
countless times how much we love you?  That
you belong with us?

Hodaya: Yes, but this time I need to know the

truth.  It’s important. (she pauses, then looks
overjoyed saying the next line with shyness and yet
happiness)  
Because I’m in love with Aaron, son of Besai. 
And he loves me.

Yael: (obviously surprised) But you’re only sixteen, and

Aaron, he’s…?

Hodaya: Eighteen.  He thinks I’m pretty, and he

doesn’t even notice...you know...my crooked
foot.

Yael: Hodaya, you are beautiful and none of us

care about your foot.  Besides, we all have
things about us that aren’t perfect.

Hodaya: I know but, .I don’t look like any of you.

Yael: My daughters don’t look like me either, and –

Hodaya: That’s not what I mean! (raising her voice and
 102

I know who I
then lowering it with the following line)
DO look like, and I want to know the truth.

Yael: Will Hodaya. Who do you think you look like?

Hodaya: Remember that night when Iddo was

stabbed? The man who did it..I saw his face
and I looked just like him! We have the same
hair, eyes, so many similarities, (Yael is at a loss
for words)  Yael, am I a Samaritan?

Yael: None of
(getting a little upset over the questions)
this matter. Besides, why are you so
concerned about who you look like all of a
sudden?

Hodaya: Because the man who died that night was

Rafi, the man you wanted to marry before Zechi!
And He was a Samaritan! Wasn’t he? (Yael nods
head slowly) If I’m related to him, that means I am
a Samaritan too! Right? Oh, don’t you see, if
you couldn’t marry Rafi because he wasn’t
Jewish, then Aaron would not be allowed to
marry me because I too am not Jewish! Oh,
this cannot be!

Yael: Hodaya, you were adopted because God made

it so. Iddo and Dinah love you so much.

Hodaya: I know they love me; I’m not questioning that.

I’m asking to know the truth about my birth
parents, and why I was adopted. My future
depends on the truth.

Yael: Oh Hodaya! The truth is dangerous, and we

have spent our lives protecting you from things
you can’t understand!

Hodaya: (struggling to her feet)  I

don’t want your Hodaya goes to put on her
protection! And if you are too afraid to tell me cloak to leave.
then I will find another way. I will walk down to
that Samaritan village and ask them why I look
 103

like Rafi! I will ask questions until I find out

who I am!

Yael: No!  Hodaya!  You can never ever do that!  You

don’t understand the danger you would put yourself in.
The danger we all would be in. You can never go to that
village or tell anyone about your theories of Rafi, or….
what I am about to tell you,... Promise and I’ll tell you the
truth. (Hodaya nods yes with tears in her eyes) Come. Sit. You
are right! It is time you know how you came to be Jewish!
(Hodaya sits next to Yael - lights fade to a soft spotlight as Yael
sings)

Song -Always Be A Child

I was there, when you drew the breath of life

And I could hear your voice
The first time that you cried
And though you couldn't see Me

I was very near

And there's something now
That I want you to hear

You will always be a child in My eyes

And when you need some love
My arms are open wide
And even when you're growing old

I hope you realize

You will always be a child
In My eyes

Hodaya: My people refused me! All because they didn’t

want a baby with a crooked foot? And, They let
my mother think I died! How cruel. She must
have been so sad!

Yael: Everyone thought you would die that night!

Not, Safta Dinah. She said she would
make sure you lived if it was the last thing she
ever did.  And so...we brought you home!
Immediately we all fell in love with you (small
chuckle) and that is how you came to be Jewish!
And we have never regretted bringing you home.
 104

Hodaya: So, I am Samaritan. That means I’m not worthy

to marry Aaron!

Yael: What? Why would you think that? Of course,

you can marry...

(Dinah, Iddo and Zechi enter the room, hearing the last part of the
conversation.)

Iddo: What’s this?  Who’s getting married?

Dinah: Iddo, my love sometimes you are like a camel

with his head stuck in the sand, … she’s
talking about Aaron dear. 

Yael: You knew?

Dinah: I may be old, but I know when love is in the air.

(she smiles at her jokes again)

Hodaya: But is it allowed Safta?  I

(she asks miserably)
know I’m a Samaritan, which means I’m
one of your enemies.  

Yael: Hodaya you aren’t our enemy!  You’re one of

us!  Tell her, Zechi!

Hodaya: (speaking to Zechi)

I too know stories from the
Torah!  When Israel came into this
land, the Holy One told them to kill every man,
woman, and child.  He said not to marry
anyone who wasn’t Jewish.

Iddo: Hodaya, look at me.  The Holy One told us to

totally destroy those nations for the same
reason He allowed Jerusalem to be destroyed
and the same reason why the Jewish people
were taken into exile. We had all become
corrupt, worshiping false gods and doing
immoral things.  But...it has ALWAYS been
God’s plan to bless all the people on earth
through our nation, the Israelite nation!  
 105

Zechi: He made that promise to Abraham and

repeated it to Isaac and Jacob.  

Iddo: The Holy One loves all people, not just the sons
of Abraham.   

Zechi: And as far as now... the reason we cannot let

the Samaritans help with the building of the
temple is because they still practice a mixture of
religions.  But anyone, and everyone
who turns wholeheartedly to God is always
welcome to worship with us.  

Hodaya: So, does that mean...you’ll let me marry Aaron?

Iddo: Yes, my dear girl!

Dinah: But not for another year or two.  You’re still

much too young.
(Everyone laughed and hugs Hodaya.)

Scene 13
(the following scene will use projector and hear the voice of God)

(Night in Zechi’s home.  He wakes up and puts on his outer robe and
sandals, walking into the courtyard.  Here he sees a man, dressed in
white, and walks towards him.  Here we will use sound effects of
horses galloping and neighing, leaves rustling, and wind with green
or yellow lighting.  Create a projection of many still pictures of
these images from Zechi and have them flipping one after another
quickly to represent the vision.

Zechi: Oh Lord, I am restless tonight. Will we finish

the temple? I so desperately want to dwell where
you dwell. (pausing and looking up as the
screens begin to show visions) What...what
is..this?
(Projected on screens-completed temple, signs of great prosperity. If
the screens are able to show different projections, we will have
scripture on one screen and “visions” on the other)

Voice of God/angel: “I will return to Jerusalem with

mercy, and there my house will be rebuilt.  My towns will
 106

again overflow with prosperity, and the Lord will again

comfort Zion and choose Jerusalem.”(Zechariah 2)

(Here Zechi looks up to see people pouring back into Jerusalem)

Angel: “The scattered Judah will continue their return to

Jerusalem.”

(screen shows a man measuring a foundation)

Angel/Voice of God: Once again men and women of ripe

old age will sit in the streets of Jerusalem and boys and
girls will be playing there. (8:4,5) And I myself will be a
wall of fire around it,” declares the Lord, “and I will be its
glory within.”

(Zechi lifts his hands to heaven.  Sound effect, lighting shift.)

(Screen changes to several scenes of people from many lands coming
to Jerusalem)
(Sound effect, lighting shift.)

Angel: Shout and be glad, O daughter of Zion. 

For I am coming, and I will live among you,” declares the
Lord.  “Many nations will be joined with the Lord in that
day and will become my people.  I will live among you and
you will know that the Lord Almighty has sent me to you. 
Be still before the Lord, ALL mankind, because he has
roused himself from his holy dwelling.” (Zechariah 2:10-13)

(Zechi sinks to the ground overcome with emotion, closing his eyes. 
Lights shift again.  When he opens his eyes the screen changes to
the High Priest dressed in his robes) 

Angel:  Listen, Jeshua and you other priests - you are

symbolic of things to come:  I am going to bring my
servant, the Branch.  And I will remove the sin of this land
in a single day.” (Zechariah 3:8,9)

(Here we see an image of Christ on the screen - all lights are off
except Jesus on the screen and we hear horses and chariots and
wind fading away- then spotlight back on Zechi, lying on the ground
and everyone else is gone - regular spotlights.  Enter Iddo, coming to
shake Zechi’s shoulder, waking him up.)

Iddo: Zechariah...Zechariah...are you all right?  Why

 107

are you sleeping out here in the cold?

Zechi: I wanted to pray, but...Oh Saba! (excited) The

Holy One showed me things...visions...God
reassured me that we will finish building His
temple.  Zerubbabel will lay the capstone
himself.  Our enemies can’t stop us.  The Lord
Almighty said, “Not by might nor by power, but
by my Spirit.”  I need to tell Jeshua and the
others that the sins of the past are
gone - washed away! 

Iddo: Praise God. 

(The women slowly join them in the courtyard with the children. 
Zechi smiles at his family.)

Zechi: The Lord promises that many nations will be

joined with Him.  They will become His people. 
You are His, Hodaya.  You belong to Him!

Yael: Zechariah...What?...How?

Zechi: The Holy One opened eternity and showed me

visions to encourage us, Yael.  We shouldn’t be
disappointed if the work we do seems small in
our eyes.  The future will be so much more than
this temple we’re building.  The Holy One is
coming!  He is coming and will live among us
and in us!
(fade out lights)

Scene 14

At the temple site - carpenters and workers are working on the

temple.  Iddo is busy at work, and Zechi and Caleb arrive to get him
for Hodaya’s wedding.

Iddo: I know, I know.  I’m late.  And I’m in trouble,

aren’t I?
 108

Zechi: (grinning) Don’t ask me, I’m just the

messenger.  Safta sent me to tell you that you
will still be building the temple tomorrow and
the next day, but this is the only day that
Hodaya will ever get married.  

Iddo: There’s still plenty of time. (Zechi gives him a look)

Caleb: We are under strict orders not to come home

without you.

(They walk down from the building site and see men coming toward
the city.)

Iddo: That’s not something you see every day.

Caleb: Hey, those are the banners of the Samaritan

governor.  Maybe he finally received a
response from the Persian emperor.  How do
they always know to come when we are having a
day of celebration?

Zechi: It’s been nearly eight months since Tattenai

sent his letter to Persia.

Iddo: I’ve been fearing this day.  And it’s not a good
sign that the governor himself is
bringing the news.  If the Persian king ruled
against us, Tattenai probably came in person
to gloat. Almighty One, remove my fear and
keep my knees strong. ...Ah look, Tattenai is
not with them. Lord be praised!

(Several other men and Prince Zerubbabel walk out to meet the
governor as they take center stage.  Tattenai is NOT in the group
arriving, but his secretary. Position flags/banners behind the
secretary.)

Secretary: In response to Governor Tattenai’s letter,

King Darius ordered that the archives
stored in the treasury in Babylon be
searched.  In them, a scroll was found
 109

from the first year of King Cyrus

concerning the temple of God in
Jerusalem. King Cyrus’ proclamation said: 
“Let the temple be rebuilt as a place to present sacrifices. 
It is to be ninety feet high and ninety feet wide, with three
courses of large stones and one of imbers.  The costs are
to be paid by the royal treasury.  Also, the gold and silver
articles carried to Babylon by King Nebuchadnezzar are to
be returned.”  After finding the original proclamation, King
Darius then took the matter under consideration and sent
this memorandum to Governor Tattenai. 
(Ezra 6:3-12) (put these words up on the screen in archaic looking
script on a scroll type document)“
Now then, Tattenai, governor of Trans-
Euphrates, you and your fellow provincial
officers stay away from there.  Do not interfere
with the work on God’s temple.”
(A great shout begins among all the Israelites, along with cheering
and hugging one another.)  

Secretary: Moreover, the expenses of these men are

to be paid out of the royal treasury.
(big cheer)
Whatever is needed for their offerings to
the God of heaven must be given to them
daily, without fail, so they may offer
sacrifices and pray for the well-being of the
king and his sons.
(big cheer)
Moreover, if anyone changes this edict, a
beam is to be pulled from his house and

he is to be impaled on it, and his house is

to be made a pile of rubble.
(big cheer)
May God overthrow any king or people who
lifts a hand to change this decree or
to destroy this temple in Jerusalem.
(big cheer, the delegation from Samaria departs.)

Zerubbabel: Spread the news!  Tell everyone in the city

and in all the villages and towns!
(walking to the front of the group and speaking with authority) 
 110

Zechi: This is what the Lord

Almighty says, “I am burning with jealousy for
Jerusalem!  I will return to her and dwell
in Jerusalem, and the mountain of the Lord will
be called the Holy Mountain.  The city
streets will be filled with children playing and I
will save my people and bring them back
here from exile.  They will be my people and I
will be faithful and righteous to them as their
God.” (Zechi 8:2,3)

(Iddo grabs Zechi’s arm, so proud of him.  Another great cheer goes
up among the men, and they all exit the scene as Iddo, and Zechi
walk to their home. Wedding song plays as Hodaya marries. Little
girls run through with ribbons. Veil is placed around Hodaya.
Narrator does epilogue during the Wedding song).

Epilogue
(Three years have passed, and the temple is finished)
Narrator: The temple was finished! Can you believe it?
19 long years of waiting, but once they decided, it only
took them 3 years to build it! This story was such a long
time ago, now! Tell me, do you see that you also have been
rescued by the Almighty One? That daily He molds and
shapes your life. And more importantly, He desperately
seeks to dwell among His people. No matter who you are,
where you have come from, or what you have done, He is
your God if you accept Him! I certainly did! I might be a
Samaritan and have a limp, but this is my family. I’m so
glad you could stay and hear my story...your story...our
story, because this is who God i.s. (Older Hodaya pulls out
her cane and limps over to her family as everyone takes his place)

(Shofar blows) 

(We see the Levite priests take their places along with the High
Priest resplendent in his ephod, breastplate, and robe.  Prince
Zerubbabel arrives with a procession, banners, and announced by a
fanfare of shofars.)

High Priest: Give thanks to the Lord for He is

good.  His love endures forever!

All Cast Repeats Give thanks to the Lord for He is

good.  His love endures forever!
 111

Zechi: “Shout and be glad, O Daughter

(steps forward) 
of Zion.  For I am coming, and I will live among
you,” declares the Lord.  “Many nations will be
joined with the Lord in that day and will become
my people.  I will live among you and in you,
and you will know that the Lord Almighty has
sent me to you…”

(to the audience - begins - and after first line, the entire cast speaks
the blessing to the audience) 

High Priest: The Lord bless you and keep you

Everyone: The Lord make His face shine upon you

and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His
face toward you and give you peace.

Song: Return to Me - reprise

(bridge and chorus - with key change) - All cast on stage for song. 
Song will serve as curtain call - principals will step forward during
the bridge and bow.  Show will end with the song.)

Curtain call