Regarding the Crucifixion and the Destruction of Jerusalem

I agree that Pater Simon Gamaliel has created an epic tale when he personified the destruction of Jerusalem in the crucifixion scenes describing the death of my father, but I resent those who strive to make this the focus of the New Way, whose followers are now being called Christians, after the Greek word chrystos, meaning "anointed" (Hebrew Messiach). Look at all the art of our people, whether of papyrus, animal skin or carved in stone, and you will see two themes; communal eating and human healing, through the laying on of hands.

Marcus makes for a great tale and I wouldn't change a word of it, and in fact there are variant manuscripts already circulating through our communities, and again there's nothing wrong with that. Let's just not lose the focus of what my dad really taught, and that was sharing of food and conversation with friends, neighbors and strangers alike, and the offering of medical and spiritual assistance to souls and bodies in need at any time and any place. The crucifixion may make for a more focused ending than being a casualty of a political uprising, but the danger of uniting under a phallic symbol of death betrays what Jesus lived for, which was the dignity and equality of every man, woman and child throughout the lands.

Peace 2 All

Why I reformed the Jewish tax; Josephus explains

When Vespatian brought in the Jewish Tax I knew that it didn't smell right, that there was potential for this thing to be very dangerous. His brother Domitian proved my point, intensifying the persecution of Jews and also becoming paranoid about Christians.

By repealing this legislation and replacing it with laws more respectful, I have honoured Our foreparents and blazed a trail for much greater progress to come. I have educated the people, so now there is understanding of the Jewish Revolt and how the immigration has brought many wonders to Rome and the Empire.

When I first heard that Domitian was taxing senior citizens, women, children, the poor, I was sick to my stomach. My first nine or ten months as Emperor involved cleaning up the economic, political, military and social mess left by Domitian, may God bless his weary soul. By exempting the aged, the Christians (who had been perceived as "Judaized" by Domitian), and Jewish Christians the tax remained for those openly believing in and practicing Judaism. Even though it was purportedly for the Jupiter Temple in Rome and was designed to replace the historic Temple Tax, I was aware that many if not most Jews did not consider it voluntary or even spiritual in Nature. Still, I had to create legislation that would pass in the Senate.

As my earthly father once spoke, Give unto Jah that which belongs to Jah, and give to Caesar that which is Caesar's. To commemorate the reform of the Fiscus Judaicus, I have issued a coin with the following inscription:

FISCI IVDAICI CALVMNIA SVBLATA

(The calumny of the Jewish Tax is Removed)

Peace 2 All

House of Aristobulus; A Plea for Unity and Strength

Some may say that the enmity between myself and Father Simon from the days of the war will limit our ability to work together for the good of our communities in Galilee and Palestine and in Rome and throughout the Roman Empire. My Uncle James and brother Justus were able to provide many bridges between us, and many now believe that Father Simon Gamaliel is the rock upon which Our Church in Rome is built. Paul solidified the communities in Egypt, Greece and Persia, but Pater Simon was the glue between Jerusalem and Rome.

My father made Simon a fisher of men, and only Timothy, James, Paul and my mother rival him as a most crucial disciple. Pater Simon Gamaliel was a direct descendant of King David, and was a Nasi who went on to lead the post-Jerusalem Way community and published memoirs that have influenced many Gospel writings over the past fifteen years.

A Roman Dream, A Personal Lament

For the Roman Empire I hope for a future of peace, prosperity and joyfulness in the lands. May the man most suitable to lead the people rise through his abilities to do so. May we follow the desires of our parents and not revert to greedy leadership that considers only the benefits for themselves and their relatives.

For my family and those of faith I hope that this rift between the Believers can be repaired and that the followers of Jeshua will stand side by side with the children of Moses and Allah to build a better world for all humanikind.

Regarding My Brother, Justus of Tiberias

Don't you be acting so innocent, it's not like we didn't leave you lots of clues. Why do you think we argued over the royal jewels in Tiberias, during a time of great peril, and who else would have the foresight and wisdom to challenge my view of things? The only quibble I have with my brother is that I rarely saw him in the decade before his book came out, and most of the places where he contradicts my work are really in the eye of the beholder. While it's true that mom and I went more fully over to the Roman side than he did, the fanatics who killed our father were also destroying Jerusalem and the nation. Besides, our mediation, and negotiation of several key peace treaties, saved tens of thousands of lives and much livestock, acreage and orchards. Where the Romans found greatest resistance, they laid land to waste...

In the beginning my brother and I were as close as could be, far closer to each other than to Tim. Justus looked up to me, and I always found him to be brilliant and funny, and a joy to be around. I remember the first time I took him to Briton, that summer was great fun and fishing was splendid. Between family trips and individual excursions with dad, mom, myself, brother Tim and uncles Paul and James, Justus had seen much of the Empire before turning fifteen.

The fact that he shared my father's burden of being the designated Messiach was not something to be taken lightly, and I knew in the grander scheme of things that as the Joseph, I would be his tutor. Some may now believe that the pupil can give the master a lesson, and from a Judaic perspective my brother has been a pure beacon, respected by the Way, the Essenes, the Mandeans, the Saabans and most loved indeed by the Armenians and the Greeks, who also loved our dad so dearly. I am honoured that Justus worked hard to maintain a permanent Hebrew scripture school in Tiberias, in the first house he bought there, and the second has become a meeting place for The Way.

There was a time when people claimed that my father Aristobulus and my mother salome would never attain power, but he became the true King of the Jews, as Agrippa was always a Roman puppet, and he and my mom were honoured for their peacemaking in many, many lands, Justus and I are fortunate to carry forth these traditions, and re govern Rome and Armenia with pureness of heart and gldness of soul.

Early Days in Galilee; Josephus recalls his childhood

There was always a lot of fanfare around my older brother Herod Timothy because of his adoption by Agrippa the Younger, but my brother and I had our share of opportunity and blessings.

My first given name was Agrippa Josephus Aristobulus (often called Yuya by my folks); my little brother Jeshua Justus Aristobulus was the third son born to Ari and Salome, at least by the official story. The inner core let people believe that the first son was from Philip Jahn...few knew the full story.

It was customary for royal women of this era to have their first child out of wedlock or with an arranged husband, as this was one way to ensure a multiplicity of regal, in this case Herodian / Maccabean, bloodlines. Regardless, I was there; Herod Timothy was raised as if he were Ari’s own son, and he was my true brother unto his untimely death.

My dad had been adopted at a relatively young age, and he was a toddler when his mother married Prince Joseph Polli (later King Herod of Chalcis), so he knew how important family would be to Tim’s life and career. When my brother Timothy was appointed Crown Prince at nine years old by being officially adopted by Prince Agrippa, he still lived wth Us and was generally treated no differently than Justus and myself.

To all observers and to themselves, Ari and Salome had three sons, and together with our sisters we were a tight family for over two decades. My aunt Berenice often took Tim to Jerusalem, and sometimes myself or Justus got to go, with her or with mom and dad.

If you have read otherwise just disregard the nonsense for Tim was my brother and one of the most devout disciples of the Way, and carried on his father's teachings in a most respectable and straightforward manner. As much as anyone, Timothy’s allegiance was always to our dad Aristobulus, and later, to brothers James and Paul and the community that followed Jeshua's creed of healing, sharing, peace, freedom and equality.

Essential Mantra of The Way, A 1st Century Prayer from The Children of Light

The Perfection of the Way was influenced deeply by the rigorous yet peaceful Essenes, whose full members recited this oath after 3 years as an Initiate:

I shall love God and be just to my fellow man
I will not harm another, either of my own mind
Or at the command of another’s orders
I shall forever hate the unjust and will battle for the just
I will share my faith with all men, regardless of rank or origin
I shall accept responsibility proudly, never abusing the benefits of privilege
I will dress humbly, always loving truth, and exposing liars