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THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS -- Friday, Sep tember 9, 19 60 —
Purely Commfntary
Maurice Samuel's New Novel, 'The Second
Crucifixion,' Inspires Study of Ebionites . .
The Candidates and the Voters in 1960
By Philip
Slomovitz
"The Second Crucifixion," by Maurice Samuel, is
ion! ThoSe who call Jews killers of Christ are,,the ... bate the differences in the beliefs of the Ebionites
inducers of the betrayal.
offered by the author and his publisher, Alfred A.
Ind the Christians, there may be a vast difference of
* *
between him and others among our learned
Knopf, as a novel. It is, indeed, a splendid narrative,
scholars relative to the background of the Ebionites,
a well-motivated story. It
So extensive is the "debate" between the Jews and
their beliefs in Jesus, their kinship to the 'Essenes,
is, however, much more
the Christians, between Ebionites and those who be-
their origin from the Dead Sea area.
than that. It is a challenge
lieved in the divine birth of Jesus, between defenders
Insofar as the admonition to Christians is con-
to religious leaders, an in-
and antagonists of Jews, that "The Second Cruci-
cerned, however, in the rejection of anti-Semitism
spiration to scholars who
fixion" hardly lends itself to a mere review: it calls
as the second crucifixion, there is so much power in
will be moved to make fur-
for study, it could be the textbook for a course on
this novel, there is so immense an enlightenment on
ther study of a vital sub-
religion, it requires several lectures rather than a
the injustice. that has been imbedded in Roman dogma,
ject that serves as the core
single analysis.
that "The Second Cricifixion" is certain to occupy
of • the book, a work that
Here is an enlightening bit of evidence of the
a major place in the two fields of literature—non-
will instill a desire in in-
conflict that divided Ebionites and Christians. During
fiction as well as fiction. It is a great novel that
telligent readers to do
the battle for Miriam, an eminent Christian philos-
deserves greater _recognition than has been accorded
further research of an im-
opher, Justinus, was approached to intervene. Yoha-
any of his other 20 previously published works.
portant era in religious
naan pleaded and at the same time explained the
history.
beliefs of his sect: "We Ebionites do not accept John's
Imperial Rome of the
biography of Jesus; you Christians do: How can you
'Jewish Vote' as Campaign issue
hold us guilty of God-murder?"
second century of the pres-
Racial and religious issues already occupy an
ent era is the setting for
In astonishment, Justin asked: "He was not slain
important spot in political discussions. Accusations
the Samuel s t or y. The
at all? It was a pretense, a Greek play?" Then came
and denials, charges and counter-charges, canards of
, this exchange, Yohanaan speaking:
author begins his tale in
every description are making headlines. Jews, Catho-
"For us Jesus ben Joseph, the Teacher of Right-
lics and Negroes will figure prominently in the debates.
the first person, by relating
Let's look at some of the tales that already have
eousness, was slain as a - man; for you he died willingly
that he came to the Forum
Maurice Samuel
been spread by quoting a few headlines and several
as a God, a self-sacrifice that was not to be prevented
ruins in Rome for a two-
related stories:
day visit and remained for ten weeks. He was re-
by any power on earth. 'This commandment,' he said,
"Nixon Woos Jews, Lodge Backs Arabs"—Drew
turning from Jerusalem to New York and had then
according to John, 'I have received from my father.'
Pearson.
I do not ask you to give up your belief that he was
been "at the center of the world-wide excitement set
"Parties Worried by Jewish Vote—Apathy and
off by the Dead Sea Scrolls." They aroused his curi-
the Son of God; but I ask you to put upon his death
Distrust Found in Campaign Study Here"—Homer
osity about many things. As he sat at the Roman
an interpretation befitting your Gentile belief."
Bigart analysis in New York Times.
Forum he heard a woman's voice: "Write about me.
"Our Gentile belief?" asked Justin. "It was Jews,
" 'It's the 1928 Campaign All Over Again'—South's
.. Stay in Rome and think about me." It was Mar-
not Gentiles, who first hailed the Son of God, Jews
Baptists Line Up Against Kennedy"—Detroit Free Press
cella who then began her tale—a story that now
brought up in the Jewish faith, not a Gentile among
streamer headlines over New York Times Service story.
emerges as "The Second • Crucifixion."
them."
Detroit News reports on how "Lodge Bowls 'em
Marcella was adopted by a Roman Senator. She
"Jews infected with the Gentile tradition," an-
Over in Catskills": "Lodge became very heated, but
married a young aristocrat, Julius Fulvius, who, when
swered Yohanaan. "There have always been Jews
kept his temper, when asked whether he was in the.
he learned that her parents were Jews, drove her
who have perverted the faith from within."
Catskills to 'try and round up' the Jewish bloc vote.
"Ah! So you would have it that Isaiah himself was
from him. It was just as she was about to give birth
think that is a very improper question,' Lodge told
to a child, and Julius believed that she planned to
what you call a perverted Jew. It was he who prophe-
the radioman, 'and it is violating the spirit of the
drown herself. She collapsed on the footsteps of a
sied: 'Behold, a virgin shall conceive.' Can a man
Constitution. It's an improper thing to bring up in the
Jewish home, was nursed back to health and welcomed
born of a man be conceived by a virgin?"
campaign because it has nothing to - do at all with
"It is written in the original Hebrew: 'Behold, a
with her daughter to the Jewish fold.
choosing a man for President or Vice President."
* * *
young woman shall conceive.' Almah,' a young
Harold Baron, social science instructor at Wright
woman, not `bethulah,' a virgin. It is a mistranslation
Julius, who, before his marriage and before Mar-
Junior College, Chicago, in an article, "The Vote
of the Greek, Justinus."
cella knew she was of JeWish origin, spoke to her of
Market," in the Nation, referring to the political
"I have heard that said before." Justinus was
Jews as being "the lowest of the low," later embraced.
situation in Chicago: "The 24th Ward, which used to
courteously
unimpressed.
"But
you
Jews
are
no
longer
Christianity and returned to claim Marcella and her
be the home base of Democratic National Committee-
the guardians of the sacred books, as you are no
daughter. He had divorced her, but his claim was that
man Jake Arvey, was always noted for the larger than
longer the true Israel. Alas, Yohanaan ben Matthias,
Jews were taking the child away from Christianity.
90 per cent majorities that it turned in. It was also
why will you not see that it is we, the Christians, who
His hatred for Jews had not diminished. In the mean-
noted for being the last ward to report, the implication
are
the
true
Israel,
the
descendants
of
Judah,
Jacob,
time Marcella became imbued with the views of the
being that any deficit in votes could be recouped in
it
is
said:
'Unto
you
a
Isaac,
and
Abraham?
Of
us
Jews who rescued her. They were the Ebionites
the wee hours of the morning. Today the once over-
son is given'; of us and of the church is it sung
who followed the teachings of Jesus as well_ as Moses,
whelmingly Jewish population of the 24th Ward has
in the Song of Songs. You Jews read the sacred
who accepted Jesus as a prophet, but only as the Son
moved to the suburbs or to the far north side of
books, but their spirit is veiled from you." He sighed
of Man and not as the Son of God. Marcella had fallen
Chicago. It haS been replaced by Negroes. Yet, the
and shook his head reflectively. "A stiff-necked people
in love with an Ebionite scholar, Y o h a n a an ben
social-service program of the Arvey machine so main-
you
have
been
called
from
of
old,
clinging
to
evil
ways
Matthias, whom her friends, with her financial aid—
tained its old pattern that only a couple of years ago a
and evil laws, savages who demand an eye for an eye,
by the sale of her ring — redeemed from slavery.
veteran precinct captain could complain at Passover
and a tooth for a tooth."
time: 'They're still handing out matzohs in - the • 24th.
Julius kidnapped the child Miriam and Marcella and
Yohanaan struggled with himself. Despondently he
Nobody knows what to do with them. They think
the Ebionites undertook to secure her return. That
answered at last: "Is it thus that you spread the
we're nuts!' Adjustment is slow. Today in the 24th
developed into an ideological as well as a communal
gospel of Jesus? Do you not know, Justinus, that
Ward, as the result of local pressure, there is a
battle, and in the course of it the views of the Jews
when the Written Law was given to us at Sinai there
Negro alderman, but the vastly more important post
who were Ebionites—people who were motivated by
was given together with it the Unwritten Law of
of ward committeeman is still held by a white man."
cooperative views based on their belief that poverty
interpretation which tells us that 'an eye for an eye, a
Let us deal briefly, at the outset, with the last two
is the eventual salvation of mankind—and Christians
items. If it was right for Nelson Rockefeller to look
tooth. for a tooth' shall be read: 'The monetary value
who hated Jews. (It is from the term ebyon—poor-
for pastrami sandwiches and knishes on the East Side
of an eye for an eye, the monetary value of a tooth
- that the name was derived for the Ebionites — ebyo-
of New York, it was perfectly proper to hand out
for a tooth'?"
nim—meaning the poor.)
matzohs in Chicago. Procedure should have changed
At this point Justinus tells Yohanaan that "we
The heroes in the battle for the return of Miriam
when the Jews moved to the suburbs, but the idea
hold the gates open for you. . . . Your Sabbath was
to Marcella and to Yohanaan, and those who opposed
is there: Rockefeller toured Delancey street for Jewish
enforced upon you because of your weakness, because
the reunion of mother and daughter, are, in fact, the
votes—and apparently got them—and the present candi-
of the backslidings of the Jews . . . In Christ we do
characters who are historically known in the ideo-
dates for the Presidency are seeking votes by going
not
need
the
Sabbath,
we
are
at
peace
in
the
Lord's
logical war between those who emphasized the First
to the Zionist convention, as did John F. Kennedy with
day. In the same way, circumcision is essential for
Crucifixion and those who maintained that the per-
a personal appearance and Richard M. Nixon on tape,
you, to mark you off for the sufferings you so de-
secution of Jews in the name of Jesus was a second
and Lodge by visiting the Catskills. Of course, all the
servedly endure. .. ."
crucifixion. The charge of a second crucifixion is in
candidates are seeking the votes of American citizens=
Again Yohanaan pleads that such views were
evidence in the modern struggle for brotherhood and
of qualified United States voters. But Kennedy
"furthest
from
the
intention
of
Jesus.
.
.
."
There
is
good will, for the abandonment of the Christian-Jewish
attacked the Eisenhower administration's Middle East
no
yielding
on
Justinus'
part,
just
as
there
is
no
feud. This is the root of the powerful theme in the
policies, and Nixon said he would send Lodge to that
yielding on the part of the church—and the battle
Maurice Samuel novel.
area to search for a peaceful solution there. What this,
goes on.
The theme for the novel is emphasized during the
clearly, means is that there are Americans who are
The
Ebionites
referred
to
Jesus
as
the
Teacher
of
debate in the Assembly of Rome, in the era depicted,
interested in the Arab-Israel problems and they are
Righteousness.
The
influence
of
the
Dead
Sea
Scrolls
in the second century of the present era. "There was
seeking the votes of those to whose sense of justice
upon Maurice Samuel are in evidence here. As Marcia
a scream from the midst of the Assembly. A gray-
they are appealing.
is introduced to Jewish rites she is told of "Matthew's
haired woman of massive build rushed down to the
Out of it develops our Disagreement Number
account of the life of Jesus ben Joseph, the Teacher
aisle, raging as she advanced." This is the plea this
One: Lodge blundered when he denied that he came
of
Righteousness."
The
status
of
the
Ebionites
is
ex-
woman uttered:
for Jewish votes—Jews predominate in the Catskill
plained to her, that they are the "Congregation of
"I have been silent too long! Elders and
resorts; he was wrong when he said it is in violation
the Saving Remnant," that they were not always
brother Julius, shake your heads at me, you shall
of the spirit .of the Constitution to bring up such
called Ebionites, that: "Our beginnings were in the
hear me. I am not unknown in Christian Rome—
matters in the campaign—there is general concession
days of the godless Hasmonean kings, five genera-
Cecelia, the daughter of Clement! My father was
to the viewpoint that Jews and others who are interested
tions before the birth of Jesus ben Joseph. Our fore-
bishop of Rome before you were born, Julius Ful-
in the Middle East issues not only have a perfect right
fathers,
a
Saving
Reninant,
withdrew
from
the
pol-
vius, and before you elders were heard of. He was
to question candidates on their viewpoints but owe an
luted cities of Israel and made their home in the
bishop to your grandfathers, and received his mini-
obligation to their consciences to pose such questions.
wilderness by the Dead Sea. They called themselves
stry from the blessed Peter himself, having learned
Food and principles play their roles in politics.
Essenes, and they waited for the coming of the
the salvation of Christ at his knee. Are you Chris-
Rockefeller ate blintzes and pampushkes one day and
Teacher of Righteousness. They lived in purity and
tians? Are you the followers of the Son of God?
pizza the next. (To the cuisine served office seekers
peace until Titus destroyed the temple. Then they hid
Never did my father speak of the Jews as the
now has been added Kosher Chinese egg roll!) Office-
our sacred books in caves and fled east, beyond
seekers' wives often politely ask their Jewish friends,
killers of Christ! Never would he have permitted
Jordan. But some, my father and the fathers and
whose parties they attend before election, for recipes
such words of hatred in a Christian Assembly!
grandfathers of many of our congregation among
for gefilte fish and strudel. Their husbands quickly
. 'Killers of Christ! Killers of Christ! Killers of
them, were taken captive and brought to Rome as
become acquainted with issues that interest Jews
_ Christ!' What are you doing, ,brother Pupius, and
slaves; with them came also Jerusalemite captives,
(opposition to Nazism, support of Israel), Negroes
you, brother Luscus, and you, Julius Fulvius? I will
and from some of them we learned that the Teacher
(civil rights), Catholics (opposition to religious dis-
• tell you. You are poisoning the well of salvation;
of .Righteousness had already come in the person of
crimination) and other issues. What's wrong with that?
you are preparing the corruption of the church, you,
The only thing that is wrong with it is that
•'are preparing to drench the world in blood, you will 7-) eSuS ben Joseph, who had lived and taught and
. equality for Negro voters is advocated before Negro
died—done to death by the evil priests in a can-
make of Christ's sacrifice a mask of evil
audiences and not in the South, that condemnation of
spiracy with the pagan Romans while we bye
hypocrisies, and cruelties. You are preparing deeds
the injection of the Catholic issue is not propagated
Dead Sea remained in • ignorance." .
as foul as those done in the Amphitheater — and
before Protestant audiences, that resentment against
This is how Marcella learned to believe that her
- those foul deeds will be done in the name of Christ!
the injustices that have been in evidence against Israel
father was one of the slaves and of the Saving
It is the second crucifixion! But the first crucifixion
in the United Nations are not aired before non-Jewish
Remnant.
was willed and longed for by Jesus. This one is
* * *
audiences who should be told that there is a challenge
betrayal—"
(Continued on Page 32)
Samuel
novel
de-
the
Even
as
the
characters
in
cruel-
Thus: the theme of the book! The second
-