If You Seek Me

© Copyright Nancy Minsky, Nancy's Biblical Plays, 2000 & earlier

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Staging Information

Cast

Rabbi Jacob
Scribe, Joel
Scribe's wife, Rebecca
Scribe's son, David (age 8-13)
Scribe's son, Paul (older teenager)
Scribe's daughter, Rachael
Innkeeper, Daniel
Innkeeper's wife, Deborah
Shepherd, Isaac

Props


As indicated.

Costumes


As indicated.

Sound and Lighting


As indicated.

Run Time - (approx)


30 minutes

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Script

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ACT I - DILIGENCE FOR GOD

ACT II - A SABBATH SURPRISE

ACT III - THE TRUTH REVEALED

SETTING

(The scene is Bethlehem. Caesar Augustus has sent out a decree that the entire world be taxed. Every man must travel to his own town to be registered for the census. Bethlehem is overcrowded. We are looking at the home and work of a scribe named Joel at the time of the birth of Jesus Christ)

(Joel is a senior scribe in a synagogue of Bethlehem. A scribe was a prominent figure, held in high esteem by the people. A scribe was the elite of the pharisees. A scribe was solemnly ordained by the laying on of hands, in the same manner a rabbi is ordained. A well educated man, the scribe was a judge in ecclesiastical tribunals. He generally appeared in company with the Pharisees. A scribe set his heart to seek out the full meaning of the Law of the Lord, to do it, and to teach the Law in Israel. The senior scribes had their own rooms in the Temple where they worked, and it is in that room where our play opens with Act I. Act II takes place in the scribe Joel's home. Act III returns to the scribe's work room in the Temple at Bethlehem.)

NOTE

(The original Hebrew name of the Mother of Jesus was Miriam. When the New Testament was translated into Latin, her name became Maria; thus, Mary when translated into English.)

ACT I
DILIGENCE FOR GOD

(The Scribe Joel is diligently copying the law at his desk in his room at the temple)

Scribe:

"I will raise up a prophet from among their countrymen like you, and I will put My words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him. And it shall come about that whoever will not listen to My words which he shall speak in My name, I Myself will require it of him."

Scribe:
(gazing, deeply in thought) Who is this prophet that the Law speaks of? Who is the one that was written about?

(Rabbi enters)

Rabbi:

Joel, it is nearing sundown. It's time to go home and be with your family for Sabbath. You are just like your father, one of Bethlehem's greatest scribes. I remember how he would get so deeply involved into his copying, time would mean nothing to him. Your father had a great love for our God and the Law and the Prophets. Many times I would hear him reciting the beautiful Psalms of King David or King Solomon's words of wisdom. Even with the dedication of our rabbis, few know precisely the Law and the Prophets as you do today and your father did before you. I see the same love for these Writings in your son, Paul. For four years he has sat by your side learning how to transcribe and to count. He is my best Hebrew student. He is always telling the stories he learned from his grandfather. Such pride he has in his people, his tradition, and his family. He is a blessing to you, Joel.

(Paul enters)

Paul:

Good Sabbath, Father; Good Sabbath, Rabbi Jacob.

Rabbi:
Good Sabbath, Paul.

(Rabbi puts his arm around Paul)

Rabbi:

(parental pride) Such a fine boy. Paul, have you finished your prayers?

Paul:
Yes, Rabbi. I came to walk home with my Father for Sabbath dinner. Mother will be waiting, Father. Are you ready?

Scribe:
Yes, son.

Rabbi:
Your father tells me you will soon start to transcribe some portions of the Holy Scriptures with him.

Paul:
Yes, Rabbi, and I am very excited about that opportunity. Let us say good-bye, Father. Mother wants us home on time.

(Paul addresses rabbi)

Our dear friends Deborah and David are having Sabbath dinner with us tonight. They are very busy now. Their inn is full with people who have come to Bethlehem from every province for the census. Mother made me promise to remind Father to go home on time since Deborah and Daniel are coming for dinner. Shalom, Rabbi.

Scribe:
Shalom.

Rabbi:
Shalom.
ORDER TODAY YOUR COPY OF THIS 3 ACT PLAY!

SONG: IF YOU SEEK ME SUNG BY PAUL, JOEL, OR ANOTHER.

THE END.