Matthew's Call to Qumran - A Historical Novel (Paperback)

The ancient Qumran Community of Essenes is greatly to be credited for the Dead Sea Scrolls, which were discovered in approximately eleven caves close to the Dead Sea around 1947. Scholars studied, pieced together, deciphered and interpreted the large number of inscribed fragments of parchments for many, many years. They are currently made available for the public to view whenever and where ever they are displayed throughout the world. To the amazement of scholars and historians, the discovery of these priceless scrolls showed that no dark period of unproduced scriptural writings between the time period of the Old Testament and the New Testament really existed. Posterity stands to benefit from the scribal work of this unique Jewish sect once known as the Essenes, meaning pious ones or Hasids. Today, what once appeared to be a monastery lies in ruins.
The author creates a fictional narrative which makes the Qumran Community live. He puts flesh and blood into the story of characters that live and work there. Matthew, from the town of Jericho, is the main character in this story. He joins that exclusive community to the disappointment of his parents who would rather see him married to a young Jewish maiden. He bypasses the status of a monk and becomes a priest in order to contribute to the creation of scrolls in the library. Celibacy is practiced by all the members of the all male Qumran community, but that does not deter him, since his motive is to please Adonai, the God of his belief. The author describes the different personages, their weaknesses and strengths, their temptations and punishments. The Manual of Discipline has to be followed strictly. Those who fail are referred to as recalcitrants and are placed on probation at a separate location, away from the Qumran community. There is interaction among the members. Daily chores and assignments and special duties are performed. The leader of the community is called the Righteous Teacher who is revered for his wisdom and daily lectures. The leader recognizes Matthew's genius and promotes him to the priestly job of vocational director. During his ministry in different towns, including Jerusalem, Matthew visits his own home town of Jericho. As it turns out, he falls in love with a young lady he once new as a girl named Miriam, who had always cared for him since childhood. Matthew finally leaves Qumran for good, thinking he could still devote his life to Adonai in the state of marriage instead of in a life of celibacy.
Jewish terminology and names are used throughout the book, which the glossary illustrates for the sake of the reader. The Old Hebrew Calendar is followed and special celebrations and commemorations are kept throughout the years, such as Sukkot, the Harvest Festival. Matthew's Call to Qumran touches on certain events that possibly could have happened, but probably did not. There is no doubt that the Essenes of history are to be appreciated for what they were, especially at Qumran. They are to be appreciated for their foresight of storing the scrolls as we have them today in stone vessels and hiding them in caves before the arrival of the Roman soldiers. The Roman soldiers destroyed Qumran circa 70 C.E., before proceeding to Jerusalem to squelch the ongoing Jewish insurrection according to history.