Chapter 1 (continued)

II.

You can change your clothes and you can change your soul. Both take effort, but differ in the approach. When you change your clothes, the world can take notice. When you change your soul, it is possible that none will notice.

If you claim to have changed your clothes, many can see and verify. But when you claim to have changed your soul, you can hide the truth from almost everyone.

This wasn't the first time that Joshua claimed to change his soul. And each time it was an overwhelming decision--one in which he was consumed entirely by the change. But what he sought was not an elemental change in the substance of his soul or even his heart. Joshua sought a change in his association.

It is well-known that your associations hold the key to who you are. Surround yourself with great people and you, yourself, can be great. Surround yourself with evil and you are the same.

And now Joshua surrounded himself with Jews. And not just Jews, but the most religious, most observant Jews he could find.

Joshua had shed the clothing of his previous associations. And he wore the new, not with pride, but with hope. It wasn't a new way of life. It was a password, a link, the key to his future associations. He merely peeled off the one set of clothing, left the priesthood behind, a put on the clothing of a Chassidic Jew.

Chapter 1

I.

His nose broke through the surface first, followed by his face and head. The water dripping back from his shoulder length hair into the pool echoed through the small chamber. He could see little in the low light, but he knew the man was there. His tutor of sorts. In a black robe covering a black suit and dominated by his wide-brimmed black hat turned down almost over his eyes. He was almost amused at the thought. The student, naked, with black hair down to his shoulders. The teacher, impeccably dressed with a white beard down to his navel.

And the two men stared at each other. The one so certain as to who he was. The other so certain as to what he wanted.

The man in black spoke two words "Mazel Tov" and it was done. Joshua Allkent was now a Jew. He didn't feel differeny. But "them" had now become "us."

And what could be a more appropriate time then on a Friday morning. Tonight he would experience Shabbat for the first as an insider. He would truly be a part of the congregation. If it were not for his complete lack of facial hair, they might not even know him from the rest. And he would dress the part. And only the best would do. His suit, robe, and hat were not imported from the distant lands of New York, but directly from Jerusalem. Every limb of his body would be covered in authentic Judaism. But what he truly desired was something more.