And, Hinnei, there was a man in Yerushalayim, whose name [was]
Shimon; and the same man [was] just and devout,
(Matt 1:18-25)
2:1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Kaisar Augoustos, that all the world should be taxed.
2:2 ([And] this taxing was first made when Kurenios was governor of Syria.)
2:3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
2:4 And Yosef also went up from Galil, out of the city of Natzeret, into Yehudah, unto the city of David, which is called Beit-Lechem; (because he was of the bayit and lineage of David:)
2:5 To be taxed with Miryam his espoused wife, being great with child.
2:6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
2:7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
2:8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
2:9 And, behold, the Malakh of Adonay came upon them, and the glory of Master shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
2:10 And the Malakh said unto them,
Fear not: for, Hinei, I bring you good tidings of great simcha, which shall be to all people.
2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Moshi'a, which is Moshiach Master.
2:12 And this [shall be] a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
2:13 And suddenly there was with the Malakh a multitude of the shamayim host praising Elohim, and saying,
2:14 Glory to Elohim in the highest, and on earth Shalom, good will toward men.
2:15 And it came to pass, as the Malakhim were gone away from them into shamayim, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Beit-Lechem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which Master hath made known unto us.
2:16 And they came with haste, and found Miryam, and Yosef, and the babe lying in a manger.
2:17 And when they had seen [it], they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
2:18 And all they that heard [it] wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
2:19 But Miryam kept all these things, and pondered [them] in her heart.
2:20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising Elohim for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
2:21 And when eight days were accomplished for the Brit Milah of the Child, His Name was called Yeshua (ישוע), which was so named of the Malakh before he was conceived in the womb.
2:22 And when the days of her purification according to the Torah of Mosheh were accomplished, they brought him to Yerushalayim, to present [him] to YHWH (יהוה);
2:23 (As it is written in the Torah of Master, Every male that opens the womb shall be called Set Apart to YHWH (יהוה);)
2:24 And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the Torah of Master, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.
2:25
And, Hinnei, there was a man in Yerushalayim, whose name [was]
Shimon; and the same man [was] just and devout,
1waiting for the consolation of Yisrael: and the Ruach HaKodesh was upon him.
2:26 And it was revealed unto him by the Ruach HaKodesh, that he should not see death, before he had seen YHWH (יהוה)'s Moshiach.
2:27 And he came by the Ruach into Beit HaMikdash: and when the parents brought in the child Yeshua (ישוע), to do for him after the custom of the Torah,
2:28 Then took he him up in his arms, and Baruch Hashem, and said,
2:29 My Adon, now lettest thou thy Eved depart in Shalom, according to Thy Word:
2For mine eyes have seen Thy Yeshuah,
2:31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
3A light to lighten the Gentiles, and
4the glory of Thy people Yisrael.
2:33 And Yosef and His mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.
The prophecy consisted of four parts:
2:34
And Shimon blessed them, and said unto Miryam His mother:
"Behold, this child is appointed
destined for the fall and
rising again of
many in Yisrael; and
for a sign which shall be spoken against;
(Yes, a sword shall pierce through you
own soul also,)
that
the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.
2:36
And there was one Chanah
Bat Panuel
ha Naviah of the shevet (tribe) of Asher: she was advanced in age, and had
lived with an husband seven years from her betulim (virginity);
2:37 And she [was] a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from Beit ha Mikdash, but served [Elohim] with fastings and prayers night and day.
2:38 And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto YHWH (יהוה), and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Yerushalayim.
2:39 And when they had performed all things according to the Torah of YHWH (יהוה), they returned into Galil, to their own city Natzeret.
2:40 And the child grew, and waxed strong in Ruach, filled with wisdom: and the grace of Elohim was upon Him.
Yeshua (ישוע) Speaks with the Leaders in the Beit Ha Mikdash
2:41 Now his parents went to Yerushalayim every year at the feast of the Pesach.
2:42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Yerushalayim after the custom of the feast.
2:43 And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Yeshua (ישוע) tarried behind in Yerushalayim; and Yosef and his mother knew not [of it].
2:44 But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among [their] kinsfolk and acquaintance.
2:45 And when they found him not, they turned back again to Yerushalayim, seeking him.
2:46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in Beit HaMikdash, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.
2:47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.
2:48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Beni, why hast thou thus dealt with us? Hinnei, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.
2:49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?
2:50 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.
2:51 And he went down with them, and came to Natzeret, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.
2:52 And Yeshua (ישוע) increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with Elohim and man.
Yehudah now became an autonomous part of the Roman province Syria, ruled by a prefect. Quirinius was ordered to organize the taxation of the new prefecture. Until then, taxes had been paid in kind. However, during the census which Quirinius organized, the inhabitants were required to declare their property in money. There are no indications that the Roman money taxes were higher than the taxes they replaced, but taxes in money were more onerous than taxes in kind, because a farmer had to borrow in case of a poor harvest. Besides, any Roman coin would bear an image of the HaShemdess Roma or a legend saying that the man represented was the divine emperor: a violation of at least two of the ten commandments.
Not surprisingly, the Jewish peasants were unhappy. The high priest Joazar, however, was able to convince almost everyone to cooperate with the new authorities, since the alternative would be the return of the detested Herod Archelaus. But there remained some resistance. A Perushim named Zadok and a scribe from Galilee named Judas of Gamala said that this taxation was equivalent to the introduction of slavery, and exhorted the Jews to assert their liberty. Their program was simple: HaShem was Israel's only lord, and it was blasphemous to pay tribute to anyone else - including the Roman emperor. If they revolted, the Jews would find HaShem as their zealous helper.