Other Covenants

Chapter 2

In the beginning, El ruled the cosmos, and all was chaos.

With every inhale, he created. With every exhale, he destroyed.

And the cosmos were without permanent form.

Then Asherah arose from the deeps of the ocean in wind and darkness and challenged El.

For six years they battled. On the first day of the seventh year, Asherah slew El.

Holy Asherah declared the cosmos and all within them to be Hers, saying: “Thus will I bring about order and beauty.”

She then subdued the seraphim who were once servants of El and bid them to rebuild the world in Her name.

The seraphim did as She commanded.

Yet some still carried evil in their hearts, and they are known as the Elohim.

In the name of Asherah, blessed be She, the seraphim lifted the continents from the waters.

They fixed the stars in the sky, and the sun, and the moon.

Trees took root. Animals were born, lived, and died.

Thus was the First Creation completed, and Asherah deemed the world worthy of a still greater creation.

She breathed into the ocean waters, and from them arose Lilith, the first woman.

Lilith lived in the forests of Adomea and learned great wisdom from the trees and beasts there.

Yet she was lonely, and begged Asherah for a companion. Asherah heard her pleas.

While Lilith was sleeping beneath a cedar tree, Asherah gathered the dust of the earth and created a second woman, Naamah.

And Lilith was bewildered when she awoke. She shouted as if a screech owl, but Naamah quieted her, and held her hand.

And Lilith laid with Naamah. Then they praised Asherah, and named that place Eretz Nashim.

Then Lilith and Naamah left the cedar forests of Adomea and roamed the young world.

They delighted in all aspects of Creation and worked to improve the world, and their own lives.

To better understand each other, they created the first language.

To keep themselves warm at night, they learned to start their own fire.

Twelve years passed, and Asherah saw the love between Lilith and Naamah and was pleased.

She decided that they were ready to bring about the Second Creation, and complete the world.

Yet Asherah knew that more women were needed for the task, and so She sent three consort-seraphim.

Thus would the earth be populated by innumerable humans, working together for a better future.

Lilith and Naamah met the consort-seraph Resh on the wild plains of Terea as he tracked the great beast Erkhis.

He saw Lilith and Naamah from the hilltop, and bowed before them in humble servitude.

Lilith grasped his spear and declared: “You will teach me how to hunt so that I might slay this beast.”

And Resh did as he was bidden. Thus did women learn the art of the hunt.

Then Lilith took his spear, and Naamah took his bow and quiver.

They pursued the great beast Erkhis for three days before encountering it.

Naamah wounded it with her bow, and Lilith then slew it.

Resh butchered the beast with his knife and they feasted on its flesh for six nights and six days.

Thereafter, Resh was a companion to Lilith and Naamah.

Lilith and Naamah met the consort-seraph Koth in the deserts of Kadesh.

Tormented by the hot sun, the women sought refuge in a cave.

To their amazement, the cave was dank, and full of edible greenery, arranged in rows.

Lilith praised Asherah, saying: “Thank you, my God, who has given us the gift of edible plants.”

Thus Koth heard Lilith, and approached the women from the shadows of the cave.

Koth welcomed his guests and superiors, and begged that he may teach them how to grow plants as he did.

Lilith and Naamah agreed. They stayed in Koth’s cave for sixty nights and sixty days.

Thus did women learn the art of farming.

Thereafter, Koth was a companion to Lilith and Naamah.

Lilith and Naamah were at first content to stay in the comfort of Koth’s cave, but Asherah placed restlessness into their hearts.

They took Resh and Koth and traveled to distant Turia, to the land of Onamir.

There, they came upon a mighty construction of piled stones.

Then the consort-seraph Akhat, mightiest of all, emerged from the structure.

And Akhat spoke, saying, “I built this temple in reverence for Holy Asherah, blessed be She.

Follow me, and I will teach you how to manifest this miracle.”

Lilith and Naamah followed Akhat into the temple, and Akhat taught them to bake bricks and stack them.

Thus did women learn the art of construction.

Then Lilith commanded that Resh, Koth, and Akhat build a second temple alongside the first.

For six years, the women worked alongside the consort-seraphs.

When it was done, it was even mightier than the first.

Resh caught a mighty elk, and sacrificed it at the temple’s altar in praise of Asherah.

These were the Five Progenitors:

The two women: Lilith and Naamah.

The three consort-seraphs: Koth, Akhat, and Resh.

Together, they journeyed throughout the world.

Lilith and Naamah laid with the consort-seraphs, and each gave birth to sixty children.

The Five Progenitors raised the children and taught them of the Second Creation.

When they reached adulthood, the children left to the far corners of the world to bring about order and progress.

Lilith and Naamah lived for six hundred years, and at last grew weary of the world.

And Asherah rose from the sea and invited them to abide in Her holy Queendom with Her.

Lilith and Naamah each took a hand of Asherah, and together they descended into the depths.

And Resh, Koth, and Akhat followed them.

*

The children of Lilith and Naamah grew and multiplied. They traveled to every corner of the world.

They planted crops, tamed animals, and founded mighty cities.

These were the first cities: Haraseth, Akhalon, and Deben.

And there was harmony in the world, as all labor bent towards the improvement of the lives of all.

Now Kheron was the mightiest of the seraphim, and an old favorite of El.

He is deemed one of the Elohim, and his heart was as of steel.

Kheron looked upon the Earth with jealousy and saw the humans working.

Kheron spoke to himself, saying, “Has my Queen become lazy? Now she allows beasts to do the work of seraphim!”

Kheron went to Deben, which is in Maheyal. He went down to the port of that city.

There he met Tzalaam, a man who sailed ships to carry grain to distant lands in need of sustenance.

Kheron spoke to Tzalaam: “All the corners of the Earth desire your grain. Should you not demand recompense?”

Thus did Tzalaam become the first merchant, charging others for his grain. And Kheron was his advisor.

In time, the other mariners followed Tzalaam’s example, demanding more for their work.

They no longer gave willingly, but demanded repayment.

Some cities could meet the new prices. Some chose not to.

Thus, the first conflicts began, and there was strife throughout the world.

And Kheron rallied the Elohim, and they joined him on Earth.

The Elohim spread throughout the cities and made themselves kings.

They taught the men how to forge weapons, and make women their property.

They led the men into battle to butcher each other.

In those days, all of humanity nearly perished.

Then Lilith the Lady of the Sea heard the prayers of the innocent, and begged Asherah to save them.

Asherah then saw the foul treachery of Kheron that had poisoned Her holy work.

She gathered her loyal seraphim and rose from the depths.

Kheron’s army of men and Elohim met Asherah’s divine force on the plains of Aron.

There, Asherah battled Kheron for six nights and six days. At last, she was victorious.

And Asherah slew Kheron, and the surviving Elohim scattered like dust.

Yet the wounds inflicted by Kheron have still not healed.

Greed, violence, and sin persist to this very day.

Only at the completion of the Second Creation will they be extinguished.

*

After the war against the Elohim, the strong few still subjugated the impover­ished many.

In those days, kings and queens ruled all of Hasmonea, and they did as they saw fit.

And Asherah raised heroes in every land to deliver Hasmonea.

Yeviah was the mightiest man in of all of Adomea, and was cruel to its people.

Mod, the strongest seraph, saw the plight of the victims.

By the will of Asherah, Mod went to Yeviah’s household in the city of Tirs, in Adomea.

“I challenge you to a wrestle,” Mod announced.

“Who are you to dare to challenge me, the greatest wrestler of Adomea?” asked Yeviah.

“I have no name, but should I win this contest, you will harm your neighbor no more,” Mod said.

“You have no name, but I admire your physique. Let it be so,” said Yeviah.

They stripped bare and wrestled.

Now Yeviah was a mighty warrior, and nearly won, but Mod prayed to Asherah, and at last pinned Yeviah to the ground.

So impressed was Yeviah with Mod’s prowess that he took Mod as a friend and lover.

Together, Yeviah and Mod traversed the extents of Adomea.

And Yeviah repented his ways, and sought to undo the cruelties he had inflicted.

They slew brigands, relaxed taxes, and opened safe passage between towns.

They adjudicated disputes, and brought justice to the people.

They built storehouses for grain, and temples for worship.

When Yeviah died, Mod died of grief as well.

The people of Adomea mourned the loss of Yeviah and Mod, and swore to uphold their legacy.

The queen of Adomea, knowing her authority was no longer needed, abdicated, and Adomea was free.

Ohad was a shepherd in the land of Hadinea, which was ruled by a wicked king named Elimelekh.

Asherah spoke to Ohad, saying: “In My holy name, you will deliver Hadinea from Elimelekh.”

Ohad hid a sword on his left thigh, as he was left-handed.

Ohad went to the palace of Elimelekh as an entertainer. The guards did not see his sword.

That night, Ohad danced before the king and seduced him.

The king led him into his bedchamber and laid with him.

Ohad waited until the palace was asleep.

Then, taking his sword, Ohad slew the king, and his family, and his guards, and the rest of the court.

And there was peace in Hadinea for two generations.

Shimshas was the greatest warrior in his day.

The king of Issalon sent Shimshas to oversee construction of a temple to El.

Shimshas journeyed to the port-city of Yaffa.

There, Shimshas saw the overseers of Bashan throwing the people out of their houses and beating them when they resisted.

“What is the meaning of this?” asked Shimshas.

An overseer answered him: “The king of Issalon has demanded that we build a temple to El.”

Thus, we must evict this r****e from their homes.”

“How can you say that this is justice?” asked Shimshas.

“The king wills it, and so it is just,” answered the overseer.

Enraged, Shimshas struck the overseer, killing him on the spot. And then Shimshas fled into the desert.

Shimshas gathered the dispossessed around him, and together they waged war against the king of Issalon.

Now the king of Issalon saw that he could not contain the rebellion.

And he called forth Ezravel, his most handsome servant.

“I bid you,” the king of Issalon said, “to enter the camp of Shimshas as if you were one of his followers. There, you must discover the secret of his strength.”

And Ezravel journeyed to the camp of Shimshas.

He offered much food and drink to Shimshas, and the two laid together that night.

The next morning, Ezravel spoke to Shimshas, saying: “I beg of you a favor.”

Shimshas replied: “Anything for so mighty a bed-fellow.”

Ezravel said: “Only that you teach me the source of your strength.”

Shimshas said: “This is a great favor to ask, but I will tell you. My chest hair is the source of my strength. If shorn, I will be powerless.”

That night, Ezravel got Shimshas drunk, and then took a razor to his chest, and shaved his chest.

He then bound Shimshas and fled with him in the night.

He delivered him to the king of Issalon saying, “Thus lies your foe, now weakened.”

And Shimshas was imprisoned by the king.

Yet the rebellion continued, for its strength lay not in the chest hair of Shimshas, but in the will of the people.

Two years passed before they stormed the palace of Issalon.

They slew the royal family and its palace.

Two righteous warriors found Shimshas in the prison, and released him.

The victorious people nursed Shimshas back to health. His chest hair re-grew.

Then Shimshas traveled to Yaffa, and with a single strike utterly destroyed the temple to El.

He helped the people re-build their houses.

The people ruled Issalon in those days, and there was peace throughout the land.

*

In the time of the heroes, there was famine throughout the queendom of Terea.

In that land, there lived a woman named Naomi.

Now Naomi heard of food in the land of Bashan, and resolved to journey there.

She ventured to the farms on the outskirts of the city of Mahan.

There she met Ruti, who was tending to barley in the fields.

When Ruti saw Naomi, she begged Naomi to work the farm with her.

“I cannot join you,” said Naomi. “For what is yours is yours, and what is mine is mine.”

But Ruti clung to her, saying, “Do not urge me to cast you away. Where you will work, I will work. Your people will be my people.”

Thus did Naomi joined the household of Ruti.

Naomi worked alongside Ruti throughout the harvest season.

One day, when Ruti was winnowing barley on the thresher floor, Naomi put on perfume and her best clothes.

When Ruti lay down, Naomi approached quietly, uncovered the feet of Ruti, and laid down with her.

Ruti awoke in the night, and saw Naomi lying next to her.

“I am yours, and you are mine,” said Ruti.

And Ruti and Naomi knew one another as Lilith knew Naamah.

Now there were two men named Boaz and Asheramisherat who worked an adjacent field.

When they saw the great bounty of Ruti and Naomi’s field, they grew jealous, for their yield was poor in comparison.

They took up weapons, and prepared to seize Ruti and Naomi’s fields by force.

Ruti saw the men approach, and bade them to halt.

“These fields are yours, and all fields are ours,” said Ruti.

“Yet you have kept your harvest, while our harvest is meager,” said Boaz.

“Let our harvest be yours, then,” Naomi said. “There is enough barley for everyone.”

And Boaz and Asheramisherat shared their harvest with Ruti and Naomi, and both couples were prosperous.

Then more neighbors saw the good fortune of the barley farm, and asked to join.

In time, they became well-fed and strong, such that the soldiers of the king of Bashan would not dare approach them.

The king then fled the land to distant Kerosea.

Then the soldiers cast their weapons aside, and joined the people in the fields.

*

In the time of the heroes, the monarchs of Hasmonea were all cast down.

Then the whole of the land of Hasmonea toiled to fulfill the Second Creation of Asherah, Blessed be She.

And yet, wicked self-appointed task masters stalked the fields. They beat those who fell from exhaustion, or failed to meet quotas.

The taskmasters slaughtered the fallen and baked their blood into the clay bricks.

Thus it was that for every tower palace raised, the Second Creation was spoiled.

Sarai was a Hasmonean smelter. Life was bitter, and filled with hardship.

One day, she gathered all of the smelters in her factory to her.

Sarai spoke to the people, saying, “There can be no Second Creation when the people suffer!”

Then the workers cast their hammers to their feet, and would work no more.

The lead taskmaster, Azekhel, learned of the deeds of the workers.

And Azekhel sent forth his warriors to kill one-tenth of all of the workers in Sarai’s factory.

When they arrived at the town, they found that all of the workers, in every factory, had cast aside their tools.

“We cannot fight so many, for surely we will be killed in the press,” said the warriors.

And the warriors withdrew to the camp of Azekhel.

Azekhel was enraged by the timidity of his warriors, and all of his officers and one-sixth of his soldiers.

He then marched on Sarai’s town with one thousand of his finest troops.

When he arrived, he found that the workers had constructed towering barricades.

And Azekhel said: “Let the leader of this rebellion step forth.”

And Sarai appeared atop the battlements.

Sarai said: “I am not the leader of the rebellion, but I will speak as its voice.”

Then Azekhel said: “How dare the people of Hasmonea refuse to work! Your idleness is profane to Asherah, blessed be She!”

Then Sarai said: “It is a sin to work the people to exhaustion and death. It is you who have profaned the Second Creation.”

Azekhel said: “Do you not see my army before you? We will burn your town to the ground and rebuild it in the name of Holy God.”

Sarai said: “If this is the will of Asherah, then I despise you, being but dust and ashes.”

Then out of the depths of the ocean came Lilith and Naamah, first of women.

Lilith and Naamah rose from the depths, advanced across the Valley of Bashan, and entered the town.

And Lilith spoke: “Who are you, Sarai, to make such demands of Asherah?

Gird your loins like a woman, and answer me:

Were you there when Asherah laid the foundations of the Earth?

Were you there when Holy God laid out the plans for the Second Creation?

Were you there when we, first of women, were sent forth to seek the consort-seraphs?

Can you know the fate of this world, and what is to come after?

Can you slay El, cursed be the name, and bring order to chaos?

Would you discredit Her justice? Or will you take up the labor that She demands?”

Sarai answered, saying: “Yet there must be peace as well, and time for contemplation, and study.

And until Asherah, blessed be She, relents, we will lift our hammers no more.”

Then Naamah spoke to Sarai, saying: “Then let this be the will of Asherah:

The workers of Hasmonea will rest on the seventh day of the week, and there will be peace in the land.

And on the six other days of the week, they will work to repair this broken world.”

“These terms are fair, and we will accept them,” said the workers.

Then Lilith spoke to Azekhel and his soldiers, and said: “Go now from these lands, and trouble its people no more.”

Azekhel begged for forgiveness, and then left with his army.

Naamah then spoke to Sarai, saying: “Yet the Second Creation is not yet complete.

The suffering of Azekhel will heal in time, but only with the labor of the people.”

And Naamah and Lilith kissed Sarai, and returned to the ocean depths.

Then the people tore down their barricades and returned to their labors.

For six days, they tended to those who had been harmed by the soldiers of Azekhel, and removed all statues and icons of him.

And the people of Hasmonea rested on the seventh day.

This is why a Hasmonean will welcome the Sabbath Brides on the seventh day of every week, and rest on that day.

*

All of Hasmonea mourned as one:

How crushed are the people, once so full of vigor!

How like mourners of children they are, once favored among all workers.

Once free, now subjects of imperial whim.

The warriors of Hasmonea have been slain. The wooden poles have been burned.

After proud labor in the name of Holy God, Hasmonea serves a base master.

The roads once distributed material to the needy, so all may have enough.

Now the roads channel the best of this land to fatten the rich.

We remember that bitter day, the ninth of Av,

When the Pharostines appeared in their tall ships.

They disembarked in every port city, and massacred the carpenters and dock-workers.

The harbors turned the color of blood, and a wail went up from the people.

The Hasmoneans were powerless to resist.

And the filthy Pharostines broke the temples of Hasmonea and burned the holy texts.

They forced the people of Hasmonea to worship their Elohim.

They forced the children into their own schools, and the children forgot the language and song.

The Pharostines deemed themselves holy.

False! For no one is holy who oppresses the people.

Look, O Queen, and consider, for I am despised.

See, Queen, how distressed I am! I am in torment within, and in my heart I demand justice.

The children of the Elohim have heard my distress, and rejoice at my destruction.

This is why I weep and my eyes overflow with tears.

My people are desiccated and the enemy of all hope has prevailed.

The Queen is righteous, yet I must rebel and end my suffering.

May you bring the day of redemption swiftly. Let me take up the Second Creation once more.

And Asherah spoke: “I will send Lilith, first of all women to you. Find her in the town of Arekhem.

In my name, she will deliver you from the whip of the Pharostine Empire.”

The people journeyed to Arekhem, and: Behold! There stood Lilith, first of all women.

And Lilith spoke to the Hasmoneans:

“I am Lilith, first of all women, redeemer of Hasmonea. In the name of Asherah, I declare:

I will guide you with an outstretched hand, and deliver you from the Pharostine Empire.

Each of you will be my Hammer, with which I will smite the imperialists.

Go now, and bring justice and peace to the people!”

*

Thus it was that we waged our war against the Pharostine occupiers.

For Lilith raised hundreds of righteous Hammers to smite the Pharostine battalions.

Wherever the Pharostines went, we ambushed and killed them.

Then we left the factories and refused to work until ownership of the land was returned to us.

Yet Lilith proved to be faithless, as all messiahs must be.

For Lilith, seeking personal advantage, signed a truce with the wicked Pharostines.

The Pharostine Empire appointed Lilith as queen of Hasmonea.

The land remained a dominion of the Empire, and Lilith was its queen and tyrant.

Thus it was that we cried out in anger, saying:

“Hasmonea needs no queens or masters! Let Hasmonea be ruled by the people.”

Then the majority of the Hammers proved to be faithless to Asherah, and followed the orders of Queen Lilith.

But a small group of Hammers resisted. They became known as the Hammers of Asherah, and they were righteous in the eyes of Asherah.

And there was bitter war in Hasmonea between the faithful Hammers of Asherah and the Hammers of the False Lilith.

The Hammers of Asherah journeyed throughout the land of Hasmonea, from Maheyal to Rabath.

They spoke to us of a better future, without queens or masters, where no messiah was allowed.

And we desired this future, and believed it possible.

Thereafter, passage was denied to the Hammers of the False Lilith.

We refused to give them food or shelter.

The Hammers of the False Lilith then sought to take these things by force.

They burned our farms and killed our children in the name of a false peace.

Outraged, we at last joined together as one.

We did not need Lilith-the-false-messiah.

We never needed Lilith-the-false-messiah.

For the Second Creation could only be completed in a world of peace, ruled by the people.

And we could not have a single guiding person.

We had to act together without hierarchy or perish in the attempt.

The Hammers of Asherah multiplied in number.

For every life lost by those who fought for Asherah, another two took their place.

Gradually, the reach of Lilith was diminished until she controlled only the city of Haraseth.

And the Hammers of Asherah surrounded Haraseth and demanded that Lilith step down as queen.

And yet even then, Asherah hardened the heart of Lilith, who resolved to flee and call for Pharostine reinforcements.

Then six brave Hasmoneans infiltrated the city of Haraseth. And their names were: Ori, Dvora, Rakhel, Esther, Yezevel, and Asaf.

They found Lilith sitting on her throne. They slew her guards. And Ori cut off the head of Lilith.

Then all of the remaining Hammers of the False Lilith laid down their arms.

They opened the gates of Haraseth and invited in the righteous.

We cast down the statues and icons of the wicked Pharostines, and of the false Lilith.

And the Pharostines, seeing the strength of the people, sued for peace.

And thereafter, we have ruled our land together, in peace, harmony, and toward the repairing of the broken world.