Tour a Bible Times House

Nahshon is a (purely fictional) descendant of Boaz and Ruth and was named after Boaz’ grandfather. He was born at home in this very house, where his wife, Rachel, also gave birth to their children.

In typical fashion of the day, Nahshon wears a sleeveless tunic (chiton) as his undergarment.  This tunic is made from undyed wool and stops around his knees showing his leather sandals.  Nahshon’s tunic has the popular design of two bands of color running the length of this garment in both the front and back from top to bottom. [Tunic is light tan with dark green vertical stripes]

Over his tunic, Nahshon wears his mantle (himation). Whereas his tunic is undyed wool, Nahshon’s mantle is dyed green.  The common people loved to imitate the bright colors worn by the rich, so when they could afford it, they would dye their mantels in various shades of red, green, pink and imitation purple. 

Today, Nahshon chose to tie his brown belt just around his tunic leaving his mantle unbound.

Over his mantle, Nahshon wears his prayer shawl (tallith). It would have been woven from undyed wool, and he went to the extra expense of having blue stripes woven in along with the traditional blue tassels. 

When he is working, Nahshon would not wear his prayer shawl, if it was strenuous manual labor he’d often leave off his mantle as well.  However, for the occasion of welcoming visitors into his home, he wears his full wardrobe. 

“Ah! Nahshon, I see you have brought visitors. Shalom! I am Rachel, let me get you something to eat!”

Rachel hurries off to bring food and drink.

Her long tunic lacks the stripes of color adorning her husband’s, but is handwoven from the same undyed tan wool. Underneath her tan tunic she wears a tan underdress (sadin), made of undyed linen.

Remembering the beauty of the hills during the spring rain, Rachel dyed her mantle a rich green color and tied it with a brown woolen belt.

On her head, Rachel wears a bright green veil or shawl (matpachath), which she uses for extra support when carrying loads or for protection against the sun. It reaches to just below her waist.

Rachel’s clothes evidence the care and concern typical village peasants take. Nothing about her appearance is elaborate, yet her careful craftsmanship is evident in everything her family wears.

“We are currently standing in the courtyard where my family typically does most of our daily work.  Rachel and our daughter Hannah grind grain for bread here.  This task can take up a good portion of their day.  They also do spinning or weaving and other tasks in this space as weather allows. That is, when they aren’t trying to keep Chilion off the ladder.

“The courtyard is built on the east side of the house so that the wind will carry away the smoke from the cooking fires.  No one wants their house flooded with smoke or to work in the smoke all day.

“The door into the house faces east so as to allow the most natural light into the interior of our home.  But in good weather we eat outside, and even sleep out here.

“The wall around our courtyard is about 3-4 feet high. Tall enough to give us a measure of privacy and to keep toddlers, like Chilion up the ladder there, and baby animals from roaming. But short enough to still allow us to live in community with our neighbors and see what’s going on in the neighborhood.  We don’t want to cut ourselves off from our community by having a tall courtyard wall.  Our community is essential to our identity and everyone in Bethlehem lives life together.  The street running by our house facilitates social interaction with our neighbors so that we all know what’s going on in each other’s lives.

“Please stay as long as you’d like! Neighbors and friends will be coming and going all throughout the day. Welcome to our home and community!”  

Once up the ladder, Nahshon explains further, “Our roofs are flat, so we use this space for storage and, in hot weather, sleeping at night. In the heat of summer the house doesn’t always have a chance to cool off, so the night breeze keeps my family cool on the open roof.

“Over there is our guest-room. I hear some visitors from your land confuse our guest room with an ‘inn.’ And where as some villages do have public inns, those would be more frequently used by goyim (gentles) and the Roman occupiers.” Nahshon spits on the ground with disgust.

“When traveling, we Jewish peasant folk will always find relatives or friends to stay with. Why stay somewhere by ourselves when we can find family and community to take us in?!

“I would be insulted if anyone from my clan went to the inn rather than accepting our hospitality. We will ALWAYS find space, no matter how many people come to us. To turn someone away is a dishonor I would never live down. Bah, to be known in Bethlehem as the man who could not find room for his family! For shame, that would never do!”

And he smiles at them, “Rachel and I are so proud to have extra space available to offer our guests.

Being a host is such an honor.

The Ben-Mordecai family is staying with us right now because of the census. They join my family for eating and daily activities, but the guest room allows them to have a measure of privacy for the night and a place to store their stuff. That room will be theirs as long as they need it, and as long as they are the most honorable guests in my home!”

Continuing with his tour, Nahshon motions to the 2nd floor of the house, “The raised platform you see up there is where my family sleeps.  We all sleep together – better to stay warm on cold nights.  And it keeps the children safe and close.  Especially when the little ones are nursing. 

“Down here on the ground floor there are several different areas. This large open area is where we all do our work when the weather does not permit us to be outside in the courtyard.  There is space for Rachel and Hannah to grind grain, spin, and weave.  I usually sit in the corner to fix any tools that need my attention.  

“In the back corner under the 2nd floor, we store our water and food. This interior storehouse is necessary for our daily living and for saving seed for next years crops.  We also will use some of the 2nd floor area for storage.”

“During the day, Eban, like other village boys, takes our family animals out to water and graze.  He brings them back home at night.  A stable? Oh, no! Our animals stay down here on the ground floor of the house at night.  Having them in the house keeps them safe and also provides us with extra heat during the winter months. We have a manager where they can get food and water if they need it. 

During the day, Rachel will lay our little Naomi in the manger when she needs to work.  Since grinding grain and weaving are done on the ground, Rachel finds it easier to let Naomi nap in the manger rather than carrying her on her back.  The animals are outside, and the walls of the manager keep the swaddled baby completely safe.

“What’s that? Oh, I hear Rachel calling, dinner must be ready.  Come! Eat!”