Act 1

It is the summer of 1942.  Joshua Cohen is trying to survive in the Warsaw Ghetto with his wife, Leah.  He is the Cantor for a well respected Rabbi in the Ghetto.  Joshua faces the pressure of induction into the resistance movement from his friend, Simon.  He is also constantly harassed by a Jewish Policeman named Levi, who has designs on Leah.

After being targeted and humiliated by German soldiers for holding a public worship service (an interment for orphans in the Jewish graveyard), Joshua’s strategy of maintaining a low profile is shattered.  His natural leadership ability constantly impels him to encourage his beleaguered friends in the Ghetto, thereby getting him into danger with the authorities.  Finally, he is imprisoned at the hand of Levi.  The Rabbi pays for his release, but as Joshua tries to return to his flat, Simon demands he find out where the trains are going with all the imprisoned Jews.  Joshua finds himself on the outskirts of Treblinka and discovers the horrible truth.

Act 2

It is early summer in 1492.  Joshua, Leah, and their friends are trying to leave Spain due to the edict to evict Jews, given by Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand.  Dominican monks are on the look out for “conversos” – Jews who have falsely embraced the Catholic Faith.  Levi, a converso, is discovered by a band of Dominicans and imperils Joshua’s friends as they try to travel across Spain and reach Valencia, a port town.  As the caravan continues on, they come across bandits looting another group of Jews.  A battle ensues.  The Rabbi quickly runs to the protection of the children.  Joshua and Simon fight well, but Simon is seriously injured.

Valencia is finally reached, but Levi has a terrible betrayal awaiting Joshua.

Act 3

It is late spring, 33 A.D in Capernaum, Israel.  Joshua is searching for Leah, his wife.  Levi has taken her.  Simon is the one who finds Levi and rescues Leah.  But as he tries to kill Levi, a Rabbi steps between them and saves Levi’s life.  He also influences Simon so greatly that he leaves his Zealot life to become a follower of the Rabbi – as does Levi.

Leah returns to Joshua, who has now become the leader of a powerful Zealot band in Israel.  The high priestly family of Jerusalem begins influencing Joshua for their own ends – trying to place him at odds with the charismatic young Rabbi.  On the heels of a public debate over taxation, Joshua tries to incite an insurrection in the Temple precincts.  He is unsuccessful and is taken prisoner.  As he awaits death, a riot occurs in the early morning.  Joshua hears his name called along with the statement, “Let him be crucified!”

Epilogue

It is early spring some years after World War II.  In the Treblinka 2 Memorial Graveyard, Joshua is honoring the lives of loved ones he has lost.  He notices a Rabbi chanting next to a memorial stone engraved with the Torah.