Father closes his eyes for a moment. He is not convinced. He’s probably thinking that it’s all childish nonsense.

‘Young people always think that those who lived before them didn’t know a thing. Trust me, son, many wise people have pondered this problem for years. Before you attempt to improve something, make sure you know how it works. Religion can be a very dangerous weapon in the hands of fanatics. By creating a new religion you’ll create a potential for the conflict. A bloody conflict. Have you thought of that?’

I look at my fists, clenched under the table. They are bony hands of a boy. My arms are skinny, my legs are long and thin. I wiggle my toes. My bare feet are dirty, and my calves are scratched from running through thorny bushes of burnet. I’m an ordinary adolescent, still gangly and awkward. I definitely don’t look like a hero, capable of changing the world. But appearances can be deceptive.

I know my strengths. I have the rare ability to inspire people. They listen to me with respect, all of them: men and women, young and old, Jews and non-Jews. That’s because I treat everybody fairly. I believe that every person deserves respect simply for being human. And if you treat people with respect, they will do the same to you.

‘I want to bring peace, not war,’ I say quietly, but my voice still breaks. How I hate this sudden changes! It seems that even my body turns against me sometimes. ‘I want to find a way to unite all people. Doesn’t Torah say “Love thy neighbour like thyself”? If, instead of protecting their own selfish interests, people will care for our common good, there will be no wars, no crimes and no cruelty.’

‘Yeshua, you want to attempt the impossible,’ father says tiredly.

‘But father, if something hasn’t been done before, it doesn’t mean that it’s impossible to do!’

‘Son, rules exist for a reason,’ he’s speaking to me slowly and patiently, as if explaining commonplace facts to a three year old. ‘Your rash actions and blatant disregard for the customs may have some dire consequences. Some things are kept secret because not everyone can comprehend them. If we hide something from children, it is not to punish them but to keep them safe. A truth half understood is worse than a lie.’