Eetoo

by Robby Charters

  metzig torch (fictional) A hand held object for producing light by means of electricity, probably similar to a flashlight. The author, however, didn't want to assume that Nephteshi technology would necessarily resemble 20th century Earth's. The details of how a metzig torch works has therefore been left to the reader's imagination.

  Mezuzah: (Hebrew/factual) A small box fastened to the door post, containing a small piece of paper on which is written certain scripture passages, in fulfillment of the command in (Deut 6:9)

  mikva: (Hebrew/factual) An immersion pool that conforms to the rabbinical requirements for ritual immersion (see: immersion). The pool had to be filled by a natural flow of water. A river or stream could be used, but not water poured from a vessel. An artificial pool fed by a rain spout, or by water overflowing from a second pool would qualify (Mishnah: Tactate Mikvaot). According to at least one early Church document the early believers had similar requirements for baptism pools, but where it was impossible to comply, any body of water would suffice. If there wasn't sufficient water to immerse, it could be poured over the head (Didache 7). Mikva b'rit is the act of ritual immersion.

  Milky Way Galaxy (factual) The galaxy in which most of the narrative takes place. The author decided to retain the name 'Milky Way' as opposed to some exotic sci-fi sounding name, because that is likely the name the ancients knew it by, and therefore, would have continued to use.

  Miriam: (Hebrew/factual) Correct Hebrew for 'Mary.'

  minyan: (Hebrew) A quorum of at least ten Jewish men necessary to be present before congregational prayers can begin in a synagogue. This is based on the scriptural inference that a congregation consists of at least ten.

  mitzvot: (Hebrew/factual) The commandments.

  Nefzed (fictional) A planet in the Ziern Sector. It was the home of the Nefzedi people, closely related to the Nephteshi, until they were taken over by bionics. The Nefzedi were originally from an African nation Sourth of Nephtesh. They have African features, such as black skin and kinky hair.

  Nephtesh (fictional) A planet in the Noonz Sector. The first planet outside of Red Earth to be inhabited by humans. It's a natural planet, but it's vegetation and topsoil, along with the ancient Red Earth kingdom of Nephtesh was relocated onto that planet, which resulted in the whole portion of North Africa eventually becoming dessert. Nephtesh became the centre of an interstellar empire that collapsed about four hundred years before our narrative begins. As to physical features, the Nephteshis resembled the Egyptians: dark skin and straight hair.

  non-humans (fictional) see Utz, Groki, Tzozk

  Noofrish Sector (fictional) A sector of the Milky Way galaxy that includes the planets Tok and Klodi-Famta. It's a human-friendly sector as most of those on the sector council are benevolent species. (see sector)

  Noonz Sector (fictional) A sector of the Milky Way galaxy that includes the planet Nephtesh. The Noonz Sector has a Groki majority, making it a non human-friendly sector. (see sector)

  Papyrus; papyri: (Egyptian) A reed plant that grows in the swamps of the Nile river, or paper made from the same reed.

  pin switch (fictional) see computer

  Planet of Red Earth (factual) The name of the planet we (the author and readers) know of as Earth. The term 'Red Earth' is a reference to the rocks and soil found on it, not our name. It's also the name of the first human. It's location was forgotten soon after the planet Nephtesh was settled because records were kept in only one place, and Imhotep, a ruler in Egypt at the time, surreptitiously but forcibly had it removed so as to protect the planet. He also closed the only existing tele-gate from his end.

  P'rushim: (Hebrew/factual history) Literally, the separated ones. Proper Hebrew for 'Pharisee'. Usually refers to the general category of those rabbis and their followers who believed in an ultimate resurrection of the dead; in the existence of angels and demons, and an afterlife; and in the Oral Torah, or the traditions of the elders. They have survived to this day as Orthodox Judaism. There were many groupings and emphases among the Pharisees, two major ones being the schools of (or beit) Hillel and Shammai (see Hillel; Shammai). Doctrinally, Yeshua and the apostles were usually in agreement with the Pharisees. Their conflict came only in the area of hypocrisy and hardness of heart, displayed by a number of them, which are common faults of any religious institution -- not only Jewish. Therefore, this author refrains from treating the word 'Pharasee' as a sysnomym for 'hypocrite', or 'legalist' in any of his books or articles.

  Quantum Mechanics (factual) A lot of the technology (fictional science) in this narrative is based on a peripheral (read: 'shallow') understanding of Quantum Mechanics. That's the study of particles and waves on a sub-atomic scale. Some of the descrepencies between some of their findings, and those of Einstein's theory of Relativity and Neutonion Physics have led to some interesting theories that have fueled many a science fiction novel, including some of mine. For the most readable explanation of Quantum Mechanics I've found yet, read Ronald C. Pine's Quantum Physics and Reality, at personal.tcu.edu/~diagram/edu/pine3.html. You could also surf to the Wikipedia entry on it: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quantum_mechanics. One of the explanations of the contradiction between how light acts, as a wave or as a particle (photon), is David Bohm's theory of Hyperspace (a term the reader, no doubt, recognises from Star Wars and Star Trek). This theory states that in addition to the three usual dimensions, in which many things in our universe are so far apart as to prohibit us ever visiting them, there's a fourth dimension, one characterised by co-ordinates and vectors. My own take on that involves things like logical relocation (see logical relocation), and my own theory that both Newton's laws and Einstein's are workable because they are programmed to do so on a QM level. I'm not a scientist, only a writer of science fiction. It makes a good story. For the one application in this narrative that's based on actual QM phenomena under study (but every bit as far-fetch sounding as my own ideas), see twin particles.

  Rabban: (Hebrew/factual) A title of endearment applied to the great sages, such as Hillel, Shammai, Gam'liel etc. Probably used by pupils of their own rabbis.

  Rabbi: (Hebrew/factual) A scribe or a teacher well versed in the Torah and oral traditions of the elders. In the first century, they sat as judges and arbitrators in their communities (see: beth din), teachers in the synagogue, and sometimes sat in the Great Sanhedrin in Jerusalem. They were usually well versed in a wide variety of subjects, including medicine, agriculture, astronomy, and various sciences. One could eventually became a rabbi by becoming a pupil to a rabbi. This would involve living with him, going everywhere he went, and serving his basic needs, as well as being taught at his feet. It involved not only the impartation of knowledge, but of the rabbi's life as well. First century rabbis often disparaged the idea of living off of their teaching profession. They supported themselves, sometimes meagerly, through secular jobs, just as Shaul did as a tent-maker.

  Reb: (Yiddish/factual) Mister. (Though Yiddish wasn't spoken until much later, this and other Yiddish words have been included in the present volume to provide 'atmosphere.')

  reverse beam (fictional) A way of modifying light so as to direct it to the nucleus of an atom, and send reloctator signals to the Hyperspace dimension. Normal light begins at a point in space, and disperses as it travels outward. A reverse beam does the opposite, and naturally focuses onto a single point just as easily as normal light originates from that point. By nature, it gravitates to the nucleus of the atom, as though it were attracted to the Hyperspace dimension. The secret is to send a modulated signal as normal light, and then convert it into a reverse beam. See logical relocation.

  sector (fictional) A portion of the galaxy governed by a council consisting of the representatives of the habitable planets within that sector for the purpose of sorting out any inter-planetary problems, and rules of travel within the sector. Each planet, however, retrains its own sovereignty. Some sectors are less friendly towards humans, especially if they have a Groki majority.

  Sefer Vayikra: (Hebr
ew/factual) The book of Leviticus.

  seven commandments of the sons of Noach: (factual) Based on rabbinical tradition and the inferences made from God's commandments to Noah in Genesis 9:1-7, it is said that God gave Noah seven commandments to be observed by the whole human race. Gentile proselytes who turned to God were not necessarily required to enter fully into the covenant of circumcision, but were told to simply keep these seven laws (Babylonian Talmud: Sanh 56A):

  1 The practice of equity

  2 Against blaspheming the Name of God

  3 Against idolatry

  4 Against immorality

  5 Against bloodshed without just cause

  6 Against robbery

  7 Against devouring a limb torn from a live animal

  Shabbat: (Hebrew/factual) Correct Hebrew for 'Sabbath,' the seventh day of the week that was set aside as a day of rest.

  Shalem: (Akkadi/fictional) Peace. Based on Hebrew shalom and Arabic salaam.

  Shalom: (Hebrew/factual) Peace. Often said as a greeting.

  Shalom alaechem: (Hebrew/factual) A greeting: 'Peace be to you.' The proper answer is, 'Alaechem shalom': 'And to you, peace.'

  Shammai: (factual history) A contemporary of Rabban Hillel (see Hillel), known for his strictness to the letter of the Law, and his rigidity, and sometimes his intolerance. Father of one of the two great schools of the Pharisees, the other being the school of Hillel. The school of Shammai, which was predominant during the first century until the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 ce., emphasised action, as opposed to study.

  Sha'ul of Tarsus: (factual history) or Rabbi Sha'ul, later known as Apostle Paul. The New Testament references indicate he was a pupil of Rabban Gam'liel, and was a tentmaker by trade. Rabbis generally supported themselves with a secular trade to avoid being a burden on their pupils and the community they served, a practice Sha'ul carried over into his Apostolic ministry. Though Rabban Gam'liel was known, both in the Talmud and in the New Testament account, for his lenient views, Sha'ul, until his abrupt change of mind and direction, was a hardliner. This paradox could be easier to understand in light of the fact that Gam'liel's own son, Shim'on, also tended towards hard line views, according to Talmudic sources.

  Shim'on /Shee-me-on/: (Hebrew/factual) Correct Hebrew for 'Simon,' or 'Simeon.'

  Shim'on ben Gam'liel: (factual history) The son of Rabban Gam'liel, and the great grandson of Rabban Hillel. However, he is thought to have leaned more to the school of Shammai (see: Hillel; Shammai). He was the president of the Great Sanhedrin at one point. He had a part in the Jewish revolt and was killed either before or during the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 ce.

  Shim'on the P'rushah (factual history) An acquaintance of Yeshua, apparently living not far from Lazar and his sisters, Miriam and Marta. The name has also been translated in some English versions of the New Testament as 'Simon the Lepar'.

  Shema /She-ma/: (Hebrew/factual) The first word of Deut. 6:4, meaning 'Hear.' Used to refer to the declaration based on that verse: 'Sh'ma Yisrael, Adonai Alohenu, Adoni Echad': 'HEAR O Israel, the LORD our God, the LORD is ONE.' This is the most important declaration of the Jewish faith. It also refers to the entire passage from verse 4 to verse 9, which is recited as a prayer three times a day.

  simulated linear motion (fictional) To fully understand this definition, please make sure you understand the definition of Logical Relocation. One of the problems of using Logical Relocation for space travel was, how to move about in an area that was dense with gasses or solid objects. There was the risk of relocating an object or person to the same space occupied by another object. In a planets atmosphere, there was the danger of the local air being in the bloodstream, which would be fatal. Atomic fusion could also result. To overcome this, early space travellers developed Simulated Linear Motion. This technique involved relocating the ship in very rapid steps, each slightly less than half a hydrogen atom. This pushes other matter out of the way rather than superimposing them. This can be done so rapidly that the ship appears to be moving at a high speed, and yet not overcome by the laws of physics. (see also, logical relocation)

  Sons of Light (factual history) The name by which the Essenes referred to themselves, according to recent research. See: Essenes

  Teknesh (fictional) A galaxy that was settled by humans of the Nephteshi empire. It got cut off from the Milky Way portion of the empire, and therefore continued on as an empire in its own right long after the collapse of the Nephteshi empire. The planet, Thevsos, is located in Teknesh. The name, 'Teknesh' is derived from the name of the dynasty that ruled the galaxy. Non-humans referred to it as 'Zuyun'.

  tele-gate (fictional) A pair of gates that work by logical relocation technology. The gates are equipped with a set of twin particle transmitters (see twin particle) so that the gates will be in constant communication as long as they're switched on. Each gate is also equipped with a relocator beam, placed so that any person or object will be relocated to the other gate by stepping through it, no matter where in the universe the gate is located. Because of the constant movement of planets around their suns, and rotation of galaxies, the coordinates are always changing, thus the need to continually readjust the relocator beam using the information received through the twin particle communicator. (see also, logical relocation)

  Thernguin net (fictional) A device for preventing objects from moving through it's space via logical relocation or any other method based on quantum mechanics (see: quantum mechanics).The author hasn't figgured out how it can possibly work though.

  Thevsos (fictional) A highly populated planet in the Teknesh galaxy, with advanced technology. The lower atmosphere of the planet is polluted, but the buildings are raised above the layer of pollution by means of towers that make the buildings look like flowers.

  Tok (fictional) A planet in the Noofrish Sector. The birth planet of the Tzozks. A number of other non-human species also live there, who are generally friendly to humans. All of the human communities on Tok were taken in as refugees. The Akkadi were the first humans to be allowed to settle on Tok, as they were slaves in harsh conditions on a Nephteshi planet. Later, the Nefzedi were invited because their planet was taken over by bionics.

  toga: (Latin/factual) A large heavy gown worn by Romans.

  Torah /to-rah/: (Hebrew/factual) Literally: the teaching. Refers most directly to the Pentateuch, or the first five books of the Bible. In its wider use, includes the whole Bible. According to the Greek rendering of Hebrews 8:6, the New Testament was given as Torah. In the rabbinical sense, it includes Oral Torah, or the traditions of the elders (see Oral Torah).

  Tsaddok: (Hebrew/factual history) A High Priest during the reign of Solomon. Because of the corruption of the previous family of priests, culminating in the tenure of Eli and his two sons, the Prophet Samuel prophesied that that line would no longer be entitled to serve as High Priest. They actually did serve until the end of King David's reign, but King Solomon, on his father's advice, appointed Tsaddok. Since that time, it has been considered Biblically correct to have a priest of Tsaddok's line as High Priest, although during the first half of the first century, this was not the case. Herod the Great exiled all the priests of Tsaddok's lineage and placed someone of his own choice in the office -- one who would support his corrupt ways. During Yeshua's ministry, this restriction was still in effect, which meant Yohannan the Immerse had to do all his preaching near the Jordan river, well outside Jerusalem.

  Tsaddukhim: (Hebrew/factual history) Correct Hebrew for 'Sadducee'. A first century Jewish sect that was opposed to the P'rushim's belief in Oral Torah, resurrection of the dead, and spirit beings (see: P'rushim). Sometimes they were loosely referred to as Epicureans (as in the Greek philosophy), because of their materialistic outlook. It was the popular religion of the aristocratic and well-to-do of Jerusalem. Most of the High Priests were of the Zaddukhim sect  much to the chagrin of the P'rushim -- and therefore corrupt. Because they didn't believe in Oral Torah, they often exacted harsh penalties, applying the Law
literally by requiring an 'eye for an eye, and tooth for a tooth.' Regardless of the name, High Priest of the Tsaddukhim sect were not descended from Tsaddok (see Tsaddok)

  Tunic: A sewn garment with long or short sleeves, and coming down either to the knees or to the ankles, and not open in the front. Sometimes worn as an undergarment, over which was worn a chlamys or a himation (see chlamys; himation).

  twin particles (factual) Unlike some of the other concepts found in this narrative, this is one that really is under study by scientists researching Quantum Mechanics (see Quantum Mechanics). Twin particles are pairs of particles extracted from an atom that have been observed to always act the same way, no matter how far apart they are. Thus, they would a good technology for communication, which I have in the narrative. Application to fictional science: An atom is split and each of the twins is placed in a separate box that is able to maintain their spin indefinitely. Each box has a reader/controller that can read and send messages by adjusting the tilt of the spin. For obvious reasons, twin particle communicators can only be used in pairs. In our narrative, a network of twin particle communicators is set up throughout the galaxy, so that a message that is meant to be broadcast is relayed through the whole network. Extra pairs of communicators are also used for special missions, such as ones in which Heptosh is involved. Thus, he can communicate over an unlimited distance, but only with the one who holds the other twin. They were also used in tele-gates to send back location coordinates (see tele-gate). For more, look up the Wikipedia entry: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quantum_mechanics

  Tzozk (fictional) A non human species with a body that looks almost human, though taller, and slightly different facial shape. Parts of their body (crown of the head, the shoulders and the arms) are covered by an exoskeleton, and the rest with grayish skin. Their brain capacity is about equal to that of a Groki (several times that of a human). They dress those areas not covered with an exoskeleton i.e. from the chest down. The planet of their birth is Tok, so, though it is a cosmopolitan planet, they perform duties of administration, which they're especially good at. (see also, Tok)