Macky's Answers
Here are some of the recent chats with Friends and Heroes viewers and Macky:
Zelda Joseph: Hi Macky, what is your favourite colour (favorite color)??
Macky: How do I answer your question, Zelda? I don't spend a lot of time thinking about colours; typical boy I suppose! A good friend of mine does have lovely green eyes! But brown is good, and blue and…
Rebecca Benjamin: Does your mom make your clothes, and what foods does your mom cook for you and your household?
Macky: My mother, Diana, is a dressmaker and a fantastic cook. She makes all of our clothes and great meals, making best use of whatever is available in the market. I remember when she made some yummy Purim biscuits and bravely distracted the Roman soldiers so we could help the rebels to get to safe houses in Alexandria.
Rebecca Benjamin: I know soon you will be a man, but do you play games and if you do what games? Also, when you choose your occupation, are you going to follow in your dad's footsteps, or are you going to do something else? Thanks, Macky!
Macky: In my spare time I love to ride my horse Aggenon, or sometimes I play with my friend Sollie – he's always inventing new games to play! But I do spend a lot of time with my father, helping the Friends of Jesus, and I think this is the path I would like to follow in the future.
Rachel Asher: Dear Macky, are you a leader, do you follow the rules or do you follow your heart? Thanks!
Macky: Hi Rachel. I try to be a leader but I know I sometimes get things wrong and let people down. I also try to follow the rules but sometimes I know I let my heart rule my head because I want to help people, especially the rebels and the Friends of Jesus. That can get me into trouble and other people too so I try hard to do the right thing in all my adventures.
Miriam Levi: Do the Jews make some Purim biscuits to celebrate Purim like your mom Diana did?
Macky: Purim biscuits taste so good that I think Jews will always make them. Purim is a great time for celebration when Jews remember the amazing way Esther risked her life to save the Jewish people. We dress up and tell the story of Queen Esther and use noisemakers every time someone says “Haman”. The biscuits are shaped like Haman’s hat. I think my mother wrote down a recipe for the biscuits somewhere – if you look around maybe you might find it.
Samuel Asher: How long have you been a rebel?
Macky: I didn’t really set out to be a rebel but when Leah and Rebecca came to stay I knew I had to help their father, Daniel, so I guess that’s about the time it all started. I’m just trying to do the right thing, and sometimes that means standing up to the Romans.
Mary Levi: Hey Macky, what kind of stories do you and your father tell to your friends? Which is your favourite story?
Macky: My father and I enjoy telling stories, especially stories about Jesus. He did many amazing things and we love to tell people how Jesus healed people and cared for them. My favourite story changes all the time. At the moment I like to hear about how Jesus died and then how he came back to life again – that’s called the Resurrection and it was an amazing thing to happen, don’t you think?
Elisheva Zebulun: Macky, doesn't your real name kind of originate from the family called the Maccabees or the Hasmoneans?
Macky: Hey that’s right. My full name is Maccabeus, though everyone calls me Macky. I’m named after Judas Maccabeus, also known as Judah the Maccabee. His name means the hammer – I think he was good at fighting!
Isaac Judah: Did you or your family members meet Jesus? How did they learn about him?
Macky: No, I never met Jesus and neither did any of my family - he died before I was born. I would have loved to have met him and asked him questions. My father heard stories about Jesus from his father and then he passed them on. Some of our friends and neighbours like Sollie’s family have heard different stories so they are passing those stories on too. The stories about Jesus are now being written down on scrolls so we don’t forget them and so that many more people can learn about him.
Lucius Claudius Civilis: How did the Roman Empire fall?
Macky: I don’t know anything about the Roman Empire falling. The Romans are very powerful and strong and have taken control of many countries and captured many people. I can’t imagine what could happen to them which would stop them being so powerful.
Isaac Judah: How was crucifixion done in your time? I saw some paintings but some people said that they are wrong?
Macky: I don’t know much about crucifixions apart from that is the way the Romans killed Jesus and that it is a painful way to die. I think that crosses can be different shapes so perhaps that’s why someone said it was wrong, because they think there is only one shape of cross.
Deborah Dan: I love the way you risk your life to save other people. That is nice of you. Do you know why Alexandria is called that? If what I hear is true it is the second largest city in Egypt.
Macky: Hi Deborah, thank you for your kind comments - I like helping people. Alexandria is a great city to live in, especially the Delta Quarter because there are so many exciting things to do. The city was started by a King called Alexander the Great and I think he came from Greece. It’s a big city with a huge lighthouse – I think it’s the biggest port in Egypt and there are always ships and different people coming and going.
Marni Issachar: Macky, I know that your father is Jewish, but what is your mother's religion?
Macky: Hello Marni. Yes, you are right, my father is Jewish and he’s a Friend of Jesus. My mother is a bit more cautious about getting involved but I think her own kind nature will lead her to become a Friend of Jesus too. My father is Egyptian but my mother comes from Greece originally.
Spurius Aurelius Clemens: What is your real name?
Macky: Hi Spurius. Thank you for your question. My real name is Maccabeas but I don’t get called that very often. Sometimes my mother, Diana, will call me Maccabeas if she is annoyed with me! Macky is much easier to say and much easier to spell so I think I’ll stick with Macky for now. My name means “hammer” or “hammerer” which sounds very strong so perhaps that’s why I enjoy getting involved in all my adventures.
Boaz Benjamin: If you had the money would you paint Aggenon's wagon? I would paint it black and red with flames.
Macky: What an interesting idea - I hadn't thought of that! My mother, Diana, is very good with colours because she is a dress maker and she likes blue so, if I could afford the paint and I had time to paint my wagon between all my adventures, I would probably paint it blue. I'm not sure what Aggenon would think about that though!
David Judah: Macky, Romans aren't that dumb, are they?
Macky: Well…. Not all Romans are dumb, some of them are very clever. From what I hear from Portia the Romans have created a lot of things which make life easier for Roman citizens - like aqueducts to carry water into cities, roads, baths (not sure about that one), jewellery, games. They are also very clever at fighting which is why they have conquered so many countries. The Roman Empire seems to keep getting bigger. However, we know that not all Romans are bright – just think about Brutacus and Toadie.
Titus Julius Felix: How old is your pet bird?
Macky: That’s an interesting question. I think Pontius is about 4 years old. I’ve had him for about 2 years now and he’s very quick at picking up words. He’s an African Grey Parrot and they can live for a long time so I expect he’ll be around for quite a while yet.
Zelda Judah: Do you go to school or not?
Macky: I don’t go to school. I think some of the older, richer boys go to learn about the Torah (Jewish Law) so perhaps that’s similar. I spend much of my time with my father and learn from him. He tells me stories about my people and from them I learn a lot about how I should behave. You have heard some of our stories through our adventures.
Zelda Judah: How old is Caius Aurelius? Is he fun to be with, though he can be full of mischief, and he's such a cheater?
Macky: Do you mean the Roman boy who challenged Leah to a horse race? I think he was about 12 years old but I didn’t really spend any time with him. He is a high-born Roman like Portia but he didn’t seem to be as honest or as friendly as Portia so I don’t really think I’d choose him as a friend. I don’t think he’d choose me as a friend either!
Joseph Simeon: Is Portia a great person to work with?
Macky: Portia is a great friend and because she is a Roman she can help me do things that would be really difficult for me to do on my own. It’s a pretty big risk for her to even be seen with me!
Hannah Reuben: Does Toadie know about you and Portia?
Macky: Sometimes I think he suspects something is going on but he’s a bit slow and doesn’t always see what’s happening right under his nose. I usually manage to confuse him so he doesn’t get to know the truth about how much we are helping the rebels. But it is very dangerous and it may not last forever!
Quintus Lalla Petra: How do you cope with being a 'Rebel'?
Macky: It can be very difficult being a rebel because I do get chased a lot by Roman soldiers and end up with plenty of scratches and bruises. I know I’m doing the right thing though because I want to help my friends and sometimes our adventures are great fun. I know there are many more exciting and difficult times ahead for us and those we love.
Gideon Gad: How big is Brutacus?
Macky: That’s a really interesting question. I’m usually trying to run away from him so I don’t often get too close! He is very big though and I wouldn’t like him to stand on my foot!
Rebecca Benjamin: Macky, Who are your best friends?
Macky: My best friends are Portia and Sollie although sometimes it’s difficult to get Sollie away from his books to get involved with our adventures. Rebecca and Leah are also my friends since they came to live with us!
Benjamin Joseph: Do you know how old Sollie is?
Macky: Sollie is 10 but he likes to say that he is nearly 11 because that makes him feel more grown up.
Rachel Gad: Why are you so sensible?
Macky: I think I’m sensible because my parents are both very sensible people. They are really caring people and want to help others. Sometimes my mother (Diana) doesn’t think that I’m very sensible because I get involved in so many scrapes but I want to help people too – rebels especially!
Abraham Gad: What happens when you are in Jerusalem?
Macky: Until I get to Jerusalem I don’t really know what will happen but I think I’m going to have many more adventures. The Jewish rebels are still resisting the Roman Army and I hope that I will able to help them too.
Shayna Dan: Did you ever kiss Portia?
Macky: Oh, what a question! I do like Portia but I’m too busy helping my family and friends to think about that sort of thing!
Benjamin Judah: Do you like your horse?
Macky: Yes, I do very much indeed. I look after him as well as I can and he looks after me when the Romans are on my tail! It was through Aggenon that I met Portia when her horse became a runaway.
Rachel Naphtali: Do you have a cousin?
Macky: Yes, I do have a few cousins but they are a long way up the Nile and it is impossible to see them. Also family news takes a great deal of time to reach us here in Alexandria – it has to come with the ships that bring grain from the south of Egypt.
Marcus Saturius Maximus: Macky, I think we all know you and Portia are in love. I mean that's how a lot of good stories end. Also when is the next episode I've been waiting?
Macky: I already answered that question – Portia is a good friend. I’m not interested in that sort of thing yet – I’m too busy resisting the Romans. I’ll tell you all about my adventures in Jerusalem as soon as I can.
Daniel Dan: Please can you tell me if you had computers and how you get washed - with a damp cloth?
Macky: I don’t know what a “computer” is, we don’t have them in Alexandria, but it sounds very interesting. I wash regularly in the Nile – the river which runs into the sea at Alexandria. We do use cloths but I prefer swimming and I don’t like soap much – it stings your eyes!
Hannah Simeon: Do you have a family?
Macky: Yes – Samuel is my Father and Diana is my Mother. Rebecca and Leah have also come to live with us – their father, Daniel, is one of the Jewish rebels resisting the Romans in Galilee.
Leah Joseph: How did you end up in Alexandria?
Macky: I was born here 14 years ago – my family live here and I love Alexandria very much indeed. There’s plenty to do here – the city is very busy and having a major port means that there’s always new people in town with news of other lands.
Benjamin Benjamin: Why do you like Portia so much?
Macky: Portia is a good friend and she has helped my family a great deal by letting us know what Toadie and Brutacus are up to! She may be a Roman and a member of the Governor’s family but she’s also honest and faithful – that’s the kind of friend I like!
Hannah Levi : Will Portia ever get to know Jesus and start dressing modestly?
Macky: I'm sure Portia doesn't mean to cause any offence with her dress and is following her own (Roman) culture and fashions. I'm starting to understand that people from different backgrounds think that different things are acceptable or not acceptable for example when choosing what to eat or how they dress. I really don't know what to say about her becoming a Friend of Jesus. She is learning more about him all the time but that's a decision that she will have to make for herself.
Joshua Judah : What does Leah and Rebecca's father look like and what do Leah and Rebecca like to play with?
Macky:
Hmm! Such interesting, and difficult, questions you ask,
Joshua! I don't know what Rebecca and Leah's father, Daniel,
looks like - they just told me that he's big, strong and very
handsome but most girls say that about their father! I have been
told where he was when he last contacted them and the names of
his friends - I'll just have to ask around very carefully!
Leah and Rebecca had to leave their home in a hurry so they
don't really have any toys - though they improvise by playing
with whatever comes to hand - e.g. Leah's sandal! Leah is also
very fond of playing with the comb which was given to her by Eza
the slave on the ship which brought them to Alexandria. Both of
the girls love animals so they like to help groom my horse
Aggenon, play with Pontius and any of the stray cats which are
common in Alexandria.
Joshua Judah : How do you get to Jerusalem?
Macky: As I said below in my answer to Benjamin Joseph, I don't want to say much more because of Toadie's spies, but I I am travelling in a large party and I have a great deal of work to do as we travel! Perhaps you can guess how I'm travelling from those clues.
Dara Reuben : Are you in love with Portia? Will you marry her at the end??? Thanks for this opportunity Macky. You are a star.
Macky: What! Portia and I are just good friends! We like spending time together and she’s a great help in my adventures too but as for romance I don't think so! And as for me marrying a Roman – that would be very strange and peculiar - I really can't see it happening - can you?
Arava Zebulun : What age are you considered an adult?
Macky: That’s an interesting question. I think I’m an adult now, I’m fourteen and I can do anything that a man can do! My mother and father sometimes still treat me like a child, but I think they are starting to accept that I can make good decisions too and so they give me more responsibility and listen to my opinion.
Isaiah Benjamin : Macky, do you ever regret being a rebel?
Macky: No, I don’t regret helping the rebels at all. The Romans are so harsh on our people – they take them away as slaves for their mines or to fight their wars and they are always increasing the taxes they charge too. It’s not easy living in a Roman occupied city and you just have to resist their tyranny however you can.
Aaron Benjamin: What's your age at the moment?
Macky: Hi Aaron. I’m 14 and proud of it! I’m almost a man and my father trusts me with a lot of responsibility, such as looking after the shop and taking care of Rebecca and Leah when my parents are busy. That can be even harder work than looking after our horse Aggenon and Pontius, my parrot!
Hannah Joseph: Do you like being on TV?
Macky: I don't know anything about this TV you ask about – we don’t have that in Alexandria. I do like telling stories though and I get told off sometimes because I tell too many!
Samuel Judah: Hi Macky, is Diana your mum?
Macky: Yes, she is and I’m very proud of her too! She’s so brave – do you remember how she distracted the guards with her Purim biscuits when the Rebels were in town? She understands just what support my Father and I need as we resist the Romans.
Benjamin Joseph: Macky, What will your disguise be when you go to Jerusalem with Portia?
Macky: I don't want to give too much away in case you're spying for Toadie! Hmm! But I think I dare risk telling you that I'm wearing my hooded cloak and although I'm travelling with Portia I'm definitely not travelling in luxury.
Minishinty : When is your series in Jerusalem coming out? I can’t wait!
Macky: If you are talking about my adventures, I'm still on my way to Jerusalem - it's a long way. But I think I'll be there early next year and as soon as I am I'll try to tell you about what it's like in that part of the Roman Empire. I think it will be very challenging!
Maya Asher: Do you ever wear anything else than what you wear for the show?
Macky: Umm, I don't really give any thought to what I'm wearing - there are more exciting things in life like dodging the Romans and helping the rebels - so possibly not!
Chile: What is it like being friends with a Roman?
Macky: Hmm! Having a Roman friend is just a little bit strange actually. Until I met Portia, I thought all Romans were my enemies. They are always oppressing my people and taxing us as much as possible. But I've come to learn that there are 'good' Romans (and that some of my people can be 'bad' too). There's a huge difference between our homes, and how we live. Portia lives in great luxury in a palace but my family is very poor - and taking refugees Rebecca and Leah into the family has made life even more difficult (though exciting too!). I'm really glad I met Portia - I'm learning a lot and sometimes she's even used her position to help us - so I'm quite happy to have a Roman friend!
DC: Macky, what are your family like?
Macky: My father is called Samuel and is a silversmith. He is a very friendly man and was born Jewish like me. My father and I have now been drawn to the friends of Jesus, which is very exciting but can be hard too as we have to keep this a secret from the Romans who rule all of us.
My mother is called Diana. She is a dressmaker and also a brilliant cook. She looks after my father and me very well. Mother can be quite scary when she's angry, but I know she's right, so I do listen!
Recently Rebecca and Leah have joined our family. They have had to leave their family because of the fighting in Galilee and are staying with us for a while.
History Kid: Hi Macky, I like your pet parrot, Pontius. What's it like having a talking pet?
Macky: I bought Pontius at a market in Alexandria about two years ago and it's great fun having him - if a little noisy at times. Pontius is an African Grey Parrot and he's always hungry. "Starvin here", is one of his favourite sayings! The best thing about Pontius is that he is always around when I need help, although my mother and father find him a bit annoying!
Smithy: Do you have any other pets, Macky, apart from Pontius the parrot?
Macky: I have a grey horse called Aggenon. I think he's the best horse in Delta Quarter and even if I say so myself, I'm pretty good at riding him! He has helped get us out of some tight scrapes.
GH: Do you have any hobbies, Macky?
Macky: As often as I'm allowed I go riding or exploring through the streets and alleyways of Alexandria. No-one knows this city quite as well as I do! It's a busy, colourful place, with all sorts of sights and sounds, and an adventure around every corner. Although I do attend lessons this isn't every day, so I help out in my father's shop, at the market, or with my mother around the home, just like all the other children in Delta Quarter. Also I love hearing the old stories of our past and and helping the Friends of Jesus. Since meeting Portia, I like spending time with her and hearing about her life in the Governor's palace too.
GH: Macky, do you like living in Alexandria?
Macky: Alexandria is where I was born and I have met some really nice people here, like my friend Sollie and his family. I know every inch of the city like the back of my hand! But things change and I do like hearing about other places from the sailors and traders who come into our harbour. One of my ambitions is to see the great city of Jerusalem; I've heard so much about it. The world's a big place, so maybe one day I'll go travelling!
