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Akiva and Rachel. One of the greatest love stories of all time. Gertcel Davydov
Читать онлайн.Название Akiva and Rachel. One of the greatest love stories of all time
Год выпуска 0
isbn 9785448518966
Автор произведения Gertcel Davydov
Жанр Документальная литература
Издательство Издательские решения
«Yes, the First Temple was built by the great King Solomon, whom many call Solomon the Wise. He is rightly regarded as the wisest man that ever lived. Some people call him Solomon the Great because his reign is considered an era of the blossoming of the monarchy and Judaic power. He was famous for his fantastic wealth and most importantly, for his wisdom and fairness. When I look at what is happening in Jerusalem today, it reminds me of the story of Solomon’s ring. I find some comfort in it I suppose.»
«Really? What was special about his ring?»
«They say that the phrase ’this too shall pass’ was found etched into his ring. And in moments of great anger, King Solomon would look at the inscription and it helped him regain his peace of mind. Once though, there was a time when he couldn’t control himself, despite staring at the inscription. In a rage, he tore the ring from his finger and was about to throw it away, when at the very last moment, he noticed illuminated letters on the inside of the ring. He held the ring closer and read the inscription which said: ’and this too shall pass’. At that, Solomon burst into laughter and put the ring back on his finger.»
With those words, the merchant gave a heavy sigh.
«Perhaps these times which are so challenging for our people will also pass…»
«You are a wise man too Mr. Shimon. Even if Kalba Savua doesn’t hire me, I shall still be very grateful to you.»
«I do my best to study. I debate with the wisemen of the Torah, the students of the yeshivas11, I attend the synagogue, but I am a very long way from the wisdom of King Solomon. He was a great King, worthy of the honour of building the Temple, but I am a mere mortal. Akiva, should you ever wish to, you could always come to the synagogue with me.»
«Dear Mr. Shimon, forgive me, but I am not ready for that yet. And you know, so far in my life, my impression of religious people has not been particularly positive.»
«There’s no pressure! Everyone has to come to it of their own free will. Everyone has to find their own path to wisdom but let me know when you do feel ready.»
Akiva nodded silently and the rest of the journey they barely spoke a word, each lost in their own thoughts. It was almost midday and the heat of the sun beat down mercilessly, when finally Shimon said, «Well, we have arrived. This is the house of Kalba Savua.»
From the height at which Akiva and Shimon stood, they could see a huge house with a blooming garden and field with a river flowing through it.
* * *
The travellers passed through the gates of Kalba Savua’s estate and, taking hold of the spice bag, Shimon set off towards the huge house leaving Akiva in charge of his donkey. As he passed by the wooden well that stood in the middle of the yard, the merchant saw a young girl running towards him. She must have been about twenty years of age and she was extraordinarily beautiful. She warmly welcomed the guest offering him a pitcher of water drawn from the well. Shimon washed himself and having taken a drink of cold water, he entered the large house.
Relieving Shimon of the pitcher, the girl filled it again as she always did to water the donkey. Spotting the stranger, she walked up to him.
«Have a drink,» she said, holding the pitcher out towards the guest. «You and Mr. Shimon must have had a long journey.»
Akiva modestly took the pitcher from the girl’s hands looking carefully into her dark brown eyes. In that second, Akiva fell in love and the doors of his lonely heart flew open to greet her.
«Have as much as you want. I’ll feed and water Mr. Shimon’s donkey. The poor beast must be tormented with thirst. It looks tired,» the girl continued.
Filling another pitcher with water, she poured it into a deep trough and leading the donkey to water began stroking his fur whispering tenderly, «Drink little donkey, you have come a long way today and must be very tired.»
When the donkey had drained the trough, the girl took the pitcher from Akiva’s hands and returning it to its place by the well, walked back into the house.
Kalba Savua greeted his old friend with due honour and invited him to dine. Their meal together was spent discussing matters in Jerusalem and the future of Jews in their native land. Then as usual, Kalba Savua made to accompany his guest to the door, when Shimon said, «May I ask a favour of you?»
«If trade isn’t going very well and you need some money, I would be happy to help» Kalba Savua said without a moment’s hesitation. «You can pay me back when you are able, and if you can’t return the money, then we shall both think nothing of it. You are like an older brother to me.»
«Yesterday, someone came to my house and I invited him to share a meal with us. He has travelled from afar and is looking for work. I would like to help him but I can’t really offer him anything. I thought I’d ask you whether you can help.»
«Dear Shimon, you worried me. I thought something serious had happened. Bring him here. I’ll give him work, food and lodgings. I need assistants and managers who can run the farm. I can’t manage on my own anymore.»
«It’s true Kalba Savua, we aren’t getting any younger. We need people. But this man won’t cope with such a responsible position. I don’t think he’d be suitable to manage the farm. Do you have anything simpler?»
«Simpler… why? As it is you who has asked me, I’ll give your man good work.»
«Akiva can’t read or write. I think it would be difficult for him to work as your assistant.»
«How old is he?»
«He is nearly forty. He’s am-aarets but he comes across as a really good person, despite everything.»
«It’s rare to come across a man in Jerusalem these days who is illiterate at that age but he’s a faithful Jew? He attends the synagogue, knows the prayers and reads blessings after a meal?» Asked Kalba Savua.
«No, he says he has spent his whole life doing hard physical work and has never had the luxury or time to study.»
«Ok, well, I’ll ask one of my men to teach him the prayers…after he’s finished his work of course» said Kalba Savua laughing. «The head of livestock has increased. I need a good shepherd. Bring your Akiva here and my assistant Ezra will show him the property and livestock.»
«He is with me now waiting outside by the gates.»
«Then he may as well start work today» said Kalba Savua smiling.
«Thank you, Kalba Savua. You do so much for our community. Bless You!»
«I have no doubt that if you were able, you would do exactly the same.»
«I’m just a simple merchant, but you, Kalba Savua, are a respected man, a tzadik12. People are composing legends about you and no doubt in a thousand and even two thousand years from now, people will still speak of you as one of the richest men in all Jerusalem.»
Shimon found Akiva and told him the good news. Akiva thanked his patron warmly and set off with Ezra the farm manager, Kalba Savua’s assistant to get to know the farm.
Ezra showed Akiva the layout of the estate and on Kalba Savua’s instruction, led him into a private room in the house where the servants lived. Kalba Savua gave Akiva a good salary and a free table together with the other servants.
Akiva enjoyed his work. He could herd the sheep single-handedly for long hours by the river. He was delighted with how things had turned out and felt he could happily live that way of life for the rest of his days.
Chapter 2 The spring storm
I belong to my beloved, and my beloved is mine; he grazes among the lilies.
(Shir
* Yeshiva – literally ’a sitting’; a higher Jewish institution of religious learning.
* The word «tzadik» is derived from the word «tzedek», which in Hebrew means «justice»; a person who strives to live by the laws of the Torah and help their neighbour.