Oh Lord of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the One who led your children the Israelites into the promised land, and through the desert. Deliver us from the great oppression of this Persian rule, just as You delivered our forefathers from the Egyptians. I pray that One day we might return to Israel, and be released from this land of exile, out from under the mighty hand of King Xerxes. Give us strength to face whatever storm might be coming our way. Hold my hand, and make me strong, for I am afraid. Make me like Sarah, Rebecca, or Deborah, a Godly woman who is strong in faith. Remember Your faithfulness, and Your promise to Your children. Don’t leave us now Holy One, because our small and humble family needs You now more than ever before.
The small yellow and brown kernels were crushed beneath the sharp rock as Hadassah tirelessly worked at grinding the corn. Hannah also worked diligently at her task, working just as vibrantly and full of life as the young woman decades younger than herself.
“Have you heard that Elisha proposed to a Persian girl?
Hadassah chatted easily, enjoying the special time with Hannah. The old woman’s company was greatly desirable, and Hadassah treasured each day with her more than the first. When she was younger, her heart used to ache for more companions and she daily begged Hannah to let her play outside, run to the market, and meet new friends. But that was not a proper place in society for young girls, and most were confined to the safety and shelter of their own homes.
But unlike most Hebrew girls Hadassah did not live with a passel of cousins, siblings, and other girls and boys her age to play with. She went through a short phase in which she wished to run away and never return in seek of a grand adventure, but soon the desire to live elsewhere dwindled away, as she realized that Hannah was growing old and needed her assistance. Someone would have to take care of Mordecai as well, when Hannah passed.
Even so, in all her contentment and joy with her current role in life, Hadassah still harbored secret hopes of grand adventure, finding true love, and doing something radical with her life. Quite often she dreamed of venturing out into the marketplace, and meeting a handsome young fellow who struck her fancy and desired to know her better. She would invite the brave and charming young man over for dinner, and he would fit into their family like the perfect missing puzzle piece. Mordecai would eagerly say yes when he offered a bride price for Hadassah, and then--
“A Persian girl?!” Hannah’s brown eyes flickered with shock. “Elisha’s parents must be heartbroken. God has forbidden intermarriage with other nations, warning us that our hearts may grow loyal to foreign gods, and forget the One true God. We must pray for Elisha, that his heart will remain faithful.”
Hadassah nodded, feeling somewhat guilty for the excitement she felt for Elisha and his soon to be bride. Elisha was one of the few Jewish boys her age whom she conversed with time to time before and after synagogue on the Sabbath. She was very happy for her friend when he first shared the news, but felt an unwelcome twinge of disappointment. Elisha was a handsome, hardworking young man, with a heart eager to study the Torah. From the family line of Levi, Elisha desired to be a priest, but Hadassah knew that now he would be forbidden the privilege.
“I wouldn’t have minded marrying a man like Elisha,” Hadassah spoke softly. “He was so gentle and kind.”
Hannah let out a barbaric sounding display of disgust, “Ptshh! You don’t really mean that Hadassah! A man who chooses a woman with a pretty face over his loyalties to the One True God, is no man at all. He is a worm. Elisha is not capable of loving and treasuring a woman in the way she is to be treasured, for if he abandoned his love for God, he will just as easily abandon his love for his wife!”
Hadassah sat in the silence that followed, contemplating Hannah’s wise words. She had never thought of it that way before.
“Nevertheless,” Hadassah smiled, still wishing her friend well, “I pray Elisha and his new bride will be happy, and be blessed with many children.”
Just then a violent knock came on the front door. The pounding shook the threshold of their home, and was accompanied by a harsh voice which barked,
“Open up! By order of King Xerxes, Prince of Persia, ruler of one hundred twenty seven Provinces! Open this door!”
The shade of white on Hannah’s face suddenly matched her hair. “Go! Hide!” She whispered desperately, shooing away Hadassah.
The man tried to wipe the look of fear and distress off his face, and attempted a shaky smile. “Nothing my child. Other than the fact that I have built up quite the appetite.” He ducked into the other room where a wash bin was awaiting his hands.
Hadassah quickly buzzed over to the hearth where she scooped a generous helping into each bowl. She could hear Mordecai reciting the familiar Hebrew blessing;
“Blessed are You, HaShem, our God, King of the Universe...”
Hadassah felt a troubling stir deep in her heart. The look on Mordecai’s face caused a terribly uneasy feeling to arise. She bit her lip, worry engulfing her mind. Lord she prayed silently, please help Mordecai.
After Mordecai returned the three were seated, each grabbed hands, closed their eyes, and offered this simple prayer up to heaven, “Blessed are You, HaShem, our God, King of the Universe,
who brings forth bread from the earth.”
“Yes Mam” Hadassah swiftly swept up a pile of cinders which had clung to the foot of the fireplace, scooped them into a bowl, and made her way to the back door. Stepping outside, humming a soft tune, Hadassah took a deep breath, relishing in the fresh air. An array of colors meshed across the eastern sky: a glorious mix of pink, orange, and purple, as the sun held his breath and prepared to dunk under the horizon. As soon as Hadassah completed her chore, she returned indoors to set their small table with humble set of cracked clay bowls and utensils. The old pottery was worn and chipped, but it was more than many others had, and for that they were grateful.
“Hadassah” the old widow clicked her tongue, “You mustn’t let our food stick to the bottom of the pot like this! I fear you’ll never find a husband if your cooking is not more than satisfactory.” Hannah added extra water to the sticky pot, vigorously stirring it with her strong right arm.
Hadassah sighed as she placed a third bowl on the table, “Forgive me Hannah. My mind was elsewhere.”
“As it usually is my child” Hannah chuckled, adding her own secret remedy to Hadassah’s failed meal. She taste tested the ingredients a second time. Her furrowed brow relaxed, and she nodded confidently to herself. The meal finally reached her approval.
“Just like your Mother” Hannah spoke gently as she whisked a black strand of hair from Hadassah’s face, “Always a day dreamer.”
Hadassah squeezed the old woman’s hand and spoke softly, “I wish I remembered her better. Sometimes I think I can still hear the old lullaby she used to sing to me, but other times I think I must be making it up. ”
Hannah’s dark eyes grew moist as these old memories were re-lived, “She would be so very proud of you Hadassah. You have grown up to be a beautiful young woman, who one day will make a lucky young man a very proud husband. Your Father would be proud too, just as Mordecai is.”
Just then, the sound of an opening door was heard.
“Cousin Mordecai!” Hadassah greeted, “You’re just in time for supper. Come sit, may I take your shoes, wash your feet?”
Mordecai’s weary eyes from a long day’s work stared gently at his cousin. Hadassah had been orphaned as a young girl, both parents killed in a tragic accident, leaving the sweet little child fatherless. Mordecai immediately brought the frightened child into his home, providing for her a place to eat, sleep, and feel protected. But as Hadassah grew older, Mordecai realized that he could not provide her with the proper education, and asked Widow Hannah to come live with them. Twelve years had past now, and Hadassah would soon be approaching her sixteenth birthday. Together, the three had forged a strong bond, a three stranded cord which was not easily broken. But now, something was attempting to rip this little family apart. Mordecai had just learned of the new law, which was posted on nearly every building in town. Still drifting away to sea in the blow of this tsunami tidal wave of news, a strange look of grief cast upon Mordecai’s face, and Hadassah immediately knew something was wrong. Terribly wrong.
“Mordecai, what is troubling you?”
The man tried to wipe the look of fear and distress off his face, and attempted a shaky smile. “Nothing my child. Other than the fact that I have built up quite the appetite.” He ducked into the other room where a wash bin was awaiting his hands.
Hadassah quickly buzzed over to the hearth where she scooped a generous helping into each bowl. She could hear Mordecai reciting the familiar Hebrew blessing;
“Blessed are You, HaShem, our God, King of the Universe...”
Hadassah felt a troubling stir deep in her heart. The look on Mordecai’s face caused a terribly uneasy feeling to arise. She bit her lip, worry engulfing her mind. Lord she prayed silently, please help Mordecai.
After Mordecai returned the three were seated, each grabbed hands, closed their eyes, and offered this simple prayer up to heaven, “Blessed are You, HaShem, our God, King of the Universe,
who brings forth bread from the earth.”
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