Rachel by Anton Maggie

Author:Anton, Maggie [Anton, Maggie]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: Penguin Group
Published: 2012-05-19T22:11:52+00:00

Joheved calculated that her baby was due in mid-June, but Miriam took no chances and insisted her older sister move to Troyes early in the month. This turned out to be a wise decision, as less than a week elapsed before Joheved gave birth to her sixth child, a fourth son. Despite her advanced age, she did so with less pain and bleeding than while bearing her previous children.

Rachel couldn’t help but remember poor Milo, who would be desperately anxious for news of Joheved’s health. “The weather is so fine today that I think I’ll ride to Ramerupt,” she told her sister. “I’d like to see how the new lambs’ wool compares to last year’s.”

Joheved understood her concern. “Merci. Then Milo will be able to concentrate on supervising the sheep shearing.”

“Don’t worry if I’m not back until sunset. I don’t expect Eliezer just yet, but since my clean days are finished, I may as well immerse in that nice pond you have.”

“It’s too bad it’s so far to ride.” Joheved paused to expertly rouse her sleepy newborn and shift him to her other breast. “I’d rather immerse there when my seven days of childbirth impurity are finished.”

“At least it’s warm enough to use the Seine,” Rachel said. “Miriam and I can show you some quiet streams nearby, not as nice as in Ramerupt, but fine nevertheless.”

Despite the many mazikim reputed to dwell in rivers, and cognizant that no demon could endure the pure water of the synagogue’s mikvah, Rachel, her sisters, and indeed most of the Jewish women of Troyes still preferred to perform their first immersion after childbirth upstream from town. Luckily most tended to give birth when the weather was warm.

Rachel set out immediately after disner, and as she rode through the forest, she couldn’t decide whether she should deliver the good news immediately or tease Milo by asking about the sheep first and only later announce Joheved’s new son. She still hadn’t made up her mind when she heard the sound of approaching horses.

Milo had ridden out to meet her, and before she could speak, he called out, “What news do you bring of my lady Joheved?”

She had no choice but to reply, “Just this morning my sister was safely delivered of another son—may the Holy One protect them both.”

The joyous relief on Milo’s face made Rachel ashamed that she had thought to delay telling him. But he quickly recovered his equanimity and asked, “Is there anything I can do for you? Would you like some refreshments?”

“Not right now,” she replied. “If possible I would like to see the wool that the new lambs produced.”

“The sheep are being sheared as we speak, and I would be pleased to show you our different grades of wool.” He blushed slightly with pride. “You can see for yourself the superiority of the wool we got from the new rams’ offspring.”

He wheeled his horse around and led her to a field where the stream had been dammed to create a large, shallow pool, now full of unhappy sheep.

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