The Rabbi’s Wife, The Bishop’s Wife: A Historical Novel by David Jacobson & Chayuta Deutsch

Author:David Jacobson & Chayuta Deutsch [Jacobson, David & Deutsch, Chayuta]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-10-02T16:00:00+00:00

When the two of them sat down for dinner, Yosef revealed the full scope of his plan to his sister.

“I have come to deliver a message form our entire family, but would also like to offer you something on my own behalf. I am leaving Spain and migrating to Greece. I offer you the chance to join us.”

“What am I to do in Greece? My whole world is here in Burgos. My children are here. As I told you, I will do whatever I can to continue seeing them, meeting and hugging them, and watching them grow. I will never give up hope that they will one day return to me and to Judaism.”

“Will he ever grant you a divorce?”

“In the world he entered into, there is no divorce. Not ever.” Joana was not exactly sure this was the reason she has not received a divorce, but she held on to this belief anyway.

Yosef kept silent, looking at his tormented, valiant sister, who is condemned to life as an abandoned wife, destined to experience loneliness forever. He could not find the appropriate words to console her.

“Will there be work for you in Greece?”

“God willing, we will find employment.” As he spoke, he opened a well-wrapped package and opened it. “Look, remember this?”

Joana looked on in amazement at the beautiful book that Yosef pulled out of the package: the illustrated Haggadah of Passover. She could hardly breathe with excitement. Her childhood memories flooded her. Of course, she remembered.

This Haggadah was laid out in front of her father on Seder nights. The children were permitted to sit next to him and look at the beautiful pictures, adorned with gold. How they loved hearing their father tell the biblical stories of deliverance from Egypt: Moshe and Aaron with their canes, the splitting of the Red Sea. The pictures were drawn by a famous artist from their native community of Barcelona. She could not remember his name. Her parents had commissioned the manuscript in honor of their firstborn Yosef’s birth. After they passed away, Yosef had inherited the Haggadah.

“I managed to salvage it during the riots. I will take it with me to Greece.”

“How wonderful that it was saved. Of course, you should take it with you. I have kept the Haggadah of the Halevi family, they will no longer need it.”

They sat and talked together all night. The next morning, before he left, Yosef hugged his little sister warmly. “God be with you, sister. Be strong. I trust you and will be praying for you.”

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