June 1500
Regina and Benjamin Halavi looked at each other in dismay.
Nissim Behar, sobbing softly, had just poured his heart out to them; he loved Afet, wanted to marry her, did not know what to do. He had been unable to bring himself to discuss the subject with anyone. Until this visit with the Halavis. Sensing their happiness, he just blurted out his feelings.
Benjamin started to speak, thought better of it, and just nodded his head in Regina’s direction.
“Nissim, if you love her then you must speak to your father.
Seek his blessing, marry her!”
“But the shame of my wanting to marry a Turkish Rayah. A servant girl. Someone not of my faith, or station. My father would disown me. I would be dead to him.”
“Your father loves you, Nissim. If she converts surely he would accept her? The Judges and Imams do not object to her converting?” Benjamin asked.
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Nissim thought awhile. Then shook his head before answering. “No her status is so low the Imams do not consider her a true Ottoman Turk,” Nissim replied, as he gained control of himself. “Do you think my father would truly accept her if she converted?”
“I think he would. Has Afet agreed to convert?” Regina asked.
“She is willing to do anything I ask of her. So I suppose she would convert. But who would perform the conversion? The rabbi of my Cal is opposed to all conversions.”
“Nissim, I think if you asked, our Rabbi Hachham would perform the conversion. If only for all that you and your family have done for the Cal of Seville,” Benjamin quickly answered.
“But he is obligated to examine the motives of possible converts.
Try to dissuade them if he can. Ask too many questions of them,” he sadly added.
Laughing quietly, Regina answered before Benjamin could continue. “Forgive me for laughing, Nissim. But the idea of you…overcome with emotion over a female. Is…somewhat amusing.” Becoming serious, Regina continued. “I have never met Afet. But the way you have described her, and your feelings for her, I’m sure she has captured your heart. I am certain she would answer any questions the rabbi asked completely, and truthfully. Certainly with complete love for you, Nissim.”
Nissim, taken aback somewhat, thought Regina was right.
What she and Benjamin are saying makes sense. Nevertheless he still had to convince his father. Soothe the ruffled feathers of the Romanoit cal’s rabbi. And make sure Afet was in agreement to it all.
Business problems that arose because of the mixed marriage were another matter. He was sure he would be able to solve them. At least it was a beginning of a solution, and that, of itself, brought a measure of relief to him.
Looking at Regina and Benjamin, he was filled with affection and admiration for them. As he was about to tell them how 190
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much better he felt, how he truly appreciated and loved them, he was abruptly interrupted as the door to the house was thrown open, and a little voice shouted with enthusiasm.
“Tio—Uncle Nissim,” Isaac yelled, running headlong into Nissim’s arms, and planting a large kiss on his cheek. “Where have you been for so long, Tio. I missed you.”
“Hello, little Isaac, I’ve missed you too,” Nissim answered, as he hugged the boy to him.
Admiring the Halavi family, envying their happiness, Nissim resolved that he would do all that was necessary to make Afet his wife.
* * *
Haim Behar, patriarch of the Behar family, disappointed and dejected, listened as his son, Nissim, explain his reasons for wanting to marry.The Behar family, which included two younger brothers, Nissim’s uncles, and an older sister, Nissim’s aunt, Tia Cori, who had raised him after the death of his mother, was like a mother to him now. All of the Behar clan were adamantly against Nissim’s proposed marriage. Haim was saddened his only son and child had just informed him that he was going to throw his life away.
Haim said nothing. Diplomat that he was, he showed no emotion. He just let Nissim continue, until he had related all of his plans.
“Am I to understand, Nissim,” Haim calmly replied, “you are planning, not only to marry a rayah, but one who is nothing more than a Harem girl? How can she possibly be a proper wife?
Make you happy? She has seen nothing of the world outside of the Harem.”
Haim Behar, a widower, whose wife had died shortly after Nissim’s birth, was bitterly disappointed, in Nissim’s plans. His emotions mixed, Haim felt, on the one hand, it was time for 191
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Nissim to marry. A grandson would make him very happy. On the other hand, very frustrated at his son’s choice of a bride.
Adding to Haim’s anxiety was his siblings’ unanimous objection to the marriage. The consequences it would have on the family business and wealth, all of which they shared. His sister’s disappointment was especially bitter. Since she had raised Nissim after the death of her sister-in-law.
“Papa, I know you are disappointed in the woman I have decided to make my wife. But I love her. I’m sure we will be happy together. The religious differences can be solved by her converting. She has agreed. The Halavis have assured me that the Sephardic rabbi, Rabbi Hacham, would perform the conversion.”
His frustration increasing, Haim brusquely replied, “So now the Sephardim are assuming responsibility for the Greek synagogue’s conversions?”
“Only because the Cal of Monistir, the ‘Greek synagogue’ as you have referred to it, refuses. Rabbi Amelak has rejected Afet’s conversion. All arguments and reasons I have put forth he denies. He will not even speak to Afet.”
Reference to Rabbi Amelak and the Cal de Monistir provoked Haim Behar. The Cal de Monistir was one of the oldest synagogues in Constantinople. Destroyed and rebuilt many times. It was one of the few synagogues to have originally been built during the Byzantine era. Set in its ways, and clinging to its ancient Romanoit ceremonies, it had become a stagnant relic.
Rabbi Amelak’s arrival did nothing to change its condition.
With the arrival of the Sephardim, the Cal de Monistir, seemed to have been reborn. The newcomers brought a revival of spirit.
A new religious zeal. But, as is the case in most human endeavors, especially religious ones. Personalities began to clash, traditional differences arose, and the Sephardim began to leave. To form their own synagogues. With the flight of its newfound spiritual base, the Cal de Monistir reverted to its old 192
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ways, its old ceremonies. And now again, was just a relic of what it had once been.
Highly regarded members of the synagogue, the Behars were overjoyed at its brief renewal. Now Haim was concerned at its renewed decline. Haim, as he listened to Nissim, sensed the seed of an idea taking shape.
If the synagogues could once again merge, differences smoothed over, traditional disagreements resolved, then a problem larger than Nissim’s Turkish rayah might be solved.
“Nissim, I want you to arrange a meeting with myself, and Rabbis Hacham and Amelak. It’s to take place the day after tomorrow. A solution to your marriage yearnings may be within reach. However you must pacify your aunt and uncles.
And complete whatever else may be necessary.”
Almost reading his father’s mind regarding “whatever else”
meant, Nissim said, “I have already spoken to Ibrahim ben Saldin, Vizier of Balat. He assures me the marriage is of no consequence to any of the Pashas, or the Valide Sultan herself . As long as the Jewish Millet—community of Balat—continues to pay their required taxes, a Jew desiring to marry a poor harem girl is of no concern to the Porte.”
Smiling, Haim responded, “So you have really been thinking this through, Nissim?”
“Yes, Papa. Does this meeting with the rabbis mean I have your blessing?”
Hugging his son to him, Haim answered, “Only if you can convince them to put aside their differences!”
“With your help, I’m sure they will be convinced,” Nissim laughingly replied.
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