July 1492
Joshua Ben-Halavi awoke with a start, recalling it was the day of his baptism. The last day he would openly answer to the name of Joshua Ben-Halavi. Quietly leaving his bed in order not to wake his brother, Joshua, instinctively, began to recite the morning benedictions. Prayers he had recited upon arising for most of his life. But thanking God for removing the sleep from his eyes, or making him a man, were prayers far removed from his real yearnings.
Joshua stopped his normal recitations and began to fervently pray for the safety of his brother and father. For a safe return for himself. But most of all, he prayed that Elena would be allowed to marry him on his return. He had not seen or heard from Elena for almost a month. But yesterday she had sent word that she would try to be at the baptismal ceremony. And his hopes soared, he looked forward to seeing her there. How she was going to get to the ceremony without her duenna puzzled him, still he prayed she was successful.
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SEPHARDIC FAREWELL
Hearing his brother begin to stir, and knowing he would be awakening very soon, Joshua dressed went to wash up, and help his father prepare the morning meal.
David Ben-Halavi shuffled through his tiny kitchen preparing the morning meal in a state of gloom. Sadness he had not experienced since the death of his wife Sarah overwhelmed him. Recalling the burial service, reciting of the Kaddish, the sound of earth striking the coffin. He experienced again, that utter feeling of despair and sadness. Within a few hours, his youngest son would leave the faith of his father’s. And embark on a perilous journey, almost too dreadful to think about.
Himself and Benjamin forced to leave the only home they had ever known!
Ay di mi! Dios mío! he moaned to himself. Why has God chosen to punish us so?
Attempting to convince Joshua to change his mind only brought bitter disputes among his sons and himself.
If only…his thoughts were interrupted as Joshua entered the kitchen. “Buenos dias, Papa, what can I do to help you?”
Don’t convert, don’t go, with Colon, David almost blurted out, but bit his tongue and instead quietly said, “Start the fire and put the eggs up to boil. I will begin heating the pastellas, as soon as the fire is going.”
Desayuna, the morning meal, consisted of hard boiled eggs, fresh fruit, and pastellas de queso. A cheese filled bread dough, which had been baked by Señora Bejar the day before. Pastella s was one of the family’s favorites, and Sarah prepared them as often as she could. Now they had to rely on Señora Bejar who cooked when she was able to. But only prepared pastellas very infrequently. So this morning’s meal was extra special.
As the fire heated their small stone oven to the proper temperature, David began heating the pastellas. Soon a most pleasing aroma began to fill the house. An aroma of baking bread and simmering cheese.
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JOSEPH HOBESH
Benjamin, stirring from a restless night, caught the aroma of the family’s favorite breakfast dish. Memories flooded his mind.
Memories of happier times. The family together as one, the problems facing them, manageable. Then just as quickly he was brought back to the present. The edict, Joshua converting and leaving, he and his father off to some Ottoman city. To only Lord knew what.
Benjamin arose, washed, dressed and went to join his father and brother. Entering the kitchen, as David was serving the pastellas and Joshua the eggs and fruit, Benjamin quietly bid both a good morning, took his usual seat at the table, joining his father and brother. Once the benediction over the food was completed, they began their meal. In silence.
Everyone was apprehensive of beginning another argument.
Benjamin, although very angry with Joshua for what he was planning to do, was also immensely sad and concerned for him.
Reaching out to his brother, in an emotional voice, he said, “I will miss you very much, Joshua. I will pray for your safe return and success in marrying the woman of your choice.”
Joshua, overcome with emotion hugged his brother to him and softly said, “Thank you, Benjamin, and may we all be together again very soon.”
His sons seeming to have overcome their differences, filled David with immense joy. Reaching out to both of them, he simply said, “Bravo, mi hijos— well done, my sons.”
The tension of the past few weeks broken, all three began to chatter excitedly at how good the pastellas tasted. How good the fruit was. How, maybe, just maybe, everything would turn out all right!
In the midst of all the chatter, Benjamin suddenly remembered the idea that had popped into his mind while washing up. How the family might be able to keep possession of the house and printing press.
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SEPHARDIC FAREWELL
Benjamin began to explain his thoughts to his father and brother. Since Joshua was to take his vows, he would be considered a Christian, not subject to the laws of the edict.
Hence he could retain possession of all the Halavi property, providing it was legally transferred to Joshua in his baptismal name, whatever that might be. The only problem, Joshua pointed out, was legal possession was one thing, actual physical possession was another.
Since everyone in the family was leaving how would the family possess the property? This was a serious drawback and required further thought, but time was short. The baptismal ceremony was only an hour away and Joshua had to get ready.
“It’s a good idea, Benjamin, we must talk about it. After I take their vows, and become acceptable to them.”
Since the baptism was to take place at the Church of San Pedro. They agreed to meet there after the ceremony. Joshua, in his excitement, forgot the message he had received from Elena.
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