Naomi, The Rabbi's Wife
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Gabe Moskowitz was a barrel-chested man in his early seventies. His thick dark brown hair was salted in silver with his face sporting a completely silver beard. He exuded a comfortable warmth, not unlike his sister Sylvia. A delightful characteristic of Gabe’s was the sense that at any moment he would be breaking out in a good-natured chuckle. His wife Barbara was a petite perky pixie, with hair that was completely white and eyes that were large and brown.
On Daniel’s recommendation, Barbara ordered the challah French toast with fresh fruit and both Gabe and Daniel ordered a kielbasa omelet. When Naomi demurely ordered only a small bowl of fresh fruit Barbara nudged her husband and said, “Isn’t that sweet, honey, she’s too nervous to eat. It might have been a long time ago, but I remember. Before our wedding, my stomach was doing flip-flops, too.”
Detecting a southern accent with Barbara, Naomi asked, “Where are you from?”
Exaggerating her drawl, she informed her, “Georgia, dahling. Didn’t know there were any Jews in Dixie, did you?”
Doing a perfect imitation of her mother’s voice, Naomi countered, “Bless your heart, shuga, I sure ‘nuf do.”
Daniel explained, “Naomi’s Mom is from Alabama.”
While enjoying their meal, Gabe asked, “So, what can I tell you about Beth Shalom?”
Daniel held his hand up indicating he needed to swallow his food before answering. After a sip of orange juice, he said, “Everything.”
Barbara suggested, “Gabe, why don’t you start with telling them the age of the members?”
Looking comically at his wife, he asked, “What? You looking to scare them off already?”
Barbara countered his comic performance by pursing her lips and saying, “Shame on you, Gabe. Stop trying to be funny and let them know.”
Daniel jumped in and told them he was aware that the average age of the Jewish population in Boca Raton was about 75.
“I’m excited for the congregation,” Barbara now told them. “They need some young people to come in and, I don’t know, what would you say, Gabe? Revitalize them?”
“Yeah, you could say that,” Gabe replied drolly.
“Please forgive him,” Barbara said. “It’s not always easy and he is more than ripe for retirement.”
Remembering the advice she received from Sylvia, Naomi said, “I’ve found hurt people tend to hurt people.”
Gabe laughed. “Sounds like my sister.”
Barbara smiled. “Sylvia has been a treasure to her husband. Naomi, you are lucky to have her as a mentor.”
Gabe nodded. “My wife’s right. Barbara is my treasure, and Naomi I’m sure will be yours, Daniel. I’m sorry if I got this conversation off on the wrong foot. You two need some serious answers.” Reaching his hand across the table toward Naomi, he told her, “And I admire you, young lady. Getting married today and willing to leap right into being the rabbi’s wife.”
“Thank you.”
“I’ll be honest with you,” Gabe said. “The congregation has been dwindling. The Board is optimistic at the thought of getting a young rabbi and his wife, hoping you can, as my wife so aptly put it, revitalize the shul.”
Naomi, squeezing Daniel’s arm, told Gabe and Barbara, “My husband is amazing. He will do it.”
Observing Daniel’s reaction, Barbara said, “Now, now, the bride is supposed to be the blushing one.”
Gabe smiled and told them, “You’re a beautiful couple. Who knows? Maybe you can bring the dead to life again. There are some special people there. Both Barbara and I have come to love some of them. Others . . . well, tell you what, if you take the position, I’ll write out a road map of who’s who. Now I understand your best man is Negro. Is that right?”
“She’s my sister’s boyfriend.”
Gabe assured him, “You don’t have to get defensive with us. Believe me, we don’t have a problem with that. Yet you need to know the members of Beth Shalom, they’re not so tolerant.” He shrugged his shoulders and said, “Hey, don’t shoot the messenger, I’m just delivering the message.”
As the men were arguing over who would be paying the tab, both wanting to treat, Barbara shared her thoughts with Naomi. “I understand you are very good with the children. Sylvia told me about your Chanukah play—sounds like it was fun. But, honey, don’t expect to see any children in Beth Shalom. But, of course, soon you’ll have your own.”
Dana upon entering the bride’s changing room caught Naomi off-guard. Her first impulse was to ask Dana, “Where’s the dress I picked out for you?” However, she had been making inroads with Daniel’s sister and protective walls were slowly coming down.
Masking her real feelings, she said, “Dana, don’t know what I would’ve done without you, not only for taking Zoey. . .”
“Ed loves cats and yours will grow on me—I hope.”
“But also for your friend doing the photos today. That’s saving Daniel and me a lot of money.”
Looking into the three-panel mirror Dana began applying lipstick while at the same time studying Naomi’s reaction to her attire. “I returned the dress you wanted me to wear.”
Instead of the soft pink floral dress, she was wearing a deep purple tight-fitting floor length gown, which was fashioned to bare one shoulder.
“I’m sorry, but I need to ask you . . .”
Enjoying a good laugh, Dana reached into her pocketbook and pulled out a purple velvet wrap. Slipping it on over her head, she informed Naomi, “Ed insisted I had to wear this with it. You’re a bad influence on him, you know that? Now he’s talking about marriage.”
Naomi was coming to love this wounded woman. “Dana, I wouldn’t ever want to push you into something you didn’t want.”
Standing back to look at her future sister-in-law, Dana remarked, “You look beautiful. Can I help you with anything?”
“Give me a hug, that’s all.”
“You nervous?”
Before Naomi could answer, there was a knock on the door and they were told the processional was about to begin.
The traditional Jewish wedding music began: Ani L’Dodi Li. Oh, how Naomi rejoiced when Daniel told her it meant “I am my beloved . . . my beloved is mine.”
Almost every seat was filled in the synagogue this day. Many eyes would be on Naomi as she floated down the aisle strewn with white lilies. Her eyes, however, were fixed on the beautiful beaded canopy where Daniel stood waiting for his bride. The four poles of the Chuppah were draped in rows of sparkling crystal beads falling from the top of the canopy. The light passing through the crystals brought about a visible spectrum of colors dancing before her eyes.
And with each step, she was closer to the man who had treated her with honor, elegant in his sapphire-colored tuxedo. Holding her bridal bouquet of white lilies, she shyly raised her head to look into his eyes. There was his precious cowlick peeking out from the edge of his white yarmulke.
Rabbi Lehrer opened in prayer. “He who is supremely mighty, He who is supremely blessed, He who is supremely sublime, May He bless the groom and the bride.”
At the very centerpiece of this traditional Jewish wedding was the bestowal of a ring by the groom on his bride. Daniel placed the gold band on Naomi as he told her, “Thou art sanctified unto me with this ring, in the tradition of Moses and Israel.” Then, at her request, he chanted these words in Hebrew.
Placing the ring on Daniel, she told him, “I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine.”
Rabbi Lehrer now handed a parchment scroll to Daniel. After opening it, Daniel read to Naomi. “On the 5th day of the week of the month of June, in the year 1979, I consecrate you to me as my wife according to the laws of Moses and the traditions of our people. I shall treasure you, nourish you, and respect you as the sons of Israel have devoted themselves to their wives with love and integrity throughout their generations. I will be your loving friend as you are mine. I will respect you and the divine image within you. I take you to be mine in love and tenderness.”
Naomi then read
, “I consecrate you to me as my husband according to the laws of Moses and the traditions of our people. I shall treasure you, nourish you, and respect you as the daughters of Israel have devoted themselves to their husbands with love and integrity throughout the generations. I vow to establish a home based on love, understanding, and the traditions of our heritage. May we live each day as the first, the last, the only day we will have with each other.”
Then together they recited from memory, “May our hearts beat as one in times of gladness, as in times of sadness. Let our home be built on Torah and loving-kindness. May our home be rich with wisdom and reverence.”
Daniel walked toward his bride and delicately lifted her veil. There was a loud chorus of Mazel Tov’s from the crowd, but Daniel and Naomi heard none of it as they celebrated their first kiss as husband and wife.
Once Rabbi Lehrer pronounced the priestly benediction over the new couple, he had them turn to face the congregation. “Ladies and gentlemen, may I present to you Rabbi and Mrs. Cantor.” He then placed a wine glass on the floor, where Daniel shattered it with his foot.
Rabbi Lehrer couldn’t resist telling everyone, “Some say this is the last time the groom gets to ‘put his foot down.’”
The guests were then invited to partake of a festive meal downstairs in the social area, catered by Schmulka Bernstein’s. All the kosher spareribs, eggrolls, chow mein one could eat. Saul Goldblatt was especially pleased.
Daniel and Naomi were going around to each table, thanking people for sharing this event with them, when Daniel noticed someone at a distant table and called out, “Irwin.”
A sandy-haired man, wearing a goatee, in his early-thirties got up from his table as Daniel took Naomi’s hand and together they walked toward Irwin. Excitedly he told Naomi, “This is the man I told you about, who had the havurah in his house.” Now looking at Irwin, he said, “I thought you said you weren’t going to be able to make it.”
Irwin explained, “I didn’t think I would, but I was able to trade shifts with someone at the hospital. I’m glad I’m here. But I’m afraid my wife couldn’t be.”
“Naomi, Irwin’s an internist. He’s doing his residency at Mount Sinai—when he’s not playing his guitar.” Turning to Irwin, Daniel asked, “You are still playing, aren’t you?”
It was not hard to see why these two men were friends. Both were easygoing and affable. Yet the bride and groom had many more people waiting to congratulate them. Irwin understood and in parting told them, “We’ll have to get together soon, the four of us.”
In the midst of doing all that was expected of her as the bride, Dana walked over to Naomi and whispered, “Bet you and my brother would like to just be alone right now. I can’t imagine waiting til you’re married, but, you know, it’s kinda romantic.”
Zofia, seeing her daughter giggling like a schoolgirl with Naomi, was astonished. She walked over to where Daniel and Stefan were talking together. “Stefan, our daughter, look.”
Putting one arm around his wife and the other around his son, Stefan looked over at Naomi. “Our Danny has done good.”
A moment later Daniel took Naomi aside and asked, “What were you and Dana giggling about?”
Rather than answer, Naomi told him, “Oh, so, I’m not the only who gets curious sometimes. Remember what you told me, curiosity . . .”
“My-omi, all I know is I want to be alone with you, right now if we could.”
Soon their wish would come true. The festivities were drawing to a close. Rabbi Lehrer announced it was time to recite the wedding blessings and Daniel gave the honor to Irwin. Accepting a prayer shawl from Rabbi Lehrer, Irwin walked to the center of the room and in a worshipful voice proclaimed, “Blessed art thou, O Lord, King of the universe, who makest the groom rejoice with the bride.”
Finally alone in what had been Daniel’s apartment, and now was theirs, Naomi told her beloved, “When I was walking down the aisle and saw you up there waiting for me . . . you looked so handsome . . . I thought I’d explode with tears, grateful ones, because you waited for tonight. You showed me such honor. I never thought I could feel so cherished. And, Daniel, when you lifted my veil, I thought I’d explode . . . and not with tears.”
“We both have waited until tonight, my bride. We don’t have to wait any longer.”
Several times that night, an accusing voice awakened Naomi. Each time, she reminded herself, “It’s okay. We’re married. He’s my husband. It’s okay.
CHAPTER 14
Accepting the Challenge
The bellhop received his tip and closed their door before Naomi exclaimed, “We can’t afford this—can we?”
“You gave up Israel. I had to make it up to you. You like it?”
This expensive suite was Daniel’s impulsive splurge. Until this moment he had only seen a few pictures in a brochure; the photos did not do the place justice. The travel agent had assured him any room in the famed Fontainbleau Hotel in Miami would never disappoint.
Naomi ran to the sliding glass doors and gazed out at the furnished balcony. “Daniel, there’s the beach. It’s right here.” The doors easily glided open at her touch and she walked out onto the balcony. She turned back to her handsome husband, who was walking out to join her. “I can’t wait to see the sunset from here.”
He scooped her up in his arms and said, “I can’t wait to watch you watching the sunset.”
A few hours later the sun did begin to set and like their first wedded embrace, it brought with it a blaze of colors. Vibrant purples, pearly pinks, iridescent oranges all veiled in a golden glow. And all being reflected on the ocean water.
When Naomi’s stomach growled, Daniel chuckled. “Ah, I know that sound. How about a nice dinner?”
The concierge at the front desk recommended a seafood restaurant with a waterfront view. A good recommendation indeed.
Dining on shrimp and lobster, Naomi questioned that which had been nagging at her for a while now. “Are we going to be keeping kosher?”
Daniel put down his small ramekin filled with drawn butter and arched one eyebrow. With a smirk, he replied, “Uh, good timing, Mrs. Cantor.”
“Well, yeah, it actually is.” She took one of the lemon wedges resting in a small plate between them. “It’s too fishy for me.” With her eyes on Daniel, she squeezed the juicy lemon; a large squirt of lemon juice flew directly into his eye.
Once that momentary crisis was resolved, he picked up on her question. “Naomi, I didn’t grow up in a kosher home, and neither did you. I think about it and would like to dedicate myself more to God’s law. Rabbi Lehrer taught that as Jews we are to take upon ourselves the yoke of the law. It’s our obligation—and our privilege. So I need to be setting an example for others, but I don’t want to sound like I’m better than everyone else. If anything, what I would like to do is inspire others.”
This time, being much more careful as she squeezed another lemon, she simply said, “Wait a second.” Once all the juice was out of the fruit, she looked up and told him, “You inspire me. I don’t want be too gushy or anything, but it’s true. And I want more from you. This morning I heard you when I was showering, you were chanting. Or would you say praying? I don’t know what to call it, but I can tell you it sounded so wonderful. Would you teach me?”
Tears formed in his eyes—this time not from the lemon. He sidled his chair closer to hers. “I’d love to. Together we’ll start our morning before our Maker.” He brushed his lips across her neck and then onto her cheek. “You truly are My-omi. I’m so blessed by you.”
Sensing the presence of someone standing over them, they looked up and saw the waiter holding out a dessert menu toward them.
Two larges wedges of cheesecake later, they were strolling hand in hand back to their hotel, walking alongside the ocean.
Daniel picked up again on the unresolved kosher issue. “So, here’s the thing: neither of us grew up being kosher, and I don’t want it to be a strain on us. Or something artificial.”
Although he was facing Naomi, the moonlight revealed his eyes dancing to and fro.
“Daniel, look at me.” His eyes turned to her and seemed to plead for help—help for this quandary he found himself in. When Naomi saw him biting his lower lip, she suggested, “Honey, let’s take our shoes off—we can walk on the beach.” For the first time she felt needed—what a delightful feeling.
And he instantly agreed. The warm sand was just the right medicine to ease a confused mind. They slowly made their way to the water and allowed the saltwater to wash over their feet, and eventually continued on the shoreline, making their way back to the hotel.
Then they spotted two beach chairs left sitting in the sand. Naomi asked, “Wanna sit for a few minutes?”
“It’s like they have our names on it.”
Naomi brushed the sand from her feet. “Did you wanna go back to the big question: whether to be kosher or not?” With dramatic flair, she said, “To be or not to be.”
After shaking his head in amusement, he declared, “You’re too much. But, yes, let’s go back over it. The thing about making the members of my congregation feel guilty, a lot of my professors taught that’s exactly what we were supposed to do. Basically it was our job to beat them into submission.”
“And you don’t want to do that. I mean, you’re not Rabbi Lehrer.”
Rising out of their chairs, they made their way the few more steps to the hotel. With the sound of the ocean behind them, Daniel said, “I’ve actually asked God about this, Naomi—whether He wants us to have a kosher home or not, but so far He’s been silent.”
“Daniel, maybe we could pray about it together?” She was amazed hearing these words coming from her own lips—this was the new and improved Naomi—the Rabbi’s Wife.
That night they left the balcony doors open. The gentle wind blew into their room making the white curtains sway rhythmically and completed a perfect picture of peace and joy.