Each evening when Simon, Hannah, and Marah returned to the house, there seemed barely time to prepare a quick meal and tend to a few household duties, before falling exhausted to their beds to be ready for the next day’s work.
Marah sat mending a garment and Simon and Hannah were engaged in animated conversation concerning the taxes soon due on their small property.
“A half a shekel again. They will bleed us dry. What do they think we can live on when they take most of what we have?” Simon muttered. There was a firm knock at the door.
“Simon, someone has heard you,” Hannah whispered urgently. She looked in fear toward the door as Simon opened it. Jesse stood on their doorstep holding his small son.
“I’ve come to thank Marah for her kindness in saving my son from a wild dog. He wandered away while I was unloading our things. I can’t tell you how anxious I was until I found him. I would have come sooner, but I have been working my father’s field.” He stood looking hopefully at Simon.
With a hint of a smile, Simon stepped aside. “Enter our humble home. Peace be with you.”
“And with you,” Jesse returned.
Gratefully he bent his tall frame and entered, standing quietly in the center of the room. On hearing his voice in the doorway, Marah rose suddenly and stood with her sewing in her hand.
“You are well, Marah?”
She nodded, then looked down and smiled at the little boy, Caleb, who was looking at her curiously.
“Hello, Caleb. Have you been a good boy and stayed by your papa’s side?”
Caleb nodded with large and solemn eyes. Jesse put him down and Caleb clung to his father’s leg, peering up at Marah.
“Caleb, this is the woman who saved you from the big dog. Would you like to thank her?”
Marah knelt down and the little boy shyly put out his hand. Marah could not resist and gave him a warm hug. He smiled up at her and sighed deeply.
“It is a wonderful evening, Wife,” Marah heard Simon say pleasantly. “Perhaps you would like some fresh air up on the roof?”
Hannah had been visibly relieved to find Jesse at their front door instead of one of the Roman soldiers. She looked at Simon and then Jesse, nodding reluctantly. For a moment Jesse and Marah were alone. They looked awkwardly at one another and each waited for the other to speak.
“It is good to see you again, Marah,” Jesse said at last, his eyes on her face. “You are happy here?”
“Yes . . . I am happy, Jesse. Simon and Hannah are kind to me.”
“I heard what happened to you from my parents.”
“Zibeon?”
“About Zibeon, and the child. All you have been through, your kindness in caring for your mother-in-law.”
“I could not leave her.”
Jesse moved closer. Marah could smell the scent of new wood and the fields.
“Marah, I am sorry for the loss of your son.”
She caught her breath. Time had tempered the pain at the mention of her son, but the sorrow remained. “It is kind of you to say so. They were a strange family, but things were not as bad as I had thought they would be.”
Jesse nodded. “I am glad. I lost Tirzah the night Caleb was born. She was not strong. It was difficult, but there were other members of her family to help care for him. When I heard from my parents that they needed me, her family reluctantly let me go. My wife had a brother and two sisters to care for her parents, and well, as you know, I am an only son. I came for their sakes, but was dreading seeing you with Zibeon. Then, when I found out . . .” His voice trailed off as he stared at her in the lamplight.
“You are still so beautiful. Surely in Shechem there are many who have wished to marry such a maiden.”
Marah laughed softly. “I am no longer a maiden, Jesse. And yes, there were those who offered marriage, but I could not choose them, at least not at this time.”
“I am glad to hear that. Not for your misfortunes, but that you are not married again.” He was smiling down at her in such a way that her legs felt weak. Her heart was beating loudly in her chest, and she felt herself swaying slightly toward him. He caught her shoulders with his strong hands. “Marah,” he breathed softly.
The moment was interrupted by a small but audible yawn from Caleb, who had been sitting quietly on the floor. He rubbed his eyes. Jesse stepped back reluctantly and dropped his hands. With a grin he picked up his son.
“I think my son needs to go to sleep. I should go. Tomorrow will be another long day.” He touched the tip of his finger to her chin. “You can be sure I will come again, soon. You wouldn’t mind?”
She nodded. “I wouldn’t mind, I would like that. But go, your son needs his bed.”
The little boy could hardly keep his eyes open. He waved shyly to Marah as they left. Jesse looked at her and smiled before heading through the gate in the evening shadows. It was as if all the moonlight had been captured in his face.
Hannah and Simon nodded “good night” as he passed them. They looked expectantly at Marah.
“Well? So what did he say?”
“He would like to come again, to talk. I told him he was welcome. Is that all right?” She looked anxiously at Simon and Hannah who had exchanged a smile between them.
“Yes, it is fine. He is going to come just to talk?” Simon queried with a twinkle in his eyes. “I do hope he does not want to just talk until the rains come. It could get cold up on the roof.”
Simon checked the animals to be sure they were settled, and blew out the lamp. Marah lay awake for a long time in the darkness, listening first to the soft voices of Simon and Hannah below and to her own thoughts. She loved Jesse. She knew that with all her heart. And Jesse still cared for her. Suddenly the future seemed full of promise.
19
Tucking their tunics into their girdles to free their legs, Hannah and Marah took their turn at the village mill. They pushed the wooden arms of the grinding stone as they moved steadily around and around grinding the grain to flour. Both of them were strong women, and since Marah found so much to talk about these days, the time passed quickly.
“Will Jesse take supper with us again soon?” Hannah inquired. He was a frequent visitor, sometimes with his small son, and sometimes alone. He didn’t stay long, for he was constantly concerned about his parents, especially his mother, Abigail. When he came alone, Hannah and Simon stayed nearby, apparently occupied with handwork, yet Marah knew Hannah hung on every word.
It was not proper for a man to speak to a woman in public, even his own wife. They longed to be alone, and had finally conspired to meet secretly. When she took the sheep to the shepherd, early in the morning, Jesse slipped out and joined her on the path. The trees hid them from the view of prying eyes. Her heart quickened as she thought of their meeting this very morning.
“Marah, I have only a moment today, but there is something I must say to you.” He looked so earnest as he took her hand and looked tenderly down at her. “I have given this much thought and feel that now would be the right time.”
“Are you going to go away again?” She searched his face.
He grinned. “Far from that.” Then he became serious. “I would like us to marry.” He searched her face and waited.
Joy flooded her soul. “Oh Jesse, yes, I would like to marry you.” She thought of the little boy. “I hope that Caleb will be happy to have me.”
“You would make a wonderful mother to Caleb, beloved, but I was thinking more of a wife for me.” His eyes shone brightly as he looked at her.
She looked at his earnest face and met his eyes. “I long to be your wife, Jesse.”
“Then it is settled.” Slowly he leaned forward to brush her lips with a gentle kiss. As she put her arms around his neck and pressed against him, the gentle kiss deepened into passion. With great effort, Jesse broke away and with his hands on her shoulders, stepped back. “Truly, beloved, if we do not marry soon, I shall not be able to think at all.”
She took a deep breath. “Will you
speak to Simon? They have watched over me for so long.”
“I will speak to Simon. It would be right.” He gave her a glorious smile that made her catch her breath. “And it shall be soon, lest I not be able to work either.” He headed for his shop in the village.
Marah stood looking after him and thought her heart would burst with happiness. Now, lost in her own reverie, she only heard Hannah when she felt a poke in her ribs.
“If you do not keep your mind on your work, we shall never finish.” Hannah laughed. “And you didn’t answer my question.”
“Question?”
Hannah sighed patiently and looked heavenward for support. “I was asking you if Jesse will be sharing supper with us again soon?”
“Supper? Oh yes, he is coming to share our meal after the Sabbath.” She lowered her voice and looked around to be sure no one overheard. “He wishes to speak to Simon,” she whispered, her voice heavy with meaning.
“At last!” Hannah breathed and, at Marah’s admonishment, also lowered her voice to a whisper. “I should be an old woman, the time he has taken. We thought he would never get around to it. Such looks Penninah gives me when I pass her in the marketplace. I hear Korah has found a wife in another village. God be praised. Jesse is such a fine young man. It will be a good marriage for you, Marah.”
Marah smiled happily and nodded.
The last of the grain was ground and they gathered their flour. As they were preparing to leave, two other women came to take their turn at the mill. They eyed Marah and Hannah with raised eyebrows.
“Have you heard any news?” Leah looked deliberately at both of them and smiled saucily.
“Nothing new,” Hannah said, her face all innocence.
“You are sure? And Marah, how do things go with you? There is word that a young man comes to call at the house of Simon and Hannah. He is an old friend?”
Marah refused to be baited. When all the arrangements had been made and it was settled, there would be time enough for all the gossips to wag their tongues.
“Hmm? Yes, an old friend of the family,” Hannah murmured as she scooped flour into one of the bags Marah held open.
Leah and Dorcas did not look convinced. Leah cocked one eyebrow in disbelief. Marah and Hannah gathered their bags of flour. They knew the women of the village had been gossiping for weeks. With straight faces, Marah and Hannah walked quickly away from the mill. When they had gone down the street and turned a corner, they burst into laughter. They hurried home to inform Simon of Jesse’s impending visit. As Marah urgently let Simon know her wishes, he nodded sagely, his mouth twitching.
It was nearing the Sabbath and Marah busied herself sweeping the courtyard.
The bread was baked as usual that morning with enough to last them for two days. Hannah refilled the oil lamps and gathered the clothes that dried on the rooftop. A vegetable stew simmered in the pot and Marah added fresh herbs. The women wanted to be sure all was in readiness. Every woman of Shechem had a fear of being caught with tasks still to do when the three sharp blasts of the shofar, the ram’s horn, were heard, marking the beginning of Sabbath.
The first stars of the evening were appearing when the villagers were called to prayer and the Sabbath began. Simon, returning from the fields, stepped in the doorway almost as the last of the sound of the ram’s horn died away.
“Good Sabbath,” he said, eyeing Hannah as she handed him the bowl of water and a towel to wash for the Sabbath meal.
“Good Sabbath to you, my lord,” Hannah returned, then with a fierce whisper, “You are late!”
Simon poured the wine and Hannah spoke the kiddush over the goblets. Marah waited quietly as Hannah said her blessing. God had indeed been kind and her heart swelled with her good fortune. Yet while she loved the Sabbath, she was impatient for tomorrow when Jesse would again join them. He would speak to Simon then, would he not? Perhaps tomorrow they would talk when the men gathered in the synagogue for Sabbath worship.
As Simon cleared his throat, Marah realized she had been staring off into space. Respectfully she bowed her head and added her prayers to the worship.
20
Hannah and Marah went to the Court of the Women, while Simon went into the synagogue with the men of Shechem. It was a joyous gathering in the Bit Allah, the House of God.
Marah found herself impatiently glancing through the latticework to see Jesse. She found her beloved quickly, for he was standing beneath the small circular window in the roof of the synagogue. His father Elon was at his side. Hannah was absorbed in her prayers and no one was in front of Marah to block her view of Jesse. She could modestly watch, her face hidden by her shawl. She knew that Jesse knew she was there, but as a man of the Samarim, he would dedicate himself to prayer. He would not look for her, to embarrass himself in the eyes of the men of Shechem.
The high priest, Kohen ha-Gadol, as they named him in Hebrew, was an imposing figure in white. Of the blood of Levi, he, along with the shammash, officiated during the service. The high priest removed the sacred roll of the Law of Moses from the mucbach, the small alcove on the altar, which was placed so the congregation faced Mount Gerizim. Marah always felt an excitement when the sacred roll was removed. The mucbach also contained a sacred codex that the Samaritans believed was written by Abishua, the great-grandson of Aaron.
The scroll was opened to the blessing of Aaron and read aloud,The LORD bless thee and keep thee,
The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee;
The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.
And they shall put my name upon the children of Israel, and I will bless them.
The scroll was then reverently passed from one man to another through the congregation and each worshiper kissed the sacred passage.
The songs that had been handed down through each generation were sung, and Marah’s heart lifted at the words of each one as they rose from the throats of the men and poured from within the four walls of the synagogue to spread on the wind that blew gently through the town.
Praise ye the LORD.
Praise, O ye servants of the LORD.
Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth
and forevermore.
From the rising of the sun
Unto the going down of the same
The LORD’s name is to be praised.
The LORD is high above all nations,
And His glory above the heavens.
Who is like unto the LORD our God, who dwelleth on
high!
As the men continued their service, the women returned to their homes to rest and pray and be prepared to serve the midday meal.
No fire could be lit on the Sabbath, so the stew that had simmered with a wonderful fragrance the night before was put on the table cold. Marah added the bread that had been baked the day before. Wrapping her shawl closer, she caught herself wishing for a fire. Feeling guilty for her lack of respect, she looked heavenward, half expecting the God Who Sees to strike her down for her irreverence.
When Simon returned, both women looked at him expectantly. He shrugged, removed his hat, washed his hands, and sat down for the meal.
“So, you have no news?” Hannah persisted.
“I have come to enjoy my Sabbath meal. Can a man not eat in peace without being badgered?” He said the blessing, reached for the bread, and tearing off a piece, dipped it into the stew. Then, aware of both sets of eyes watching his every move, he relented.
“Jesse’s father leaned heavily on his arm during the service. He had to take him home as soon as he could. Perhaps his father is not feeling well today. Jesse did not speak to me except to say, ‘Good Sabbath, Simon.’ Now may I eat in peace?”
Marah sighed, Hannah shrugged, and they both sat down to share the meal.
21
The day after the Sabbath, Marah was up before the sun had barely risen. She swept the courtyard and the clay floor of the house with vigor until it shone. Every mo
vable object in the house was dusted and placed just so.
She slipped out to meet Jesse on the path, but he did not come. Perhaps he was not coming tonight. Perhaps his father was too ill. All that day as she worked, Marah thought of everything that could go wrong. When it was well into afternoon, Jesse had not sent word he wasn’t coming so Marah grew hopeful. The two women prepared a special meal. Hannah killed one of the chickens in honor of the occasion and made a fine stew. They placed vegetables and fresh cheese in the center of the low table. Having washed her face and brushed her rich, auburn hair, Marah braided it carefully. Tonight she wanted to look her best.
“You would think the young man had never been here to supper,” groused Simon when he found himself in the way of their vigorous activities for the fourth time. He put on his hat. “I have business in the village,” he announced. When neither woman acknowledged his statement, he shrugged and left the courtyard.
Marah felt the day was as a year in its passing. Hannah complained good-naturedly that all that energy was wearing her out.
Evening finally approached and all was in readiness. Marah sat trying to work on her loom. Her heart leaped when Simon rose to answer a knock at the door. Jesse stood on the threshold.
“Peace be with you,” he said as Simon motioned for him to enter.
“And with you. It is good of you to join us for our humble meal.”
Jesse came alone, dressed in his Sabbath clothes. His blond hair was carefully combed and his beard trimmed. Marah’s heart nearly melted at the sight of him.
Catching Jesse’s eyes several times as she served the men, they gazed at each other. Simon’s words were bees buzzing softly in the background. The meal and the conversation took forever.
Journey to the Well: A Novel Page 12
