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Rivkah was busy preparing for the Jewish New Year celebrations. She bustled about the kitchen, Aziel shadowing her. "Tell me how you like this," she dipped the tip of a teaspoon into honey, twisting it before passing it to Aziel.
"This is seriously sweet!" he licked the sticky liquid, "I totally understand why bears like this - it's so much better than cotton candy, which I don't like."
Rivkah laughed. She had every reason to be happy. Her cup was overflowing as she stood on the precipice of a new year. What did the Scriptures say? Adonai would restore what the locusts had eaten. This was her year of restoration as she received a double portion for her years of suffering.
Arlana helped core a bag of apples, placing them on a platter. Rivkah's joy was contagious, making Arlana smile as well. Arlana had helped with Thanksgiving dinners before but this was different. Perhaps it was the occasion or maybe it was Rivkah who made the festival so exuberant.
Joyful laughter blocked out the sound of the doorknob turning, the soft click of the front door as it closed softly, the creaking of the wooden floor panels until Rivkah turned around, wiping her hands on the embroidered towel. She brought her hand to her throat, muffling her gasp.
"Did you think we would miss Rosh Hashanah?" Shaul crossed the room, kissing his mother's cheek.
Rivkah held her eldest son, tears filling her eyes. She hadn't seen him in so long. She drank in the scent of the Holy Land, burying her tear-stained face in his tichel.
"Ah Mamma, I'm here now," he pulled her back, drying her tears with his fingers, "I've missed you too."
Josiah stepped forward, placing his hand on his mother's shoulder. She had been the nucleus of their family for so long and no matter how old they got, she deserved great honour.
A moment later, Josiah held his hand out to Aziel, "Come here son," he smiled with pride at the child still holding his spoon of honey before lifting him high in the air and onto his shoulders.
Arlana leaned against the counter watching the exchange with mixed emotions. Seeing how much Josiah loved her son made her heart overflow with joy, but the fact he hadn't acknowledged her after being away for so long, well, the pain stung deeper then he could know. Arlana blinked back tears, ashamed at her own jealousy.
The Mediterranean sun had bronzed Shaul's features, his hair a darker blonde than his younger brother, a greater solemnity in his features. He placed his hand on Aziel's head, his dark blue eyes searching Aziel's chocolate brown ones. A moment of silence, then Shaul smiled. Aziel grinned at Shaul, his arms still clinging to Josiah's neck - familiarity and comfort.
Josiah winked at Aziel, then stepped forward, holding his free hand out for Arlana. Arlana held back, not ready to give up her jealousy and hurt just yet. The feeling of rejection was all too familiar and by now, a comfort. She wouldn't let Josiah know how desperately she wanted to be in his arms, choosing instead to ignore him. A taste of his own medicine.
Shaul's eyes narrowed, taking in the woman before him. She wore a dark burgundy dress, a pale cream tichel covering her pale hair. Rivkah's apron hung about her waist, a paring knife still in her right hand. She looked very different since he had left, but there was something in her eyes he couldn't quite place. "It is good to see you again Arlana," he searched her eyes, his brow furrowed. Yes, something wasn't right.
Arlana was slipping between Josiah's fingers and he had no clue.
Arlana placed the knife on the counter beside her, uncomfortable under Shaul's scrutiny. Her fingers held the counter ledge behind her back, her knuckles white.
Shaul had chastised his brother but supported the marriage now. There was no turning back, preparations already set in motion. Shaul nodded, "Welcome to our family Arlana. Let your heart be at peace."
He locked eyes with her a moment longer, searching for the hidden, then turned back to his mother, "It is good to be back home," then walked toward the study, Josiah at his side.
Arlana watched Josiah retreat into the office. She'd been foolish to think their reunion would be more romantic. He clearly hadn't missed her. She nipped at her lower lip a moment, glancing at Rivkah who smiled, clearly oblivious to Arlana's hurting heart, "Adonai is good," she smiled, "His goodness overflows towards us."
Arlana nodded, not sure what to say, or how to respond. She wasn't there yet, their reactions vastly different.
It was a given that Arlana and Aziel would participate in the celebration. Rivkah turned to Lachlan who sat at the table, watching the exchanges. "You'll join us tomorrow, won't you?" Rivkah directed her question at him.
"Aye, thank you," he leaned on his elbow, noticing the shadows of jealousy, or maybe it was the disappointment, flickering across Arlana's face. Josiah didn't notice Arlana's struggle, but he did. Lachlan's eyes hadn't missed a thing.
****
JOSIAH LEANED AGAINST his oak desk, listening to the gravity in his eldest brother's voice.
"No wedding may take place between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur as you know..." Shaul steepled his fingers, "By appearance, Arlana looks like she is ready to take the next step, but there is something...I'm not sure what exactly. Something in my spirit makes me hesitate."
Josiah raised an eyebrow, but he had learned from experience to trust his brother's wisdom. Now that Shaul was here things would be different.
"How long are you staying?"
"I booked my flight back to Israel a week from Yom Kippur," Shaul stretched his long legs beneath the desk, "Are you going to bring your wife to Israel to face the Rabbinical council when I leave? I am not sure she is fully prepared for that..." He watched as Josiah began to pace the room, deep in thought, "but you cannot have the wedding until then. There is a second option which I would propose...."He let his words hang, his brow furrowed.
The second option was the most convenient, but he had doubts. He needed to think it over more but time wasn't waiting for anyone.
"What is your plan after the wedding? Will you begin Aliyah? I am concerned for you and mother. You have lived here much too long. The spiritual climate here is...well, it is much too easy to assimilate as those who chose to stay have done."
Josiah shook his head, "No Shaul, I have not considered leaving. Revival must come to our people and through our people, to the world. If I leave, who will be here to prick their consciences? To remind them of the way they should go? I feel that I will be abandoning my people...washing my hands of their souls. My conscience would not give me peace if we fled."
Shaul understood his brother's heart and zeal, although misplaced in his opinion.
He used tact as he responded, "How many years have you remained after the Orthodox left? Four years? How many souls have changed? How much difference has your remaining behind made?"
"Things take time," Josiah hedged. "I feel burdened for my people. For this city. For those who don't know to do right in the sight of Adonai."
Shaul nodded, "But as I recall, Rabbi Schmel warned the congregation on his last Sabbath here. He beseeched the congregation to follow him leaving Westport before the new rabbi arrived. Do you not remember? Those with hearts that sought righteousness have left. Those that remain, you cannot see a difference between them and the Gentiles. What did Adonai say? Come out from among them and be separate. They have chosen their path. There is nothing you can do my brother. Now you have a wife and son. May Adonai bless your marriage with many children. You must focus on your family and lead them to Adonai. These people have hardened their hearts..."
Josiah swallowed hard, tears misting his blue eyes. He knew judgement was coming to Canada as it had come to Sodom and Gomorrah. Was he like Lot, wanting to stay here because it was all he remembered? Was it his flesh that kept his feet rooted when his rabbi and brother had left?
At the time, he couldn't leave his people behind. Refused to. Josiah believed Adonai wanted him to remain, to be the only voice in this spiritual wilderness, warning in this barren land that they needed to turn their hearts back to the Lord.
Shaul was still speaking but his wandering thoughts had missed what his brother had said.
"....mother should be buried in the Holy Land when the time comes for her to go to our forefathers. It is time Josiah."
"Come, let us join the others," he smiled, the cloud of concern lifting from his features, "Tomorrow is the New Year..." His words were heavy with meaning.
Josiah nodded, opening the office door.