When Ephrayim was sixteen his oldest sister Dorcas married a laborer and moved to another part of the city. She came back to help her mother with Ephrayim when she could, but within a year had a baby of her own to care for. More of the household work fell on Rahel’s shoulders. Rahel was not the beauty that Dorcas was and there was no money for a dowry. Without that, Rahel resigned herself to a life with her parents and younger brothers. She loved Ephrayim, but did not understand all his talk about the Law and history. She listened politely when he talked and tried to at least say an encouraging word at the right spots, even if she didn’t understand.
Rahel understood Rubin perfectly. His concerns were about what would be served for dinner and if the weather would be good tomorrow. Together they laughed and teased each other. She would hunt the market for his favorite foods and cook them, sneaking him tidbits before mealtime when he was hungry.
Two years after Dorcas’ marriage Seth’s former master died and his sons inherited the business. Their wives, eager to increase their newfound wealth pestered their husbands to expand the business and cut costs. Seth and his crew found themselves asked to travel even further and to cut less than optimal timber. As well, Seth was told that he needed to put in a full day of cutting or finishing while supervising the crew. The sons didn’t have the understanding their father had of trees and land. Many of the trees in the surrounding countryside didn’t produce good lumber and were more dangerous to cut, especially if there was no one overseeing the placement of the cuts and fall zones. When Seth tried to point this out to the sons he was called lazy and told to stick to his place if he wanted to continue working for them. Seth needed the money he earned, so although the work was hard on his aging body he kept up with their demands.
Unlike their father, the sons sent them out to cut even when the weather was bad rather than allowing the workers to accumulate timber to finish when it rained. The sons’ greed and lack of experience resulted in disaster several years after they had taken over the business. While trying to cut down a tree on a wet slope Seth slipped while making a final cut and the tree fell on him, pinning his legs. The workers freed him and carried him back to the city on some of the freshly cut timber.
The physician who was called to the house shook his head when he saw Seth’s injuries. One leg was crushed and would probably need to be cut off and the other was badly broken and would never heal enough to support Seth’s weight. He dosed Seth to sedate him and set to work. Miriam and Rahel huddled outside the house, praying for Yahweh to spare Seth and help the physician heal his legs. A neighbor ran to the school to get Rubin and another went to Dorcas’ house to bring her to be with the family. Ephrayim had been overlooked in his corner with all the commotion. By the time Rahel realized he was still inside she feared that the disruption of carrying him out would distract the physician and so he was left inside. Propped up on cushions in the corner Ephrayim prayed to Yahweh as he never had before. He recited verses from the 34th Psalm of David,
“I will extol the LORD at all times;
his praise will always be on my lips.
I will glory in the LORD;
let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
Glorify the LORD with me;
let us exalt his name together.
I sought the LORD, and he answered me;
he delivered me from all my fears.
Those who look to him are radiant;
their faces are never covered with shame.
This poor man called, and the LORD heard him;
he saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him,
and he delivers them.
The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them;
he delivers them from all their troubles.
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
The righteous person may have many troubles,
but the LORD delivers him from them all;
he protects all his bones,
not one of them will be broken.
Evil will slay the wicked;
the foes of the righteous will be condemned.
The LORD will rescue his servants;
no one who takes refuge in him will be condemned.”
Ephrayim begged Yahweh to heal his father, asking that although he, Ephrayim, might not be a righteous man his father certainly was. He reminded Yahweh of his father’s sacrifices at the temple, his adherence to the Law and the way he had raised his sons to be aware of His Law. He felt presumptuous in doing this, but from the physician’s mutters he knew his father’s life was at stake. Finally he bowed his head even further and gave his own will over to Yahweh, saying, “You are the author of all that happens to us. I know that whatever Your will is for my father, it is all for the greater good of Israel.” Ephrayim sat in silence, repeating the verses of the 34th Psalm to himself, holding on to those promises until the surgeon finally moved away from his father and walked outside.
Ephrayim could hear a chorus of voices asking the physician about Seth, and then sudden silence. “I did what I could for your husband, but even if he lives he will likely never leave the house again. I removed his left leg, and set the right one, but the damage is very serious. His right leg will never be able to bear any weight and there may be damage to his hips that is not yet evident. He will need constant care so that the humors of the body remain in balance. I will return tomorrow to determine if will need additional care from me.” He then gave Miriam specific instruction on Seth’s care and foods that must be avoided.
Rahel and Dorcas rushed into the house, exclaiming over the mess left by the physician. Rahel fainted when she moved the cloth that covering Seth’s severed leg. Dorcas called for Rubin, and the two of them moved Rahel outside and then began to clean the house. Rubin, his lips white with strain, wrapped the leg and bundled it in some sacks used for marketing. This was one thing he did not want his mother to see. He instructed his mother to remain outside with Rahel for a little while and the two siblings worked to restore the house to some semblance of order. Dorcas glanced at her father as she worked. He was pale and barely breathing.
Dorcas distracted Miriam while Rubin carried out the severed limb, and then led her mother to Seth’s side. Miriam cried out at the sight of his white face and dropped to her knees, cradling his head. Seth murmured incoherently, tossing a little in pain and Miriam called to Dorcas to bring a clean cloth and a bowl of water. Knowing there was little else she could do, Miriam sponged his hot face with the cloth over and over praying for Yahweh to spare her husband.
The two daughters took over the running of the household, allowing Miriam to devote her attention to Seth. Rahel ran to the market to buy food for their dinner while Dorcas tended to Ephrayim’s needs. Rubin returned and announced that he would not be returning to school. He was thirteen, and most of his peers had already left school; it had only been Seth’s insistence that had kept him there. Now his family needed him to earn money for them to live. Miriam protested faintly, knowing that his father would want him to remain for the few months left of his education, but Rubin was adamant. He would find work and support them all.
The next morning Rubin left before sunrise to take his place in the market with the other day laborers who hired themselves out for farm work or other unskilled trades. He had barely looked at his father or spoken to his sisters since his announcement the night before. Rahel built up the fire in the pre-dawn light to prepare a breakfast she doubted anyone would eat. Dorcas arrived and the two convinced their mother to rest.
It was mid-morning before Seth recovered enough to be aware of his surroundings. He asked for water in a broken voice, and Rahel rushed to his side with a cup. She lifted him to help him drink and he sank back to his bed in pain. Seth asked what had happened and Ephrayim told him of the accident and what the doctor had done. Miriam awoke and held Seth as he cried in pain and helplessness. Through the pain he realized that he would no longer be able to support his family. When he heard that Rubin was out with the day laborers, he buried his face in his hands. He would never be able to apprentice Rubin to a skilled tradesman. All the money he had saved would be used to pay the physician and supplement the little Rubin could make as a laborer. Head in hands he silently prayed to Yahweh to let him die, so as to not be a burden on his family.
As the days passed Seth’s condition stabilized. Miriam’s constant care kept infection from the wound, and the physician pronounced that his services were no longer needed. Rubin left for the market every morning, and brought home his meager wages to his mother each night. When Seth tried to talk to him about school, Rubin simply walked out of the house, refusing to discuss it.
It was almost a week after the accident before Seth felt well enough to resume his evening lessons with Rubin and Ephrayim. Seth and his older son talked quite a bit during the days, both about what the family could do to make Rubin’s slender wages cover their expenses and about Yahweh’s mercies. When Seth announced at dinner that they would resume their Torah lessons, Rubin exploded with anger.
“How can you expect me to sit and listen to you talk about Yahweh’s Law and his mercy when you’ve lost a leg and can never walk again. He doesn’t care about us, or if He does, He hates us. Look at us. Ephrayim could never walk, now you can’t walk. Rahel will be a drudge for the two of you for the rest of your lives and I’ll be working sunrise to sunset just to try to keep us fed. Tell me about Yahweh’s mercy – it would be more merciful if he struck us all down right now with a bolt of lightning. I’m not going to listen to any more Torah, and I’m never setting foot in the temple again. I’ll spit on the priests if they come near me. That’s what I think of your Yahweh.” Rubin jumped up and ran from the house.
Seth bowed his head and began to pray silently, asking Yahweh’s forgiveness for Rubin. His life had been turned upside down in the space of a day, and he couldn’t really mean what he’d said. He prayed for Rubin, that Yahweh would soften his heart and give him peace. When Miriam, Rahel and Ephrayim realized that Seth was praying, they also bowed their heads and sent their petitions to Yahweh for Rubin. Finally Seth raised his head and with a strong voice asked Rahel to get the Torah scroll so that he and Ephrayim could resume their studies.
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Friday, August 10, 2012
Rubin
Soon after Ephrayim’s eight birthday Miriam gave birth to a baby boy who they named Rubin. Dorcas, who was now twelve determined that she would do everything in her power to ensure the survival of little Rubin. She remembered how much the death of the last baby had affected her mother. She went to the mothers of her friends to ask their advice and even badgered the physician who had diagnosed Ephrayim to give her advice on how to avoid the illnesses that commonly killed infants. Much of the advice was contradictory, but Dorcas sorted through it all and came up with some specific ideas that she shared with her mother. Babies who were taken to market often sickened and died, so she pled with her mother to leave him at home with her or Rahel when she needed to shop. Also, babies who were kept inside were more likely to become ill, so Dorcas and Rahel spent many hours on their roof with Rubin whenever the weather was fair. Whether Dorcas’ ideas were sound or perhaps Rubin was simply a healthy, strong baby, he grew fat and contented.
Ephrayim was at first delighted with the new baby and looked forward to having a brother to play with. As the months went by and his sisters neglected him to care for Rubin, he came to resent the baby. Seth saw Ephrayim’s discontent and spent more time with him. There was so much that Ephrayim needed to learn, so this was not wasted time for Seth. He had decided years ago that even though his older son could not attend school with the other boys his age that his education should not be neglected. Seth had begun to instruct Ephrayim in the Torah at age five, which was when most boys began their formal schooling. Since Seth had been a slave, he had not received much education, but he knew the Law as well as basic literacy and math. Every evening Seth spent time with Ephrayim and gave him an assignment to work on for the next evening. These were usually exercises that Seth made up himself and involved application of portions of the Law. He felt that if Ephrayim had something constructive to think about during the day it would ward off loneliness and self-pity. He also set aside money and at some sacrifice to the family purchased a scroll of a portion of the Torah to teach Ephrayim to read. It was too cumbersome for Ephrayim to manage on his own, but sometimes his sisters helped him with the scroll and he read aloud to them. Once Rubin was born Dorcas and Rahel were too busy to unroll the scroll bit by bit for him. To compensate for this Set built a frame to support the Torah with a portion unrolled that Ephrayim could read and memorize. Every night Seth would turn the frame away and listen with pride as his elder son recited the portion he had memorized that day. Ephrayim then explained the passage and its application, in his understanding, to his father. The two would often spend hours debating the day’s passage and how it applied to the two of them, their family and the Jews as a whole.
The only evening that these lessons were not held was the Sabbath. After Miriam lit the Sabbath candles, Seth made his way to the temple. Every week he regretted that he could not take Ephrayim with him. It was not just the difficulty of transporting the boy that prevented this. The Law forbid anyone with a disability from entering the temple. Ephrayim knew this from his studies and never asked to be taken there by his father. Instead he spent the time while his father was at temple in prayer and meditation. When Seth returned he repeated the priest’s teaching to Ephrayim and the two spent much of the Sabbath discussing how this new information fit in with Ephrayim’s studies.
As Rubin grew he was the pet of his sisters and mother and charmed the women of the neighborhood. He was a handsome little boy and quickly learned to use his looks and charm to get what the wanted from the adults around him. Sometimes it was a special treat, other times it was a better view of an event or respite from an undesirable chore. Ephrayim tried often to get Rubin to sit with him and play or talk, but Rubin preferred to be with his sisters if he was indoors, and had no interest in learning the stories of their people that Ephrayim tried to tell him. He told his older brother that the stories were boring and that it was more fun to play at being a centurion with his friends.
Rubin started school soon after his fifth birthday but he neither enjoyed it nor distinguished himself in any of the classes. Seth spoke to him sternly about the need to learn his lessons, but Rubin didn’t listen or care. It was only when Miriam began to secretly give him treats for satisfactory reports that those reports began to reflect effort and some success. One evening Seth met one of the teachers in the marketplace and when asked, the teacher shook his head and said that while Rubin obviously had the intelligence to do the work as well as any other student; he only chose to put forth enough effort to do the minimum amount required. The teacher shrugged and said that he had seen many boys like that, and they usually settled into their trade with no difficulty, and that it didn’t matter as he wasn’t born to be one of the priests.
Seth walked away from this conversation disturbed. He felt in his heart that all Jews should learn as much about Yahweh and His law as they could. Otherwise, their lives were just about getting by and following rules they didn’t understand or care about. A person like that might start skimping on sacrifices or not following some of the Law, and how else could a Jew draw close to Yahweh if he didn’t follow the Law? By the time he arrived home, Seth was a very worried man.
Over the next few days Seth considered the problem of Rubin. He asked in his prayers for guidance, but days passed and he received no answer. Miriam saw that he was worried about something, but decided that if it concerned her she’d wait for him to say something. Ephrayim also noticed his father’s distraction and asked what was wrong. Set considered, and decided to tell the boy of his concern. When Seth finished Ephrayim nodded. “I’ve asked him to read with me or listen while I tell him some of the stories you’ve told me, but he just wants to go and play. He’s always running somewhere and doesn’t like to do things that involve sitting and thinking or listening. Why don’t you ask one of the priests what you should do? Not all of them look down on our family because we are not Levites or wealthy.” Seth looked at his older son with respect. He’d seen straight to the heart of what bothered him. It wasn’t just that Rubin didn’t care about learning, it was also that the teacher felt it didn’t matter whether he did or not. Seth resolved to talk to the priests the next time he went to the temple.
On the Sabbath Seth looked at and listened to the priests, trying to decide who to approach. One seemed very patient and kind, so Seth decided that he would talk to that one. He explained his worries about his younger son, giving a little background on the rest of the family. The priest listened carefully and thought for a moment or two. Finally he replied, “I wish more men thought as you do. It’s not enough to just follow the Law, we need to understand it. Since you’re already teaching your older son, it would be good to involve the younger one. I doubt he’d be interested in the deeper discussions you have with Ephrayim, but perhaps he could sit in on the beginning of each session when you go over the passage and what it means. Then he could go out and play and you’d still have time to spend just with Ephrayim.”
Seth realized that this would be the best answer to the problem. It would teach Rubin, build the relationship between the two brothers and still allow him undivided time with Ephrayim. He thanked the priest for his help and headed home.
Miriam was relieved to see Seth arrive with a smile on his face. He grabbed her hands and whirled her around the room. She laughed and asked if he’d worked out whatever had been bothering him. Still smiling he explained his concerns and the proposed solution. Miriam blushed and admitted that she’d been rewarding Rubin for good work with special treats. Seth shook his head, wondering why Rubin couldn’t be the scholar that Ephrayim was. They agreed that Rubin would not be allowed to play with his friends after dinner until they had their study time.
With some misgiving Seth explained the plan to Ephrayim. He was concerned that the boy would be jealous since it would mean less time with Seth, but Ephrayim said he thought it was a very good idea. They agreed to start the next evening and spent a happy hour or so discussing the teaching Seth had heard that day at the temple.
Rubin emphatically did not want to spend any part of his evening sitting inside discussing the Torah, but Seth’s word was law in their house. So, he sat and listened, answering questions only when asked of him directly. Over the next few weeks he discovered the faster he understood the text the sooner he’d be allowed to go and play. It was obvious to Seth and Ephrayim that Rubin had a good mind, but was just not interested in the intricacies of the Law, so as soon as he showed understanding of the topic he was allowed to go outside.
Month by month; year by year Rubin’s understanding of the Law grew, even if his interest did not. When they completed the first scroll Seth was able to trade it for another and then another. The two boys learned the Law and the history of their people, Rubin learning the basics and Ephrayim the reasons behind the texts.
Ephrayim was at first delighted with the new baby and looked forward to having a brother to play with. As the months went by and his sisters neglected him to care for Rubin, he came to resent the baby. Seth saw Ephrayim’s discontent and spent more time with him. There was so much that Ephrayim needed to learn, so this was not wasted time for Seth. He had decided years ago that even though his older son could not attend school with the other boys his age that his education should not be neglected. Seth had begun to instruct Ephrayim in the Torah at age five, which was when most boys began their formal schooling. Since Seth had been a slave, he had not received much education, but he knew the Law as well as basic literacy and math. Every evening Seth spent time with Ephrayim and gave him an assignment to work on for the next evening. These were usually exercises that Seth made up himself and involved application of portions of the Law. He felt that if Ephrayim had something constructive to think about during the day it would ward off loneliness and self-pity. He also set aside money and at some sacrifice to the family purchased a scroll of a portion of the Torah to teach Ephrayim to read. It was too cumbersome for Ephrayim to manage on his own, but sometimes his sisters helped him with the scroll and he read aloud to them. Once Rubin was born Dorcas and Rahel were too busy to unroll the scroll bit by bit for him. To compensate for this Set built a frame to support the Torah with a portion unrolled that Ephrayim could read and memorize. Every night Seth would turn the frame away and listen with pride as his elder son recited the portion he had memorized that day. Ephrayim then explained the passage and its application, in his understanding, to his father. The two would often spend hours debating the day’s passage and how it applied to the two of them, their family and the Jews as a whole.
The only evening that these lessons were not held was the Sabbath. After Miriam lit the Sabbath candles, Seth made his way to the temple. Every week he regretted that he could not take Ephrayim with him. It was not just the difficulty of transporting the boy that prevented this. The Law forbid anyone with a disability from entering the temple. Ephrayim knew this from his studies and never asked to be taken there by his father. Instead he spent the time while his father was at temple in prayer and meditation. When Seth returned he repeated the priest’s teaching to Ephrayim and the two spent much of the Sabbath discussing how this new information fit in with Ephrayim’s studies.
As Rubin grew he was the pet of his sisters and mother and charmed the women of the neighborhood. He was a handsome little boy and quickly learned to use his looks and charm to get what the wanted from the adults around him. Sometimes it was a special treat, other times it was a better view of an event or respite from an undesirable chore. Ephrayim tried often to get Rubin to sit with him and play or talk, but Rubin preferred to be with his sisters if he was indoors, and had no interest in learning the stories of their people that Ephrayim tried to tell him. He told his older brother that the stories were boring and that it was more fun to play at being a centurion with his friends.
Rubin started school soon after his fifth birthday but he neither enjoyed it nor distinguished himself in any of the classes. Seth spoke to him sternly about the need to learn his lessons, but Rubin didn’t listen or care. It was only when Miriam began to secretly give him treats for satisfactory reports that those reports began to reflect effort and some success. One evening Seth met one of the teachers in the marketplace and when asked, the teacher shook his head and said that while Rubin obviously had the intelligence to do the work as well as any other student; he only chose to put forth enough effort to do the minimum amount required. The teacher shrugged and said that he had seen many boys like that, and they usually settled into their trade with no difficulty, and that it didn’t matter as he wasn’t born to be one of the priests.
Seth walked away from this conversation disturbed. He felt in his heart that all Jews should learn as much about Yahweh and His law as they could. Otherwise, their lives were just about getting by and following rules they didn’t understand or care about. A person like that might start skimping on sacrifices or not following some of the Law, and how else could a Jew draw close to Yahweh if he didn’t follow the Law? By the time he arrived home, Seth was a very worried man.
Over the next few days Seth considered the problem of Rubin. He asked in his prayers for guidance, but days passed and he received no answer. Miriam saw that he was worried about something, but decided that if it concerned her she’d wait for him to say something. Ephrayim also noticed his father’s distraction and asked what was wrong. Set considered, and decided to tell the boy of his concern. When Seth finished Ephrayim nodded. “I’ve asked him to read with me or listen while I tell him some of the stories you’ve told me, but he just wants to go and play. He’s always running somewhere and doesn’t like to do things that involve sitting and thinking or listening. Why don’t you ask one of the priests what you should do? Not all of them look down on our family because we are not Levites or wealthy.” Seth looked at his older son with respect. He’d seen straight to the heart of what bothered him. It wasn’t just that Rubin didn’t care about learning, it was also that the teacher felt it didn’t matter whether he did or not. Seth resolved to talk to the priests the next time he went to the temple.
On the Sabbath Seth looked at and listened to the priests, trying to decide who to approach. One seemed very patient and kind, so Seth decided that he would talk to that one. He explained his worries about his younger son, giving a little background on the rest of the family. The priest listened carefully and thought for a moment or two. Finally he replied, “I wish more men thought as you do. It’s not enough to just follow the Law, we need to understand it. Since you’re already teaching your older son, it would be good to involve the younger one. I doubt he’d be interested in the deeper discussions you have with Ephrayim, but perhaps he could sit in on the beginning of each session when you go over the passage and what it means. Then he could go out and play and you’d still have time to spend just with Ephrayim.”
Seth realized that this would be the best answer to the problem. It would teach Rubin, build the relationship between the two brothers and still allow him undivided time with Ephrayim. He thanked the priest for his help and headed home.
Miriam was relieved to see Seth arrive with a smile on his face. He grabbed her hands and whirled her around the room. She laughed and asked if he’d worked out whatever had been bothering him. Still smiling he explained his concerns and the proposed solution. Miriam blushed and admitted that she’d been rewarding Rubin for good work with special treats. Seth shook his head, wondering why Rubin couldn’t be the scholar that Ephrayim was. They agreed that Rubin would not be allowed to play with his friends after dinner until they had their study time.
With some misgiving Seth explained the plan to Ephrayim. He was concerned that the boy would be jealous since it would mean less time with Seth, but Ephrayim said he thought it was a very good idea. They agreed to start the next evening and spent a happy hour or so discussing the teaching Seth had heard that day at the temple.
Rubin emphatically did not want to spend any part of his evening sitting inside discussing the Torah, but Seth’s word was law in their house. So, he sat and listened, answering questions only when asked of him directly. Over the next few weeks he discovered the faster he understood the text the sooner he’d be allowed to go and play. It was obvious to Seth and Ephrayim that Rubin had a good mind, but was just not interested in the intricacies of the Law, so as soon as he showed understanding of the topic he was allowed to go outside.
Month by month; year by year Rubin’s understanding of the Law grew, even if his interest did not. When they completed the first scroll Seth was able to trade it for another and then another. The two boys learned the Law and the history of their people, Rubin learning the basics and Ephrayim the reasons behind the texts.
Thursday, August 9, 2012
Siblings
Ephrayim could not recall a single day in his life when he had not been a burden to those around him. Although many children have early memories of a mother's care, later and stronger memories exist of learning to do things for oneself. Not so for Ephrayim. He had been born with legs that didn't work. He couldn't walk or even sit up by himself. His memories were of being carried, first as a small child, then a young man, and finally as a full-grown man who should have been carrying his own children.
His mother had given birth to nine children, four of which had lived to adulthood. Considering their place in the social order of Jerusalem they had been lucky to have four survive, even though one was a cripple. Ephrayim was the fourth born, and the first male child, hence his name, which meant 'doubly blessed'. His father had worried that he might never have a son, although he dearly loved his daughters. It was only as months passed and baby Ephrayim failed to roll over or scoot around that his parents realized that something was wrong. His father had paid nearly a month's wages as a woodcutter to a Greek physician for an evaluation of the baby and hopefully to obtain a treatment to fix whatever was wrong. The physician had been quite thorough. He felt Ephrayim's limbs, had him move his arms and try to move his legs, and then had pinched him all over his body. At the end he pronounced his diagnosis. His legs would never move on their own and he would need to be carried and cared for his entire life. The physician said this in sorrow, as the baby boy was handsome and intelligent. He finished the visit with a pronouncement that it might be best for all if the infant was exposed, or left to die. Ephrayim's mother, Miriam grabbed the baby and carried him from the room. Sadly father paid the physician, murmuring that their religion forbid exposure or any type of infanticide.
That evening Miriam and Seth sat talking by the light of a single oil lamp after the children were asleep. Miriam railed against God, who had burdened them with a helpless child. Between caring for her children and keeping a kashrut household, she could barely get the work done every day. How could she cope with a helpless cripple, especially as he grew older? Seth patiently listened to her complaints, knowing that there really was no acceptable solution for the problem that was Ephrayim. When she finished speaking and sat silently crying Seth simply said, "Yahweh will give us the strength and help we need as long as we trust and rely on Him. He has given us this son and allowed him to live for a reason. I believe he will be a double blessing - if not now, well then when he is older. And I will help you, Miriam, as will our daughters as they grow older."
Miriam could not argue with Seth's strong faith. God had done so much for him throughout his life. Although born a slave, he had been freed by his master in his late twenties as a reward for over a decade of exemplary work. He could cut more trees, finish more boards and have them delivered before the other slaves felled a single tree. He still worked for his former master, but in a position of honor, supervising a work crew that often worked far outside the boundaries of Jerusalem. The money he made was not a lot, but it allowed them to live in a small house in a crowded but safe part of Jerusalem.
Caring for Ephrayim was easy when he was young. Every baby and young child needs most everything done for him. This was natural. But as he became older and larger it became harder and more awkward. Not because of anything that Ephrayim did or said. He was a sweet-tempered boy. It was just that an older child should be able to care for his own personal needs. God knows, Ephrayim tried, and succeeded, in small ways. He fed himself, as long as the food was brought to him and someone sat him up. He washed his face and brushed his hair, but that was the limit of his ability to care for himself.
His mother had given birth to nine children, four of which had lived to adulthood. Considering their place in the social order of Jerusalem they had been lucky to have four survive, even though one was a cripple. Ephrayim was the fourth born, and the first male child, hence his name, which meant 'doubly blessed'. His father had worried that he might never have a son, although he dearly loved his daughters. It was only as months passed and baby Ephrayim failed to roll over or scoot around that his parents realized that something was wrong. His father had paid nearly a month's wages as a woodcutter to a Greek physician for an evaluation of the baby and hopefully to obtain a treatment to fix whatever was wrong. The physician had been quite thorough. He felt Ephrayim's limbs, had him move his arms and try to move his legs, and then had pinched him all over his body. At the end he pronounced his diagnosis. His legs would never move on their own and he would need to be carried and cared for his entire life. The physician said this in sorrow, as the baby boy was handsome and intelligent. He finished the visit with a pronouncement that it might be best for all if the infant was exposed, or left to die. Ephrayim's mother, Miriam grabbed the baby and carried him from the room. Sadly father paid the physician, murmuring that their religion forbid exposure or any type of infanticide.
That evening Miriam and Seth sat talking by the light of a single oil lamp after the children were asleep. Miriam railed against God, who had burdened them with a helpless child. Between caring for her children and keeping a kashrut household, she could barely get the work done every day. How could she cope with a helpless cripple, especially as he grew older? Seth patiently listened to her complaints, knowing that there really was no acceptable solution for the problem that was Ephrayim. When she finished speaking and sat silently crying Seth simply said, "Yahweh will give us the strength and help we need as long as we trust and rely on Him. He has given us this son and allowed him to live for a reason. I believe he will be a double blessing - if not now, well then when he is older. And I will help you, Miriam, as will our daughters as they grow older."
Miriam could not argue with Seth's strong faith. God had done so much for him throughout his life. Although born a slave, he had been freed by his master in his late twenties as a reward for over a decade of exemplary work. He could cut more trees, finish more boards and have them delivered before the other slaves felled a single tree. He still worked for his former master, but in a position of honor, supervising a work crew that often worked far outside the boundaries of Jerusalem. The money he made was not a lot, but it allowed them to live in a small house in a crowded but safe part of Jerusalem.
Caring for Ephrayim was easy when he was young. Every baby and young child needs most everything done for him. This was natural. But as he became older and larger it became harder and more awkward. Not because of anything that Ephrayim did or said. He was a sweet-tempered boy. It was just that an older child should be able to care for his own personal needs. God knows, Ephrayim tried, and succeeded, in small ways. He fed himself, as long as the food was brought to him and someone sat him up. He washed his face and brushed his hair, but that was the limit of his ability to care for himself.
The Story Begins
Ephrayim could not recall a single day in his life when he had not been a burden to those around him. Although many children have early memories of a mother's care, later and stronger memories exist of learning to do things for oneself. Not so for Ephrayim. He had been born with legs that didn't work. He couldn't walk or even sit up by himself. His memories were of being carried, first as a small child, then a young man, and finally as a full-grown man who should have been carrying his own children.
His mother had given birth to nine children, four of which had lived to adulthood. Considering their place in the social order of Jerusalem they had been lucky to have four survive, even though one was a cripple. Ephrayim was the fourth born, and the first male child, hence his name, which meant 'doubly blessed'. His father had worried that he might never have a son, although he dearly loved his daughters. It was only as months passed and baby Ephrayim failed to roll over or scoot around that his parents realized that something was wrong. His father had paid nearly a month's wages as a woodcutter to a Greek physician for an evaluation of the baby and hopefully to obtain a treatment to fix whatever was wrong. The physician had been quite thorough. He felt Ephrayim's limbs, had him move his arms and try to move his legs, and then had pinched him all over his body. At the end he pronounced his diagnosis. His legs would never move on their own and he would need to be carried and cared for his entire life. The physician said this in sorrow, as the baby boy was handsome and intelligent. He finished the visit with a pronouncement that it might be best for all if the infant was exposed, or left to die. Ephrayim's mother, Miriam grabbed the baby and carried him from the room. Sadly father paid the physician, murmuring that their religion forbid exposure or any type of infanticide.
That evening Miriam and Seth sat talking by the light of a single oil lamp after the children were asleep. Miriam railed against God, who had burdened them with a helpless child. Between caring for her children and keeping a kashrut household, she could barely get the work done every day. How could she cope with a helpless cripple, especially as he grew older? Seth patiently listened to her complaints, knowing that there really was no acceptable solution for the problem that was Ephrayim. When she finished speaking and sat silently crying Seth simply said, "Yahweh will give us the strength and help we need as long as we trust and rely on Him. He has given us this son and allowed him to live for a reason. I believe he will be a double blessing - if not now, well then when he is older. And I will help you, Miriam, as will our daughters as they grow older."
Miriam could not argue with Seth's strong faith. God had done so much for him throughout his life. Although born a slave, he had been freed by his master in his late twenties as a reward for over a decade of exemplary work. He could cut more trees, finish more boards and have them delivered before the other slaves felled a single tree. He still worked for his former master, but in a position of honor, supervising a work crew that often worked far outside the boundaries of Jerusalem. The money he made was not a lot, but it allowed them to live in a small house in a crowded but safe part of Jerusalem.
Caring for Ephrayim was easy when he was young. Every baby and young child needs most everything done for him. This was natural. But as he became older and larger it became harder and more awkward. Not because of anything that Ephrayim did or said. He was a sweet-tempered boy. It was just that an older child should be able to care for his own personal needs. God knows, Ephrayim tried, and succeeded, in small ways. He fed himself, as long as the food was brought to him and someone sat him up. He washed his face and brushed his hair, but that was the limit of his ability to care for himself.
His mother had given birth to nine children, four of which had lived to adulthood. Considering their place in the social order of Jerusalem they had been lucky to have four survive, even though one was a cripple. Ephrayim was the fourth born, and the first male child, hence his name, which meant 'doubly blessed'. His father had worried that he might never have a son, although he dearly loved his daughters. It was only as months passed and baby Ephrayim failed to roll over or scoot around that his parents realized that something was wrong. His father had paid nearly a month's wages as a woodcutter to a Greek physician for an evaluation of the baby and hopefully to obtain a treatment to fix whatever was wrong. The physician had been quite thorough. He felt Ephrayim's limbs, had him move his arms and try to move his legs, and then had pinched him all over his body. At the end he pronounced his diagnosis. His legs would never move on their own and he would need to be carried and cared for his entire life. The physician said this in sorrow, as the baby boy was handsome and intelligent. He finished the visit with a pronouncement that it might be best for all if the infant was exposed, or left to die. Ephrayim's mother, Miriam grabbed the baby and carried him from the room. Sadly father paid the physician, murmuring that their religion forbid exposure or any type of infanticide.
That evening Miriam and Seth sat talking by the light of a single oil lamp after the children were asleep. Miriam railed against God, who had burdened them with a helpless child. Between caring for her children and keeping a kashrut household, she could barely get the work done every day. How could she cope with a helpless cripple, especially as he grew older? Seth patiently listened to her complaints, knowing that there really was no acceptable solution for the problem that was Ephrayim. When she finished speaking and sat silently crying Seth simply said, "Yahweh will give us the strength and help we need as long as we trust and rely on Him. He has given us this son and allowed him to live for a reason. I believe he will be a double blessing - if not now, well then when he is older. And I will help you, Miriam, as will our daughters as they grow older."
Miriam could not argue with Seth's strong faith. God had done so much for him throughout his life. Although born a slave, he had been freed by his master in his late twenties as a reward for over a decade of exemplary work. He could cut more trees, finish more boards and have them delivered before the other slaves felled a single tree. He still worked for his former master, but in a position of honor, supervising a work crew that often worked far outside the boundaries of Jerusalem. The money he made was not a lot, but it allowed them to live in a small house in a crowded but safe part of Jerusalem.
Caring for Ephrayim was easy when he was young. Every baby and young child needs most everything done for him. This was natural. But as he became older and larger it became harder and more awkward. Not because of anything that Ephrayim did or said. He was a sweet-tempered boy. It was just that an older child should be able to care for his own personal needs. God knows, Ephrayim tried, and succeeded, in small ways. He fed himself, as long as the food was brought to him and someone sat him up. He washed his face and brushed his hair, but that was the limit of his ability to care for himself.
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