Belaset's Daughter - By Feona J Hamilton Page 0,73

then nodded his head.

"A happy day for you and this house, Master Aaron," he said, pausing in his work.

"Mazeltov!"

"My thanks, Ralph!" said Aaron, clapping the man on the shoulder. "I am happy, indeed, and I wish the entire household to enjoy themselves today, and share in my happiness."

"Thank you, master!" said Ralph, bending to his task again willingly.

It was the same throughout the house. Everywhere Aaron went, the servants were bustling about, preparing for the day to come. In the kitchen, the cauldrons bubbled on the fire, and room was filled with steam. The cook shouted at everyone else in the kitchen and, for once, no-one shouted back. In the rooms upstairs, Belaset and Dorcas, having BOSON BOOKS

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dressed themselves in their finest gowns, got in each other’s, and Judith’s way, as they tried to help her dress in her wedding finery. Later, Benjamin went in search of Aaron, and was horrified to see him still wandering about in an old robe.

"Aaron, my son," he said. "You are to be married soon, and here you are, still wandering about in a dream. Come you must prepare!"

"I only have to change, Father!" said Aaron. "It will take but a moment."

"No, no!" said Benjamin, grasping his arm, and hustling him upstairs again. "It is not simply a matter of changing from one robe to another. You must be barbered and dressed properly, to look your best for your bride!"

"My bride already knows how I look," protested Aaron.

"Then do it for your mother!" said Benjamin. "Do you think she would like her son to be married looking as though he had come straight from his rest?"

Aaron laughed and gave up. It was not just for his mother, he knew; his father was equally determined that his son should look as handsome as possible, and part of a prosperous and successful family. The Yechiels had a certain standing outside the Jewry as well as inside and Benjamin had every intention of emphasising that standing.

By noon, they were all ready. The men walked together through the streets to the synagogue at the corner of the street. Inside, the rabbi waited on the dais in the centre, ready to greet the young couple as they met in front of him. All around, heads covered in their prayer shawls, stood most of the men of the community. At the back, the screen which separated the women was in place, on this special occasion. There were glimpses of movement through the fretwork, and a buzz of excited conversation came through, as the women waited and watched.

As Aaron walked towards the rabbi, Judith appeared from behind the screen with Belaset beside her, and made her way through the assembled men. He was glad that she had not chosen to wear the all-enveloping cloak which some brides hid themselves in.

Instead, she had covered her hair completely, with a white head-dress, as a sign that she was no longer unmarried. The couple met before the rabbi, with their parents. Belaset was Judith’s witness, and Benjamin was Aaron’s. There was a hush, as the rabbi held up his hand, and began to intone the first blessing, for the betrothal ceremony.

Solemnly, the ketuba was handed to Aaron, who placed it in the hand which Judith extended towards him. Then he placed a ring on her finger. Taking a cup of wine from a steward, the rabbi waited while a shawl was placed over both Aaron’s and Judith’s heads, signifying the tent from the days of wandering in the desert. Then, raising the cup of wine, the rabbi sang the seven blessings of the marriage ceremony. As the last beautiful note rang round the synagogue, there was a shout of "Mazeltov!" from everyone, and the men surged forward, to hug the bride and groom, and congratulate them.

They left the synagogue as part of a noisy throng, and made their way back to the Yechiels’ house. The women joined the crowd, some dabbing their eyes, as they BOSON BOOKS

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remembered their own marriage ceremonies, then joining in the chattering and laughter again.

The house door was flung open and the wedding party streamed in, to begin the feasting which would continue for the rest of the day. Tables had been set up in the hall, and the amount of food placed on them was staggering. Before the eating began, there was the washing of hands, and the blessing over meals to be recited, then everyone sat down. A cauldron of chicken soup was ladled into bowls