Israel Book Shop presents Chapter 19 of a new online serial novel, Beneath the Surface, by Esther Rapaport. Check back for a new chapter every Thursday or Friday. Click here for previous chapters.

Copyright © 2011 by Israel Bookshop Publication

Menuchi’s Perspective:

As the clock indicated six minutes to four, the door closed. I looked around a bit helplessly, knowing that I had a few hours ahead of me with absolutely nothing to do in them.

Two plates, two forks, two knives, a bowl, and a spoon rested comfortably in the fleishig sink. Should I wash them now? I could, in theory, but if I would finish the dishes, what would I do in another hour?

What a funny question. Anyone who has what to do right now and asks what she will do later has no faith. I went over to the sink and slowly and deliberately washed each dish. I didn’t bother scrubbing the counter. I had done it yesterday and the day before; it wasn’t dirty.

Four-oh-seven. Technically I could go rest, but I don’t like resting in the afternoon. If I’m tired, then a rest is great, but when I feel as fresh as a crisp lettuce leaf and no less bored than that leaf, then afternoon rests just make things worse. So what could I do?

There wasn’t a book to be had in the house, except for a sefer I’d received for my wedding. But my parents already had that sefer, and I’d read it more than once during my engagement.

What else? A CD.

I didn’t have any.

But I could borrow!

From whom?

Neighbors.

But I didn’t have a CD player!

Actually, getting to know a new neighbor right now sounded like a nice idea. The problem was that I’m really not the initiating type who introduces herself and invites people to come over so everyone could get to know each other over coffee and cake. Maybe the neighbor would be busy but wouldn’t feel polite refusing me? And maybe she wouldn’t know if she could trust my kashrus? I could show her that I have a closed package of cookies. But what about coffee? I didn’t have it in the original container—all I had was a small amount of it in a clear sandwich bag which Ima gave me yesterday, to last until we’d get a chance to buy a jar of our own. Keep Reading…

Israel Book Shop presents Chapter 18 of a new online serial novel, Beneath the Surface, by Esther Rapaport. Check back for a new chapter every Thursday or Friday. Click here for previous chapters.

Copyright © 2011 by Israel Bookshop Publication

Shimon Feder strained to read the English words and then raised his eyes.

“I’m happy I asked you to show me every letter she sends you,” he said slowly. “She lives in a world whose concepts are, baruch Hashem, very foreign to you. I really do prefer that this correspondence be supervised.”

He pondered for a moment, and then added jovially, “But I’m only heading the kashrus agency temporarily. From the first of Cheshvan, b’ezras Hashem, the responsibility will be transferred to your husband. And personally, I suggest that you slowly cut off ties with her. Stress again that she should go learn in a serious place and not suffice with our responses. In any case, if Shragi won’t want you to correspond with her—and I’ll understand if he doesn’t—then you can give her some addresses where she can send her questions. There are plenty of places that can help her.”

“Or we can leave our address and you will answer her, without her even knowing that it’s not me.” Menuchi folded the paper into four.

“But someone will have to translate the letters into English.” Rabbi Feder’s forehead creased. “So why not direct her to the people who can answer her, and who speak English? That can also prevent mistakes that might happen in the translation.”

“And what about her question in this letter?”

“The question is what she means by ‘sin.’ Does a gentile girl who marries a Jew fall into the category of one who serves avodah zarah or violates any of the other seven mitzvos of Bnei Noach? I have to find out. But one thing is clear: nothing good can come out of causing a Jew to sin.”

“Do you think we can sit on this tonight?”

“Tonight? I’m afraid not.” He picked up his hat. “I have to run out, and I doubt I’ll be home before eleven. We have to find an evening when I’m free and not too tired.”

“Will there be such a night before my wedding?” Keep Reading…

Israel Book Shop presents Chapter 17 of a new online serial novel, Beneath the Surface, by Esther Rapaport. Check back for a new chapter every Thursday or Friday. Click here for previous chapters.

Copyright © 2011 by Israel Bookshop Publication

“It’s been three weeks since your engagement, Diana, and for some reason, you don’t look happy at all,” Maria, Diana’s sister-in-law, remarked as she pushed the stroller with her two-year-old son.

“I am happy,” Diana said, raising her eyes to the pale blue sky. The summer sun stood high in the sky, surrounded by a lighter halo, but the sky was still not as blue as Diana had ever seen a sky. “The sky in Israel is so blue,” she grumbled, following her sister-in-law as Maria turned left onto a small side street.

“He wants to live in Israel?” Maria queried.

“Dan? No, of course not!”

“So what’s the connection between what I asked and what you answered?”

“I didn’t mean that there was any connection,” Diana replied as she stroked her nephew’s hair. He sat in the stroller, taking in everything around him with wide open eyes.

“Here’s the store. Come,” Maria said as she pulled open the wide glass door. Diana followed her inside the carpeted store and sat down on a velour bench, glancing around at the tastefully designed interior.

“So, what do you say? Are they nice?” Maria asked, holding a tiny pair of shoes.

“Very nice. Really cute,” Diana murmured, taking the right shoe. It was made of blue suede and had light blue laces, with green embroidered flowers on the side. She hadn’t heard how much they cost, but Maria’s wrinkled nose told her enough.

“Julian will be angry,” Maria said as she fit one shoe onto her son’s foot. “He always says that he can’t keep up with the prices I pay for things. But aren’t they sweet?” She put the second shoe on. “I can’t let my son walk around in rags.”

Diana opted to remain silent. Keep Reading…