Israel Book Shop presents Chapter 68 of a new online serial novel, The Black Sheep, by Esther Rapaport. Check back for a new chapter every week.  Click here for previous chapters.

Copyright © Israel Bookshop Publications. 

“How is the Rav recovering?” Yigal Erenbaum asked politely. “I understand this was quite a harrowing experience…”

“The Rav? I don’t know; you need to ask him…” The lot stretched out before him, bathed in sunlight, and full of trash, just like he remembered it. Elazar Reiness walked along the edge, no longer afraid to be seen, or to be identified. His battle had come to an end, in failure, but he was biting his lips and moving onward. There would be a hearing in court, but he wasn’t pinning much hope on it.

Still, every so often, his legs carried him here.

“So…how do you feel?” Mr. Erenbaum reworded his question.

“Baruch Hashem. The first few days were rough, but as time goes on, I’m recovering.”

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Israel Book Shop presents Chapter 67 of a new online serial novel, The Black Sheep, by Esther Rapaport. Check back for a new chapter every week.  Click here for previous chapters.

Copyright © Israel Bookshop Publications. 

Deep pain, with a sour taste. Plain joy. Intense fury.

Was it possible to be feeling all three of these emotions together, rising like a trio of grapes on one vine?

“Rebbi, let us drink l’chaim that you were saved.”

A very late Maariv had just ended. A few bachurim brought out a bottle of liquor, opened a table, and ordered pizza. Rabbi Reiness smiled, wondering if it reached his eyes. “Sure,” he said, “but I only drink grape juice.”

Borei pri hagafen. L’chaim. How sweet and juicy is the grape as its flavor spills out, much like the gratitude he felt spilling out in his heart for being home safely. There were a few moments during the past day when he hadn’t been sure that the story would end quite like this…

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Israel Book Shop presents Chapter 66 of a new online serial novel, The Black Sheep, by Esther Rapaport. Check back for a new chapter every week.  Click here for previous chapters.

Copyright © Israel Bookshop Publications. 

“Bassi!” A pale-faced Ariella opened her eyes wide when she saw who was at the door. “Kids, come see who’s here!”

“It’s Ima,” Gadi said quietly, as he came to the door to confirm it. “Ima, did you come to say Tehillim with us?”

“Yes.” Bassi smiled at her children and then turned to Ariella. “Go to Acco, Ariella. I think your brother needs you there.”

“What will be with Yisrael Meir?”

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Israel Book Shop presents Chapter 65 of a new online serial novel, The Black Sheep, by Esther Rapaport. Check back for a new chapter every week.  Click here for previous chapters.

Copyright © Israel Bookshop Publications. 

When the phone call came, Osher was in the yard, walking from one side of the fence to the other, just trying to dodge everyone’s gazes. He could not bring himself to take part in saying Tehillim inside with the others. Doron Nachman, who was sitting at the table, picked up. “Hello?” he said, his voice laced with a combination of hope and anxiety.

“Hello, this is Officer Peduel from the Acco Police Department.”

“Yes, what’s going on?” Doron Nachman took a deep breath.

“The search is continuing, and we hope that we have an important lead. I wanted to ask, what is with Rabbi Reiness’s sons?”

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