ENGLISH CORNER, CON LINDA JIMÉNEZ – This week we celebrate Passover and, in keeping with our holiday tradition here at English Corner, I’m going to read you a Passover story.
Lawrence Kurlandsky, MD is a retired pediatric pulmonologist/immunologist who has a long-standing interest in Jewish folk stories and midrash. Over the years, during free time at medical meetings or family vacations, he has been moved to write stories that capture his thoughts about people or locations with an attachment to Jewish ideas. This story came about from his knowledge of the medical literature, his experience as a pediatrician, and his knowledge of Morse code as a former amateur–or ham–radio operator.
The story includes an indirect reference to blood libels, so I will briefly explain what they are, for those of our listeners who might not have heard of them. Basically, they are false antisemitic accusations charging Jews with using Christian blood in their religious rituals, especially in preparing matzah for Passover. These libels became especially common in medieval Europe and were often used to account for the otherwise unexplained deaths of children, since the accusations often assert that the blood of Christian children is especially coveted.
The Bread of Freedom was first published in Jewish Fiction, which is the only English-language journal, either in print or online, devoted exclusively to the publishing of Jewish fiction. Jewish Fiction’s interactive website allows readers to search its 600 stories by theme (such as Jewish holidays, Israel, Holocaust); by author; and by original language (Jewish Fiction has published stories either written in English or translated into English from 21 languages). You can subscribe to Jewish Fiction here.
The story is prefaced by three biblical quotations:
Death and life are in the power of the tongue (Proverbs 18:21)
You shall not insult the deaf (Leviticus 19:14)
It is I who created the craftsman who blows on the coals and forges weapons suited to their purpose; I also created the destroyer to work havoc. No weapon made will prevail against you. In court you will refute every accusation. The servants of Adonai inherit all this; the reward for their righteousness is from me, says Adonai. (Isaiah 54: 16-17)
WE HOPE YOU ENJOY THIS STORY AND WISH YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES A VERY HAPPY PASSOVER.
