Fathers and Demons; Glimpses of the Future

FATHERS AND DEMONS

Glimpses of the Future

by

Lorinda J. Taylor

Teach your tongue to say ‘I do not know’

and you shall progress.

Attributed to Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon

This is a work of fiction. All characters in this book are fictitious, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations in critical articles and reviews.

Copyright © 2015 by Lorinda J. Taylor

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return toSmashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Dedicated to all Jews who have perished

over millennia because of their beliefs,

(six million of whom died by the hand

of the first Techno-Warlord

in the mid-20th century)

but especially to all who willed

their people’s survival during

the persecutions and will continue

to do so into the 28th century

and beyond

Table of Contents

A Note from the Author

By Way of Introduction:

Earth and Space, 28th Century

Istrian Judish Enclave:

An Unseen and Unknowable God

Chapter 1: Arrival at New Verser

Chapter 2: A Sad and Ambiguous History

Chapter 3: Wedding Preliminaries

Chapter 4: The Wedding

Chapter 5: The Wedding Feast

Chapter 6: Postprandial Conversation

Chapter 7: Two Rabbis and Their Faith

Chapter 8: How Natan Ben-Ari Acquired His Demons

Chapter 9: How the Rabbi Fought His Demons

Chapter 10: How Capt. Nikalishin Tamed His Own Demons

Northern Midammerik:

The God in the Pod

Chapter 11: Ian Glencrosse Sets His Fate in Motion

Chapter 12: The Mother of Ian Glencrosse

Chapter 13: The Father of Ian Glencrosse

Chapter 14: The Demons of Ian Glencrosse

Preparations for the Launch

Chapter 15: Return to Herinen Space Port

Chapter 16: God the Father

A Note from the Author

When I set out to write the life story of Capt. Robbin Nikalishin (the first starship commander to make contact with extraterrestrials), I intended it to be one longish novel entitled The Man Who Found Birds among the Stars. Among other goals, I wanted to depict the history and state of Earth’s future civilization in greater depth than I had been able to do in my novel The Termite Queen. This included recounting what had become of certain remnant elements of society – specifically, defined religious populations. The Jews constituted one of these populations.

So I introduced a Jewish character who was about to get married. I began to research Jewish weddings and ended spending a good three months immersed in all aspects of Jewish religion and culture. I even studied a bit of Hebrew. This new fascination caused the Jewish wedding section to expand into a lengthy tome that encompassed not only an exposition of Judaism but also a probe into the nature of gods and their relationship with human beings.

Obviously, a chunk this weighty could not remain part of the basic novel. However, the piece contains many striking and provocative elements, so I have extracted it, shortened it by some 10,000 words, and turned it into a separate novel. In fact, it is not exactly a novel, since it starts and stops in medias res, with only enough explanation of what has gone before to make it comprehensible. It consists of several sections, some that elaborate on the future history of Earth; some that illuminate Jewish faith, philosophy, and culture and the future history of religion in general; and some that detail the stories of certain individuals, both Jewish and secular. The theme of fatherhood and the connections between fathers and gods form the mesh that binds the book together.

The most appropriate designation to accord this piece is speculative literary fiction; it is science fiction in that it takes place in a future time, at the very inception of interstellar travel, but it also deals with demons and gods that may or may not be real, introducing an element of the supernatural. The style varies; within a framework of omnipotent narration, certain history and tales are told through conversation or related by one of the characters, and there is even a venture into epistolary form. It is a bit like a musical work, with each segment having its own tempo, theme, and mood.

All my research into Judaism was done on the web, with the exception of sampling biblical texts in the King James Version. I particularly want to acknowledge a website that comprehensively covers all aspects of orthodox Judaism: Judaism 101 (http://www.jewfaq.org). Anyone interested in learning more about the Jewish faith would do well to start with this website. Two other websites provide special insight, particularly into the Hebrew language: http://www.hebrew4christians.com (which also covers many cultural topics and contains a haunting chanted rendition of the Priestly Blessing, should anyone be interested in hearing it), and http://www.mechon-mamre.org/index.htm, where you can find the Hebrew Bible in fully pointed Hebrew text plus an English translation.

Lorinda J. Taylor

Colorado Springs

April, 2015

By Way of Introduction:

Earth and Space, 28th Century

All human beings must live with demons, but those demons are unusually powerful when they are summoned by the sort of catastrophe that happened aboard the Darter in 2761. Robbin Nikalishin, the Captain of that interstellar ship, had succeeded, by dint of much help and a determined will, in subduing his own demons, but no member of his crew had completely escaped being affected. That was especially true of Cmdr. Ian Glencrosse, the Darter’s 2nd Assistant Engineer. Nevertheless, when the rehabilitated Captain received command of the first real interstellar mission under the new Phenix Project, he selected Ian Glencrosse to serve as his Chief Engineer. The choice was limited, because few officers expert in temporal quantum drive were still alive; furthermore Nikalishin and Glencrosse had become close friends. And in spite of (or perhaps because of) his own demons, Glencrosse had accepted the appointment. After all, he had saved his Captain’s life during the catastrophe. A proverb says, when you save someone’s life, you become responsible for that person forever.

As the launch date for the Big Mission approached – the day when the IS Ariana would depart for Epsilon Eridani – the crew took leave time. The excuse was the wedding of the Communications Officer, Lt. Avi Oman, and Capt. Mercedes Tulu, Administrative Aide to Adm. Sergey Malakoff, the Phenix Project’s Mission Director. Lt. Oman hailed from the Istrian Judish Enclave, a place of origin mysterious to most 28th-century Earthers. Mercedes was Midammeriken, born in the citrus-growing regions of Teyhas, but her father had immigrated from Ethopa in East Afrik. Since she had Flasha ancestors, Avi’s family had blessed the marriage.

Cmdr. Glencrosse did not accompany his fellow crewmembers on this happy excursion to the Adriantic Sea’s northern coast. He had something other than recreation on his mind. He had long been haunted by visions of a malevolent entity that inhabited the depths of space – the very entity that was responsible for destroying the Darter as the ship emerged from a temporal quantum pod. Both his Captain and the team psychologist, Dr. Gill Winehandle, knew about this aberration; in fact, the doctor had at one time improvised an unfortunate nickname for the entity – the god in the pod. While the Engineer’s peers thought his delusions were under control, Ian still secretly believed in the reality of this demon space-god – that it disapproved of humans’ invasion of its territory and therefore had doomed the upcoming mission to destruction. Ian was convinced he would not survive the voyage and so he was heading home to Mitchican Prefecture, where after a long separation he would confront his parents and make his peace.

Istrian Judish Enclave:

An Unseen and Unknowable God

Chapter 1: Arrival at New Verser

24 December 2768

Robbin Nikalishin arrived in New Atheness on 23 December and spent the night with his companion Linna Katsopolos in her flat at the Consolidated Colleges. Robbie and Linna had both been Starchasers – the original seven participants in the SkyPiercer Project, humanity’s first interstellar program. She had left Earth Space Command and become a Professor of Physics; therefore she had not been part of the Darter crew and had escaped the trauma of the catastrophe. Today she was one of the engineers who had constructed the temporal quantum engine that powered the IS Ariana, the ship that would finally take humanity to the stars. Linna would serve as a Mission Specialist on that expedition, charged with overseeing the engine and assessing its effectiveness. That didn’t displease the Captain; Robbie was tickled that his beautiful Griek Professor would be aboard his ship.

New Atheness was located a short flight south of Avi Oman’s homeland. Aboard the wing hopper the next morning, Robbie found himself thinking about Ian Glencrosse, who had surely arrived in Mitchican Prefecture by now. Robbie hoped all was well with him; if Ian failed in his attempt to reconcile with his authoritarian father, who knew what the consequences might be? But at the moment Robbie could see no way to help his Engineer deal with his demons, and so he turned his attention to the upcoming holiday, watching the heart-shaped Istrian peninsula enlarge beneath them.

The Judish Enclave was located on the western coast of the peninsula, just north of a fjord-like waterway called the Lim Channel. It comprised an area of about 200 square kilometers, including the site of the ancient town of Verser, with its beautiful little harbor and protective islands. The principal Precinct of the Enclave stood on the grounds of the old town and was called New Verser.

The winter had been unusually cold throughout Uropia, but over the last few days the temperature had moderated. Linna had told Robbie to expect clouds and temperatures of 6 to 8 degrees, but it seemed the weather gods had decided to smile on the wedding of Avi Oman and Mercedes Tulu, because on that day a Mediterrian sky as sunny and blue as anyone could desire arched over the land. Robbie doubted he would need even the middleweight jacket he had brought.

However, a stiff wind buffeted the flyer as it dropped toward its landing pad. A large, white flag bearing a design of two blue horizontal stripes flanking a six-pointed star was standing straight out from its pole atop the terminal roof. When Robbie disembarked, he found the breeze nippy and the jacket felt good. Linna told him this winter wind was called "bura. It blows from the land, carries the moisture out to sea, and drops the temperature."

As Robbie and Linna headed for the concourse, they could see Avi Oman and his parents Chaim and Naomi waiting for them. The elder Oman was a sturdily built gentlemen in his fifties, with a broad, genial face and rough salt-and-pepper hair. Naomi was short and a bit stout, with lively dark eyes set in a round face that retained much of its youthful charm. They were dressed conservatively in clothing of indeterminate vintage. Naomi wore a blue skirt of mid-calf length, a white blouse and jacket with long sleeves, and a small blue-checked scarf covering most of her hair. Avi’s father was clad in dark trousers and a light gray shirt of fine wool, along with a round-brimmed, high-crowned, black felt hat, an item of apparel unseen in living memory in Robbie’s world. It consorted somewhat incongruously with Chaim’s wide, brightly striped suspenders, a quirky masculine accessory that had been going out of style when eight-year-old Robbie had arrived in Britan from South Ammerik.

What was even stranger, however, was Avi’s headgear – a beanie-like cap that perched precariously atop his thick hair.

The elder Oman shook Robbie’s hand vigorously, saying, "Shalom, Captain! Welcome to our homeland! Our son has talked so much about you."

He admires you greatly, sir, added Naomi, shaking Robbie’s hand in turn.

Well, that’s nice to hear! I admire him, too! Robbie glanced humorously at Avi.

So he does good work for you, Captain? said Naomi. He tells us he does, but you know children – you can’t always trust what they say about themselves.

Aw, he’s the best! He wouldn’t be my Com Officer if he wasn’t!

Naomi turned to Linna. And it’s so nice to have the Captain’s lady with us! My dear, I understand you’re Griek. Have you ever visited Istria before?

The Captain’s lady’s eyes were twinkling. No, but I’ve always wanted to. I’ve eaten Istrian truffles, though!

Oh, some of those delights will grace our wedding feast tomorrow! responded Chaim. Friends, do not worry about your bags – I have arranged for delivery. Please to come this way!

As they approached the terminal, Naomi and Chaim walked a little ahead conversing with Linna. Robbie collared Avi. What have you done with your little Captain?

Mercedes and her parents are staying in the guest villa, said Avi. I’m not allowed to see her during the last three days before the wedding. It’s usually a week, but with time so short, we had to compress things. Technically, the bride and groom aren’t supposed to get to ‘know’ each other, if you take my meaning, until after the ceremony. It’s mostly for show these days, of course, but …

Chaim had overheard this remark, and he said, Yes, a lot of Judish culture has become make-believe, Captain, especially if you have chosen to cast your lot out in the larger world as Avi has. But here in the IJE we observe old customs as meticulously as we can, out of respect for our heritage and reverence for our God, blessed be his name! For a wedding we try to do things right! After all, not all that many Jues are left on the planet, so every chance to add legitimate offspring to the mix is precious.

We are so happy that Avraham picked a bride with some Judish ancestry, said Naomi, "even if it is the Beta Israil and only paternal. Oy! So particular he was – I thought he would never find a girl good enough to suit him!"

Robbie was thinking, ‘Beta’ … Oh, she must mean the Flasha. Beta group of Jues, I suppose.

They were approaching a kind of checkpoint with a barrier and uniformed personnel, and Chaim said, I hope you will not take offense when you are asked to register your IDs with our Security Service, Captain and Professor. The two of you are such well-known and important people – you might find it presumptuous to demand that you identify yourselves, but we’re a closed Enclave and we keep track of everybody who comes in and goes out.

I’m not ashamed for people to know who I am, said Robbie, handing his key to the guard, who possessed a scraggly beard and peculiar locks of long hair growing from his sideburns. In fact, many males in the terminal displayed such facial hair and Robbie thought, I guess my beard fits right in. These blokes could use a little lesson in barbering, though.

Presently, the group boarded a small electric Intra-Urban, where they entered a private compartment; obviously they were being given the full beefeater treatment. As Avi passed through the compartment door, his head brushed the low lintel and his cap fell off. His mother made a disapproving noise as her son scooped it up and plopped it back on his head, saying with a grin, I’ve gotten rusty at managing this. Then, in response to the outlanders’ puzzled looks, he added, "It’s called a kippah. A Judish male is required to cover his head when he’s praying, but a lot of men wear hats all the time. Keeping something between your head and the God who is above you is a sign of respect. Of course, I only wear this when I’m at home. Avi eyed his Captain. Sir, can you imagine the stares I’d get if I took my station with one of these little domes on my head?"

Well … it certainly wouldn’t be regulation, said Robbie, blinking.

Are women supposed to cover their heads, too? asked Linna, eyeing Naomi’s scarf.

Only in public, said Avi’s mother proudly, when you are married. It is a sign of status. She sighed. But not every woman honors that tradition in these times.

I see a lot of beards, said Linna, peering out the window.

"It is a mitzvah – a commandment of our God – not to shave the face with a razor, said the elder Oman, rubbing his stubbly chin. Personally, I do not enjoy whiskers – they make me itch. It’s permissible to cut the beard with scissors, but sometimes I use the autoclippers. However, the most orthodox of us wear full beards and trim just enough to keep things neat."

Holy cry, said Robbie, tentatively fingering his own facial camouflage. I never would have thought sporting a beard could have anything to do with religion.

I confess I’ve thought about growing a beard, said Avi, because the world would just think I was doing it for fashion."

It is written in the Enclave’s Charter that we may not flaunt our faith in the face of the world, said Chaim Oman. There is some wisdom in that, although it is for that reason that some of our most dedicated refuse to set foot outside the boundaries of our Enclave during their whole lives.

Avi said with a mischievous gleam in his eye, If I ever do grow a beard, it will be something like yours, Captain. I solemnly promise to keep it trimmed – and no girly curls!

Robbie and Linna stared without comprehension, while Chaim laughed and shook his finger and Naomi rolled her eyes. "Oy! she said. Our son was always a very bad boy!"

No, said Avi’s father, he is only his father’s son, and a child of our times. He doesn’t always take things as seriously as some of us do. He’s referring to the practice of making the side locks into curls in front of the ears. You will see some of those before you leave here, I guarantee it.

Then Naomi changed the subject and started talking about their guests’ lodgings. We are mortified, because, here you are already, our son’s commanding officer, and yet we cannot extend the hospitality of our home to you. Our guesthouse is sheltering the beautiful bride and her family, and relatives occupy our extra bedrooms.

Well, you’re very generous, said Linna, but we were just expecting to stay in lodgings.

Avi said, I arranged a nice suite for the two of you in New Verser’s best hotel. The balcony looks right out over the harbor!

This wedding party has filled up three hotels, said Naomi. So many people my son knows from all over the world!

Yes, everybody likes Avi, said Robbie, as the young man in question looked embarrassed. But, Ms. Oman …

Oh, please! My name is Naomi, Captain!

Oh, please! Make it ‘Robbie’ for me! returned the Captain with a twinkle. I’m nobody’s commanding officer in this kind of social situation. But I was going to ask … what was that you called your son awhile ago? It sounded like – ‘Overman’?

Avi huffed, then put his finger to his lips. Shh! Hardly anybody outside the Enclave knows my full name is Avraham.

Yes, said his mother with a martyred cast of the eye, "our son is ashamed of his heritage for more than the beard and the kippah."

Now, Mamma, you know that’s not true, responded Avi. I just don’t like to use that name. People don’t know how to pronounce it, for one thing. People rhyme it with ‘Graham,’ or else they call me the anglified form – ‘Abraham.’ And let’s face it – the nickname ‘Abe’ doesn’t fit me!

Amid laughter, Linna Katsopolos said, There’s not much you can tell a Nikalishin and a Katsopolos about difficult names, Avi.

They had reached the outskirts of the precinct, which was built partly on a hill overlooking the harbor and partly on a spit of land jutting into the sea. From the flyer Robbie had glimpsed a building with a tower and now he asked about it.

That is Jerusalem – our Temple, said Chaim. When our forebears first came to this site, the ruins of an old Kristen church were located there. They salvaged what they could, but there was not much standing except a rickety tower with a big bell in it. So they purified the ground and reconsecrated it, and then built their own house of worship there. They renovated the bell tower and refurbished and rehung the bell. We ring it on special occasions, such as the wedding tomorrow. It helps to keep in our minds the past of this land we now call ours.

Avi added, Most of the town is built of limestone blocks salvaged from old ruins. In the beginning people just used whatever material was around, but with the current archaeological sensibility, it has to be certified that the origin of any old stones can’t be determined, or that they didn’t come from a significant ruin and don’t have anything significant carved on them.

The wedding will be held in Jerusalem, said Naomi. We thought first to have it in the garden of our home, because it is traditional to hold a wedding outside, but the weather at this time of year – ach! It was too much chance to take. Chaim, remember my niece’s wedding?

"How to forget it? The chuppah blew over! It’s no wonder Batya and Shlomo broke up later, with such an inauspicious start!"

Robbie took a breath to ask what a "hooper was, but Naomi was continuing, The feast afterwards will be in the Civic Hall next door to Temple. Oy! What a trial all this has been!"

Yes, Avi, said Chaim, chuckling, you and Mercedes should have eloped already, and saved your poor Imma all this stress!

At that, a laughing Naomi began to pepper her husband with words in a strange language and Chaim shook his finger at her. Mamma, didn’t we agree? No more Hebru than necessary in the presence of these distinguished outlanders!

Robbie was beginning to get alarmed. Listen, everybody, I’d better tell you I don’t know a thing about Judish ceremonies. I don’t want to do something to disgrace myself!

Chaim waved a hand. Don’t think you will be alone in your lack of knowledge, Captain! Most of our outland guests will know nothing! Mostly you will just listen and watch, but if you need to know something, there will be many people eager to enlighten you!

They had reached the train’s central terminal and Avi said, My parents will escort you the rest of the way because I have to go right back to the Flight Port. Adm. Malakoff is arriving in about 45 minutes and our Commandant of Security, Gen. Hirshfeld, insisted on welcoming him personally. I doubt he’s ever been in the presence of an Admiral before, so he’s likely to be completely adrift. I thought I should be there to keep him from making a fool of himself!

Robbie asked who else had arrived and Avi said, Capt. Kibwana and his whole family got here yesterday evening. They’re in your hotel, Captain – the Eden Gardens. Dr. Souray is there, too, and you know what? She talked Prf. Lara into coming with her!

They continued to converse about the other guests until Naomi interrupted to pack Avraham off before he missed the train. His parents walked their guests the short distance to the hotel, and as they were parting, Chaim said, Naomi and I want you to come to our house this evening for dinner, and we will not take no for an answer! Don’t worry about not knowing the way – a hopper will come by for you at 1830h.

Avraham told us, said Naomi, "that friends of yours are coming whom you have not seen for a while – Dr. Lazare Yow and his wife. Since you may not have time to visit much with them while you are here, we have invited him, too. Our son is also friends with the doctor, since they served together on your ship the Solar Wind. We will make it a pleasant evening for you, yes?"

Yes! said Robbie, with a pleased grin. Dr. Yow was my Medical Officer on that ship, but then he up and retired from the service. I’ll be tickled to see him again!

In the hotel lobby the attendants were energetically polite and helpful. A container of miniature flags like the one at the Flight Port stood on the desk. When the clerk saw Robbie looking at them, she said, Oh, please, take one, each of you! We have many outland guests at this hotel because of New Verser’s excellent recreational marine facilities, so we like to provide free souvenirs.

What’s the significance of the six-pointed star? asked Robbie, examining the flag curiously. His familiarity with patriotic flags was limited to the Banner of Earth; he had never in his whole life seen the flag of a fractured political entity.

"It is called the Magen David, sir, said the attendant. Those words mean ‘Shield of David.’ PDA, this flag flew over the State of Israil. The IJE was founded by the children of the Final Diaspora, you know, and so no other Judish Enclave is entitled … "

Robbie! Linna! Over here!

They turned around to see Dr. Madeline Souray, the present mission’s Medical Officer and a friend dating back to Starchaser days. Prf. Anezka Lara, Linna’s distinguished colleague and one of the inventors of the temporal quantum drive, gave them a brusque salute from where she waited by the lift. Soon they were all headed upstairs together, babbling away. The doctor and the Professor, who were sometime partners, had flown down from Moska a couple of days ago and had been sightseeing around the Peninsula.

It was a relief to get away from that awful cold! Maddie said. Ani lived so much of her life in Rus that it doesn’t bother her, but I’m afraid I’ve been away from Old Kaneda too long!

I’m tough, said Prf. Lara, with a dour smile, then added, as if half-reluctant to admit it, But I enjoy visits to the warm zone.

We’re learning a lot about this part of the world, said Maddie, and about the Judish remnant.

Yeah, what I’ve learned already is how much I have to learn, said Robbie.

Dr. Souray and Prf. Lara peeled off to enter their suite, while Robbie and Linna continued along the dimly lit corridor, squinting at the room numbers. They heard laughter from around a corner and almost bumped into a couple and four children of Afriken origin.

Kibby! exclaimed Robbie, grabbing his Second Officer’s hand and pumping it. Avi said you were in this hotel!

There were greetings all around. Asante Kibwana had served in the interstellar program since its early days but had not participated in the doomed Darter operation. A spaceship Captain in his own right, he had signed on as the Ariana’s Second Officer both to oblige Robbie and to help ensure the success of the current mission.

We arrived yesterday, said Kibby’s wife Hasina. We spent the morning wandering around that big park on the cape.

It’s designed for tourists, said Capt. Kibwana. It’s been planted with trees and there’s an open-air theater where the local university stages dramas in the summer. They have food stands and rides for the little ones and souvenirs and flowers for sale. It would be the perfect place for a picnic if the wind wasn’t so chilly.

Seven-year-old Makena had been bobbing up and down excitedly, grabbing at Robbie’s jacket to get attention. We took a sailboat ride, Capt. Robbie! They let me pull on one of the ropes!

That was top wag, Captain! added the eldest son Elimu, his 14-year-old voice cracking.

I’ll bet! said Robbie. Say, Kibby, I had thought we might have dinner …

But Avi’s parents invited you to their house, said the Niroba native, smiling. Avi told me – apologized for not inviting us, too, but since they’re having your old medical officer – well, obviously you can have too many guests all at once, especially when you’re in the middle of planning a wedding!

And especially when you’ve got this brood in the picture! said Hasina, digging her fingers into her two middle sons’ shoulders to make them stand still.

We’re just going to have a nice family dinner in the hotel dining room, said Kibby. With me gone so much, we don’t get that pleasure often.

They had reached the Kibwana suite and as the family piled inside, Kibby hesitated, then said to Robbie, So Ian and Ruthanne didn’t come?

No, Ian had, uh – some personal business to attend to before we all get bogged down in the end run for the Big Mission. And he doesn’t know Avi all that well, anyway.

Kibby nodded, content not to pry. Well, we’ll see you at the wedding tomorrow!

I’m expecting it to be quite an experience!

Robbie and Linna presently located their own luxurious two-room suite, with their bags duly deposited inside. The Omans must be quite well off, said Linna, swinging open the doors to the balcony to get a look at New Verser’s charming harbor. After all, not everybody has a guest house on his property.

Chaim is a Gov official of some sort – something to do with trade or commodities distribution, I think.

Well, that must give him a lot of clout! No wonder he can order up hoppers at will!

Robbie had followed Linna onto the balcony and now he grabbed her by the shoulders, nuzzling her neck. And how does this kind of treatment suit the ‘Captain’s lady,’ my dear?

Honestly, wasn’t that just too much? Linna gave her paramour a teasing nip on the ear. I think we’re going to come away from this place with some wild memories!

Chapter 2: A Sad and Ambiguous History

24 December 2768

The Omans’ dwelling was situated on the city’s north side, on a slope overlooking Fontana Bay. The stone villa sat on a generous piece of landscaped ground, with the guest house partly visible at the right rear. Chaim Oman, topped off now with a kippah of his own, met his guests at the door with the words, "Shalom! Shalom! Please to come in!"

Naomi was behind him, but after echoing the welcome, she said, I have only twenty things going on all at once, Captain and Professor! You will forgive me if I go … And she beat a hasty retreat.

Chaim ushered his guests into a spacious common area with an oak-beamed ceiling and a wall of windows overlooking a terrace that stepped down toward the sea. A grand piano dominated the far end of the room, which was furnished to encourage conversation, with clusters of small sofas, armchairs, low tables, and lamps. The inner wall was lined with cabinets filled informally with art objects, flowers, old paper books, and a couple of paintings in niches. Central to this wall was a shelf holding a pair of books and a strange-looking candelabrum. The flag with the star was displayed on the wall above.

Chaim saw Robbie looking at this area and he said, Please! Feel free to examine whatever you like!

As Robbie and Linna approached the shelf, Chaim said, "The book on the left is the Siddur – the prayer book – that we use in our family worship, and this other is the Tanakh, the holy words that God gave us, which contain everything we live by. The candlestick is called a menorah – a Judish symbol as old as Torah. This one with the nine branches is utilized in a commemoration that we have only just completed for this year – we have been slow putting it away! This Oman menorah is fairly young – it has been in my family for only some two hundred years. Before that, we had one that was brought out of Israil in the Final Diaspora, but it was burned up in a fire, alas!"

Understanding only about half of what Oman was talking about, Robbie peered at the open tome, his eyes taking in the rows of little blocky marks. Say, this is in Greek!

Chaim chuckled and Linna said, No, Robbie! It’s Hebru!

Oh. So that’s written in Greek characters?

Linna clucked, and Chaim said with indulgent good humor, No, Captain, our language has an alphabet all its own.

Holy cry, I knew about Rus and I knew about Griek, and I knew Chiness had weird picture characters, but that’s all I thought there were. Why do some of the sentences start in the middle of the lines?

This one befuddled even Chaim and he peered at the text in alarm, perhaps thinking some printing error had escaped a proofreader’s notice. But Linna said, Robbie, that’s just the last line of a paragraph. Hebru is read from right to left.

Huh? How … ?

You start right here where the text breaks and you go this way and then back to here, and the last line starts at the right and stops in the middle. Isn’t that correct, Chaim?

Perfectly, Professor! said Oman, his eyes twinkling.

Feeling foolish, Robbie said, Well, it didn’t take long for my ignorance to show.

Oh, not to worry! said the older man. If I were to question you on star flying, imagine how bad I would look! Besides, a great scholar of our people once wrote, ‘Teach your tongue to say I do not know and you shall progress.’

Robbie raised a finger, nodding. I like that saying!

Linna was continuing to scrutinize the text. I’ve been helping Avi improve his Griek and in return he’s been teaching me Hebru. Your son is a smart young man, Chaim.

Mr. Oman looked modestly at the floor. Well, we have always thought so, but then it isn’t seemly for parents to boast too noisily about their offspring’s merits.

This line here, Linna was continuing, "is one Avi showed me. It says Ehyeh-asher-ehyeh. It’s a name of your god, he said,