Translated by the author from her Hebrew work, Shomrei
Hagachelet
In our last episode, Uncle Levy, Jerusalem-born but having
emigrated decades before, is astounded by the changes that
have taken place. New neighborhoods have sprung up outside
the city walls.
One cool evening, with the entire family seated by the
table, Abba Shimony tells Uncle Levy about the stages of
development. We recall that R' Yosef Rivlin had been sent
abroad for treatment for his `mental illness,' a monomania
they called the Desert Dibbuk. All he spoke about was going
out to the desert and buying up land. But in Russia, instead
of being `cured,' other people became enthused over the idea
and he succeeded in acquiring a large sum for that very
purpose.
"Turkish law did not permit anyone to purchase land unless he
was a Turkish citizen," Abba Shimony explained. "The group
called Bonei Yerusholayim consisted of European
citizens, and therefore, they could not purchase the
necessary lot. It was Hester Altushe who came to the
rescue."
*
Hester Altushe, wife of R' Leib of Lomze and daughter of R'
Eliyohu Yosef Rivlin, stood in the center of the room.
Several women crowded around her, all talking at once, loudly
voicing their opinion.
"It isn't so! That isn't the way an Arab woman walks. She
walks as if she is carrying a pitcher on her head!" a tall
woman said.
"They speak with their mouths half closed," noted a third
woman, "probably so that no one will see their rotting
teeth."
Hester Altushe stood in the center, looking confused by all
the comments being directed at her. Everyone offered ideas,
wanting to be helpful, but they were saying things she
already knew. It was known that Arab women walked very erect,
for they were used to carrying pitchers, bundles or baskets
of produce on their heads.
Hester practiced glancing sideways, not letting her eyes
focus directly on the person she was speaking to, or
pretending to speak to, in this dress rehearsal. And her
voice, she knew, would have to be loud and unrefined, very
different from Hester's own softspoken, modest manner.
These facts were all known to her, yet she kept practicing as
best she could. She dared not think what would happen if she
made a slip and was caught...
"This dress seems all wrong, though," she complained aloud.
She had bought it in the market, but it looked much too
new.
"I wouldn't risk washing it," said the tall woman. "It would
probably shrink." "You'd be better off leaving it in the sun
to bleach and fade it," said Zelda, her neighbor.
She worked for many hours, practicing saying her name with a
guttural Arabic accent, saying "As-tarrr," with a rolling `R'
and "Al-tooo-shee." She pitched her voice high and singsong
so it carried an authentic sound. She peeled many vegetables,
thus blackening her nails. She stood by the mirror,
practicing talking with a half-closed mouth and looking
sideways. She also practiced holding wads of money in her
hand, hoping to impress the clerks.
Everyone said she looked, sounded and acted like a true Arab
woman.
*
The worried husband, R' Leib Lomzer, along with the other
members of Bonei Yerusholayim , the group dedicated to
purchasing land and building houses outside the Old City
walls, gathered in the room, where she was making a final
dress rehearsal.
"You must bear in mind," said R' Leib, "that this is not
something they are accustomed to see. Not every day does an
Arab woman come to purchase a plot of land. Very likely they
will begin asking all kinds of questions like where you got
the money and what you intend to do with land in the middle
of nowhere."
"Don't forget to keep fingering those coins and bills,"
another member of the group reminded her. "You've got to
divert their attention. In their greed, they may forget all
their doubts."
Many offered additional pieces of advice, like, "Say in a
firm voice that you wish to buy the land as a business
investment, in order to rent it out for cultivation. As a
wheat field, it will bring great profit. They will
investigate the matter and see that in the past, the land was
used for farming. They will believe you that you are
investing in it and the deal will go through."
"We'll have to continue to grow wheat on the field for some
time, I think, so that the deal is not nullified," another
man suggested.
R' Eliyohu Yosef, her father, wanted Hester to be brave but
he didn't want her to risk her life. "If you see them
doubting your words, don't hesitate to cry. Hopefully, your
tears will melt their hearts." Finally, he sighed, "Go in
peace and come back in peace. May Hashem pave your path with
success."
Hester Altushe walked to the Tabo, the office of land
registration, her lips murmuring words of prayer. She hoped
that all the prayers said on her behalf and the hours of
practice, would prove effective. She did not want to
disappoint anyone. "Hashem, please help me achieve the
goal..." were her final words.
*
Returning home, she held the kushan, the deed of
purchase, tightly in her hand. Her success was celebrated
with great joy and anticipation for the future.
Being cautious, the members of Bonei Yerusholayim
first grew wheat and later, on this very land, began to build
the famous Nachlas Shiva neighborhood.
"Today," concluded Abba Shimony, "this is an integral part of
the new city, which continued to expand westward and
outward."
