So here we are, in the midst of yet another "leave...return...rebuild" cycle of our often turbulent, ultimately triumphant history. Whether we had to leave our Land entirely or "just" our homes in the north or our communities in the south, each time over the past three millenia has been one time too many. Let's pray that this time we will return and rebuild, never to repeat again.
This is not the way I had hoped to introduce my latest book review. But for the past few weeks, much is not the way we had hoped. I thought about postponing the review (again) and instead sharing a sampling of the endless stream of positive memes, inspirational videos and uplifting stories that have been circulating non-stop - but if you're reading this, you've probably seen most of those. And perhaps what we all need right now is a bit of diversion without wandering too far from where are hearts are. "The Return to Yerushalayim", a wonderful work of historical fiction by Yehudis Litvak, accomplishes just that.
Achikam, Evyasar, Kadmiel and Azaria are some of the fictional characters with whom we will travel from Bavel (Babylonia) back to Eretz Yisrael (the Land of Israel); from the exile that followed the destruction of the first Bais HaMikdash (holy Temple) to the return to the Land and the building of our Second Temple. If you were to guess that it was the younger, heartier generation who were the most enthusiastic about the end of the 70 years of waiting, hoping and praying, you could not be blamed. But you would be wrong. "Life is good here in Bavel", the young people said. "Why would we want to leave?" (Sound familiar?) But their elders remembered life before the Babylonian exile. They remembered the miracles in the Temple and their closeness to G-d and they knew it would be worth the long, dangerous trek. So they packed their bags and much of the younger generation followed, in stages.
On our journey, we meet Ezra, Nechemia and Zerubavel, some of the real-life personalities who led the way to and through this epic time in our history. Cameo appearances are made by Achashveirosh, King Herod and the Chashmonaim, as we relive the stories of Purim and Chanukah and other victories and tragedies of this 400-plus-year period.
Each of the 29 tales in this 425-page book focuses on a different chapter in this long, roller coaster ride of history. Mrs. Litvak provides detailed sources at the end of each tale, making her facts easily discernable from her vivid imagination. There are no surprise endings in historical fiction. We know the facts - both joyous and devastating. Rather, the surprises come along the way as we piece together what life might have been like for the average man, woman and child who lived during that time. I was a bit disappointed that the book focuses mostly on the men - but I realize that we probably don't have as much source material about the women. Still, I was drawn in to their struggles (some of which don't seem all that much different than some of ours today) and rejoiced with them in their successes. I began the book as a curious onlooker and finished it as a close family member of each of its heroes.
As I communicated to the author, I wish this book had been written in time to be the text for my high school Jewish history class. With a few repeat readings, I might yet come to fully grasp the chronology of events from about 370 BCE to 70 CE (approx. 3390-3830 on the Jewish calendar).
The subtitle of the book is "Stories of Hope and Courage". The many memes, videos and messages I've received in the past three weeks are, too.* When a book will be written about the current "matzav" (literally, "situation" but implying so much more), the stories of hope and courage will be no less amazing - but the title and subtitle will be slightly different: "The FINAL Return to Yerushalayim - Stories of Hope and Courage AND THE ULTIMATE REDEMPTION". Meanwhile, to read this excellent, well-researched work is to Remember Jerusalem for what it was and to imagine what it is to be. Soon, please G-d. Very soon.
*Here's the most recent one to jump out of my phone: 💖
