Judah’s voice is commanding. “Soar, don’t settle. ” I realize the 1st phrases of a poem by means of Judah Halevi. leap, don’t accept earth and sky—soar to Orion; And be robust, yet unlike an ox or mule that’s driven—strong like a lion. We recite the poem jointly, falling silent once we have comprehensive. ultimately Judah speaks. “I wish you’ll proceed to write,” he says. “In Hebrew or Portuguese—English, for all I care, should you decide to examine it. Use your voice. I think the Holy One is happy ultimately to listen to it back. ” *** I use that chilly and wet wintry weather as an excuse to stick domestic to put in writing. Eliana is going backward and forward to the Abravanels, heedless of her mud-caked boots and soggy hems, leaving me worthwhile hours to jot down a couple of phrases, speed, poke the hearth, speed a few extra, and write one other line. by the point the hills are eco-friendly back and the swallows are development their nests lower than my eaves, i've got ten poems i'm prepared to proportion with the duke, and lots of extra it's not that i am. i believe assorted now, much less lonely, as though the real Amalia had knocked and the shadow I have been used to be starting the door to permit her in. I convey the poems to the duke a number of at a time, at any time when i've got reason to make the two-hour journey to Lisbon. in the future in early might, Eliana and i've come on errands and forestall first within the aljama to go to Chana, Rahel, and their kids. We go through the gate and i'm struck, as constantly, by way of how varied it feels to be inside of one of the Jews. young children chase one another down the crooked streets, keeping off by way of a hair’s breadth the wares outdoor the greengrocer’s and the opposite outlets. On a balcony, a girl is shaking a rug from a window whereas gossiping with a neighbor within the window around the slim highway. It’s a hot day, and during the open window of a yeshiva, I pay attention the voices of boys chanting the Torah. even though Lisbon’s streets are typical to me now, the aljama is the one position the place i think at domestic. right here, being a Jew is usual. each shop is kosher. the vacation greetings are for our festivals—Rosh Hashanah, Passover, Shavuot. The odor of meat stews and challah fills the air on Fridays, whereas silver is polished and clean garments is wear. The streets on Saturday are packed with humans making a song as they arrive from the synagogue to dinner with relations or associates. males converge on a door resulting in a small synagogue to shape the minyan for prayers. It’s a spot with a wall that works either methods: to maintain us in, and to maintain out these whose fondest desire is that such attractions, smells, and sounds will vanish from Lisbon quickly, and perpetually. Judah has include us, and after we go away Eliana with Rahel, he and that i begin the climb to the palace. My stopover at doesn't take lengthy. I learn my poems and depart them with the duke’s secretary for copying. After a couple of pleasantries, I excuse myself so the lads can proceed their enterprise. I take a seat expecting Judah at the shaded walkway among the palace and the outer citadel partitions, that allows you to benefit from the stroll again to the aljama jointly. at the back of me, town of Lisbon stretches out alongside the banks of the Tagus, which shimmers within the mellow gentle of overdue afternoon.