The End of Days by Helen Sendyk Read Free Book Online Page B

cymbals, and trumpets. The desperate photographer attempted to gather everybody onto a bench set up for a family portrait. Aggravated, sweating profusely, and constantly peeking out from behind the large black cloth hood of his camera, he instructed some-

 

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one to stand to the right and another one to stand in the middle. All the while, others would be getting up or turning away. By the time the photos were set up, there came a yell: "Wait, someone is missing."
Suddenly the tumult ceased. Everyone looked at the gate as the sound of distant clapping and singing was heard. The groom's party soon appeared at the far end of the yard. Slowly now, they approached the huppa , the wedding canopy. All the youngsters danced and clapped hands in front of Jacob, leading him to the canopy. Jacob looked serene yet exalted. On his serious face a slight smile revealed the joy he felt in his heart. Finally he saw Blimcia step over the threshold, his eyes lighting up as he watched her approaching. Her eyes were lowered, her ethereal face veiled. Mama and Aunt Esther held Blimcia's hands. With tall candles in their free hands, together they led Blimcia to the huppa and her destined one. Seven times they circled around the groom, Blimcia keeping her gaze on the ground so as not to dispel the sanctity of the moment.
"You are hereby sanctified unto me," pronounced Jacob, binding their lives together in accordance with the timeless code of israel. Blimcia's dream of total happiness was surely being fulfilled. This man, for whom she had searched all her life, was finally becoming her husband, to love and protect her until the end of their days. And Jacob would no longer be a lonely individual, but half of a couple and head of a family.
The blessings were pronounced and the marriage contract read. A plate was now placed on the ground for him to shatter in commemoration of the destruction of the holy Temple of Jerusalem, for even at celebrations, the Jews are never to forget the sorrow of their dispersion among the nations. Greeting each other with the customary mazel tov , the guests were directed into the house to partake of the meal and festivities. The men followed Papa, encircling Jacob in a dance. The women embraced Blimcia, while Mama settled into her role of hostess.
The celebration went on until night. A badchen with his instant rhymes sang the praises of the bride and her family to the enjoyment of all assembled, clowning and entertaining

 

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them in various ways. The musicians, their heads light with wine, played enthusiastically. Great-aunt Baila, Papa's ninety-year-old aunt who had traveled all the way from Tarnow, amazed everyone with a kosatska . With ease she jumped up and down, throwing her feet in and out to the rhythm of the dance. Mama; her mother, Grandma Chaya; and Great-aunt Channa all danced with the bride in a slower circle dance, while from the next room came the voices of the men, with their exuberant singing and stomping.
The marriage celebration lasted for seven days. Finally, Blimcia was declared to be Mrs. Rauchwerger.

 

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Chapter 3
The year was 1938. The school year was almost over, with the long summer vacation approaching. Mama was distressed. "What am I going to do with the child?" she asked Papa, referring to me. "She cannot play in the sand all summer long, or in the schoolyard next door. What can she learn from the children there? All year she has her friends from Beis Yakov Hebrew school, but in the summer, we can't have her run wild."
"I have a solution!" Papa exclaimed. "Vrumek just wrote from Bielsko that he and Heshek are not coming home for vacation this summer. Why don't I go to Bielsko to see what is keeping them from coming home and take Helcia along?

 

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Maybe I will find that I can leave the child with them for a while?"
Mama nodded approvingly. "Good idea! But when do you have the time to travel to Bielsko?"
"Let me think about it," Papa said with confidence. "I am