I cant answer that question for you, Mr. Shimon. Why do you call the First Temple the Temple of Solomon? Was it built by Solomon the Wise?
Yes, the First Temple was built by the great King Solomon, whom many call Solomon the Wise. He is rightly regarded as the wisest man that ever lived. Some people call him Solomon the Great because his reign is considered an era of the blossoming of the monarchy and Judaic power. He was famous for his fantastic wealth and most importantly, for his wisdom and fairness. When I look at what is happening in Jerusalem today, it reminds me of the story of Solomons ring. I find some comfort in it I suppose.
Really? What was special about his ring?
They say that the phrase this too shall pass was found etched into his ring. And in moments of great anger, King Solomon would look at the inscription and it helped him regain his peace of mind. Once though, there was a time when he couldnt control himself, despite staring at the inscription. In a rage, he tore the ring from his finger and was about to throw it away, when at the very last moment, he noticed illuminated letters on the inside of the ring. He held the ring closer and read the inscription which said: and this too shall pass. At that, Solomon burst into laughter and put the ring back on his finger.
With those words, the merchant gave a heavy sigh.
Perhaps these times which are so challenging for our people will also pass
You are a wise man too Mr. Shimon. Even if Kalba Savua doesnt hire me, I shall still be very grateful to you.
I do my best to study. I debate with the wisemen of the Torah, the students of the yeshivas11, I attend the synagogue, but I am a very long way from the wisdom of King Solomon. He was a great King, worthy of the honour of building the Temple, but I am a mere mortal. Akiva, should you ever wish to, you could always come to the synagogue with me.
Dear Mr. Shimon, forgive me, but I am not ready for that yet. And you know, so far in my life, my impression of religious people has not been particularly positive.
Theres no pressure! Everyone has to come to it of their own free will. Everyone has to find their own path to wisdom but let me know when you do feel ready.
Akiva nodded silently and the rest of the journey they barely spoke a word, each lost in their own thoughts. It was almost midday and the heat of the sun beat down mercilessly, when finally Shimon said, Well, we have arrived. This is the house of Kalba Savua.
From the height at which Akiva and Shimon stood, they could see a huge house with a blooming garden and field with a river flowing through it.
* * *
The travellers passed through the gates of Kalba Savuas estate and, taking hold of the spice bag, Shimon set off towards the huge house leaving Akiva in charge of his donkey. As he passed by the wooden well that stood in the middle of the yard, the merchant saw a young girl running towards him. She must have been about twenty years of age and she was extraordinarily beautiful. She warmly welcomed the guest offering him a pitcher of water drawn from the well. Shimon washed himself and having taken a drink of cold water, he entered the large house.
Relieving Shimon of the pitcher, the girl filled it again as she always did to water the donkey. Spotting the stranger, she walked up to him.
Have a drink, she said, holding the pitcher out towards the guest. You and Mr. Shimon must have had a long journey.
Akiva modestly took the pitcher from the girls hands looking carefully into her dark brown eyes. In that second, Akiva fell in love and the doors of his lonely heart flew open to greet her.
Have as much as you want. Ill feed and water Mr. Shimons donkey. The poor beast must be tormented with thirst. It looks tired, the girl continued.
Filling another pitcher with water, she poured it into a deep trough and leading the donkey to water began stroking his fur whispering tenderly, Drink little donkey, you have come a long way today and must be very tired.
When the donkey had drained the trough, the girl took the pitcher from Akivas hands and returning it to its place by the well, walked back into the house.
Kalba Savua greeted his old friend with due honour and invited him to dine. Their meal together was spent discussing matters in Jerusalem and the future of Jews in their native land. Then as usual, Kalba Savua made to accompany his guest to the door, when Shimon said, May I ask a favour of you?
If trade isnt going very well and you need some money, I would be happy to help Kalba Savua said without a moments hesitation. You can pay me back when you are able, and if you cant return the money, then we shall both think nothing of it. You are like an older brother to me.
Yesterday, someone came to my house and I invited him to share a meal with us. He has travelled from afar and is looking for work. I would like to help him but I cant really offer him anything. I thought Id ask you whether you can help.
Dear Shimon, you worried me. I thought something serious had happened. Bring him here. Ill give him work, food and lodgings. I need assistants and managers who can run the farm. I cant manage on my own anymore.
Its true Kalba Savua, we arent getting any younger. We need people. But this man wont cope with such a responsible position. I dont think hed be suitable to manage the farm. Do you have anything simpler?
Simpler why? As it is you who has asked me, Ill give your man good work.
Akiva cant read or write. I think it would be difficult for him to work as your assistant.
How old is he?
He is nearly forty. Hes am-aarets but he comes across as a really good person, despite everything.
Its rare to come across a man in Jerusalem these days who is illiterate at that age but hes a faithful Jew? He attends the synagogue, knows the prayers and reads blessings after a meal? Asked Kalba Savua.
No, he says he has spent his whole life doing hard physical work and has never had the luxury or time to study.
Ok, well, Ill ask one of my men to teach him the prayersafter hes finished his work of course said Kalba Savua laughing. The head of livestock has increased. I need a good shepherd. Bring your Akiva here and my assistant Ezra will show him the property and livestock.
He is with me now waiting outside by the gates.
Then he may as well start work today said Kalba Savua smiling.
Thank you, Kalba Savua. You do so much for our community. Bless You!
I have no doubt that if you were able, you would do exactly the same.
Im just a simple merchant, but you, Kalba Savua, are a respected man, a tzadik12. People are composing legends about you and no doubt in a thousand and even two thousand years from now, people will still speak of you as one of the richest men in all Jerusalem.
Shimon found Akiva and told him the good news. Akiva thanked his patron warmly and set off with Ezra the farm manager, Kalba Savuas assistant to get to know the farm.
Ezra showed Akiva the layout of the estate and on Kalba Savuas instruction, led him into a private room in the house where the servants lived. Kalba Savua gave Akiva a good salary and a free table together with the other servants.
Akiva enjoyed his work. He could herd the sheep single-handedly for long hours by the river. He was delighted with how things had turned out and felt he could happily live that way of life for the rest of his days.
Ezra showed Akiva the layout of the estate and on Kalba Savuas instruction, led him into a private room in the house where the servants lived. Kalba Savua gave Akiva a good salary and a free table together with the other servants.
Akiva enjoyed his work. He could herd the sheep single-handedly for long hours by the river. He was delighted with how things had turned out and felt he could happily live that way of life for the rest of his days.
Chapter 2 The spring storm
I belong to my beloved, and my beloved is mine; he grazes among the lilies.
(Shir a-Shirim (Song of Songs), 2:16)
The autumn was exceptionally wet that year. Akiva continued to work tending the sheep on Kalba Savuas estate and received a good wage in return. Each morning, he drove the flock out of the fold and made his way down to the pastureland near the river. The sheep grazed peacefully while the shepherd admired the beauty of nature and the flowing of the river.
Akiva took great care of his flock and always made sure that the animals grazed in a fine spot where the grass was lush. He protected the sheep from excessive cold, noise and scorching heat. On days when Kalba Savuas guests wished to lunch outside in the summer house where they could enjoy the beautiful view of the river and spend long hours debating the future of the Jewish people, Akiva would drive the sheep to a more peaceful spot. Akiva believed that calm sheep would produce more wool and that the meat would be juicer and have a richer aroma. On days when the young girl came to the summer house, reading her book for long hours in the company of her maid, Akiva let the flock stay by the river, occasionally throwing a glance in the girls direction to see whether she ever looked at him. But the girl was engaged in her reading and did not notice the shepherd. When her eyes became tired of the text before her, she would cast her glance to the river watching the water glisten under rays of burning sunlight.
On Fridays, Akiva drove the sheep to pasture early at the first rays of the morning sun so that he could return to the house before dark. Shabbat began after sunset13, and on Kalva Savuas estate no-one worked on the Shabbat. Sometimes Mr. Shimon would invite Akiva to spend the Shabbat at his home. The elderly couple were always pleased to see Akiva and joyfully greeted their guest.
Akiva had long been trying to guess who the beautiful stranger might be that had given him a drink of water by the well that day and what her name might be, but his questions remained unanswered. Fearing the wrath of the farm manager, Akiva decided it would be better not to ask him who the girl was and so said nothing about it to anyone.
Sometimes, when he returned to the estate after his work was done, he went to the well, hoping to catch even the slightest glimpse of the lovely girl. Having filled the pitcher, Akiva would bring it to his lips and drink from it slowly, giving himself time to take in what was happening around him. Sometimes he did catch sight of her hanging sheets with her maid, feeding the horses or filling the huge trough beside the door with kitchen waste. She filled it regularly so that stray dogs would have something to eat. Akiva liked to watch her working, but most of all, he loved to see her warm smile.
One day, when he was filling the pitcher with water, Akiva heard the sound of dogs barking loudly. When he turned round to see what was happening, he spotted a stray dog running towards the trough and barking viciously at the young girl who was, as usual, filling it with kitchen wast. Spying the pan in her hands and smelling something edible, the dog continued barking at the girl until she was forced to drop the pan, spilling its contents on the ground.
Akiva rushed to her aid shouting in an attempt to drive away the savage looking animal. The dog retreated with reluctance but then decided to return and win the pan after all. Akiva shook his fist at the dog but he didnt have his rod with him. Before making its escape, the dog bit his hand. The girl rushed to help Akiva but the shepherd silently turned his back to her and walked away.
The girl watched the man as he quickly disappeared in the direction of the river to wash his wound clamping the bleeding bite with his other hand. She had never seen so much blood and that evening it was a long time before she could fall asleep for thoughts of the hero-shepherd.
By nature of his work, it wasnt the first time that Akiva had suffered a bite from a dog, insect or snake, and so he didnt think too much of it. He rinsed his hand in the river water, bound it tightly, and then fell into thinking about the girl. Perhaps she is the maids daughter, as she accompanies her everywhere, or perhaps she is a relative of Kalba Savua, Akiva reasoned to himself.
The days passed and then weeks and months. Circumstances in Judea went from bad to worse. Jerusalem was being destroyed and the city dwellers struggled to make ends meet. They regularly paid heavy taxes to the Romans so as not to repeat the fate of other Jews who had been sold into slavery. In the absence of the Temple, the residents of the city tried to recreate the spiritual life in Judea and preserve the Holy Scriptures for the Jewish people.
Akiva had very little to do with any of it and thought neither about the Torah, nor the destruction of the Temple. Every day he drove the sheep to pasture and anxiously awaited a meeting with his beautiful stranger.
* * *
Akiva planned to spend the following Shabbat with Shimon. After lunch, he drove the sheep into the barn and having informed the manager that he would not be present at the festive meal, he set off for Shimons house. At the main gate he recognised the girl-reader with wonderful long hair. Her neck was decorated with a gold chain from which three letters hung which meant nothing to Akiva. He could not take his eyes off her and almost hit his head on the gate as he passed. All the way to Shimons house, the shepherd could think only of the beautiful girl.
After a hearty dinner, Shimon gave the blessing to complete the Shabbat meal. Then he gave Akiva and his wife a brief description of the key aspects of the weeks chapter of the Torah and after all the traditions had been observed, he asked his guest:
Akiva, how is your work with Kalba Savua going?
Really well, thank you. I have never had such enjoyable work and such a good wage. I like herding the sheep and spending the day in the fresh air.
Do you not get tired?
Ive been doing physical work ever since I was a small child, so I am used to it. Compared to some of the work I have done in the past, working for Kalba Savua is relatively easy. I used to work the whole year round, from morn till night without a day off, whereas now I rest on the Shabbat and on holidays. Mr.Shimon, I have been meaning to ask you. Is today a special Jewish holiday?
No! Why do you ask?
Everyone has been busy rushing about at Kalba Savuas estate since this morning.
Kalba Savua is celebrating his sixtieth birthday today. I was at his house today. I took fresh spices and even managed to give the birthday boy a silver Menorah from Yavne14. He persuaded me to stay and share in the joyous occasion with his many friends. Even Rabbi Ben Zakai15 was there, but I made my excuses, raised a glass of red wine to his health and hurried home for the Shabbat.