ADA N29 - Page 5/8

One day a rabid anti-Semite passed by one of the Jewish study houses in Tripoli. Students were studying the book of Isaiah with their rabbi in the Talmud Torah. The "Hater," while passing by the study house, heard the prophecy of Isaiah. In the beginning of chapter 60 it is written, "Arise, shine, for thy light is come and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee..." and ends with the words "the smallest shall be a thousand, and the least a mighty nation. I the Lord will hasten it in its time." When the "Hater" heard this, he was moved. He entered the study house and asked the rabbi to explain to him the meaning and interpretation of this chapter. The rabbi fulfilled the request of the curious "Hater" and described the magnificent prophesy of the Israelite people in the time to come.

The "Hater" thought to himself: This despicable nation, which is in poverty and chased by all the nations, still thinks that it will one day grow above other nations which sit at peace on their land. I shall go to the king and tell him what the Jews are planning. For them to rise and grow, they are probably planning to overthrow the kingdom and rebel against the ruling nation.

The king was very angry and decided to stop the Jews from executing their plans. He turned to the "Hater" and asked him: how can I bring unto the Jews trouble, stress, and consternation? The "Hater" replied: My dear king, may he forever live, command to arrange a public argument with the chief rabbi in order that I may ask him questions in religion and faith. If he won't answer my questions, then we shall sentence him to death. And even if he answers my questions, then we shall find a way to frighten and terrify the Jews, that they will not even dare to revolt, and will understand that what the prophet said is just a parable.

The king followed the "Hater's" advice, and on that very day a letter was sent to the chief rabbi stating that he was invited to come to the central circle which stands in front of the palace. There, on the stage, which is seen by the entire nation, it will be incumbent upon him to answer the questions asked by the "Hater." The rabbi will be permitted to send a substitute if he does not feel worthy enough to stand against his learned opponent.

The rabbi received the letter and was very troubled, because he felt that this heavy decree might cause great trouble to the Jews of Tripoli and to all Libyan Jews. The king gave the rabbi fifteen days to appear, from the day he received the notification. The rabbi used this time to call a meeting with the leaders and respected people of the community. The elders debated and discussed for a few days, until they reached the conclusion that they should pray in the synagogue and fast. This was in order to ask the One Who Sits in the Heavens to give intelligence and understanding to the rabbi, that he might be able to defeat his evil opponent.

All the people of the town waited impatiently for the day of the debate. Again the "rabbi" will stand against the evil "Hater." All knew that this day would determine the fate of the Jews of Tripoli specifically, and the Jews of Libya in general.

Only four days remained until the debate, and behold, on that very day, a new Jew arrived in town, a peddler who traveled in near-by villages of Tripolitania. He appeared at the courtyard of the synagogue, and behold, he saw the public praying, crying, and mourning while the cantor sang "Selichot." The man was very surprised about what he saw. He requested an explanation of what was happening... The Messiah will come next month.

From Seventy One Stories, Dov Noy.


JELILINIYA - SESAME CAKE
From David Misicha

Ingredients:

• 300 gr. Sesame
• 1 cup flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup oil
• 2 eggs
• 1 vanilla sugar