The Gates of Zion (47 page)

“And yet if there had been only one man on earth who needed Him to come and die, He would have done so. God’s love is so great.”

“As a Jew I know the laws and have done my best to live them from my heart. In the old days, before the Temple was destroyed, a man sacrificed a lamb to pay a penalty for his sins. After the Temple was destroyed, we still had the laws—still sinned. But there was no more sacrifice. It is only recently, since we found the scroll, that I began to understand the meaning of Isaiah 53. I will never call myself by the word
Christian
, but I understand why the Messiah came into this world, and I believe I have found a truth that is as old as the Jewish people. He does not want our sacrifices; He wants our hearts. The ultimate sacrifice was one He made for us. Jesus did not destroy Jewish law; He fulfilled it.” Moshe paused and looked at Howard.

“Does this make sense?”

“Perfectly. But why won’t you call yourself by the name of Christian if you believe this?”

“Did I not tell you the final requirement for a Jew to convert? He had to deny his people and never again speak to his family. He had to turn his back on everything he held dear.”

“No one requires any such thing now, Moshe.” Howard frowned.

“Well, that was one law that those who remained in the faith of their fathers approved of. Now, if a man becomes a Christian, the Orthodox no longer consider him a Jew. He is cut off and considered dead.”

“But, Moshe―”

“I am a Jew, Howard. As do many Jews, I believe in the coming of the Messiah. I just happen to believe that He has been here once already.”

“An interesting way of looking at it.” Howard smiled. “You cannot call yourself by the name that has for so many centuries murdered your people.”

“But truly, Howard, I will tell you that I believe Jesus lives in the hearts of those who really know Him. It was through your friendship that I first saw His gentleness. For this I am grateful.”

Emotion flooded Howard’s face. “I only wish I had been born a Jew.”

“When you found our Messiah, is it not written that you were grafted into the family?” Moshe clapped him on the back. “I never think of you as a Gentile, Howard. You never have pushed me or tried to convert me to the angry Gentile religion called the church. You have only walked by my side.”

“How can I begin to say what I have learned from you?”

“Really?” Moshe beamed.

“Of course.”

“Well, then, I will teach you one more thing. Thank God you weren’t born a Jew! Chances are you would be dead right now!”

Both men laughed, although the truth of Moshe’s statement was a harsh reality that neither could deny.

***

The No. 2 bus alternately whined and growled up the slopes of Mount Zion toward Zion Gate.
We probably could have walked faster than this bus is
moving,
thought Ellie. But nobody walked to Zion Gate anymore. The slope of the hillside and open exposure to Arab snipers perched on the Old City wall above made her shudder, even inside the protective armor plating of the bus.

Afternoon sunlight streamed in through the slits that served as windows. A few of the more adventurous travelers leaned forward in their seats and marked their progress. Ellie sat across the aisle and one row back from Yacov and Rachel, who chatted shyly in Polish. Even inside the gloomy interior of the bus, this seemed to Ellie to be the brightest spot in the world. She watched them, then looked away until a moment later she found her eyes irresistibly drawn to them again. For her they were living proof that God was paying attention. As Uncle Howard had said, even an unhappy situation had been turned to good. And theirs was not a rare or isolated instance. Moshe had spent hours telling her about similar miracles.

But,
Ellie thought, as Rachel threw her head back in laughter at Yacov,
this is my miracle, too. I have watched it happen.
Somehow that brought the reality of it home to her. She was no longer afraid of the uncertain future that loomed ahead. God knew the end of the story. He, after all, had written the Book.

As the bus rolled to an uncertain stop and the doors clanged open, Ellie stood and retrieved her camera bag from beneath her seat.

Rachel carried a canvas shopping bag filled with the bread and round of cheese Moshe had brought her. Shaul and Yacov leaped from the top step of the bus in the joy of the prospect of walking the streets of their home. Conscious of their fragile cargo, Rachel and Ellie stepped down with more caution.

A group of six soldiers waited by the great iron doors of the gate that were bolted shut. One young man glanced her way, then nudged his companion and quietly remarked about her bulky form. The two of them snickered and shrugged, then returned to their previous conversation. The woman in the dress shop had been accurate in her appraisal of where their safety lay. These men were less than anxious to search a woman who appeared to be at least forty pounds overweight.

Rachel looked at Ellie and raised her eyebrows, then winked. Being ignored by young men was a new experience for both of them.

No other passengers got off the bus. As its doors slapped shut and its complaining engine rumbled back down the hill, one of the soldiers approached Ellie.

“Jus’ what d’ya think you’re doin’ ’ere, miss?” he asked.

“I’m a journalist.
LIFE
magazine. I have special permission to enter the Jewish Quarter for pictures this afternoon.”

“This ain’t no school dance, y’know.” He frowned and stared hard at her. “We ain’t ’eard nuthin’ about it, miss, and y’ ain’t going in until we ’ear otherwise.”

“Who’s in charge here?” Ellie demanded.

“I am. Sergeant Albert Tory,” said the belligerent soldier.

“Leastways, until the captain gets ’ere, ma’am,” volunteered another soldier as he glanced at his watch. “You’re a bit early yet. ’e ought to be ’ere in another few minutes.”

Tory wheeled on him. “Well, I say nobody goes in. An’ if tha’ Jew-lovin’ Captain Thomas says otherwise, at least these’ll ’ave a proper searchin’ first.” He turned his angry gaze on Rachel, who stood with her arm protectively around Yacov’s shoulder. “All right, we’ll start with the kid. Against the wall!”

He grabbed Yacov by the arm and was instantly answered by Shaul, who leaped to his feet and lunged for the startled Tory, his teeth bared in a snarl. Tory fell back in fear, snatching his revolver from its holster.

“No!” Yacov screamed and threw himself between Shaul and the gun. “Don’t shoot him!”

Shaul continued to growl at Tory, who cursed as he tried to aim past the boy.

“Leave them alone!” Ellie shouted, raising her camera. “Unless you want to be known around the world as a man who shoots children and dogs.”

Fearfully, Tory looked from her camera to the dog and back to Ellie again. “Put that thing away!” he bellowed.

Ellie focused the lens. “Not until you put your weapon away.”

“You saw the dog.” Tory looked at his startled men. “’e tried to attack me, right, lads?” A few nodded. “There. Y’ see? I’ll ’ave y’

arrested if you try to interfere with this one, miss. And you’ll lose that precious camera of yours all the same.”

Rachel knelt beside Yacov and put her hand on Shaul’s head. “You will have to shoot me as well,” she said calmly.

“Arrest the girl with the camera.” Tory waved the pistol toward Ellie.

Two soldiers hesitantly stepped forward. Again, as they moved toward Ellie, Shaul lunged and snarled fiercely. They jumped back with the other men. “Sorry, Sarge―she’s all yours.”

“Get ’er, I say!” he ordered. “I’ll take care of the dog.”

The roar of an armored car caused them to all glance away.

“Captain’ll settle it, Tory,” said one of the men, as the car screeched to a stop in front of the gate.

“That’s fair enough,” said Ellie, snapping the shutter of her camera at the horrified face of Tory.

Captain Luke Thomas opened the door of the car and climbed out, taking in the scene in one glance. He instantly recognized Ellie and nodded curtly. Then he scowled at Tory, whose cap had fallen to the pavement. “Got yourself a burglar, Sergeant Tory?” Luke raised his chin and peered down his nose at the disheveled Tory.

“Watch the dog, Cap’n. ’e’s a mean brute. Tried t’ take m’ leg off.”

Tory wiped his brow.

“Is that so, lad?” Luke looked at Yacov, a twinkle in his eye.

Yacov slowly shook his head. “No, sir.”

“Put the gun away, Sergeant,” he said, approaching the dog.

“But, Cap’n!” Tory protested.

“Holster it! That’s an order!” Luke snapped.

Reluctantly, his eyes never leaving Shaul, Tory obeyed.

Luke walked slowly to Shaul and extended his hand. Shaul sniffed suspiciously. “There’s a good dog,” Luke said soothingly.

Shaul nosed his hand, then wagged his tail-less hind end. “He will not harm you,” Yacov said, eyeing the sergeant, “if you do not harm me.”

Luke scratched Shaul behind the ears. “Good fellow,” he said crisply. Then he turned to Tory. “Your duty is at an end, I believe.

You are free to celebrate Christmas.”

“But, Cap’n!” Tory protested.

“Unless you wish to walk back to barracks, I suggest that you consider target practice on someone else’s dog.”

Tory scowled and sulkily returned Luke’s salute. Then he retrieved his cap and climbed into the armored car with three other members of the guard. With one last glare, he slammed the door.

Ellie sighed deeply as Luke turned toward her. “Miss Warne, is it?

Yes, I remember. Sorry about all this. At times the lads are a bit trigger-happy. You’re here to photograph the Old City, I believe?”

Without waiting for her answer, he turned to Rachel. “And you are … ?”

“I am Judith,” said Rachel.

“You’re early,” replied the captain. “I have a pass here. Going in for the Holy Days. Well, we’ll have to search your packages, I’m afraid,” he said. Then without ceremony he turned toward one of his men. “Andrews. See to it.” He turned his back and sauntered toward the gate as a young, rosy-cheeked soldier glanced through the bag of bread and cheese.

“All right, sir,” said the young man.

“Good, good,” said Luke. “You don’t look the type to be smuggling weapons into the Old City, now do you? Enjoy your holiday.” He turned his kindly gaze on Ellie. “
LIFE
magazine or not, you’ll have to be out before dark. We cannot guarantee your safety if you’re wandering about the Old City after dark.”

Ellie nodded. “Thank you. You’ve been most kind.”

“Open the gates, lads,” he instructed.

The great iron hinges groaned as the soldiers opened the gate. Ellie remembered watching
The Wizard of Oz
with David. He had made a face and laughed as the gates of Oz swung wide and Dorothy had entered with Toto and her friends. She looked back at Rachel and Yacov and Shaul and grinned in spite of herself. Rachel winked as if to say,
“That wasn’t so hard.”

The hundred-yard stretch into the Jewish Quarter was deserted. Two soldiers scanned the rooftops as they escorted them to Mendelbaum Gate, but the narrow corridor reminded Ellie of a ghost town.

Windows and doors were covered by planks and sheets of wood.

This street, which once must have echoed with the happy shouts of playing children, now stood desolate.

“Mufti’s gang chased the Christians out,” volunteered a soldier.

“Now they ’ave the run of the place after dark. Prowlin’ on the rooftops, takin’ potshots at anything tha’ moves over in the Jewish sector. Mind you’re ’ere before sundown, like the captain says. We ain’t comin’ in after dark.”

The soldiers turned and hurried back toward the gate as Ellie and Rachel and Yacov approached a barricade of sandbags and barbed-wire manned by black-coated Yeshiva students.

“Halt!” demanded one boy of about sixteen, brandishing a pitchfork.

Yacov recognized him and greeted happily, “Israel Ditkowitz! It is I, Yacov!”

“What’s the password?” barked the young man.

“I am Judith,” Rachel answered.

The young man grunted, “Well, then, come along.” He raised his pitchfork and allowed them to pass, somewhat grudgingly.

“You make a fine soldier, Israel,” Yacov called as they rounded a corner.

Ellie snapped the shutter of her camera, amazed at the changes inside the Old City. A group of men huddled together on a rooftop position just below where a member of the Suffolk Regiment stood watch over them and the Arab sector. They had no weapons that Ellie could see. They simply made their presence known. They were willing to defend, even if they were not yet ready.

“How far is it to the Warsaw Compound?” Ellie asked Yacov.

“Quite far. And now you must hurry or we will not finish before dark. There is yet another stop I must make with my sister,” he said in a determined tone of voice.

“Wait a minute!” exclaimed Ellie as Yacov bounded up the Street of the Stairs two steps at a time. “You don’t have time for that.”

“If we hurry,” Rachel replied, following doggedly after Yacov. “It is different now, Ellie. Now that we have found one another, we must see him. It is Hanukkah. God has given us a gift.”

Ellie frowned, understanding their desire but uncertain of how she could dissuade them. “We won’t make it out.”

“Not if we dally and take photographs.” Yacov leveled his gaze on her.

“But Moshe said―,” she began, then stopped. Yacov and Rachel were determined. There would be no convincing them otherwise.

The walls of the Warsaw building loomed ahead. Yacov broke into a stiff jog, which Ellie and Rachel were unable to keep pace with.

Their hidden cargo was heavy, and Ellie found herself panting after the first few feet.

Yacov turned and called after them, then ran head-on into the towering figure of Rabbi Akiva.

Yacov stumbled, then looked up into the rabbi’s stern face. “Pardon, Rebbe Akiva.” He lowered his eyes quickly and stood respectfully before the broad, black-coated belly.

“You!” snapped Akiva. “Yacov, is it not?”

“Happy Hanukkah, Rebbe Akiva.” Yacov looked up hopefully and smiled.