The Arizona post., 1959-04-17
A Short Holiday Story
"MA NISHTANA HALEILA HAZEH
By HENRY GRINBERG
Copyright, 1859, Jewish Telegraphlc
Agency, Inc)


others? The ancient words rang out
clearly and proudly-as only nine-year-
old boy can say them. The steady candle
light from the table-center cleaned off
his scrubbed pink face and smooth young
brow.
He finished and turned with a smile to
his father
"That was very good, David. Very well
said indeed" The mans face was lined
gaunt, but the eyes were gentle. He looked
down to his Hagaddah, the story of the
Israelite's Exodus from Egypt, and began
to read.
Because we were slaves unto Pharaoh
in Egypt :" he began. He read the
mighty saga of the redemption of peo-
ple He told of Moses pleading with
Pharoaoh, of the Ten Plaques, and how the
Children of Israel-a nation suffering IN
bondage-were permitted to gather chill
dren and belongings and leave for the
Promised Land.
On the other side of the table, the
mother watched the simple scene with
moist eyes. She too bore the ravages OF
sadness on her face. She watched her hus-
band and son rapt in the Hagaddah and
remembered so many things Her
thoughts swan back in time to another
Seder night another Passover.
SHE SAW HUMBLE village. In the
late afternoon a cold wind blew down the
mud track that served as a main street.
A figure hurried along. 1t was herself
how long ago was it? Nineteen years?
Nimbly stepping over frozen puddles and
wincing as the hard jagged clay bit
through her thin shoes, she carefully bore
an egg wrapped in a handkerchief
"Tve got it, Eli" she said with nervous
laugh, trying to catch her breath. 'I've
brought a real egg for the Seder."
"You were gone SO long, was scared
to death. How could you leave the chill
dren alone?" her husband said softly.
'I know, Eli, know" she said, "but we
just had to have an egg. After heard
that Farmer Vlatek's chickens are laying,
had to try"
Ellis hand gripped her shoulder "Can
he be trusted Vlatek? Suppose he gives
us away"
She touched his hand. 81 don't believe
he will" she said "1e was very kind,
wouldn't even take money for the egg.
He said we weren't to think that all a Pole
worries about is how to turn in Jews"
Eli nodded absently.
THREE HOURS LATER, they were
around the table, Eli, Chana, and their
two little boys, Motel, 6, and Uri, 4. The
boys sat quietly as Eli carefully poured a
little boarded wine into four little glasses,
and began to read the Hagaddah. He read
softly, not wishing to raise his voice,
When the time came for the meal, Chana
proudly brought over a large steaming
bowl Eli and the boys smacked their lips
over the thin turnip soup.
Suddenly Chana stiffened. "Quiet!" she
Kissed.
Eli and Motel fell silent. Only little
Urls piping laughter continued. Eli
brusquely thrust his hand over the boys
mouth. Only his huge frightened eyes
could be seen, rolling to the left and right.
Were they mistaken? Please dear God,
let this be like the other times, when they
could quiet the wild knocking of their
hearts. and by an act of will begin to
breathe again. Let the screaming silence
of fear die away
No, it was there The roar of heavy
trucks doomed down the village street
They heard the harsh orders, boots thud-
ding on the hard mud, hammering on
doors, cries S..
THE MONTHS, the years that followed
- = n,,,ohneCC Pain followed pain,