The Cousins

You could hear the party noises from way down the street. Sounds of music and laughter drifted from the open door and windows of a small stone house, on the edge of the little village of Ein Kerem. Outside the house stood a group of old men, talking very loudly, with much waving of hands and nodding of heads. Little children chased each other, shrieking with excitement. A steady stream of neighbours and friends had been coming and going all morning, bringing mazal tov wishes; many carried gifts, as well. Inside, some women were bustling around, making sure every visitor had something to eat and drink. A couple of young boys sat in the shade behind the house, playing lively tunes on reed pipes.

On a special cushion, in a room at the heart of the house, sat old Elisheva; on her lap lay the tiny baby, wrapped in a soft cloth, who was the reason for all the rejoicing. He was eight days old, and this was the day for his brit milah, his circumcision. The Almighty One of Israel had given his people a command, that on the eighth day after birth, every baby boy had to have the little operation. This would be a sign to him, all his life, that he was included in the covenant which El Gibbor had made with His people Israel. It was also the day on which the baby received his name.

The Rabbi, who was to do the operation, stood ready with his instrument. His eyes twinkled. This would be interesting! It was the custom for the father to name the baby; but in this case, the father was dumb! Old Zekharyah, the baby's father, was a priest. He had been on duty in the Temple, bringing the sacrifice into the Holy of Holies, when the great angel had appeared and given him the shock of his life. The angel told him that he and his wife, who were really too old to have children, would have a son! This would be a very special baby, sent for a very special purpose. He would be the one to tell everyone that the longed-for Messiah was about to arrive. Zekharyah, understandably, found it hard to believe. "Impossible!" he said, "Impossible!"

And that was the last time he said anything. The angel told him that, because of his unbelief, he would be dumb until the baby arrived.

© Emmie Goodenough, 1999