Page 22 of The Golem of Mala Lubovnya
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Fingers traced across his chest over and over. Rough fingers—not a scholar’s, but those of a man who worked with his hands. And the voice that chanted the blessings was rich and deep. “Blessed art thou, Lord our God.” Emet knew those words even in Hebrew, because Jakob had explained them to him. He didn’t understand the words that followed, but then the singing stopped, replaced by a hoarse murmur:
The Lord sends death and life;
He brings down to the netherworld and brings up from it.
He heals the brokenhearted
And binds up their wounds.
He will utterly destroy death forever,
And the Lord God will wipe away the tear from every face.
He opened his eyes to see wooden beams and smooth plaster. He recognized those beams. He’d hauled them up the hill and held them in place.
“Emet?”
Emet turned his head slightly. Jakob had new lines on his face, new depths of sadness in his warm brown eyes. But he was smiling hesitantly. “Maybe we should change your name. The word is different.” He settled his palm on the center of Emet’s chest.
“What does it say?” Emet was surprised when his voice was smooth instead of jagged.
“Ahava. It means love.”
Emet looked down at his chest—and discovered a dusting of dark hairs and two pink nipples. He reached up to his scalp, where he found more hair, thick and soft.
“Jakob?”
“Can you stand?”
Emet could, although with some difficulty. He felt slightly dizzy, so Jakob helped hold him steady. And it was very strange, because although Emet was still taller than Jakob, he no longer towered over him. There was a strange thudding in his chest as well. A heartbeat!
“I don’t understand,” Emet said.
“Look at yourself, my beloved.”
Taking a few moments to explore his remade body, Emet found more hair at his groin, on his arms and legs, and a coarse stubble on his cheeks. He had a navel now, perfect and round on his flat belly. “I’m… I think I’m hungry.”
Jakob laughed. “Good! I have food to share.”
“But I don’t—”
“I didn’t make you to protect anyone, Emet. I don’t care how strong you are, and God forbid you should ever need to fight again.Imade you this time, and I made you for love, from love. Not to be a golem, but to be a man.”
Emet’s legs collapsed and he fell to the ground. Jakob knelt in front of him. “Are you well? Have I made you properly?”
“I think so.” Emet reached up to touch Jakob’s left shoulder. “You were hurt….”
“I was,” said Jakob gravely. “And I lost…. Oh, Emet! Mama’s gone, and two of my brothers, their wives…. But I am alive, and now so are you.”
Jakob rose, held out a hand, and helped Emet stand. Then Jakob picked up a patchwork cloak from his bed and settled it on Emet’s shoulders. It was a little too big now, but Emet didn’t mind.
“Mala Lubovnya?” asked Emet.
“Come see.”
They walked across the room and out the door, onto the tidy front porch. The sky was a soft blue and the air was balmy. Inside the town walls were a few gaping holes among the buildings. But most of the town still stood, and the only smoke was friendly little wisps from fireplaces.
