The Eighth Commandment

Joseph was 13, and today was his Bar Mitzvah, today he became a man, today he became responsible for his own actions, today was the eve of c, and today yet again, he was told to be quiet.

The Rabbi began reciting the Kol Nidre in hushed tones. His family mouthed the words not daring to speak, repenting all unfulfilled vows, oaths, and promises made to God during the past year, asking forgiveness, so as to enter cleansed into the New Year.

Joseph woke early the next day. There was no Yom Kippur breakfast, and like yesterday there would be no food that day or the next, but Joseph was a man now and he was now responsible for helping to feed his family. He lifted the wooden shutter and squeezed his small body into the alleyway beyond. Looking around he saw no one.

He walked silently and swiftly along the narrow street keeping closely to the walls, then along the next and the next until he arrived at the market place.

There was little on display, only meagre morsels matching the cold damp morning. He hid under some boxes near the end stall and waited. The square slowly filled with people. After some time he noticed a young woman with a child at a nearby stall. When her back was turned, he moved quickly across and hid under the stall.

More time passed, he could see feet, many shuffling feet and hear many voices, finally the feet went away, and the only feet he could see were the young woman’s. Feeling this was his moment, he quickly stood up and snatched the first thing he could find on the stall, it was just a small piece of bread, the woman turned, and with a look of utter despair on her face she screamed.

In panic he ran and ran until he could feel his heart bursting. He ran until, he could hear no one in pursuit, ether real or imaginary. Then he looked down at the bread in his hand, only to find to his horror it was not bread at all, but baby’s milk pouch.

He thought of taking the pouch back to the young woman, but on that day it would be too dangerous. Instead he would confess his sin to his father and the Rabbi; they were wise they would know what to do.

He looked to see where he was, then slowly and carefully made his way back to his family. Raising the wooded shutter he rolled into the room, but the room was empty, destruction and chaos everywhere, his family gone.

He has been a man for only one day, and already he had broken the eighth commandment thou shalt not steal. His eyes glazed over and looking up in anguish, he realised that this must be god’s judgement and punishment for his terrible sin, for now he was alone, all alone.

Don McBeth