It was the sacred day of Passover. A time of a hajj or serious pilgrim-feast. The whole community would join them as they began their journey to the sacred mountain. “Caleb, quickly, close up the chickens. It is time.” Jesse was to take part in the ceremonies this year and was anxious to get to Mount Gerizim with the others. A number of lambs were carefully chosen from those born during the previous month of Tishri. They would be sacrificed, as many as needed to feed the community. Extra lambs were also set aside to be used should one of the chosen lambs prove to be unacceptable or unclean. As they arrived on Mount Gerizim, Jesse helped his father pitch their tent as the women put their things in order for the long wait of Passover. Jesse, now clad in a blue robe given to him for the occasion, joined several other young men as they dug the trenches for the fires. Over one fire hung a caldron with boiling water necessary for fleecing the lambs. In the other trench, a mass of kindling was lit to make an oven for roasting the lambs.
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