Rashi's Daughters, Book III: Rachel - Plot & Excerpts
“Rabbenu, I was not born into the House of Jacob. If I die sanctifying the Holy Name, what will be my lot?” Trapped inside Bishop Rothard’s palace with his family and other Jews fleeing Count Emicho’s bloodthirsty minions, Samson gripped the sword at his belt. The rabbi laid his hand on Samson’s arm. “You shall sit with us and the rest of the true converts in our circle in Gan Eden, along with Abraham Avinu, the first convert.” Upon hearing this, Samson slammed his fist against the stone wall, cracking the mortar in several places. “I will not stretch out my neck and be slaughtered like an ox. I intend to die like my namesake, taking the enemy along with me.” There were murmurs of approval until one of the elders shouted, “That’s fine for you, a man trained in arms. But what about the rest of us? The bishop may have intended to shelter us in his stronghold, but now there are thousands of defiant soldiers and burghers attacking his gate. The Holy One has decreed against us; we cannot be saved.”
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