Page 10 of The Golem of Mala Lubovnya
“Does it mean something?” The golem chewed his lip anxiously. What if it meantmonsterorfreak?
But Jakob smiled gently at him. “It means truth. Which isn’t a bad idea for a name, really. Better than my own, which is a lie.”
“I don’t—Jakob is a lie?”
“You don’t know the Torah, do you? How would you. Jakob was the father of the Hebrews. He had twelve sons who became the twelve tribes of Israel. But me, I’ll never be anyone’s father.”
It was the longest speech the golem had yet heard from Jakob, and it took him a moment to process the meaning. “You cannot have children?” asked the golem.
“I will not. And thatisthe truth, Emet.” Jakob smiled, although his eyes were sad. He finished his meal without further conversation, stood, and returned to work.
Emet continued to haul stones. He was rewarded every time he reached the summit of the hill and Jakob gave him a small smile. As light as the rocks had seemed before, now they were no more burdensome than clouds, and Emet barely felt his feet touch the ground—because Jakob had given him a name. Just like a real person. And it was a good name too. While Jakob’s name was as sharp and solid as the edges of his stones,Emetfelt deep and rumbly.
Emet would gladly have continued to work until it was too dark to see. But well before the sun sank behind the horizon, Jakob gathered his tools and placed them in the wooden box. “You’ve done more today than my brothers could have in a week. At this rate my house will be built well before the worst of winter.” He lifted the box and started down the hill.
“Why are you building your house here?” asked Emet as they descended.
“It’s a good spot. My family’s owned the land for generations because nobody wants to farm the hilltop. And I like the views.”
“But why not live in the town? With your family?”
Jakob scowled. “My parents’ house is too small for us all.”
“Couldn’t you add to it?” If Emet had a family, he’d never want to leave them, no matter how cramped they might be.
“It’s not….” Jakob huffed impatiently. “We don’t always get along very well. Mama and Papa expect me to marry as my brothers have, and… and I won’t.”
“Why not?”
“You ask far too many questions!”
Emet hung his head. “I’m sorry.” He’d never before had the opportunity to ask anyone anything, and now he was getting carried away. He vowed to hold his tongue.
Neither of them spoke as they walked back to the town and entered the gate. Jakob took Emet to the foot of the shul’s steps. “I have to go change for the maariv service,” he said. “I’ll fetch you again in the morning.”
Emet had been afraid that Jakob would decide not to work with him anymore, so now he grinned. “Thank you, Jakob.” He stood for a moment, watching Jakob walk away, then reluctantly scaled the steps to the shul’s front doors.
