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A review by edenseve63
The Weight of Ink by Rachel Kadish
4.0
“…the world and I have sinned against each other” states Esther Velasquez in the words of her confession (vidui). No words seem more appropriate be they written today or in the 17th century as one sums up a life of honor, courage, hard choices, pain and learning.
“…I’ve let my life become a museum”, writes Helen Wats to her research assistant, Aaron Levy and warning him not to do the same.
Two strong women of learning, one defying the rules and mores of her day and her people to fulfill the desire to use her God given intellect to ponder the most important questions of existence and faith. The other substituting scholarship for the desires of her heart.
In the time of the inquisition in Spain and Portugal Jews fled to Amsterdam to escape death or conversion. There they created a community that still exists today. Expelled from England in the 1390 began to return with the reformation. Esther Velázquez of the Portuguese Jewish community in Amsterdam comes to London at this time with Rabbi Ha’Cohane Mendez as part of his household, thus enfolds the story within the story. Esther’s story is discovered by retiring historian Helen Wats and her Asst Aaron Levy a graduate student foisted on her by the history department.
An excellent read. It is especially meaningful following events of October 7.
“…I’ve let my life become a museum”, writes Helen Wats to her research assistant, Aaron Levy and warning him not to do the same.
Two strong women of learning, one defying the rules and mores of her day and her people to fulfill the desire to use her God given intellect to ponder the most important questions of existence and faith. The other substituting scholarship for the desires of her heart.
In the time of the inquisition in Spain and Portugal Jews fled to Amsterdam to escape death or conversion. There they created a community that still exists today. Expelled from England in the 1390 began to return with the reformation. Esther Velázquez of the Portuguese Jewish community in Amsterdam comes to London at this time with Rabbi Ha’Cohane Mendez as part of his household, thus enfolds the story within the story. Esther’s story is discovered by retiring historian Helen Wats and her Asst Aaron Levy a graduate student foisted on her by the history department.
An excellent read. It is especially meaningful following events of October 7.