The Bronze Bow

Daniel works at his iron forge on a hot day, with Samson working the oven’s bellows by his side. Samson has been in Rosh’s camp for a month, but he never takes anything for himself, and he only acts on Daniel’s orders. Rosh and others think Samson might be stupid, though they value his strength. Daniel sometimes wonders if Samson actually understands him, and he begins to develop a liking for the newcomer.

That afternoon, a blindfolded stranger is led into the camp. Rosh explains that the man is looking for Daniel. When the man’s face is uncovered, Daniel recognizes him as Simon, his former fellow apprentice. Joel had told Simon where to find Daniel. Daniel is happily flustered to have a visitor. He shows off his forge, which impresses Simon. Daniel tells Simon about his life on the mountain and asks Simon why he, a Zealot, doesn’t join their group. But Simon is just here to inform Daniel that Amalek died two weeks ago. That means Daniel could return to Ketzah if he wanted.

Daniel is reluctant to return to the village, and he’s ashamed to tell Simon that he doesn’t want to see his grandmother or his sister Leah. But Simon convinces him to stay for just a day or two, and even Rosh consents, grudgingly admiring Simon’s persistence. Samson tries to follow Daniel down the mountain until Daniel angrily waves him off.

As they head down the mountain, Daniel asks Simon why he doesn’t join Rosh. Simon says he disagrees with Rosh on some things—like stealing food. Daniel goes silent, offended. As they cross a pasture, Simon pauses by a stream to bathe, noting that it’s nearly sundown, the beginning of the Sabbath. Daniel blushes; he hasn’t been keeping track of the passage of time. But he soon plunges into the water himself, relishing the rare bath.

When they reach the village, they hear the ram’s horn signaling the approaching start of the Sabbath. The village looks the same as it did five years ago, only smaller and shabbier. Simon walks Daniel to a small, sagging clay house at the end of a narrow street. He tells Daniel that his family is expecting him. Before Daniel can react, his grandmother, bent and frail, appears at the door. Daniel shakily greets her as she clings to him.

As Daniel enters the house, he instinctively touches the mezuzah in the door frame. Nervous, he sees that the table is set for the Sabbath meal. His grandmother summons Leah, and Daniel is startled to see a beautiful young woman with flowing blond hair. When Daniel wishes her “Peace,” he sees fear in her blue eyes. Gradually, Leah seems to recognize him. As Leah brings water to wash Daniel’s feet, he is grieved to see that his sister, now 15, is still so frightened.

Daniel’s grandmother lights the lamp and invites him to recite the Sabbath blessings, which Daniel haltingly does. When Leah hesitates to eat, he begs her to share the meager food with him. His grandmother admits that they eat from the pauper’s share. After supper, his grandmother dozes, and Leah cuddles her pet goat. Daniel feels troubled when he hears Leah talking soothingly to the goat, telling it that Daniel will take care of them now.

Settling into his old sleeping place on the roof, Daniel wonders why he came back. He’s still hungry, and he thinks of Rosh’s men enjoying a stolen meal around the campfire. He wonders if Samson has eaten enough. He is so homesick he could cry.