Have You Ever Lost a Penny?

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Have you been eager to read little snippets from Mary's Diary from time to time? Well, here is another one. It is based on the parable of the lost coin.

Poor Michal! She was frantic with worry today. Raddai

had gone on a business trip with his father but would

return by nightfall. For the first time in their short married life

Michal was dreading his return.
Somehow she had lost one

of the dowry coins that had been fastened to the hat below

her wedding veil. Oh, she was so lovely and radiant on her

wedding day but now her face was marred with tears.

              “Mary’am!” Michal cried as she burst through the door,

“Mary’am, the most awful thing has happened!”

              “What is it I cried, clutching her arm. “Is it your Imma—or

your Savta Salome?”

              “Nay, it is worse, far worse! Nay, no, not worse but—oh

Mary’am I have lost one of my dowry coins!”

              “Lost it! Oh, my darling tinoki, how could that be?”

              We both knew this was no small loss. It wasn’t only the

value of the coin, which was significant, but more what

it represented. This was one of the dowry coins. If it was

missing, the husband could accuse his wife of using it to

commit adultery, and that was enough grounds for divorce!

Surely Raddai would not be that hasty or hard hearted, but

I do happen to know that his father had not approved of his

choice of a bride, even though he gave consent. It was urgent

that it be found.

              Together we scurried over to their house, and looked high,

and low for that missing silver piece. It was so dim in the

house, even with the door wide open, that in desperation

Michal lighted one of their precious candles as we continued

searching. I took it upon myself to sweep every corner of her earthen

floor, and to shake out all the reed mats, and pallets while Michal busied

herself with I know not what.

              “Oh Michal, Chavivi,” I mourned, “How did you ever

manage to misplace it?”

              “I was caring for the neighbors’ youngsters—such a rowdy

trio they are—while their parents went to a funeral in Cyros.

It was after they returned to their home that I noticed the coin

was missing.” She carefully shook out her wedding garments,

and searched among the folds. I took another candle, and

examined all the cracks at the edge of the room lest it had

rolled into one.

     As the hours lengthened, our anxiety increased. Without a

doubt the drachma would lose its color once it was ground into

the dirt, and surely the inscription would be worn off. How

would it ever be found?”

              “I found it!” Michal shrieked holding it high in the air.

Carefully we removed all the dirt, and caused it to shine in its

former glory. Michal snatched it up once again, and flew out

the door.

              “Rejoice with me!” she hollered to some aant’at  strolling

down the street. They were on their way home from shopping,

and stared at her in astonishment.

              “Judith! Devora!—Hana—Naomi! Rejoice with me for I

have found my lost coin!”

              Eagerly they rushed through the door, and admired the

coin as if they had never seen a drachma before. Naomi offered

to fasten it back on to the hat while Rachael opened a new

cask of wine, and diluted it with fresh well water. Judith

presented her freshly purchased basket of honey cakes, and

dates for the feast, but before we could partake, the younger

ladies started spontaneously dancing for joy. Of course those

small quarters could not contain such liveliness so the group

overflowed into the street. Other Aleichem both young and old

hurried over, eager to join in the merriment.