They disregarded the Torah — either willfully, or because the knowledge of the laws regarding handling of the Ark was not properly taught generations to generation. They suffered the consequences for such disobedience. The Philistines are not beholden to our laws. They have no such sacred responsibility. However, they still were cursed because of their foolish boast that they’d been victorious over Yahweh — a notion that the pharaoh in Mosheh’s day learned by suffering his own plagues.

I had no idea what lay before us on this dark road, but I would not waste Azuvah’s sacrifice.

The indulgent mixture of fragrances beckoned me forward, drawing me into the lush forest of blooms, vines, and greens like the crook of a lover’s finger.

I could still feel the distinct sensation of her lips pressed to my forehead, as if the last kiss she gave me before her new husband drove away was permanently tattooed onto my skin.

Ever in motion, she was like a gentle gust of wind flowing about, unseen except for the effects of her silent, selfless service to all those around her.

He may be an obstinate youth right now, and his immaturity a frustration to his family, but I had to distinct sense that one day Eliora’s brother would prove to be a man whose relentless determination would keep him and those he loved alive in dire circumstances.

They adopted you. Made a binding covenant with you. Any anyone else who does not see the beauty in the incredible story of your grafting into Israel or misses the brilliant light that shines from the very center of your being does not matter.

And I realized at that moment that I’d made a decision without even knowing it.

No matter what decision I made, the cost would be great. But as my father and brothers had learned the hard way on the field at Afek, the cost of going against the will of the Eternal One was greater by far.