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Post Ep | Romance | General | Drama
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A Wonderful Life ~ 19
"I never want to look at another number again." Derek moaned after CJ finally put the math book down.
"Well, did you learn something?" She smiled.
"Yeah, I still hate math." Derek mumbled and looked over at Toby. "Even dad fell asleep." He pointed to a snoring Toby.
"Toby!" CJ kicked him.
"The answers 5." He said quickly.
"I think it's time for bed." CJ laughed.
"Can I talk to dad a minute?" Derek asked.
"Ok, I'll go check on the babies." She smiled and kissed Derek. "Good night."
"Night mom."
"What's up pal?" Toby asked after CJ left.
"I wanted to hear more about this Temple thing."
"Like what?"
"Well, I always wondered why you were gone every Saturday morning. I thought you were at work."
"No, see, some people go on Friday nights. Well, since I work till midnight sometimes, I can never make it. So I get up early on Saturdays and go."
"What's it for?"
"What do you mean?"
"Well, I mean, is it like a club?"
"No, I'm Jewish."
"What's that?"
"It's a religion."
"Oh, so mom's Jewish?"
"No, mom's Catholic."
"Oh, then what am I?"
"You're...well...whichever one you want to be, I guess. However, if you choose to be Jewish, you need to go to a special service and receive your Hebrew name."
"What's Hebrew, and why?"
"Hebrew is the language that Jewish people talk in. The Torah, or the Five Books of Moses, is in Hebrew. Why, because it's just what you do, sometimes."
"What would my Hebrew name be?"
"I'm not sure. The Rabbi would tell you that."
"What is a Rabbi?"
"You are just Mr. Question tonight, aren't you?" Toby laughed a little.
"I'm curious."
He nodded. "Well, the Rabbi conducts the service. Like what a Priest or a Reverend does at a Catholic service."
"I don't know anything about that religion either."
"Neither do I, or I don't know very much about it, so I can't really help you there. Mom might be able to though."
"Dad?"
"Hmm?"
"Can you say something in Hebrew?"
"Sure. Um..." He thought for a moment. "Chag Same'ach"
"What?"
"It means 'Happy Holidays. Something you may hear more often is Shabbat or Shalom or Shabbat Shalom." He looked at Derek and shushed him before he could say anything. "Shabbat is a holiday you celebrate every week, from Friday at sundown to Saturday at sundown. It is supposedly the day of rest. When G-d created the Earth, he rested on the seventh day, and that day is Shabbat. And Shalom means hello, goodbye, and peace."
"This is too cool. Can I be Jewish?"
"We'll talk about it later."
"Can I go with you tomorrow morning?"
"Well, you're suppose to study."
"If I can talk mom into it."
"Talk mom into what?" CJ asked from the doorway, causing them both to jump.
"Don't do that." Toby snapped.
"Shalom mom." Derek smiled.
"Hello to you too." She smiled.
"I thought you weren't Jewish?" Derek smiled.
"I'm not, but I've known your dad for over twenty years. I had to go sit Shiva with him after his dad died."
"What's Shiva?"
"It's something you do when you lose a loved one."
"Like a funeral?"
"Sort of, friends and family come in and you talk. It goes on for seven days." CJ smiled. "Why I'm answering this, I have no idea."
"I want to be Jewish." Derek said proudly.
"Just like that?" CJ asked.
"It sounds interesting."
"Well, it can be." Toby smiled.
"Can I please go to Shul with dad tomorrow morning?"
"You have to study."
"How can you say no to religion?" Derek asked.
"Umm..." CJ found herself speechless.
"Look, Sunday I'll study, all day. I promise. I just want to see what it is. Please."
"Fine, fine. This is the only time though, that I am letting you off the hook. Got it?"
"Yes, and thank you! Or...dad?"
Toby whispered something in Derek's ear.
"Todah-Rabah!" Derek smiled.
"Very good, but you're still going to study on Sunday."
"Oh man!"
"Sorry kiddo. You have to." CJ smiled a little and kissed his head. "Why don't you get some sleep now. You have to be at Tem--Shul early. Like around 9:30."
"Are you sure you aren't Jewish, mom?"
"Go. To. Bed. Now."
"Okay. Goodnight."
"Goodnight son," Toby said as he hugged him.
"Dad?"
"What?"
"What's 'dad' in Hebrew?"
"Aba."
"And mom?"
"Ema."
"Oh, okay. Goodnight Aba and Ema." He smiled as did Toby and CJ. They left the room and Derek went to bed, ready for the next day.
TBC...