125 Original
THE ORIGINAL STORY OF AB’RAM:
The mystery of the conch
Ibrahim Salib awoke with a startle it was 6.05am. He hurled his battered alarm clock across the room now that was the only way to turn it off! He would be late for early morning prayer if he didn't hurry! He was meticulous about time. He pulled on his finest thoub and kufi and hurried along. He arrived at Wilsons Arch on his way to fajr at half past six in the morning, before most Jews were awake. He lived in the Northern Muslim quarter of Jerusalem. He was on his way to the mosque at the top of Temple Mount, Muhammed's resting place, for which he was so proud.
Jerusalem did not belong to Ibrahim, or the muslim community but was a melting pot of four different religious cultures. This did not stop Ibrahim walking the streets as if he had sole ownership and often he shouted aloud “Fear god and he will give you knowledge” for his belief in his religion was omniscient. He was a devoted muslim but his worries often got in the way.
When Ibrahim arrived at Wilsons arch he found Abraham Eliad curled in a ball wrapped in blankets clinging onto a conch. He awoke half asleep and then nestled back in his blanket . Why must you sleep in the streets filthy jew! Said Ibrahim. Abraham continued to sleep for his prayer was not until sunrise. A sign hung from the wall next to Abraham. It read 'fisherman out of work please give generously, shalom'. Ibrahim thought he was an imposter who had found a silly shell and who used it to pretend he was unable to work, so wrote on the sign return to the sea you filthy Jew! Ibrahim was a very hard working man and couldn't stand the sight of this beggar he passed everyday on his sacred ascent. He could afford his fine silk doub embroidered with plants, flowers and birds, because he never stopped working. He positively shined next to Abraham who had nothing more than a linen robe and some woolen trousers to keep him warm. Abraham kept his trousers a secret as this was blasphemous according to the Torah to wear linen and wool together.
Ibrahim was a potter. He spent many days at the wheel throwing clay, making vases, cups and bowls, which he sold in his shop downstairs for a healthy profit. He was one of the finest glazers in Jerusalem since buying his own kiln, and was obsessed with vessels of all shapes and forms. His containers reached many a household kitchen in the Muslim quarters and he was very proud of this fact.
He began his ascent to the Dome of the Rock bejewled in gold. The sun was not up yet but there was a shimmer from the golden dome. The whole of Jerusalem was infront of him and it felt like it all belonged to him! He was a little king in this giant land, king of the Temple Mount.
Inside the mosque Ibrahim settled down to pray. He knelt down facing Mecca and started his daily routine of asking for good health for his grandmother, that he would eternally love his mother and blessings for his brothers and sisters. This time he also had a prayer for himself. 'Dear god' he said in his mind, 'I am a wealthy man compared to many in this city, I am a proud man as well but I cannot seem to reach the riches I behold in my mind. There is a great wealth to be made here in Jerusalem and I am unable to achieve it. My cups are just cups, my bowls are just bowls but they should be finished in gold if I am to be the greatest potter in all Jerusalem, god where do I go wrong?' God's voice came clearly and concisely back to Ibrahim, 'you must ask the beggar my child'. Ibrahim was very upset. 'Is this the true lord I speak to you everyday and you want me to talk to a jewish beggar!, I am too busy lord I need to run a business to build a family!' No voice came back. Ibrahim wanted to thank the father but was perplexed. He donned his Kufi and shuffled out of the mosque.
He started his descent back down the Mount. This time the sun shone on the gold Temple of the Rock reflecting in Ibrahims piercing eyes. Creating reflections on the dusty path. Ibrahim looked up he had reached Wilsons Arch. There were many Jews out praying for the first time that day. I feel awful thought Ibrahim, I did not ask God for forgiveness before I left the Mosque, maybe I am idle?!; Now I have the dilemma of finding the Jewish beggar. . . .
He decided to walk through the arch disguised as a jew in order to find him. His obsession with gold had forced him to listen to the Lords advice, maybe the beggar knew something he did not know. He bought a Jewish robe and hid his doub and kufi under his new outfit giving him a portly stance. He ruffled his beard, put a Torah under one arm and hoped no-one would guess he was really muslim. He uttered 'Shalom', and 'Boker Tov' – Good Morning, as he walked. At the end of the arch was the beggar sat in a pool of sunlight. Beggar he whispered, what is your name? The beggar said 'Abraham sire, I am praying sire' He held the conch to his ear. 'Why don't you pray with the others' asked Ibrahim, 'because I am blind sire'. I have one question, Abraham was able to understand Ibrahim's basic hebrew. 'I am a poor old man and need to become wealthy, how can I become rich, to provide for my children?' asked Ibrahim. Abraham replied 'you must listen to the conch sire!' What do you want for it Abraham? 'A good robe lord, a good robe, then I can pray with my brothers lord'. Wait I will send a friend with this gift said Ibrahim. He left with the conch and changed into his Doub and Kufi and pretended he had just arrived at the Arch on his way into town. 'Here', he handed Abraham the finest cotton robe he had ever felt, the one he was wearing. Abraham was overjoyed! 'Here' said Abraham 'this is what you need sire', learn from it and you will be rich beyond belief, touching the conch.
Abraham took his stick and joined his brothers at the wailing wall in his new cotton robes, he was prouder than he could imagine, he had made it from the high seas to Jerusalem and was sure to be looked after now he was praying in his community. Ibrahim on the other hand was bemused 'what do I want with a shell?'
He listened to it on his way home. That's it he exclaimed! I did fear God, and so now I have knowledge, I hear god when I am in the mosque and I hear the ocean waves inside the conch shell! I must pack my belongings and head to Yafo. There I will be rich! Ibrahim rushed through town with his suitcase and realised he must enter Wilson's Arch once more to pray before heading to Yafo. A group of jews gathered around him, 'hey' one said 'you were here this morning dressed as a Jew! But you are Muslim from your Kufi! Where are you from?' Ibrahim ran like he'd never run before. He went straight to the train station, and again missed his chance to ask god for forgiveness. 'How Idle'; And for such a blasphemous act!
Abraham opened his eyes, and sensed the midday sun. He stood in front of the wailing wall for the first time, too afraid to pray with his brothers and sisters for not having the right attire, he touched the stone with amazement that was the foundation to the original Jewish temple. He felt the richness of the stone it had come from. He remembered the days at sea working all hours, and the wife and family he had lost during the floods last year, and 'wait' he said to himself! 'Now I can see the church we built' His brothers and sisters crowded around him. 'The gardens, an oasis of nature, plants and birdlife. I can hear water, moving, irrigating the trees. There. . . there is the tree of life,' He said inscribing it in the stone. 'Hurry, hurry, we must bring these gifts here today!' And so forever more the Jewish people celebrate Abraham and his visions of the past, his suffering in the present and his ultimate vision of reclaiming the future.
