Chapter 5

    Elijah had just set off to look for food when he heard a heart-rending scream. It was a girl’s scream, and not a playful one, but one of terror; real genuine fright. He had no idea who she was or what was going on, but he started racing in that direction. His worst fear was that the mountain lion was stalking some defenseless little girl. Though he was nearly as defenseless in the same situation not more than an hour ago, he was determined to protect or assist whoever it was in trouble. Running just as hard and fast as he could, he covered quite a distance in no time. He focused on the area where he heard the scream, and it seemed to be in the very place where he faced the deadly panther just a short time prior. The fear started creeping back as he recalled looking into eyes that were looking at him as though he were already dead. His knees started feeling wobbly, but he didn’t know what this little girl’s situation entailed. He only knew that he may be her only chance to escape this lion’s inherent instinct to kill.

   “God, please be with me. Be with me as You were with Daniel in the lions’ den. You are my Protector, my Stronghold. Thank-You.” As he came flying through the last small clearing about twelve feet across, he started screaming at the top of his lungs in an effort to scare the cougar away.

   As he came bursting through the bushes, grass, and branches screaming and waving his arms,

he nearly ran smack into Mike as he was holding and comforting his daughter. If they weren’t scared before Elijah arrived, they were absolutely horrified at the sight of this man who is screaming and waving his arms like a maniac with large chunks of bloody flesh hanging off his face like ribbons. Micah began screaming and crying as Eric, just out of sheer instinct, jumped on Elijah and wrestled him to the ground, and with his eyes closed, was swinging his fists at Elijah’s head with everything he had. Everyone was running on pure fear and adrenaline. Mike lunged to pull Eric off Elijah while Micah retained a vise-like grip around her father’s waist and her head buried in the small of his back. As Eric got up, Elijah screamed in agony and wiped the blood out of his eyes. “What the hell is wrong with you?”

   “I think a better question is, “What the hell is wrong with you?? You look like you lost a fight with a legion of ninjas.” Mike couldn't stop staring at this mess of blood and flesh in front of him. He was in a nightmare and was trying to force himself awake.

   “I understand I may have startled you a bit, but I came running to save this little girl. Certainly a funny way of saying thank-you, if you ask me.” The pain ripping through Elijah's face coursed through his body in waves, buckling his knees.
   “What were you going to save my daughter from, pal?” There was mix of sarcasm and curiosity in Mike’s voice.
   “The same cougar that did this to my face about an hour ago. I nearly ran right into him while he was perched in this tree over here when I came out of this clearing and he lunged at my head. I ducked, but he swatted my face. I've never felt pain like this before and I know that it’s bled a lot.”
   “My daughter screamed when they came across your.....”
   “Tallit....prayer shawl.”
   “Uh, right. Well, it really startled her to see something soaked in blood out here in the middle of nowhere. I guess I should introduce myself and my kids. My name is Mike Blanchard, and this is my son, Eric...”
   “Sorry I jumped on you. I was really scared and it was just instinct. I hope I didn’t hurt your face any more than it is already.”
   “No problem. I’m sure it looks worse than it really is, anyway. It hurts but I figure it'll be better in a couple of days...I figure it’s like a razor cut when you’re shaving. Those bleed forever.”
   “No, you're a mess and in need of immediate medical attention. Oh. this is my daughter, Micah. She’s still quite shaken.”
   “It’s nice to meet you, Micah. I’m terribly sorry I scared you. My name is Elijah. Boy, today has been pretty extraordinary, to say the least.” Eric shook Elijah’s hand, as did Mike, but Micah continued to hide behind her dad and brother. She didn’t want to get close to this guy who looked like he just walked off the set of “Friday the 13th”; only those gashes in his face were real, and they were deep; running the length of his face from the corner of his eyebrow downwards to just below his earlobe. His face was wide open and bleeding badly.

   “Yeah, that’s my prayer shawl. Look, I live near-by, just under that outcropping over there...”
   “That’s where we were heading to climb,” Eric piped-in.
   “Well, that’s where I set up camp. You’re welcome to walk back with me if you’d like.”
He seemed like a nice-enough guy, so Mike accepted his offer. Besides, the kids needed to sit down and unwind for a little bit. The walk was a relatively short one when Elijah announced they had arrived Mike was confused, expecting to see a cabin or trailer, but there was nothing...just a semi-enclosed area covered by pine needles and surrounded by large rocks. He saw nothing here to indicate that Elijah was camping, much less living here.
   “Well, Elijah, honestly...I feel as though I’m in the Twilight Zone. This has been the most bizarre day of my life, if not the most frightening. Let me say first that your face needs immediate medical attention. Are you camping?”
   “Well, sort-of. On a long-term basis. I’ve decided to move out here and just live in the wild. Right off the land. Pioneer-style.”
   “Elijah, I can’t leave you out here like this, so why don’t you pack up your stuff....wait, where is all your stuff? You do have gear, don’t you?”
   “Uh....” Elijah shifted uncomfortably. “Not exactly.”
   “Sleeping bag?”
   “No.”
   “Jacket?”
   “Nope.”
   “Any non-perishable food?”
   “Didn’t have time to pack.”
   Mike was beginning to understand. Either Elijah was a runaway, or he was a fugitive of the law. Regardless, he needed prompt medical attention or he'd be dead soon.
   “Elijah, all of us have been kinda thrown together in a bizarre set of events today, so I hope you don’t mind me asking what’s going on with you. I grew-up in these parts, and I know just how dangerous and unforgiving this wilderness can be. I see that you’re wearing church clothes in the middle of the wild with no sleeping bag and no provisions. Are you here to commit suicide, Elijah?
   “First of all, I am a Jew, and I wouldn’t be caught dead in a church. My father is the chief Rabbi of the largest synagogue in Portland.” Mike made a mental note to look this guy up later to inform him

about his son’s whereabouts.
   “Secondly, you need not be concerned about my personal business. I am not out here to commit suicide, just start a new life. I will learn to provide for myself. I’ll learn as I go. Can’t be that tough...pioneers did it years ago, so I can too.”
   Mike was angry at this guy’s ignorance because he knew that Elijah didn’t have a chance out here. He would be incredibly fortunate to survive two weeks, and his last days, however many he has left, will be a tortured existence. He’ll probably be praying and begging for death to come quickly, but it won’t. It will be elusive, teasing him but evading his grasp. He may starve to death, maybe die of thirst; and if the animals don’t get to him and kill him, the inevitable infection in his facial wound certainly will. Mike had to do something.
   “Elijah, why don’t you come with us and we’ll get you to a hospital so that wound can get stitched and dressed. It’s really bad, and if you don’t get it taken care-of, you’ll be sure to get an infection which will probably kill you. It’s nothing to mess with, Elijah. You can stay with us for awhile until you get better, and then come back out here if you want.” Mike knew that he would decline, but he had to offer.
   “No thanks, Mike. That’s a kind offer, but I’ll be fine. I’m tougher than I look.”
With that, Elijah managed a mangled smile, so Mike smiled back but he wanted to grab him and shake some sense into his thick, stubborn head.
   “Ok, suit yourself. We should get going, though. It’s going to get dark soon, and we don’t want to get caught out here. Here, why don’t you take these supplies we brought? You have nothing right now, and who knows, these just might keep you alive for a few extra days. I have a couple canteens of water, a few MRE’s, (Meal, Ready To Eat); a flashlight, a shelter-half, and a rain poncho. Oh, here’s a bandage and a compress for your face. Would you like me to clean and bandage it for you before we go?”
   “No, I’ll be alright, really. Thanks anyway, Mike.”
   “You’ll need a lot of water, so you should find your water source first. There's a stream about a mile to the east of here, but it's seasonal. It may be dried up right now, but it's worth checking first thing tomorrow. You can only go a few days without it before you die of dehydration. Good luck, Elijah.”
As they walked away, he almost thought he heard them saying a prayer for him.

***

  “Kids, Elijah needs our prayers. Actually, he needs a lot more than our prayers, but that's about all we can offer him right now. He’s in big trouble.”
   “That's for sure. Dad, how come we don’t have prayer shawls?” Eric was clearly curious about what made them different from Elijah.
   "Well son, Elijah is Jewish.”

   “What does that mean?” Micah had never heard of Jewish before and was intrigued.

   “The term 'Jewish' can mean two things: it can mean a race of people, or it can refer to the religion of Judaism. Those followers are called Jews. That's what Jesus was, Eric. Jews gave us the Old Testament and most of the New Testament." Eric and Micah just looked at him for a moment while they digested this bit of information and let it sink in.
   "Did Jesus have a prayer shawl like that one?" Micah also had a zeal for life and knowledge. Mike loved that about his kids. They refused to be glued to video games and meaningless television programs. If they watched TV, it was usually things on the Discovery channel. They loved nature programs, and because of that, Mike has always suspected that they may grow up to be biologists, veterinarians, or something in the life science field.
   "I really don't know, honey. I'm sure he did."
   "What was that thing on his head?" The kids didn't miss a thing.
   "That's called a yarmulke, and they wear it out of reverence to God. The Jewish people love God very, very much but they don't believe in Jesus."
   "Why not???" These two couldn't believe that someone could love God so much, but not believe in Jesus. He understood a little bit about the wall of enmity that exists between the Church and the Jewish people, but he wasn't sure how to explain that to his children. How do you explain that people who claim to believe the very same things you do, claim to love the same Jesus they do, annihilated over six million Jewish people in the name of Jesus?? It's nearly impossible for his finite mind to comprehend a number that big, and it truly made his heart hurt and ache when he considered the unconscionable, colossal sin committed by an evil few.

  Tears came to his eyes as he looked at his little girl and simply said, "Honey, there are a few doctrinal points that they disagree with us about. Pray for them, sweetie.” Micah looked up at him with the sweetest smile that could melt the hardest heart. His daughter loved Jesus with everything in her...they were truly best friends, so he had no doubt that she would be talking to Jesus very soon about these Jews that she just learned about who need Him.

Chapter 4

  “Rabbi Geller, can you please tell me the nature of the argument you had with Elijah this morning?” The police officer had come right over to take a statement and record as many details as possible.
  “Immediately after the Shabbat service, in my office, I asked Eli what his plans were for the summer. The boy is 24, hasn’t gone to college yet except for a few credits at Mt. Hood Community College. Most of his peers have graduated, they’re getting married, going for advanced degrees...what is he doing? Nothing! He has a go-nowhere job as a courier downtown, and he’s up half the night watching television. He leads a vocuous life that is leading where? He eats my food but doesn’t pay rent. I wanted to know what his plans were, and he immediately got defensive.” Just recalling it made Zvi feel as though his heart were being pulled from his chest. He loved Elijah intensely and wanted the very best for him...for both of his sons. They were the most precious gifts God had ever given him. He was entrusted with two fragile lives, and look how he’s failed.
  “What did Elijah say when you asked him what his plans for the summer entailed?” Officer Thompson had been with the Portland Police Bureau for fifteen years and had heard similar stories hundreds of times. This was so routine, yet every time he saw the pain involved in a family dispute, he ached for them. These were real people, not television actors, with very real pain and tears. He always did his best to bring about a happy ending to a tragic and sad story, so he’s already thinking about finishing with the family, putting the report in the computer so that all the law enforcement agencies in the metro area will have access to this information and will be looking for him.

  “He said not to bother him about it. He said that he would go to Israel again with us,” the Rabbi hesitated for just a second, but Thompson picked up on it.
  “What then, Rabbi Geller?”
  “Well, I suggested.......actually, I told him that I had already made arrangements for him to stay in Israel and attend Hebrew University in Jerusalem. It’s a very prestigious school, and I thought maybe he just needed a gentle nudge in the right direction.” Zvi was starting to choke-up again, tears rolling up and over his high cheek bones, down his round face and into his neatly-trimmed brown beard.

  “Eli then told me that he’s not going to school. He said he doesn’t know what he wants to do, but he definitely doesn’t want to attend school. He then told me that if I continue to push him....” Zvi’s voice trailed off as he began sobbing, his huge shoulders convulsing as his heart continued to break.
  “Just relax Rabbi Geller, take your time, and continue when you’re ready.” This was always an uncomfortable position to be in for Officer Thompson. He always felt like such an outsider, almost an impostor, an unwelcome guest that is only there out of necessity, but that is the compelling factor in the equation that pushes him do what he’s doing. “They need me right now, and Elijah needs me,” he thought to himself as the Rabbi tried to compose himself.
  “.........he said that if I continue to push him, that he would make choices and plans, but that they wouldn’t be at all what I would want for him.”
  “What did he mean by that?”
  “I have no idea, but I said, ‘Fine. You’re a grown man. Make decisions for your life. Let me know by 5pm tonight, and if you fail to do that, then you will attend Hebrew University in the fall.”
  “What did he say then?
  “That’s when he looked at me with the coldest eyes, emptiest eyes I have ever seen and said, “You will never see me, or talk to me again. Never.”
  Recalling those words and actually repeating them aloud served to finish one process that was put into motion already: Zvi’s heart, at that moment, was completely broken.

***

  Elijah knew that the wind and weather here generally came from the west-northwest, so he found a place where several large boulders the size of small cars partially encircled a soft part of the ground covered in pine needles. There was a small entrance that could be easily concealed, and the top was partially covered by overhanging limbs from pine and fir trees. Later he would strip some long branches and cover them with grass, leaves, ferns, or any other material he could find to improvise a more weather-proof covering for his new home. So as far as he could tell, this was about as good of a place as anyone could hope for. Somehow, in the process of meeting a mountain lion face to face, he’d managed to keep hold of his Tanakh, which, according to Christians, is the Old Testament. That was comforting, knowing that he had with him the very spoken words of God. He drew strength from knowing that the prophet Elijah also hid in a cave, as did David.

  They were hiding from people trying to kill them. Then and there, Elijah found himself hiding from....himself, from his own life. Where could he go to escape that? He remembered Psalm 139 that says, “Where can I go from Your Spirit? And where can I flee from Your Presence? If I ascend to Heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in the lowest depths, behold; You are there.” Elijah allowed those words to soak into his spirit for a few moments. The comforting presence of God washed over him and enveloped him like a warm blanket on a cold night.

  “Well, this is nice and I'd like to stay like this all night, but I need to get moving. This is a new life, a new start. No one to answer to, except God, and I’m not going to hold my breath waiting for Him to appear in a burning bush to talk to me. Unless He plans on feeding me manna and quail out here, I’m gonna need to go find some food.”

***

   “We’re almost there, Dad! Micah, climb up here on this rock with me....you can see forever!”
  “Wait up, Eric! Will you help me get on the rock, Daddy?”
  Mike had to admit this was the most fun he’d had in years. He realized just how blessed he really is to have a great job, a nice house, a newer car; but most importantly, he has two beautiful children who love each other and don’t fight like so many other kids. Eric is always looking out for his sister, and Micah looks up to Eric and confides in him. They both love God, and have given their lives to Jesus, which, Mike is convinced, makes all the difference in the world.
  “Ok sweetie, you can use me for balance. Push off from my shoulder, and place your right foot in this crevice. I’ll give you a boost, and then Eric will take your hand and pull you the rest of the way up, ok?”
  Micah scampered up the rock with no problem. Athletic prowess ran in the family. Both Mike and Linda were excellent athletes in high school and college. Eric is already playing varsity football, baseball, and wrestling; and Micah is in volleyball and cheerleading. They all love to stay active, though this is the first time they’ve been out together since the accident. Except for just a few passing comments like, “Ooh, these were mom’s favorite flowers,” or “Mom would love this view,” there wasn’t much emotional baggage being brought along today. They were just having a great time together.
  “Hey Micah, see that funny-looking tree over there?”
  “Yeah....so?”

  “Look to the left of it on the ground. There’s something white, like a towel or something. That’s really out of place out here....let’s go see what it is!”
  Micah looked down at her dad...”Can we, dad?”
  “You bet! Today we’re the three super-explorers and we go wherever we want, remember?!!”
  Eric leapt off the rock with impressive agility, then turned and offered his sister a hand. When they were both on the ground, they took off together through the trees toward their new discovery. Mike walked casually in their direction, receiving his own healing touch from nature, when he suddenly heard Micah scream. Mike dropped his heavy backpack and bolted toward them, not knowing exactly where they were, but able to follow the sound of his daughter’s cry. As he broke through the bushes and tree limbs, he came across Eric and Micah, both white as a sheet and trembling, holding a strange-looking garment that was about twice the size of a bath towel with tassels on the edges and long ones at each corner. There was strange writing on it....Mike recognized it as Hebrew from a religion course he took in college.

  By itself it was fascinating, but that’s not what made his little girl scream. The most intriguing part of this garment was not simply that it was obviously out of place here, deep in the forests of central Oregon, but that it was soaked in blood. Fresh blood.

Chapter 3

  “Rachael, what have we done? All his life, have we not given him everything? Have we not provided him a life that the vast majority of the kids out there only dream of? Have I ever turned him away, ever treated him as David treated Absalom? I raised him to love God, and to love Torah. Oh God!!! Why have You driven my son from me?? What have I done??!! I have been strict, but loving; always following the examples set forth in Your scriptures. How could this be? Please bring my Elijah back to me!” His heart-wrenching sobs force his prayer to end, albeit momentarily. He continued to replay the argument they had after synagogue today about Elijah’s future. It was what Sarah told him that confirmed all that he feared, and all he could hear were Elijah’s final words to him ...

  “You will never see, or talk to me again. Never.”

***

  Looking out over the wilderness, the vast expanse of God’s wild creation, Elijah felt nervous, but his sense of exhilaration at being free overwhelmed him. Throwing caution to the wind, he just left his home and all he’s ever known. He walked away from the love of his life and left Sarah sitting in his bedroom. As he drove the three hours from Portland to central Oregon, his only thoughts were of himself. He was tired of answering to everybody else. He didn't want to be responsible for Sarah and her future, his parents and their acceptance of him. He only wanted to be responsible for Elijah in the most primitive sense. His only possessions that he took were his Tanakh, (Hebrew Bible), his prayer shawl, and the clothes on his back. During the drive from Portland he stopped and got some beef jerky, bottled water and today's edition of the newspaper as a souvenir. “Today is the first day of my new life.”

   As he stood there on the side of the road looking out across miles of trees, separated by the occasional towering volcanoes of the Cascade mountains, he felt the strangle-hold of society losing its grip. He laughed. Giggled. Though he’s 24, he felt like a young boy feeling the sun on his face for the first time.
“I’m free!!!” With that, he bolted into the tree line towards nothing in particular, just knowing that he was now responsible for gathering all his own food, locating water, building shelter, and surviving the elements. Sure, he had been on several hikes through these woods, but he had to admit that he really didn’t know the rules of survival in this very hostile and unforgiving environment. Nor did he have the proper clothing or equipment, but none of this occurred to him as he ran aimlessly yet purposefully farther and farther away from the suffocating expectations of his previous life, and deeper and deeper into the grips of death.

***

  “Yoni, have you seen or heard from Elijah?”
   “No, what’s the matter?”
   “Oy vey! He’s left home! He told me that I would never...” Zvi's words were drowned out by the sobs welling up from a place he had not previously known existed. “He said I would never see or talk to him again. I have no idea where he is. I’ve called all his friends and talked to their parents. How do you think that makes me look? The Rabbi can’t even control his own family! What the people must be saying right now!”
   “Zvi, the last thing you need to be worrying about is what your congregants are thinking about you. Let’s worry about finding Eli. Have you contacted the police yet?”
   “Not yet. I wanted to make sure he wasn’t at one of his friends’ house or with you before calling them. Oh Yoni, what have I done?” Zvi couldn't restrain the trainwreck of emotion overtaking him. “Eli, Eli, come back! God, please...if only You’ll bring back my Elijah, I promise not to pressure him to do things he doesn’t want to do. He can do whatever he wants, and regardless of what that is...even if he runs off and becomes a...a......Christian, perish the thought! I’ll be proud of him and love him unconditionally. Just like how You love me. Please God, bring back my son.”

   “Zvi, I’m coming over and we can go look for him together. In the meantime, call the police and file a missing persons’ report. I’ll see you in a few minutes.”

***

   Elijah stopped running and took a moment to catch his breath. As he looked around him, he noticed how dark it was under the canopy of trees, though it was late afternoon. It was dank and a little nippy even.    “Hmm, I should have planned a little better and at least grabbed my jacket. Oh well. If the pioneers could survive starting out with nothing, then I can too! First thing’s first: I need to find a place to make camp. It needs to provide shelter from the wind and rain, and should be on high ground. Then I’ll start looking for food. There’s a lot of plants and ferns and berries out here, so I guess today I'm a vegetarian. I’ll learn about fishing and making traps as I go...” As he walked along out into a clearing, the sun instantly warmed his face. He noticed a large rock outcropping at the base of Three-Finger Jack, one of the mountains in the area; so he headed off in that direction. “I’ll make camp at the base of that ledge,” he thought. He had no way of knowing that ledge was already considered ‘home’ by someone else, but he would soon find out.

***

   “Hey Dad, what mountain is that?”
Mike stopped and looked to see which mountain Eric was referring to.

   “That’s called ‘Three-Finger Jack’, son. Kind of a funny name for a mountain, huh?”
   “Yeah, really! Why do they call it that?”
Mike had no idea, but the need in him to always have the answer for his kids compelled him to spin one of the most creative stories he had ever told.
   “Well kids, it’s a tragic story, really. I’m not sure you’d want to hear it.” It was bait, and they were biting.

   “C’mon, Dad, tell us!”
   “Yeah, Dad! I want to know, too!” Micah was so cute, pleading with her big brown eyes, her mother’s eyes.
   “Ok guys. Here’s the story of Three-Finger Jack.” At that very moment, the most blood-chilling sound, a shriek, sounded out across the valley. No doubt it was heard for miles; and there’s no doubt that it was recognized immediately by all who heard it as a very large, very angry mountain lion. Especially Elijah, who was nearly close enough to reach out and feel the massive, powerful muscles rippling under his fur in anticipation of the savage mauling he was about to impart.

   No man has existed since the likes of Samson and David that could stand face to face with such an animal, the ultimate predator, and not be reduced to a mass of Jell-O. Elijah was in no way as courageous as Samson or David, though he was no sissy. Nevertheless, looking face to face with one of the most fearsome animals on earth broke Elijah down. He was paralyzed with sheer terror...his mouth was dry as chalk...his skin felt as though it slid off and pooled in his shoes. A fraction of a second felt like an eternity as both of them pondered their options. Now, Elijah wasn’t sure what the huge cat was thinking, but if decided to attack, he was hoping it would be quick and painless. The idea of being batted and shredded like a toy rubbed in cat nip didn’t appeal to him, nor did images of this cougar pulling his half-eaten body up into a tree. As quickly as those thoughts slipped through his mind, he saw the muscles in the lion’s huge shoulders twitch...Elijah flinched and the cougar leapt right at his head, and as he did so, Elijah reacted and ducked just in time to save his life, but the massive right paw caromed across the right side of his face, leaving a mangled, shredded, bloody mess of skin. He turned to see the cougar disappear into the tree line and out of sight.

***

  “Daddy, what was that?” Micah’s eyes were wide with fear.
   “That was a mountain lion, sweetheart. Don’t be afraid. They go out of their way to avoid people.”
   “But Dad...” Eric was visibly shaken also... “that sounded really close. What if it’s still in the area...or...or heading toward us?”
   “Everything is fine, kids!” He was probably just letting us know that he’s here...maybe as a courtesy. He’s probably long gone by now. C’mon you two, I can see the ridge from here.”
Eric and Micah exchanged nervous glances, but trusted their father to protect them and not lead them into a dangerous situation. Mike prayed silently that the huge cat went in the opposite direction as well.

***

  Elijah couldn’t move. An eternity had passed since the mountain lion had run off, but he couldn’t will himself to move a muscle. Every sound terrified him, as he was convinced that the cougar was circling back around, stalking him - waiting for the perfect moment to finish what was started. In the meantime, Elijah just stood there bleeding all over his prayer shawl which was draped around his neck like a scarf. Slowly, as the minutes ticked by and he realized that his brush with death was over, he started to move. First his hand came up to his cheek to inspect the damage. There was no pain. He figured he must be in shock. There was a lot of blood, flesh hung in ribbons, but no pain yet. Then he started glancing around and noticed that his prayer shawl was covered in blood, so he removed it from around his neck, wiped his face off, and left it on the ground. He wasn’t concerned about the Jewish tenet of tikkun olam, or repairing the environment. He was thrilled just to be alive, and somehow, the traditions of his elders lost a bit of their luster for a moment. What significance does a prayer shawl have the moment after nearly being decapitated by a 170 lb mountain lion? Elijah wasn’t concerned about the traditions of his people, though he loved them dearly, but instead, he wanted to hug the trees, roll in the pine needles on the ground, sing along with the birds...he wanted to embrace life and drink in every sight, smell, and sound. He had no problem walking away from his prayer shawl, and loving God more than ever for His protection.

Chapter 2

   Growing up in Portland, Oregon, offered Elijah the best of two worlds. On one hand, he lived in the city, a metro area with more than two million people. His father was the chief rabbi of the city’s largest synagogue. Opportunity abounds for a striking, athletic, and incredibly intelligent young man like Elijah, combined with the network of connections available through his father and the Jewish community that he grew up in. There were the camping trips in the summer deep into the forests of central and western Oregon, fishing trips on the coast with his father, and long hikes around the Oregon and Washington Cascade mountains with his younger brother, Jeremiah, and Uncle Yonatan, or, “Uncle Yoni,” as he called him. His favorite, by far, however, were the annual trips to Israel. There was nothing like it. The entire year in the Geller home was usually spent in baited anticipation for the next trip; always striving to bring more people with them each successive year.
  On the surface, it seemed as though he had it all...a well-to-do, close-knit family, dozens of friends, and a future bright enough to dim the sun; but Elijah was miserable. He’d been miserable for as long as he could remember. The pressure from all sides began pressing in on him when he was just a few years old.

   “Sit still, Elijah. You are the Rabbi’s son; you are to be the best-behaved boy. Don’t embarrass your father.”
   “Don’t pick at your food, Elijah. You’re the Rabbi’s son, and you will have manners at the table.”
   “Settle down and be quiet, son. Your father is studying the Scriptures and you must not disturb him.”
The pressure he felt from all sides only got more intense as he got older. Grades, athletics, Torah study, and civic projects never ended. His family was expecting him to attend college full-time, as well as his girlfriend's family. The expectations were very high for him, yet he wasn't sure which direction he wanted to go. He felt as though he was tied to a chair with a towel soaked in water laid across his face; a panicked feeling that you’re slowly drowning.

   “If only I could live on my own, away from everything and everybody.” That became his fantasy every time he felt the walls closing in.
                                                                       ***
   “You cannot possibly imagine what it’s like growing up in your house! From the time I was old enough to remember, I have been expected to be the most well-mannered, the smartest, the best athlete, and the most Jewish of everyone else in the synagogue, except for you, of course, the Rabbi. I am sick to death of living up to your expectations and society’s expectations for a rabbi’s son.” Elijah had never spoken to his father in a disrespectful manner, but the crack in the dam was getting bigger and would soon burst, bringing forth a whole host of pent-up emotion that had never been dealt with.
   “I run the risk of being shunned if I do something that I want to do, but doesn’t line up with what everyone else thinks I should do. ‘Be a doctor or lawyer, or go to yeshiva to be a rabbi like your father’...always something. But what if...what if I wanted to live in Jerusalem and be a Christian tour guide?”
   “That’s alright with me if you want to take their money, do what you want to do. That’s the point I’m trying to get across to you. I don’t care what you do, I just want you to determine what that’s going to be and then do it. Of course I want the very best for you...what father doesn’t want the same things for his own children? You are so smart, Elijah. You have so many gifts that God has given you. For you to do nothing to develop those gifts would be nothing short of a tragedy, but please understand that if you wanted to go and join the circus as a clown, and that’s what you really wanted to do, then I would be proud of you and support you.” Intensity began building in Zvi's voice as the veins in his forehead started bulging. “But as it stands, you are 24 years old, living in my house, working part-time, eating my food and not paying rent! It has been like this for six years now. You take a class or two at the community college, but you have yet to apply yourself. Maybe that’s my fault. Maybe it’s my responsibility to motivate you. If so, then I’ve taken that step. You have until 5pm tonight to come up with a plan and make some decisions, Elijah.”
   “Or?”
   “Or you will be attending Hebrew University in the fall. You will stay in Israel after we leave to come back home. You can stay with your uncle Shlomo if you’d like. I’ve already discussed it with him. You are currently enrolled at the university, and the tuition has been paid. All you have to do is register for the classes you want and show up.”
   “Don’t you see? This is just another way for you to keep me under your thumb! I can’t make my own decisions...you’ve already made them for me! I won’t do it. I don’t know what I want to do, but I do know that I will not go back to school.”
   “Well, Elijah, you have until 5pm to decide what it is that you do want to do. If you don’t, then it’s off to Israel you go. Please understand that what I’m doing is out of love for you. I want you to succeed and find happiness, Elijah. Don’t forget that.”
   “I will not have my mind made up by 5pm today, and if you insist on that, then let me tell you this: you will not like the decision I make. You will never see or talk to me again. Never.”
                                                                       ***

   “Hurry up, daddy!” screamed Micah, as she and Eric raced down the trail head covered in gravel with weeds and grass sprouting up and retaking what was originally theirs. The air was filled with the songs of dozens of birds, singing about another glorious day in God’s creation, and the path held evidence of wildlife recently passing through the area. Even though he knew he couldn’t keep up with his kids at his age, he made no attempt to restrain them as they shook off the mental confines imposed by city living. He knew first-hand how therapeutic a day in the mountains can be, and Heaven knows they’ve needed a getaway like this since their mother was killed by a drunk driver late one night on her way home from work. They were a very close family; dedicated Christians, in church every Sunday, and always volunteering for ministry opportunities. The loss of Linda was devastating for all of them, but it also pulled them closer together. He smiled as he watched his two precious angels laugh and play like nothing else existed at that moment...just each other, Dad, and mommy watching from Heaven.
   “Dad, look at that ridge up there! Can we climb up there?”
   “You man enough to make it?” It was a not-so-subtle challenge to his son’s masculinity, which was met with a sly grin. Mike knew they all could make it, but he really wanted to affirm his kids’ self-confidence. When they make it to the top of the ridge, they feel as though they’ve really accomplished something-at least that’s what all the parenting gurus say; particularly after the death of a parent.

   “Micah, can you make it all the way up there, or will I have to carry you?” Another sly grin. “Dad, we’re worried about you being able to make it!” There was laughter all around.
   “Ok, guys! Today we are three super-explorers with no agenda. We’ll go wherever we feel like, conquering everything in our path! Ok?” Eric and Micah both shouted, “ALL RIGHT!”
                                                                 ***

  “I just can't handle everybody making all the decisions for me!” Elijah's mind was spinning uncontrollably, but Sarah Rosen was the one person who could calm his spirit and refocus him. She is a lovely girl, petite in stature. Sarah has always been very athletic through school, and often goes hiking with the Geller family during the summers and has been a regular on their trips to Israel for the last three years. With long, curly black hair, a narrow face, and soft gentle eyes, she reflects her European Jewish roots. She comes from one of the original Jewish families in the Portland area, which immigrated from Poland. Her father owns a large printing company and her mother teaches Jewish Studies at Portland State University. They have voiced their concern to Sarah about Elijah's lack of focus and drive, but it falls on deaf ears. She loves Elijah and knows him better than anybody. They had been friends since the 2^nd Grade, attending Hebrew school together, went to the same middle and high school, her family are members of B'nai Torah, and they've been romantically-involved for about 3 years. She sees beyond the Elijah of today, and she refuses to give up. Sarah passionately believes her Eli will do great things when he decides what that will be. And then her parents will see, and they'll be proud of them both for never giving up.

  “Elijah, nobody wants to control your life. Your dad knows how amazing you are and is excited to see that potential bloom into something amazing. I can't wait to see it too! You are so special, Eli-everybody sees it. Your little brother adores you, your parents are proud of you....”

  “No they're not! Are they so proud of me that they're sending me to stay in Israel? I'm being banished because my father is ashamed that I still live here and I'm not going to school. At least if I'm in Israel, he can make something up when people ask how I'm doing. Whatever. I am so tired of this. I just want to get away from all of this.” Elijah laid down on his bed with his back to Sarah and just stared at his cluttered desk. A knotted ball of panic dropped into Sarah's chest.

  “Elijah, you're not talking about.....suicide, are you? Eliyahu?” Tears welled up in her eyes at the thought of Elijah hurting himself, or worse. She only addressed him by his Hebrew name when she was absolutely serious. He was her whole world and she would walk through life homeless and hungry if it meant being with her Eli. Her insides were a raging inferno of stress as she waited for his response.

  “I don't want to kill myself, but I can't stay here anymore. And I don't want to stay in Israel with Shlomo. He smells a bit like whitefish.” Elijah wanted to ease Sarah's despair with a little humor, and it worked. He rolled back over to see Sarah laugh. He loved the way her whole face lit up when she smiled. Hers was the most beautiful face he had ever seen.

  The iron grip of anxiety melted away, but she just couldn't get past the feeling of impending doom. As she gently kissed his lips she cradled his face with her hand and whispered, “It's going to be alright. I will be right here beside you, no matter what. Whether you stay here, go to Israel, or to the far side of the moon; I will never leave your side.” Elijah stopped and stared at her for what seemed liked an hour, though it was only a minute. He was lost in thought, but then suddenly came back to their moment.

  “Yeah, I like that idea. To the far side of the moon. I'll send you a postcard.” With a newly determined look in his eyes, Elijah got up, walked out of his bedroom and out of the house. He didn't even look back at Sarah as he left. The iron grip of panic seized her once again.

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

The central Oregon air is as clean and invigorating as anywhere in the world, but he no longer noticed, nor did he appreciate the warm sun on his face. The ripping pain of starvation was like a brick wall between the outdoor paradise he was in and his ability to see the 100-ft pine and fir trees and snow-capped mountains around him. Elijah was dying, and he knew it. He hadn’t eaten in about nine days. It's been three days since he's had water. His severely weakened condition had made him lethargic and unmotivated to find a source of water. His tongue was dry and swollen, making it difficult to swallow. Knowing that he had no chance of walking out alive, that he would never see a human face again, he decided to scribble a quick note for the unfortunate hunter or hiker that will eventually find his body.

“To whom it may concern:

No food or water. Rabbi Zvi Geller, and Rachael, my parents. Portland. Tell them I’m sorry.”

I am, Elijah

He put the note in the front pocket of his pants so that it would be easily located, and began dragging himself, ever so slowly toward a nearby clearing where he would be found sooner. His head felt like concussion grenades were being detonated one after another behind his eyes, and breathing was becoming more and more difficult. This was it. He could almost see and hear the angels coming for him, so with the last shred of strength he had left, he pulled himself up using a broken tree branch that seemed to be a hand offering help. As he got to his feet, he turned his face to the midmorning sun in the east, and what started as unintelligible and raspy, slowly became stronger and more pronounced:

✡ “Shema Yisra’el, Adonai eloheinu Adonai echad!”✡
“Hear O Israel, the Lord our God the Lord is One!”

The ‘Shema’ is the cornerstone of the Jewish statement of faith. The first prayer he or she learns, it is repeated twice a day for their entire life, and is usually the last words uttered across their lips before dying. It is forever embedded in the Jewish spirit. With that, Elijah’s world went into an uncontrollable spin, the ringing in his ears grew deafening, and he never felt his head hit the ground.

***

Mike Blanchard had grown up in these mountains. He knows every ravine, every ridge, and every bear den in the entire Sisters wilderness area. The forecast for today couldn’t be better for the hike he has planned with his fifteen year-old son, Eric, and his twelve year-old daughter, Micah. As an engineer with Intel, he just doesn’t have the time with his family that he’d like, so they’d planned this trip three months in advance. It made him sad that he didn't have the time he'd like to spend with his children, especially considering he's a single parent, but he does the best he can.

Mike and his kids left Portland at 5am, driving east over the towering Mt. Hood, south towards the scenic town of Bend and arriving at the trail head by mid-morning. There was a car already there, which was odd because this trail was accessed by a maze of old logging roads off of the main highway. As far as Mike knew, few others knew about this place. Maybe someone had stumbled upon it as he had twenty years ago. Knowing the perils that the wilderness can heap upon even the most experienced outdoors man, Mike wisely prepares for every contingency. Extra water, extra food, rain gear; (rain is always a distinct possibility in the Pacific Northwest), a map of the area, a compass, a Garmen RINO GPS unit; and even a tent in the event they get stranded overnight. He packed it all into his large-frame backpack, got Eric and Micah organized with similar gear packed into their day packs, and started off on a planned family hike that would become the source of nightmares for all three.

***

In The Beginning....

The process of writing is much like giving birth, at least as far as I can tell. No, I've never given birth to a baby - that is, of course, anatomically impossible. I have, however, conceived of ideas....thoughts, and then nurtured them into a virtual paintbrush; with each stroke I watch them come alive.

This blog is the beginning of my new novel, and I would like to invite you to come along with me through the journey...from conception through publishing. I have the concept, but I welcome your insight and critiques. I also welcome your help in creating a riveting title, so come along with me as we get started on this adventure!