Customer Reviews

The Dawning of the Day: A Jerusalem Tale

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Here is a novel, such as it is, that transfers the imagery of Jerusalem and fills the soul with newness and awe. The subtle interaction of the scholars and a humble man of prayer are perfectly positioned. This is one of the finest books I've ever read. -- a librarian, Bonnie Mitchell

There are writers who seem to live more in where their ancestors have been, than where they themselves are now. In this book Haim Sabato writes of another Jerusalem time and generation. He does so in a multi-layered Hebrew and legendary tone which strongly remind of Agnon. It is as if the writer is saying that this is no ordinary story we are here but rather something like a folk tale and religious midrash combined.
The lead character of the work is Ezra Siman Tov, a pious and righteous scribe who lives in harmony with his wife in Jerusalem. A good part of the book is devoted to describing the daily life and thought of this pious man whose every action is devoted to the service of God. Ezra Siman Tov has a secret a sin which troubles him and which he would repent for. He is a storyteller and in his meeting with others he recreates the world he has known. The blind fiddler Rahamim and Siman Tov's brother- in- law the frustrated scholar Tawil are two of those he meets with and influences.
The book is very good at creating the atmosphere of the Mahane Yehudah Jerusalem of the Old Yishuv. It slowly accumulates its descriptions of the various eccentric and often holy characters of the city. This is a book meant to be savored , and lingered with.

I truly loved this book. It was so beautiful. Beware, though, because I cannot recommend this book to everyone. It is filled with Jewish liturgy (the author teaches in a Jerusalem yehiva), stories within stories, and the pulse of life in Jerusalem. This was a book that for me, a person who had once lived in that golden city, brought nostalgia for Jerusalem to the point of tears. I found myself sometimes drifting into the story itself by "visiting" the places mentioned or "tasting" the ka'ak, a type of pastry, or sipping the sweet mint tea. I would say I was more taken in by the setting of this story than most other readers would be.

The main character, Ezra, is a simple man who works in a laundry and lives a life of piety. In his own way, he brings charm to those who know him by the stories he recounts to others.

More memorable characters walk the pages of this book. Rahamim is a blind musician with a story of the past. Dr. Yehudah Tawil is Ezra's erudite brother-in-law who loves to display his educational prowess. Haham Pinto is the sage who shares his knowledge by delivering religious sermons. Madame Sarah is Ezra's wife and true soul mate.

The liturgy that accompanied this story was fitting and inspirational. Due to the way in which the author brought authentic teaching to the secularism of his novel, this book filled my soul. I simply did not want it to end.

The tale of Ezra Shem Tov is really touching. It really brings out the flavor of old Sefardic Jerusalem, with its traditions and relationships.