Encounter: A Conversation Between Two Converts
Published in Issue #4 Translated from Serbian by Chrstina Pribichevich(Excerpt of a Novel)
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This excerpt from The Legend of Luna Levi is set in Istanbul, Ottoman Empire at the beginning of the 16th century. Solomon is Luna’s father who once was Jewish but his ancestors converted to Christianity and at this point he reconverts to his original religion, Judaism. Orlu-Pasha was forcefully converted from Christianity to Islam when he was a boy.
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Late one evening, a loud, sharp rapping at the Saloms’ door awakened Solomon and, as if expecting an unknown, uninvited guest, he leapt to his feet and rushed to open it. Contrary to his custom over the many years of their meetings, Orlu-Pasha stood at the door attended by only one courtier. Solomon gave a small bow and, without a word, swept open his arm, inviting them into his home. Having followed the turbulent political events rocking the capital, and the Porte, he was aware of the difficult position that his employer, whom he had long since thought of as a friend, found himself.
Solomon roused the servant women who immediately brought them halvah, mead and squeezed lemon, though Orlu-Pasha, broodingly preoccupied, which Solomon attributed to worry and distress, asked only for water.
After a lengthy silence, a further indication of the Pasha’s disquiet, he said softly, his voice hoarse:
“As you know, my dear Solomon, the city is seething with unrest. Turmoil is dangerous and Bayezid is no more.” He paused, as if to cross himself but stopped midway and whispered: “I myself don’t rightly know where I am. . . When the muezzin calls out the yatsi
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