The revised and expanded
edition of Avner Gold's The Year of the Sword opens in 1648 with the
happy occasion of Rav Shloime Strasbourg's marriage to Brachah Surkis,
to the delight of his parents who never thought they would live to see
this day. Several months later, Rav Shloime travels with Aharon, his
ten-year-old stepson, and his friend Elisha Ringel to a family wedding
in Nemirov, Ukraine.
In middle of the
festivities, the count informs the Jewish community that the Cossacks
have revolted and are fast approaching, and he offers them sanctuary in
the castle. The people run to the supposed safety of the castle, the
bride still in her wedding dress, but the Cossacks gain entry through
trickery. The trapped people heroically choose martyrdom, and the scenes
that ensue are horrendous.
Rav Shloime, Aharon and
Elisha escape Nemirov through Elisha;s resourcefulness, but danger
pursues them. Rav Shloime and Aharon become separated from Elisha during
the attack on Polnoye, and only Rav Shloime's quick thinking saves them
from certain death.
The Year of the Sword depicts
the early stages of the tragedy that befell the Jewish people during
the years 1648-1649, known to Jewish history as "Tach v'Tat", when a
large portion of European Jewry perished at the hands of the Cossacks
and their Tatar allies. It vividly portrays Bogdan Chmielnicki, the
Cossack hetman, and Tugay Bey, the Tatar general. We behold the faith
and courage of Rav Yechiel Michel Katz of Nemirov and Rav Shimshon
Ostropolier of Polnoye as they inspire their followers to sanctify the
Name. And we witness Rav Yom Tov Lipmann Heller, the Tosefos Yom Tov,
the illustrious rabbi of Krakow, struggle with the plight of the women
whose husbands disappeared in the war.
The Year of the Sword is historical fiction at its finest.
