“Begone Jew! The child has agreed to become a Christian, and there is nothing you can do to get him back!”

Hirsch stared the priest in the face and smiled slightly.

“Do you really think you can scare me into converting? It’s almost Chanukah time, and I am sure you are familiar with the story of Chana and her seven sons. Her righteous children refused to bow down to the idol, even the youngest of them, and even after being told he could simply pick up a ring and pretend that he was bowing. They chose death over turning their backs to our G-d, and you drag me here, threatening me, thinking that I will go along with your plan? Kill me then, if that is what your threat is.”

“So brave, but so foolish,” Peter sneered. “Your father is an old man, what do you think it will do to his spirit if you are lost to him forever?”

“It will not be forever. There is a world after this one.”

“Then lost to him in this world, insolent child!”

“For how long? Even if he lives until 120, he will eventually join me in the next world and see me again. Do you see now, that you cannot scare me with your silly tactics? Maybe it works with others, but it will not work with me, Peter.”

“Father Peter! Now listen closely, you think I am going to sit here and listen to your insolence? I will crush your spirit, boy, just you wait and see!”

“I am not afraid of you.”