The Golden Monkey - Act III

ACT III - SCENE I

Scene: In the house of PINCHAS at the seder table. The house is brightly lit and spic and span. All are well dressed. PINCHAS wears a white silken Kittel. The table is richly set with dishes and silverware.

PINCHAS stands up and makes Kiddush. All drink from the cup. Then PINCHAS washes his hands. All eat Karpas dipped in salt water and say the blessing. All rise and sing: “Ho lachmo anyo”.

Moshe: translates: (“This is the bread of affliction!”, etc.)

Pinchas: You see, children, we Jews should never despair. We must always have faith in the help of G-d, even if things look as if they could not get worse. Just think of us. Two days ago we did not have a penny to make Pesach. And now we sit at a table that has everything the riches Jew could desire for the seder. We are all dressed in beautiful, new clothes, happy and joyous like kings. Who would have thought that possible when you went to bed without a decent meal, crying? This matzoh is the symbol of our liberation from the bondage of Egypt. It is also the symbol of our undying faith in the help of G-d, when the need seems greatest. Now Moshe, ask the Four Questions.

Moshe: “Mah Nishtano halaila hazze. . . “

(While he talks a horse-drawn coach is heard rolling through the street and stopping in front of the house. Pinchas turns pale. The children notice his strange reaction.)

Rachel: It was too good to be true. Now they are coming to accuse us of something. If we only had not taken the money for the clothes and the matzot, and all the other things.

Pinchas: Go on, Moshe, continue the questions. The Almighty who has helped us thus far will help us further, that no evil shall befall us.

(Moshe continues the singsong, while heavy steps are heard coming up the stairs. There is a knock on the door)

Pinchas: Come in!

(JANOSH opens the door to admit Duke Rudolf, who looks around in amazement, while JANOSH and JOERG stay at the entrance.)

Duke: A blessed holiday to you, Pinchas, and to your family. I have come to celebrate Passover with you, my good friends. Go right on with your ceremonies, and let me share your joy.

Pinchas: Welcome to our poor abode, your Highness. We are deeply moved by this great honor.

Duke: (Keeps on looking around). I see you did not need my help. To all appearances you seem to have become a rich man.

Pinchas: Indeed, my noble lord, we have become rich overnight. The strangest thing happened. That very evening after I returned from your palace empty-handed I sat down to study, as is my regular evening custom after the day’s work is done. The candle had already burnt low, when something suddenly crashed against my window. A small, dark body flew in and landed on the floor with a thud. At first I was frightened. But then, when I looked closer, I noticed that it was the corpse of a dead monkey.

Duke: A monkey, why, I would not be a bit surprised if it was my pet Iago that died three days ago, and I had his body removed, to be spared the horrible sight. But continue with the story, Pinchas. Tell me, what does the monkey have to do with your sudden riches?

Pinchas: Your Honor, please step over here. (He takes the duke to the closet where he shows him the bag of gold)

Pinchas: Here, your Highness, is all your money, except for the ducats which I took to purchase the food and clothing or my family. I shall repay them to you.

Duke: What are you talking about, Pinchas! Neither this bag not its contents is mine!

Pinchas: Well, your Honor, if the monkey was yours, then the gold coins must be yours too.

Duke: I don’t understand . . . But . . . wait a minute!

(He turns to his servants) Come here, you scoundrels. How did the corpse of Iago get here?

Janosh: Pardon, your Excellency, one of the servants wanted to play a trick on the Jew. Instead of burying the monkey, he brought the dead animal to this house in the dark of night, and threw it through the window.

Duke: Well, luckily for you and the fellow who committed this knavery, the prank had a good ending, or else . . . (Threateningly) (Then turning back to Pinchas) Now I understand what happened. The foolish monkey must have seen me bite into some coins to see whether they were genuine. Apparently he thought they were tasty food. Poor Iago! During my absence he probably opened the drawer of my desk and swallowed all the gold he found there.

Pinchas: Surely, your Honor is right. The silly animal gorged himself to death. And the ducats are rightfully yours. Pray, Sir, I am not permitted to touch the gold today. Take it and my conscience will be clear.

Duke: Far be such a thought from me, Pinchas. This treasure is yours. The good G-d, the G-d of Israel, gave it to you.

Pinchas: But why, your Honor? There is no doubt that it came from your desk!

Duke: Well, I have a confession to make, my dear friend. You see, when you came to me before Passover I did not give you my usual gift because I wanted to see whether your G-d would help you, as you are always so sure of it. For, whenever I give you something you thank Him first, instead of me. I therefore let you go home empty-handed. But G-d has righted the wrong. Now I understand how proper it was for you to thank Him first, and then me.

Pinchas: Praised be G-d who has given you a noble heart and a noble mind to understand His divine ways.

Duke: Now, Pinchas, if you will permit, I’ll sit down at your table and participate in your celebration and rituals. Continue as if I had not come to interrupt the ceremony.

Pinchas: Yes, my dear children, let us continue to celebrate the seder. For Passover is not only a holiday that commemorates an event that happened three thousand years ago to our people, when G-d took them out of their misery in Egypt. Every year we Jews celebrate anew the festival of our liberation from the bondage of worldly miseries and dangers. Every year at this time G-d graciously sends us His miraculous help to free us of fear, and to strengthen our faith, and to prove to the world that His divine will prevails. And Israel lives forever, until the days when all people will go up to Zion and the earth will be full with the knowledge of G-d, as the waters that cover the ocean.

All: (Rise, take cups in their hands and sing:) “Vehi sheomdo la-avoteinu . . .”

(the end)