Free Rashi's Daughters, Book III: Rachel by Maggie Anton

both brief and unsuccessful.” The drunkard had so much as cursed her new baby, and he would pay for it.
    Mama fingered the amulet she wore around her neck and said, “Amen to that.”
     
    At disner the next day, Shemayah reported grimly that the fellow was known as Adam, a merchant from Roanne. “According to those who lodge with him, Adam drank so much wine at our banquet that he has no recollection of anything said there.”
    Salomon sat quietly at the table while his family awaited his decision. If told to ignore the incident, they would do so.
    Suddenly Judah scowled. “Wait a moment. Adam of Roanne—that name sounds familiar.”
    Salomon half closed his eyes and stroked his beard. “ Oui , I have heard it too . . . One of my responsa, I think.”
    “I’m sure that I have never heard of him,” Meir said.
    “Then the query must have come while you were at Ramerupt, not during the fair seasons.” Judah’s face froze with concentration. “I have it. Last year, after Passover, you received a letter complaining about a merchant named Adam, asking for your legal opinion.”
    Salomon shook his head. “That Adam lived in Vénissieux.”
    “But the people of Vénissieux said that he had moved to Roanne.” Judah walked to the cupboard and brought out a small chest. “These are the responsa from last year. I should have the one we want in a moment.”
    The room was silent as he rummaged through the chest. “Here. I believe this is the letter in question.”
    He handed a sheaf of parchment to Salomon, who read it aloud. “The Jews of Vénissieux complain about a merchant named Adam. He travels behind various rapacious barons and their knights when they loot their rivals’ villages. Adam buys the spoils cheaply and resells them at much higher prices, often to the very people they were stolen from.”
    Rachel scowled. “Such an unscrupulous man menaces every Jewish merchant. With so few Jews in the countryside, Edomites who encounter this fellow will believe we’re all that greedy.”
    “Exactly.” Salomon continued reading, his voice rising in anger. “Adam’s activities have aroused the hatred of the plundered villagers, and of their lords, who say: ‘This Jew, because he is always ready to buy looted goods, entices our enemies to attack us. He is the real cause of our troubles; yet he walks in safety.’ ”
    “But what was the responsa about, Papa? What did the Jews of Vénissieux want from you?” Miriam asked.
    “The Jews there were outraged at being associated with Adam, particularly since several of them were taken captive and held for ransom on his account. They placed him in herem and banished him, but he merely moved to Roanne and continued his evil ways.” Salomon held out his hands helplessly. “They turned to me for support, but there was nothing I or they could do. Each Jewish community is independent, and if Roanne chooses to tolerate Adam’s behavior, despite the danger, it is its prerogative.”
    Joheved didn’t need to hear any more. “The Jews of Vénissieux have put Adam under herem , and for good reason. What if he starts buying stolen property in Champagne? Next the petty nobles will be pillaging each other’s villages to sell to him, and we will have no peace in Ramerupt.”
    “Don’t worry.” Meir patted Joheved’s hand. “We will denounce him at services so everyone will know his history.”
    “Adam is an uncommon name,” Miriam pointed out. “But we can’t accuse him without proof that he’s the same man.”
    Salomon turned to Shemayah. “Go back to the New Synagogue and find out whether Adam of Roanne once lived in Vénissieux, and if so, did that community excommunicate him?”
    “He must be the same man,” Rachel said. “There couldn’t be two men so wicked with that same name, and the sooner he leaves Troyes the better.”
    Mama whispered what they all were thinking. “I pray that it’s not too late.”
    A stab of fear pierced Rachel’s heart, and she