A Found Treasure

My maternal grandmother, Rachel, lost her father when she was only eight years old. It was a difficult time for my great-grandmother Raymonde as she had to provide for her young children on her own. Thus, she had to sell valuables in her possession, to make ends meet. Among these objects, she sold the Megillah of her deceased husband, my great-grandfather Saadia, descendant of the line of Dayanim Aben Danan. This precious Megillah, which he was particularly fond of, had been passed down to him by his grandfather who had written it carefully in his own hand. A few years later, my grandmother married my grandfather Haim-David. My grandfather's brother, Raphaël, was the second owner of the Megillah, but nobody knew. The henna party of their eldest son (my uncle Saadia) was held on the evening of Purim. When the bride and groom sat down to receive their gifts, my grandfather's brother, Raphael, took the famous Megillah out of a bag and handed it to the groom, saying: “I am giving you back the treasured Megillah of your grandfather. It is yours by right because you bear his name Saadia”. This Megillah brings additional joy on every Purim.