Zack tiptoed into the guest room where he and Liz were staying. He slowly closed the door behind him and staggered toward the bed where she lay sleeping.

Liz had not consumed nearly as much wine to the others, just the smallest sip with each of the required cups. She always complained that wine made her feel 'out of control'.

On the other hand, wine made Zack forget about his troubles for awhile and imagine that his life was sweet.

He removed his outer robe and sat at the edge of the bed, turning to look at Liz as she slept. For a change, she looked relaxed and at peace.

Wouldn't it be nice, he thought to himself, if they could climb into the bed together and enjoy the physical promise of a married life before falling asleep in each other's arms? By now, after many years, he knew better than to even suggest such a thing.

Resigned to yet another sexless night, he lay down beside Liz and closed his eyes waiting for sleep to overtake him. After the long day's travel, and all the wine he had consumed, it wasn't long before Zack drifted into a familiar dream state. He had a rich dream life, and from his perspective it was another place that God spoke directly to him.

Unlike the morning's dream, where he was with his mother as a young boy, in this dream he was about 19 years old and at his own home in Hebron. It was a time just after he and Liz married, and he was finishing his studies to become a Rabbi.

In the dream, it was an evening much like tonight. Zack and Liz had been at a holiday celebration; a warm evening with friends and family. He knew it wasn't Rosh Hashanah because they had feasted on a bounty of tasty dishes and drunk much wine. Their laughter and singing had kept going well into the night. Now they were ready for bed, and Zack was feeling desire for his wife. Maybe Liz would get pregnant this time, Zack hoped. Maybe she would consent.

Yet, in the dream as in waking life, Liz had no desire for sex. Despite many discussions, negotiations, and even arguments, she still maintained that what they were doing was unclean, even though they were married!

"Wait Zack!" She said, as he moved to climb on top of her. "If I open myself to you now, and you enter me filled with this wild passion, an evil spirit could enter me as well. We should be more respectful of Him, on this holy day, and abstain from such desire."

Still dreaming, he spoke harshly to her. " It's me Liz -- not a demon -- who wishes to enter you tonight. Your husband! I feel much need, and I am very close to release. It won't take much! Please!"

Liz's turned away from him. She appeared so afraid of him, sickened by the thought of making love to him. Her ongoing refusal was a painful disappointment to him.

"Perhaps you could just release yourself at the edge of the bed," she suggested. "I promise not to watch. We can try again another time my husband. I am so tired."

Zack's head was spinning in a tangle of emotions. He was angry and frustrated and painfully aroused. His wife was so cold, so unable to feel the slightest passion, so unwilling to let go even a little. She denied all the things that Zack knew to be the sweet parts of life.

Liz rolled onto her side facing away from him, and wept.

Zack rose from the bed and walked over to the window. He took a deep breath and looked out onto the moonlit sky. He felt himself drowning in a deep sea of loneliness, seeking solace in the twinkling of a star or the face of the moon. He walked out of the room. As he left he said, "I'll be in the other room -- preparing for tomorrow's service".

The dream continued. Zack closed the bedroom door and entered the dark hallway. He walked a few steps feeling for the walls to guide him. As he felt his way a light began to grow, revealing his desk and chair. Now, however, he was no longer in his home; but in his study at the temple. He started to read from the Torah, his eyes straining to read in the dim light. He was still upset by what had happened earlier with Liz.

He reached for a pitcher to pour himself a drink and clumsily tipped over the oil lamp that provided him with reading light. The lamps flame quickly travelled down in the stream of oil that had spilled and pooled in the center of the room.

Suddenly the flame grew larger and brighter. Just when he thought it might engulf the room, it transformed into a winged form within the fire that rose up before him filling the room. Zack gasped. Was the emerging shape an angel or a demon?

The being spoke to him: "Zacharius, recall the story of Onan whose brother Er died without any children leaving his young wife Tamar, childless and alone. Judah told Onan to marry Tamar, saying: if a man dies and leaves his wife without children then it is the duty of his brother to take her as his own wife; to have children by her so that the family line continues."

"The Father of All yearns to bring fourth children where there might otherwise be none. There is another way for you to have a child of your own. God has a plan for you. You must have faith and follow His Will without question."

"As a test of your belief, tomorrow collect some blooms from the purple flower that grows in the garden behind this house. Brew the flowers petals in warm water to make a strong tea. Pour the liquid into a small flask with a stopper, and bring it with you to Emmaus. Tell no one of this plan."

Zack started to ask a question but the being disappeared from before him. The scene faded to black and he woke up asking out loud "What other way?"

(End of Chapter 6)