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He talked to no one about what it was that burdened him, but Reuben had come to believe that it had something to do with Judah’s early marriage to Abra, a young Canaanite woman, the daughter of Shua. She was a strange and sullen woman, and the three sons she’d borne to Judah were much the same.
    To a lesser extent than Joseph, but more so than his brothers, Judah also had dreams. They were frightful dreams, which he hated, but he spoke to no one about them, for he did not understand them. Now he and Reuben were speaking of Joseph’s dreams.
    â€œIf Joseph would only keep quiet about his dreams,” Reuben said moodily. “One of these days Levi or Simeon are going to strangle him.”
    â€œThey won’t do that,” Judah answered quietly. “But they do hate him for it.”
    ****
    Most of Joseph’s education was received in Jacob’s tent, where Jacob could listen in as Zimra guided Joseph through the intricacies of mathematics or foreign languages. The tent was made of woven black goat’s hair, stretched over nine stout poles and fastened by strong ropes to pegs driven into the ground. It was by far the most impressive and beautiful tent of any of the tribe, fitting for the head of the tribe to dwell in. Jacob now dwelt in it alone, having nothing anymore to do with Leah or his concubines. He was past all of that now and was content to spend much of his time alone in his beautiful tent. It was divided from front to back by curtains, and the floor was covered with beautifully worked carpets purchased from traveling merchants from Damascus and other faraway places. One of the rooms served as a general storehouse and supply chamber and was filled with camel saddles and traveling gear.
    The other half was the main dwelling place for Jacob and his guests, which were not many as a rule. The tent was open in front to the height of a man, and earthen lamps with ornamental bases and shallow bowls with short snouts for the wick were kept burning day and night. To one side was a tall-legged coffer with a vaulted lid, carved with intricate designs and filled with Jacob’s treasures. In the middle of the room a glowing brazier kept the tent warm when the temperatures dropped. Samples of gold-covered Syrian and Canaanite carvings decorated the interior.
    It was in this room that Joseph sat one morning listening to Zimra speak of the wonders of foreign places. But when he began to speak of Egypt, Jacob interrupted. “Speak not of Egypt, Zimra,” he said, “for it is an evil place.”
    â€œEvil, my lord?” Zimra said with feigned surprise, for he actually knew well the old leader’s thoughts on Egypt. “It is a place of men and women like any other.”
    â€œIt is not,” Jacob said stubbornly. “It is a place where they go about clothed in garments made of air. You can see right through them.”
    â€œBut, my lord—”
    â€œSpeak no more of it. Did you know that they have no word for ‘sin’ in their language?” Jacob demanded. “What place could be more evil than that?”
    Zimra had learned long ago not to argue with the old man, and he at once changed the subject. After the teacher left, Jacob turned to Joseph and gave him a hard look. “Zimra knows much, but pay no attention to his teachings of Egypt. It is an evil place.”
    â€œAs you say, Father,” Joseph said, although he was sure that his father knew no more about Egypt than he knew about the surface of the moon. Joseph had learned to agree with Jacob in all things, no matter what he himself thought.
    â€œYou have done well. I have a present for you, my lamb.”
    â€œA present! How wonderful. Your lamb is grateful. What is it, Father?”
    Jacob got to his feet and limped over to the carved chest containing his treasures, opened the lid, and took out a large box. “I have made something special … something I’ve worked on for