The whole town was a-flutter with joy, because the pious scion of a godly race had found a pious wife, and a young branch of the tree of Judah was about to bear fruit.
When I came to lie on my mother's breast, she sang me lullabies on lofty themes.

I heard the names of Rebecca, Rachel, and Leah as early as the names of father, mother, and nurse.

My baby soul was enthralled by sad and noble cadences, as my mother sang of my ancient home in Palestine, or mourned over the desolation of Zion.

With the first rattle that was placed in my hand a prayer was pronounced over me, a petition that a pious man might take me to wife, and a messiah be among my sons.
I was fed on dreams, instructed by means of prophecies, trained to hear and see mystical things that callous senses could not perceive.

I was taught to call myself a princess, in memory of my forefathers who had ruled a nation.