For many years the Jews of Bukhara were terribly persecuted by their Muslim neighbors. In one historical period, the Muslims enacted 18 separate laws designed to oppress them and cause public humiliation. Failure to comply with any of these edicts was punished by whipping, having one’s hands or feet cut. If the infraction was more serious, the Muslim courts had no compunctions about sentencing a Jew to death. In addition, whenever a Jew was arrested and imprisoned he would be subjected to immense pressure to convert to Islam, lured by the promise of a reduced sentence. The Muslims believed that their religion compelled them to convert as many Jews as possible. It was not unheard of for Jewish children to be kidnapped from their homes. In the event that a Jew did convert, willingly or unwillingly, his every step was eagerly scrutinized. If it was discovered that he had retained any Jewish custom or practice, he was immediately put to death.
The story of Khudadad, a young Bukharan Jew whose Hebrew name was Netanel, took place approximately 200 years ago. One day Khudadad was walking through the streets of the city when he thought he recognized an old childhood friend. Without thinking twice, the young man said hello and extended his hand in greeting. The stranger took the outstretched hand and shook it before he could see to whom it belonged. It was then that the unfortunate error was discovered.
The stranger was not an old acquaintance but, in fact, a religious Muslim, whose hand Khudadad was prohibited from shaking by law. The Muslim was very upset by what had happened. Through no fault of his own he had allowed himself to be seen shaking hands with a Jew. As they were both being led to the police station, he clapped him on the shoulder.
This, of course, only incensed the Muslim further, who even more than he hated Jews was worried about what his friends might say if they saw him. “No matter, my friend,” Khudadad said with a smile. “Do we not all believe in the same G-d and agree that He alone is the Creator of the world?” The Muslim, who by then had gathered his wits, seized the Jew’s words as if he had suddenly stumbled upon a great treasure. “Did you hear that?” he cried out in a loud voice to the crowd of onlookers.
“This young Jew just accepted the Muslim religion upon himself!” Khudadad was accused of converting to Islam of his own free will. Several Muslim bystanders also swore that they had heard the Jew’s declaration of belief in G-d and the prophet Muhammad with their own two ears.
Khudadad realized that he was in far more trouble than he would have faced for merely shaking a Muslim’s hand. “They’re lying – it just isn’t true!” he protested, but no one believed him. The emir accepted the witnesses’ testimony and pronounced Khudadad an authentic Muslim. But the young Jew was steadfast in his faith.
“You can believe whatever you want, but I was born a Jew and I’ll die a Jew,” he insisted. In the face of such sacrilege the emir had no choice but to throw Khudadad into prison. The leaders of the Bukharan Jewish community did everything they could to save him, but the only concession they won (with the help of a sizeable bribe) was that Khudadad was allowed to remain under house arrest until his trial.
Even though the outcome of the trial was a fait accompli, Khudadad conducted himself with dignity and faith. He spent his last days with his family, brothers and sisters, and young wife. “Just make sure to tell the children that their father gave up his life for G-d and for the honor of the Torah,” he told them.
On the day of the trial a huge crowd of Muslims and Jews gathered around the emir’s palace, waiting tensely to hear the verdict. Khudadad was given one last chance to save his life by accepting Islam. But Khudadad remained unimpressed, and with a disdainful smile he refused their gesture. “Hurry up and carry out your sentence,” he declared. “My revenge will ultimately be taken by the G-d of truth.”
That very day Khudadad was executed. The story of his faith and martyrdom, and his steadfastness in the service of G-d, was passed down from generation to generation, and later greatly encouraged the Jews of Bukhara under the totalitarian Communist regime. At the end of the nineteenth century his children emigrated to the Holy Land and settled in Jerusalem, and many of his descendents are today pious Jews and Chasidim.
