The Struggle Over Yifat

Black Box

Yifat becomes the focus of a conflict between marital authority and the fragile care shared across the extended family.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

The Little Sister The Little Sister from "Black Box". The Little Sister A new family bond Yifat grows up in Michel and Ilana’s small household.

The Little Sister A new family bond Yifat grows up in Michel and Ilana’s small household. Boaz, distant from his mother, nevertheless shows affection for the child when he visits. A point of connection The little girl briefly draws Boaz and Michel into a shared contest for her attention. Her presence offers a form of family life that adults have struggled to create deliberately.

Boaz’s Affection Boaz’s Affection from "Black Box". Boaz’s Affection Gifts and play Boaz brings Yifat presents and teases that he will eat her little nose.

Boaz’s Affection from "Black Box". Boaz’s Affection Gifts and play Boaz brings Yifat presents and teases that he will eat her little nose.

Boaz’s Affection Gifts and play Boaz brings Yifat presents and teases that he will eat her little nose. He welcomes her to the estate and begins building play equipment for her. Tenderness without possession His care is spontaneous, not an attempt to claim parental authority. Yifat becomes one of the few people he openly welcomes into his chosen life.

Ilana Takes Her Along Ilana Takes Her Along from "Black Box". Ilana Takes Her Along A unilateral move Ilana brings Yifat to Gideon House while Michel is away.

Ilana Takes Her Along from "Black Box". Ilana Takes Her Along A unilateral move Ilana brings Yifat to Gideon House while Michel is away.

Ilana Takes Her Along A unilateral move Ilana brings Yifat to Gideon House while Michel is away. The decision links the child to Boaz and Alexander but bypasses her father’s consent. A dispute ignites Michel sees the move as an intolerable breach. What begins as Ilana’s attempt to find refuge becomes a custody crisis.

Michel’s Demand Michel’s Demand from "Black Box". Michel’s Demand A warning delivered Michel writes that Yifat must return to Jerusalem and threatens to use friends to retrieve her.

Michel’s Demand from "Black Box". Michel’s Demand A warning delivered Michel writes that Yifat must return to Jerusalem and threatens to use friends to retrieve her.

Michel’s Demand A warning delivered Michel writes that Yifat must return to Jerusalem and threatens to use friends to retrieve her. He frames the dispute as both a legal matter and a question of honor. Family support mobilized Relatives gather around Michel, while Rahel offers Ilana counsel. The child’s immediate location activates the adults’ wider political and marital alliances.

The Separation The Separation from "Black Box". The Separation Yifat returns to Jerusalem Michel takes his daughter home and begins divorce proceedings.

The Separation from "Black Box". The Separation Yifat returns to Jerusalem Michel takes his daughter home and begins divorce proceedings.

The Separation Yifat returns to Jerusalem Michel takes his daughter home and begins divorce proceedings. Ilana remains at the estate, imagining the routines she has lost. Love from a distance The novel does not resolve when mother and daughter will reunite. Yifat’s separation makes the cost of the adults’ decisions intimate and daily.

1973–early 1976

April–May 1976

Late August 1976

Early September 1976

September–October 1976