Summary: Chapter 7
“We are commanded to study His Torah!
We are commanded to sit in the light of the Presence! It is for this
that we were created!”
(See Important Quotations Explained)
Reuven and his father wake up early on Shabbat morning
and walk to synagogue together. They return home, eat lunch, and
then Reuven falls asleep thinking about the colors of Billy’s and
Danny’s eyes.
Three hours later, Reuven wakes to find Danny standing
over him. Danny suggests they walk over to his shul so that Reuven
can meet Reb Saunders. As they walk, the boys tell each other about their
families. Reuven explains he has no siblings because his mother
died shortly after he was born. Danny says he has a younger sister
and a younger brother. The boys then discover that they were born
only two days apart. Danny also explains that his father is a great
man who saved the members of his community from persecution by bringing
them to America after World War I, a journey made in the face of
great adversity. He also explains that Reb Saunders’ older brother
vanished, so Reb Saunders inherited his father’s position. Danny
notes that because his father is a tzaddik, considered a bridge
between his followers and God, his congregation will follow him
anywhere.
At Danny’s father’s shul, Reuven and Danny meet a crowd
of black-caftaned Hasids who part like the Red Sea when Danny approaches.
As the boys enter the brownstone, Danny explains that the shul is
on the bottom floor and his family lives on the top two stories.
The synagogue soon fills with Hasidim who have come for
the afternoon service. Two men approach Danny and ask him to resolve an
argument over a passage of Talmud, which Danny interprets masterfully.
Danny’s father comes downstairs, and the room is suddenly quiet.
Danny introduces his friend to his father, and Reb Saunders remarks
that he is interested in getting to know the son of David Malter.
Following the afternoon service, the men sit down at
the table for a ritual Shabbat meal led by Reb Saunders. He concludes
the meal with an impassioned talk, using Talmudic quotes from several
great rabbis to argue that Jews are obligated to serve God’s will
by studying Torah. It is through the study of Torah, Reb Saunders
says, that God listens to mankind. Reb Saunders also uses gematriya—numerological
manipulations of Hebrew words and phrases—to prove his point.
Following his talk, Reb Saunders asks Danny if he noticed
any mistakes or inconsistencies in his argument. Danny replies that
his father misattributed one quote. Reb Saunders then asks Danny
several detailed follow-up questions, and the two launch into an extended
discussion of Talmudic precepts. The assembled crowd of Hasidim
is obviously pleased by Danny’s quick and sharp answers. Reuven
realizes that the whole speech was one great quiz—Reb Saunders made
deliberate errors to see if his son would notice and correct him.
